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When the time comes to choose our
next holiday destination many factors influence our decision. We
normally always start by considering the countries we’ve always
dreamed of visiting and then we usually consider the price, the
weather, the cost of living and the places to see, to visit. Among
our choices we will often eliminate certain destinations based on
negative feedbacks from our entourage or from a third party. This
type of behavior is well demonstrated by this example: “The neighbor's
best friend knows someone who went there and really didn’t like
it”.
Over the years, my career has brought me to visit countries that didn’t attract me at first and where I often made extraordinary discoveries. This is exactly the case with the Czech Republic. The austere picture I had of the countries of the former Soviet Union didn't reassure me much. I imagined this country as being cold, without a soul and with an architecture lacking originality and aestheticism. Aside from the stretch of apartment buildings along the road from the airport to the city I was stunned to see the town I was slowly approaching, the city of Prague.
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THE CZECH REPUBLIC
I could already distinguish the many towers, steeples and the rooftops of the administrative buildings. It was similar to the feeling I had had when I had first spotted Disney World’s castle. I hadn’t felt this intensity since I had been a kid and here in Prague it was for real. I now had the chance to discover a new population with more than a thousand years of history. Prague is definitively a country worth discovering.
The Old Neighborhood
It is in a perfect harmony that the different styles of buildings stand one next to each other. The city is built along the Vlatava, which was the natural border between the aristocracy and the common people. On the royal side of the Vlatava you’ll find the Palace, the Big Cathedral, La Loreta (a religious museum), the residences of the Princes and a church presenting the little Jesus of Prague. On the other shore you’ll find the larger portion of the city with its old central place and its beautiful clock, its many Austrian influenced baroque churches, its commercial streets, its Jewish district and its charming hotels.
The Big Cathedral
There is so much I could tell you about the wonderful residences, the medieval streets, the very impressive Jewish cemetery or the Wenceslas Place known as “ Les Champs Elysées" of Prague. And what about those tramways that send us back in time and the neo-classic facades. But there is not only the city of Prague to visit in the Czech Republic...
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Many excursions depart from Prague. You might decide to go discover the Konopist and the Karlstejn castles or simply to relax on the seaside resort of Karlovy Vary. But there is one excursion you will not want to miss and that is the one leading to Cesky
Krumlov. This incredible medieval city in the heart of “La Bohème”, the region known for its famous crystal, is part of Unesco’s world heritage.
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Upon your arrival, the castle welcomes you from its rocky mountaintop, you will then access the Cesky Krumlov by means of a crack in the mountainous terrain.
The Jewish cemetery
This site is surrounded by a river and follows the natural line of the mountain. The restoration work is splendid, bringing you back in time. The animation and activities presented and offered on this site are exquisite. The beauty of this region is breath-taking; this one-day adventure is worth the trip.
It is important to note that the cost of living is similar to ours. Hotel services, on the other hand, are for their part fairly expensive. A good meal will cost around 15$ to 20$ and a 3 star hotel between 120$ to 200$. It is however possible to find Bed and Breakfasts or little 1 or 2 star hotels at a lower rate and often better situated.
As for shopping possibilities, there is something for everyone in Prague. The famous “La Bohème” crystal for which this region is renowned is now offered in a modern version by local craftsmen. You will find a unique and innovative jewellery boutique offering copies of ancient objects faithfully reproduced integrating a touch of crystal. Every service is available in Prague, a good selection of restaurants, shops, excursions in your language, bars, coffees, etc…
The people are very friendly and kind. The majority of the population speaks Czech, but you will have no difficulties finding someone who speaks English. The gay lifestyle is slowly developing in this country therefore most of these establishments are concentred in Prague. The selected bars and dance clubs are scattered in the city. Do not expect to find the type of bars that we have here; it is very different in the Czech Republic. Those who have seen or visited Montreal when the gay lifestyle was still hidden will better understand what I mean. There are nevertheless places that are very open although limited in number.
Bon Voyage!
Find the latest selected sites listed on
Czech
Republic
category
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> Chronicles
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