Hustopece

Almonds have been grown at Hustopece since at least the sixteenth century - the climate here is the warmest and driest in the country and the south-facing slopes suit them - and the orchards, replanted and extended over the past two decades, are the largest in the Czech Republic. They flower in the second half of March or early April, pink over the hill above the town, and the town runs a blossom festival then. A lookout tower in the shape of a stylised almond stands among the trees with a view over the orchards, the vineyards and the Palava hills. Hustopece is also a wine town of the Velkopavlovicka subregion with a wine centre in a former church, cellars along the streets and a heavy autumn calendar of tastings. The Nove Mlyny reservoirs and Palava are a short drive south.

What you actually see

• The largest almond orchards here - on the warmest, driest slopes in the country.
• Blossom in late March - pink over the hill, with a festival around it.
• An almond-shaped lookout - a tower among the trees with a view to Palava.
• A wine town - cellars and a wine centre in a former church.

When to go

Late March for blossom; May to October for wine. A day.

Honest expectations

Blossom lasts about a week or two and the date shifts with the weather every year - check before travelling for it. The festival weekend fills the town. Cellars open by arrangement or on set days.

Nearby

Palava and the Nove Mlyny reservoirs are south; Mikulov beyond.