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Trip Report
The heart & diamond of Central Europe - Czech Republic
The heart of this lovely small country is the capital city Praha, but there are many other stunning places to visit. It's full of history, natural highlights and situated perfectly in Central Europe
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Highs & Lows
Capital city Praha full of architecture, Karlstejn castle, Cesky Krumlov & closeby Lipno dam, UNESCO Kromeriz castle
Partially cold and dismissive local people, mostly connected to the historical circumstances & experiences; lack of English
Itinerary Overview
Prague "The City of Hundred Spires" - incredible architecture, bisected by the Vltava river, Old Town Square, Gothic churches, etc.
No matter where you start or what you're interested in, Praha has so much to offer, especially if you're interested in architecture. The heart of its historic core, Old Town Square, is marked with colorful baroque buildings, Gothic churches, and the medieval Astronomical Clock. Continuing in the narrow streets, you'll reach the Charles Bridge, lined with statues of Catholic saints. Crossing the bridge and walking through the beautiful streets of Mala Strana, you'll reach Hradcany - dominated by the vast Prague Castle complex, with a breathtaking view over the whole city. It includes the Gothic St. Vitus Cathedral, known for its stained-glass windows, and St. George's Basilica. You continue to the tiny, colorful houses on Golden Lane, followed by St. Wenceslas Vineyard, offering wine tastings. That's definitely not all what Prague has to offer, but you have to experience it on your own and plan enough time :) Evenings and nights out are lively, full of bars, clubs, and tempting atmosphere, waiting for you to join and enjoy!
Karlštejn Castle Perfect day trip close by to Praha, easily reachable by train, surrounded by awesome nature & offering tasteful local food
Located about 30 kilometers southwest of Prague in the Central Bohemian Region, it is a perfect day trip out of the capital city, Praha. You can easily reach it by train, which is leaving every hour in both directions, during weekends even more often. From the train station in the market town of the same name, you'll walk up the hill for about 30-45 minutes, passing many restaurants with gardens and souvenir shops. Reaching the top, you'll find a large Gothic castle founded in 1348 by Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor-elect and King of Bohemia. There are guided tours in Czech, English, German, Italian and French. On your way back down, definitely have a stop for lunch (or dinner) in one of the restaurants and enjoy the local cuisine (heavy but soooo delicious).
Lipno nad Vltavou UNESCO World Heritage Site, dominated by its 13th-century castle & close by Lipno dam for relaxing, swimming and just chilling
Depending on your time, visiting Cesky Krumlov and its 13th-century castle, can be either a perfect day trip or in case of wanting to enjoy also some relaxing & cooling-off time, you can continue to close by Lipno dam, a popular summer resort. Cesky Krumlov is easily reachable by either train or bus from Praha in about 2-3 hours. It is a small city in the South Bohemian region of the Czech Republic and is bisected by the Vltava River. The famous castle has Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque elements, an 11-hectare garden, and an original 17th-century baroque theater. The panoramic view from the top of its bell tower is stunning.
Q & A
What would you have changed?
I wouldn't change anything about my homeland :) I'm just wishing for more openness and warmth of my local people, who are still a way too much affected by the historical events, especially of the Communist era. But it's getting better, and it definitely shouldn't stop you from visiting this beauty in the heart of Central EuropeTips you would give a friend?
Plan enough time in case you want to see other cities or sights outside the capital city - it's definitely worth it! Not being in a rush, I would recommend at least one week or maybe even 10 days, so you can fully enjoy all what Czech Republic has to offerPacking tips?
The Czech Republic has a temperate climate, with warm summers and cold, cloudy and snowy winters. Pack your stuff accordingly, however there is nothing really special needed for this country, of course depending on the things you want to do. In case you want to go hiking, pack appropriate hiking equipment, especially good shoes.Transportation Tips?
Depending on where you're coming from, Czech Republic is accessible by plane to the capital city Praha. There are also plenty of train and bus connections from various European countries, it is very safe and not too expensive, you can also travel overnight to safe some time. Travelling with the country is again very easy by train or bus, the network is very well done and the prices are economical, even for travelling with the whole family.Booking details?
Best recommendation is to book either via Booking.com or Airbnb, there are plenty of options on both websites. The prices vary between super economical (hostels, guest-houses) up to really expensive 5-star hotels, especially in the center of the capital city, Praha.