We could hardly find a better way of getting to know the natural centre of the entire region as well as the tourist area, the city of Zlín, than from the air. Tomáš Baťa, a unique figure of the first half of the last century, anticipated this, as it were; we would like to see the entire city whose appearance he shaped considerably from a single spot. His famous “twenty-one”, the first skyscraper to be built in Czechoslovakia, is a great example of subtle Functionalist architecture. High above its roof the flag of the Zlín Region flutters in the wind and its rooms house the entire Regional Office. However, at the same time it is one of the city’s tourist attractions. Visitors are invited to come for a guided tour of the building and see the illustrious office of the director located in a lift, where Baťa would manage his entire shoe making empire. The original furniture, running water, power supplies located in special conduits embedded in the floor as well as tube mail represent but several examples of the subtle thinking of Vladimír Karfík, who designed and built this skyscraper for Baťa.

The roof terrace, where a cosy café is located offers a marvellous view of the city and enables you to plan your next tour. You may spend a pleasant time strolling among Baťa's semidetached houses, or you may visit the House of the Arts, spend almost all day in the Shoemaking Museum or see the Zlín Film Studios. And there are, of course, other interesting places almost a stone's throw from Zlín.
The Castle of Malenovice is even more than one of the most important historical buildings in the region. In addition to a classical guided tour of the castle's chambers you are invited to choose from several attractive expositions: “The Castles of South-East Moravia”, “The Šternberks in Malenovice and Pohořelice, 1804 – 1945”, “The Prehistory of South-East Moravia”. A former gamekeeper’s lodge located close to the castle houses a brand new exposition, “Wood, Wicker, Straw”. If you plan your visit of the Zlín Region and Luhačovické Zálesí well in advance and obtain information in one of the regional information centres, you can enjoy concert or theatrical performances that often take place at the castle.

This is where we must also mention that both the castle and other interesting places of the region are linked by a dense web of marked cycling paths. Malenovice is only a few kilometres from Tečovice, which has one of the oldest buildings of cultural heritage in the area - a chapel with Romanesque fundaments and beautiful original frescos of the 14th century.
Do you like animals? Don’t stop until you come to Lešná, near Zlín. The zoological garden located there opened its first runs for animals as much as 200 years ago. The division of the individual parts of the zoo copies all of the world’s continents. Moreover, you are invited to take part – in the role of onlooker - in feeding the animals, accompanied by a zookeeper's presentation. Having visited the zoo you can go for a walk round the château park with a rich collection of plants and trees or take a tour of the chambers of the château with copious carved decorations and collections of objects from the Orient. If you have some more time and feel like pushing the pedals a bit more, there is the ruin of Lukov Castle awaiting you just a little further off. We recommend that you wait until the evening and enjoy a night tour; yet beware, the place is haunted! After such a thrill, you will certainly appreciate the comfort offered by the hotels and guest houses of the region.

And when morning comes? Why don't you go and see how the old farmers in Jasenná lived, what "opálky" of ribs looked like, what "praščáky" or "užičníky" were, how plum jam was made, and of course you can taste the delicious slivovice (plum brandy) made there. If you still feel fresh after your visit to Jasenná, we recommend that you continue to Štípo, where you will see a windmill built by Kristián Kovář as well as a marvellous church whose construction was commenced by the illustrious Albrecht of Waldstein. Now that you have tasted slivovice in Jasenná, you should end the day’s programme in a stylish fashion - in Vizovice. You are invited to go on a tour of the château, which will certainly give you some intellectual satisfaction, but it is absolutely essential that you don’t miss the renowned "Distillery Land" located in the Rudolf Jelinek a.s. distillery. This is where you will learn all that there is to learn about the distillation of the well-known Jelinek slivovitz. And perhaps you will get so inspired that you will immediately start planning your next visit to Vizovice during the greatest festival devoted to this dazzling drink - the traditional TRNKOBRANÍ.
The Zlín Region and Luhačovické Zálesí offer numerous opportunities for active relaxation and sports. However, it is also a region offering quiet and romantic spa colonnades, the luxurious comfort of spa houses, repose, relaxation and treatment in Moravia's largest spa – Luhačovice. Formal and walking wear stylishly accompanied by Bata shoes are worn here instead of cycling suits and helmets. You will feel reborn after the cure and you can open your mind and absorb the beauty of the buildings by Dušan Jurkovič, which form a uniquely pure complex together with the marvellous landscape of the nearby White Carpatians, which we are very likely to see on the UNESCO World Heritage List soon. We must also mention and emphasise the fact that Luhačovice has preserved a unique atmosphere, a genius loci, which is, alas, vanishing from other spa centres of the Czech Republic. It does not matter if you are healthy or ill, young or old, if you stay for a weekend or for a longer period of time, Luhačovice will always be sheer pleasure. All you have to do is try it!

Do you feel like swimming? Go to Pozlovice, located right on the border of the White Carpathians protected area. Besides the artfully reconstructed St. Martin’s church, you will find wayside crosses along field paths, the ruin of the Castle of Starý Světlov and, above all, the reservoir located in the woods there. The beaches offer refreshment; you can hire a boat, bring your own surfboard or just lie on the beach and sunbathe. You can enjoy the delicious local cuisine and visit the annual cultural festivals "Cultural Summer" or “Touches of Music”. And if this is still not enough for you, you can go horseback riding; you can bowl and play tennis or ride your bike around the area. And you can go as far as Provodov, where you will find a chapel that became an important place for pilgrims in the early 18th century. Don’t forget to taste the wholesome water from the nearby spring that is said to have healing powers. There was even a small spa there in the 19th century.

At the end of our little tour of the regions of Zlín and Luhačovice we would like to direct you to a truly miraculous piece of land. This is the region between Slavičín, Valašské Klobouky and Brumov-Bylnice. This is a place where the traditions of Southern Wallachia merge in preserved natural surroundings; this is a place where you will find marvellous folk architecture, where you can listen to the local dialect that sounds like songs of old, taste delicious slivovice, visit the ruins of an ancient castle, a new observation tower, interesting museums. This is where you can stroll among sloping meadows filled with blooming orchids. This is where you can enjoy the hospitality of the local people. They will be happy to offer you all the delicious things that you won’t get in any McKFC.
The entire region certainly deserves your attention. You are free to ride your bike, drive, walk or row a boat. The tourist area is crossed by numerous marked paths and nature trails and offers both interesting activities and quiet repose; how about beginning your quest for the MAGIC OF THE VARIETY OF THE ZLÍN REGION right there? You need not go any further than Spytihněv, a moorage on the Baťa channel, which will take you onward.

All the important information about the regions of Zlín and Luhačovice is available in the City’s Tourist Information Centre,
Náměstí Míru 12, 760 01 Zlín, tel.: ++420 577 630 270, 222,
Fax: ++420 577 630 274, e-mail:is@muzlin.cz, www.mestozlin.cz