Despite being unconventional, Eastern Moravia is certainly full of local traditions waiting for you to uncover. A unique waterway presents an opportunity to enjoy a calm cruise with visits of many wine houses, jaunts through the protected landscape areas and trips to historical sights. In this day and age, it is also possible to cross the border to Slovakia and reach the port in Skalica.
The Baťa’s Channel is a sight in terms of technology joining Otrokovice with Sudoměřice which are approximately 60 km apart from one another (the Baťa’s Channel cannot be found in Zlín, which may be, according to its name, for some rather perplexing). The channel was constructed in 1938 and it served for the irrigation of Moravian Slovakia (in Czech somewhat loosely known as Moravské Slovácko) and transportation of brown coal to Baťa’s factories in Zlín. It operated until 1945 when it was destroyed during the final days of the war. Even though the channel was soon reconstructed it was used only until 1961 when the last boat made its cruise there. The public had to wait for the reopening of the channel for 35 years but since 1996 it has been welcoming thousands of visitors every year.
These days, there are 9 ports along the channel, which provide tourists with various facilities and services. During the cruise on the Morava, you can experience raft adventures, become a treasure hunter with your kids, taste home-made sausages and local wines, have a rest on sandy beaches, let your kids go through a one-day tuition on the boat or enjoy having a beer right from the keg with your friends. Each of the ports is equipped with several ships so that your cruise can be different every time you take it.
Some parts of the Baťa’s Channel follow the Morava river, some other parts, which are artificially carved out, are connected to the river through lock chambers. There are also some unique historical sights to see — e.g. historical lock chambers, places where the waterway crosses the rope boat tow, historical bridges or mechanical weirs.
