National Geographic taps Czech town of Telč as one of 2020's top 25 travel destinations

National Geographic has just released its annual list of top travel destinations, and a Czech town has made something of a surprise appearance.

Telč, the UNESCO-protected Czech town famed for its colorful central square and Italian Renaissance architecture, is often overlooked by foreign tourists in the Czech Republic in favor of Bohemian locations such as Český Krumlov and Karlovy Vary.

But that could change in 2020, as Telč has made National Geographic’s list of the top travel destinations for next year. And while the town is officially situated in the Moravian half of the Czech Republic, it’s just as close to Prague as popular day-or-weekend-trip destinations like Český Krumlov.

“With resplendent Italian Renaissance architecture, it’s no wonder the southern Czechia (Czech Republic) town of Telč is sometimes called the Czech Florence,” writes Nat Geo Travel Czechia editor in chief Tomáš Tureček.

“Positioned midway between Prague to the north and Vienna to the south, the storybook town got its official start in the 14th century as a crossroads on the well-trodden trading routes among Bohemia, Moravia, and Austria.”

While the list is unnumbered, Telč appears in the 5th position. A pair of Czech neighbors are also represented on the list, with Poland’s Białowieża Forest and Austria’s Grossglockner High Alpine Road also making the cut for top 2020 travel destinations.

Other European locales on the list include the UK’s Wales Way, Spain’s Asturias and Canary Islands, Italy’s Parma, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Mostar, and Hungary’s National Blue Trail.

Nat Geo’s editor recommends the warmer months of May-September as prime Telč time, but you can get a jump on the 2020 travel crowds by visiting during this holiday season. A special Christmas market will debut in the city’s historic square on the weekend of December 14-15.

Looking for some more travel inspiration outside the Czech Republic for next year?