Autumn in Czechia is full of life and significant dates, from St. Wenceslas Day on September 28th to celebrations of statehood and independence in October and November. Cooler weather provides the perfect atmosphere to indulge in some Czech comfort food, while local music fills the air all year long.

The Year of Czech Music Continues

The artsy city of Brno shines a spotlight on a local composer with the Janacek Brno festival October 31 – November 23rd. Among a stacked events program, opera fans can catch a performance of Leos Janá?ek’s “Cunning Little Vixen” which turns 100 years old this year, or visit the Janá?ek Memorial Museum to dive deeper into his life in the second-largest Czech city. For a glimpse of the Czech music scene from the comfort of your own headphones, try the Faces of Czech Music podcast to learn a few contemporary names we may be celebrating in another 100 years.

Tips for the Czech Food Scene

When it comes to where (or what) to eat, it’s all about finding the voices that match your tastes. Czech food has gotten plenty of attention this year, including:

NatGeo highlighting traditional flavors with modern twists, including where to try local fave svickova. Lonely Planet author Mark Baker details his favorite neighborhoods for meals beyond the city center. US-born food blogger argues that Prague burgers hold their own against any major city.

November 11th is an ideal day to sample roast goose, dumplings and cabbage. Local restaurant group Ambiente offers up a few Czech recipes to try at home. And Taste Atlas named two Czech pastries among the best fried desserts. No matter what you land on, there’s one phrase to remember before you dig in. “Dobrou chu?” is the Czech equivalent of “bon apetit” to wish your fellow diners a friendly “Enjoy your meal!”

The Real Birthplace of Budweiser

The town of Ceske Budejovice, roughly two hours south of Prague, is worth adding to your list of day trip ideas. Fans of beer history will want to dig into how the local Budvar brewery inspired the name (but not the recipe) of Budweiser beer, while architecture fans will marvel at one of Europe’s largest town squares. Take a 10-minute virtual walk with Czech YouTubers known as the Honest Guide to see a few quirky spots and local history.