Weekday Ayurvedic & Wellness Escape with Yoga and Mountain Biking in the Czech Highlands

The resort is in the Vysočina region of the Czech Republic, on a large rural estate near the village of Svatá Kateřina (Počátky, Vysočina). No through road, no passing traffic — you arrive and the loudest thing you'll hear is the horses. The nearest larger towns are Jindřichův Hradec and Pelhřimov; Prague is around 140 km away and Brno about 120 km, both reachable by car in around two hours.

The wellness offer is broader than most European resorts of this size. The Wellness & Spa pavilion has an indoor pool, whirlpool, sauna, steam bath, and a massage and therapy wing. The separate Ayurvedic Pavilion is where the authentic treatments happen — abhyanga, shirodhara, pizhichil, herbal steam, sound bath sessions and the full Panchakarma protocol when you're on that programme. The therapies were compiled by Indian Ayurvedic doctors in cooperation with the Kairali resort in Kerala, which is a real credential rather than a marketing line; Kairali is one of the best-known Ayurvedic hospitals in India, and the association shows in the treatment menu and in the way programmes are structured by dosha.

Gentle Panchakarma is the flagship. It's a milder version of the full classical cleanse — suitable for guests new to Ayurveda — combining daily herbal therapies, a controlled Ayurvedic diet, sound bath, and rest. It's aimed at people with an elevated Pitta dosha (irritability, inflammation, acid digestion, sleep trouble) and is meant to lighten the body and calm the nervous system over four to seven days. Other programmes run from a weekend Ayurvedic Relaxation right through to Ayurveda Longevity and a structured Weight-Loss programme.

Yoga runs alongside the Ayurveda as its own programme. Sessions are held in the dedicated yoga space, generally morning and early evening, with hatha and gentle flow styles to match whichever programme you're on — strong vinyasa if you're on a wellness week, restorative and breath-focused if you're detoxing. The yoga package is bookable separately from the Ayurvedic programmes if that's what you're after.

Food is a serious part of this. The Voda Restaurant and the resort itself were inducted into the Gault&Millau 2026 guide, with recognition in both the Restaurant and the new Stay & Dine categories. On Ayurvedic programmes the kitchen cooks to the doctor's plan — kitchari, dhal, lightly spiced vegetable dishes, herbal teas. On the standard bed-and-breakfast or wellness stays, the kitchen cooks modern European food with local Vysočina sourcing. Same kitchen, two very different menus depending on what you booked.

Bikes and trails make this more active than a typical spa resort. There are 20 new 29-inch MERIDA mountain bikes available to guests (book ahead at info@katerinaresort), and the surrounding highlands have hundreds of kilometres of marked cycling and hiking routes. Mushroom picking in autumn is a genuine local pastime and guests are welcome to head out into the woods. There are also horses at the estate, and a small sports area for tennis or ball games.

What's included

- Accommodation in rooms and apartments at Resort Svatá Kateřina - Daily breakfast (bed & breakfast basis on wellness stays) - Full use of Wellness & Spa (indoor pool, whirlpool, sauna, steam bath) - Ayurvedic consultation and prescribed treatments on Ayurvedic programmes - Daily yoga sessions (on yoga package and most wellness stays) - Ayurvedic meals cooked to your programme plan (on Ayurvedic programmes) - Access to the guest portal with online check-in and daily programme - Free on-site parking - Wi-Fi in the main buildings - Access to the estate grounds and trails

NOTE: The exact inclusions vary by package (wellness weekend, yoga package, Ayurvedic programme). Confirm inclusions for your specific package at booking.

What's not included

- Travel to and from the resort - Lunches and dinners on bed & breakfast stays - Additional spa and Ayurvedic treatments beyond your package - Mountain bike rental (available on request, book in advance) - Horse riding at the estate - Transfers to and from Prague or Brno (can be arranged for a fee) - Travel insurance - Personal expenses and gratuities