Holiday in Czech Republic

[AimusSage]

Well, I just got back from a holiday in the Czech Republic, and I have to say it is a beautiful country, I had been to Prague before, but now I had an 'active' holiday in the north of the country. It included a day of cycling, 2 day walk, climbing, rafting etc.

So anyone from the Czech Republic can be proud to live in such a cool country, The beer is really cheap, for what I am used, to and it tastes great. Good mix of friendly and other people too.

Anyone else been there on holiday? I know some of you are Czech, so please share your opionion of this country.

[Koa]

I've been to Prague once but I've had a penfriend in the Czech Republic (who now moved away) for years now so I feel quite close to that country... I think it's beautiful but I can't say much more as I've been there only for 4 days and all I could do was tourist-type things...

[RococoLocket]

Ohh, i'd love to visit prague <3

[mono]

Argh, I feel so jealous this time of year when everyone travels!
Unfortunately, I have never even traveled internationally (I live in the U.S.), but I have much intention to, *sigh*, someday.
As for the Czech Republic, I think we have a few people on the forum from there, or who have lived there, and Prague I have called one of my dream vacations.
*sigh* :rolleyes:
How wonderful that it sounds like you had a great time, and I give a warm welcome back!

[Jay]

North of the republic? Any chance of having accidentaly bumped into you? :p
You had to have visited during the 'cool' days as now we're melting our colective butts off :D

[AimusSage]

Well, It was actually pleasant weather, with a bit of rain. :) I was at a place called Spindleruv Mlyn (sp?) and from their on walked toward and climbed the highest mountain of the country. It was more like walking up the stairs, but fun nonetheless.

[ihrocks]

But Jay, you have all that great beer to cool you down! :D

I can only add that I, too, have the Czech Republic on my travel wish-list. Not only do I want to visit Prague, one of the great cities of the world (architecture, history, mystique, you name it), but, of course, I absolutely need to do lunch with Jay and amuse there...well, more likely dessert, right ladies? The best way to know a country is to know its desserts!

[Jay]

Aimus, you got the spelling correct, and the mountain would be Snezka :p

Nice to see you're back our fave IH fan :)
If you're thinking desserts, I think you might enjoy the Czech rep then :D, sure know how to prepare the meals to be yummy :D (and high on the calories, lol)
I can't really get what people see in Prague... houses, underground, loooootsa people, looootsa politicians, aimed to get the tourists to buy every little thing that might be sold... just... Prague? Yeah, so there are buildings with towers and all the bridges and the Castle... but there are more beautiful castles in the country... did I meantion too many people factor already? ;)

[AimusSage]

People see Prague as a romatic city. Now, I have no Idea what exactly makes a city romantic, but I guess it has to do with age and history. Prague has plenty of that.
I'll concede there are beautiful castles south of Prague. It's been almost eight years since I was in Bohemia. But I remember the castles well. The best preserved (or restored) castle I visited was Karlsteijn. But I was more impressed with the castles that were only partially restored. They didn't have the 'touristic' feel Karlsteijn had.

The food is really good, if indeed a bit high on calories, I don't think you Czech's like vegetables that much? Except tomatoes perhaps. ;)

[Jay]

Well, if you've heard about leco (yumyum :p) I guess you could say tomatoes and paprikas are fave, lol. As far as I know the Czechs don't have probelms with vegetables if its accompanied with meat, lol. Personally I don't mind veg, fresh or cooked, with meat or without.

I didn't like Karlstejn much either and I also prefer castles looking age-y. Or I like the reconstucted ones but only from the outside. Though some do look nice from th einside as well... ok, to sum it up, I like castles :p

[AimusSage]

Castles are great :)

The people in your country do know how to prepare a steak; nice and bloody :p

[ihrocks]

I can't really get what people see in Prague... houses, underground, loooootsa people, looootsa politicians, aimed to get the tourists to buy every little thing that might be sold... just... Prague? Yeah, so there are buildings with towers and all the bridges and the Castle... but there are more beautiful castles in the country... did I meantion too many people factor already? ;)

Jay, you have to remember there was a time here in the US when relations with what was the Soviet Union were...well, the subject of a great many spy novels and movies, and one of the settings, almost invariably, was Prague -- a place were "East" could meet "West" and chase each other around a lot (especially if West was played by someone like Michael Caine), with guns and cars and sometimes beautiful, but mysterious (and sometimes deadly) blondes. These sorts of things create an impression on young minds and those impressions make us want to go see Prague.

[Jay]

AH, I see, not really sure who Michael Caine is but I'm sure you'll introduce me to him soon enough :p, it's always funny watching those movies and see the Czechs talking in Russian :rolleyes:

[ihrocks]

AH, I see, not really sure who Michael Caine is but I'm sure you'll introduce me to him soon enough :p, it's always funny watching those movies and see the Czechs talking in Russian :rolleyes:

More than Jay ever wanted to know about Michael Caine (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000323/bio). :D

And, some spy movies filmed in Prague include:

XXX
The Bourne Identity
The Bourne Supremacy
The Perfect Spy
The Spy Who Came in From the Cold

And, in googling, I read the next James Bond film will continue the tradition of its more classic counterparts by also having scenes shot in Prague.

Pierce Brosnan, beer, and scenery...start making your travel plans now! :D

[Jay]

AH, now that rings some bells, but I'm afraid that's it.

[ihrocks]

You know I'm always willing to help! :D

[Jay]

I do indeed :p... esp when it leads to civilizing the young ones ;)

[Tabac]

I was in Prague almost two years ago. As a retired French teacher, I am supposed to consider Paris the ultimate in cities; sorry, but Prague is so much more fascinating for me. It has one of the most active cultural calendars in Europe and the best Turkish restaurants outside of Turkey. I was there for only a week, but I got pretty good at "Strč prst skrz krk".

For anyone interested in the history of the Czech Republic, you might enjoy Benjamin Kuras' Czechs and Balances; he is an expatriate living in England. One of the reviews says that the book "makes Czech history as easy as getting thrown out of a window". The more you know, the more you'll enjoy the humor in this little treasure. I loaned it to a Czech friend of mine living here in the States, and he said that he cried many, many times while reading it [good tears].

[Tabac]

www.praguewalker.com

Katařina is wonderful!