Czech Republic AttractionsSightseeing suggestions in Bohemia!
The Czech Republic attractions have become some of the most popular in Europe in recent years. Join me as I take you to the Czech Republic's attractions in Bohemia. The West of Czech. Prague in particular, is bringing huge numbers of tourists to this lovely country. But there is much more beyond Prague that you should look at. The Czech Republic's attractions were many for us. Both the historic and tourist attractions, as well as the people we were to stay with! We visited the Czech Republic partly because we had not been there, and had always wanted to see the wonderful sights in this old country with such a fascinating history. We were also to be visiting our exchange student from Plzen , who lived with us here in New Zealand for a year. He was keen to show us the Czech Republic attractions, and we were excited to have the opportunity to see them with him.We had heard so much about them, from him. We were then carrying on to Slovakia – the other half of Czechoslovakia as these two countries had been until 1993. Here we were to spend time with the host family our daughter had lived with for a year. They had visited us in New Zealand, so we were looking forward to catching up with them and seeing where our daughter had spent her last year of school. Communication would take some work, although we did have translators by way of the children in both places! Have you ever tried to pronounce some Czech words! As you might expect......... language was a problem in both countries. However we have long ago learned the art of conversing with the use of a good dictionary, sign language, the help of those with a little English and lots of patience. For people like us from a relatively young country,the Czech Republic attractions were the history and age of wonderful architecturally beautiful buildings, castles, and narrow cobbled lanes. It set you wondering about the wheels and feet that walked them hundreds of years ago. This all made for a wonderfully inspiring travel destination. While Honza’s family live in Plzen , home to one of the most widely drunk Czech Republic attraction's - Pilsner beer! they also had a near finished house on the outskirts of Prague, which was only about 86 kilometeres away. To go into the homes and live with the locals was a real bonus. It was also of interest because our daughter had done a trip that started in Plzen ,kayaking the Berounka River to Prague. Plzen- Home of Pilsner BeerHonza’s family had planned an itinerary that took us all over Bohemia. We visited houses, castles, museums and many other Czech Republic attractions, mostly older than our country, New Zealand. All set in old villages, with cobbled Squares and the quaint, fairytale ornate, plaster houses derived from the renaissance, baroque or gothic periods, depending on the date they were built.After seeing the Czech Republic's attraction's in this famous brewery town Plzen .......... a lovely old town with a lot of Czech history attached, and the home of Pilsner Brewery ,we went north. Czech Republic's Attractions in Karlovy Vary
Karlovy Vary ,was originally named Carlsbad and is a unique this spa town. We spent 3 days wandering the town, sampling the mineral waters, trying a spa, and walking to the hills above. A highlight was the outdoor opera at Loket Castle on the German border. Seated on narrow wooden seats, facing the uplit castle, the river running at its base, while the full opera was played and sung on the stage in front, was just magical.You can find out more HERE- Loket Castle Opera
Beautiful PragueWe visited the sights of Prague in bites. There is just so much to see in this beautiful old city divided by the Vlatava River. It is definitely a city to put on your walking shoes.
Via the Mala Strana over the famous Charles Bridge, up the hill to Prague Hrad ( Castle). The guards, must see some interesting sights, and are surely tested every day as tourists try to crack their inscrutable facade. Wenceslas Square, its wide boulevard headed by the Narodni Museum has a quite different feel to the narrow cobbled streets of the Old Town.
The brick fortress Vysehrad ( High Castle) and it’s cemetery behind the sv Petr and Pavel Church sticks in my memory. It was a truly fascinating place, with some very beautiful tombs. I was especially interested in those of the famous composers, Dvorak and Smetana. We sat under the shady trees and enjoyed the bells tolling their tune from the church, before wandering around the edge of the fortress for some magnificent views over this fairytale city. Petrin Tower is another wonderful view over the city. But first you must climb the stairs. Wallenstein Garden Palace is another not to be missed. The Dancing House or Fred and Ginger Building ( do you get the connection?) is a slighty incongruous contrast in this historic city.The very old, old and the almost new, blend into a homogenous mix .Prague is definitely my very favourite European city. Fairytale Cesky Krumlov
The buildings with their sgraffito, Cesky Krumlov Castle and old shops and museums tucked into odd corners, .......... all were enthralling.A plethora of the most visited Czech Republic attractions are all here in this beautiful town that fairytales are surely based on. Relaxing by the river, eating lunch and watching the kayakers on the river, and the crowds cross the 3 level old aquaduct was very pleasant in the summer sun.Many of Czech Republic attractions are in this quaint town .....Cesky Krumlov is a must. Even if you will be accompanied by all the other people who also don’t want to miss it’s charms. Sumava – Bohemian Rhapsody indeed!My husband flew off to London and I stayed another week.Another of the Czech Republic attractions was picking blueberries in the forest on the edge of Plzen. For me this was a real novelty.Honza’s mother drove us to the Sumava National Park via Klartovy. Carrying on to the Sumava National Park. we rode the chairlift up to Spicak Peak, clear of snow being summer, but a favourite ski area in winter. After lunch - I seem to remember particularly delicious fired cheese, eaten overlooking the magnificent forests, we wandered back down the mountain. Later, we walked the eight kilometres to the Black Lake along a smooth road, edged with lovely old trees. Thick pine forests surrounded this dark, dark lake. Taking of our shoes and socks we cooled our feet in the remarkably cold water of the lake before walking back. Buses go to this area and it would be a lovely area to spend a few days. There is still much I want to see in the Czech Republic, but I feel I have had a very good look at the western side – Bohemia. After a look around this lovely town we went down in to the catacombs in the Jesuit Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary and Saint Ignatius dating from 1670. Climbing the 226 steps to the Black Tower rewarded us with a lovely view of the surrounding countryside. Czech Republic Activities for Outdoor LoversThe Czech’s are keen outdoor people so riding bicycles in the forests, camping out, kayaking the rivers are all popular local Czech Republic activities.Skiing and hiking in the mountains is also a great way to spend a few days.The Sumava area is one of the best destinations for these Czech Republic attractions and activities. AccommodationWhere ever you go visiting the many Czech Republic attractions, you will need suitable accommodation.There is a good range of hotels to suit all budgets.Look for hostels or cheap hotels in the Czech Republic here. If you prefer more up market hotel accommodation have a look through the huge selection here.
Getting AroundTrams, trains, buses and rental car are all viable means of transport.The Czech Republic Transport System can be found here.
Click to Read About Czech Food and Restaurants Check the Czech Republic Transport Options More Beautiful Czech Republic Attractions, Towns and InformationCLICK HERE to go to Prague Attractions CLICK HERE to go to Cesky Krumlov CLICK HERE to go to KARLOVY VARY CLICK HERE to go to PLZEN Click here to return to Home Page and Leave Czech Republic Activities
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The Old Town Square with the Astronomical Clock is a good starting point. Wandering the markets, full of the usual tourist paraphenalia with Kafka T shirts at every turn, we found our way through the old streets nipping into interesting churches, museums and buildings of interest as we wandered. 
