As a US expat living in Brno, CZ and working in Europe for the last five years, I took exception to the review and characterization of the City of Brno by the author of the article. The author unfortunately did not take the time to explore and really "taste" the culture and history of the City of Brno and it's people. In fact, it is clear to me the author spent very little time outside his/her hotel and speaking to the locals or looking for the history that was part of the charm and glory of Brno during it's days up until the mid 1930s when the city still bustled with culture and prosperity as part of the Austo-Hungarian Empire. The city suffered until the 1990s with the lack of investment before the Velvet Revolution.

This said, there is a huge amount of history and culture to be found walking it's streets and surrounding areas. There are castles (Hrad Špilberk & Hrad Veveøi), parks, threatres (open-air summer Shakespearian performances), historic Napoleonic battlefields (Slavkov-Austerlitz), firework festivals (Ignis Brunensis), Undergroud Caves with amazing Stalactites(Punkevní jeskynì),(a world class brewery (Staro Brno), Aquatic Centers not to mention the wonderful Moravian food and drink (Don't miss the Pork Ribs - Žebra and Potato pancakes - Bramboráky)that are enjoyed around the year in festivals and the local restaurants.

On a final note, if you go to Brno or any foreign country for that matter, realize that you are in a foreign culture and one with it's own language. You cannot expect the warmest welcome if you don't respenc the people and their native language. I recommend if you go with a phrasebook and a warm engaging smile, you will find that there the Moravian people are warm and proud people. Make an honest attempt to speak a few phrases of the local language even if it is only a polite greeting (Good Day - Dobrý den and Thank you - Dekuju).

If you do, I am sure you the locals will be amused at your pronounciation, but you will certainly get help and a much warmer reception and you may even get pointed to a great local restaurant and the many hard to find secrets this area has to offer.