Most tourists head straight for Prague when visiting the Czech Republic – but the country is also home to a criminally underrated wine region that rivals Italy, without the price tag. Known for its sprawling vineyards, glassy lakes and ancient forests, the region is often dubbed 'little Tuscany', having almost as many wine cellars as residents, where wine costs just 70p a glass. 

South Moravia has long been a hidden gem in the wine world, but it is so much more, having served as the centre of a major medieval kingdom in Europe known as Great Moravia. It is now dotted with fascinating architecture, UNESCO sites, among stunning national parks. August to September is its typical “wine season”, when Czechs are legally allowed to sell burčák, a sweet young wine. 

Many of the hotels here double as a winery, meaning visitors are never far from a refreshing glass.

At Sobes Vineyard, in the heart of the sprawling Podyjí National Park, an iPaper travel writer,  Aisling O'Leary, picked up a glass of dry Riesling for 70p.

Špalek, a family-owned organic winery near the town of Znojmo offers natural wines, while Lahofer Winery has a roof terrace with vineyard views, and an open-air theatre for concerts and plays.

Moravia was incorporated into the kingdom of Bohemia in the 11th century, then in the 20th century it became part of the modern state of Czechoslovakia and subsequently of the Czech Republic. 

One unmissable area is the UNESCO-listed Lednice-Valtice Cultural Landscape — a 55sq mile sprawl of castles, gardens and follies that was once the seat of the ruling Liechtenstein family.

The Podyjí National Park is the perfect place to explore and cycle or go hiking among rolling green hills, castles and rivers. 

Many trains run from Prague to Brno, the region’s capital and the Czech Republic’s second-largest city after Prague.

While a hire car or bike give the best flexibility to explore the region, buses also run between the towns.