Savvy Traveler: Let Czechoslovakia Die, Please

by Iva Skoch on

It has been 14 painful years for me since Czechoslovakia broke up in what they called a “Velvet Divorce“. Not so velvet for me.

Since January 1, 1993, I have been trying to patiently teach everyone outside the country to learn to love the sound of “Czech Republic” and “Slovak Republic”. I know, I know. It doesn’t quite come out as easily but please, don’t make me suffer any longer.

See what I have to go through on a daily basis:

“I can detect an accent. Where are you from?”

“Czech Republic.”

“Ah, Czechoslovakia.”

“Well, it’s actually the Czech and Slovakia now. The country split up in 1993.”

“Oh, I see. So, in Czechoslovakia, do you have indoor plumbing?”

Well, OK. It’s not quite that bad but it often comes close. Sometimes, when I travel I just tell people I am from Iceland so I don’t have to put up with the whole routine of “Czechoslovakia” any more. Please, let the nonexistent country die a velvet death.

Where on Earth Week 20: Adršpach-Teplice Rocks – Czech Republic

by Brett Atkinson on

Well done neil_metblogs. You covered absolutely all the bases to give a correct answer. The “Rock Towns” of Adršpach and Teplice in Northern Bohemia aren’t as well known as the similar sandstone formations further west in the Cesky Raj region of the Czech Republic, but for my money they’re actually more spectacular.

While researching the latest edition of Lonely Planet’s Czech & Slovak Republics book I had the chance to check both regions out. Despite it being April, there was still a lot of snow on the ground – especially when I trekked the 3km trail along Wolf Gorge that joins the Adršpach and Teplice regions.

Lucky I could dive into the Pension Skaly for beer and schnitzel. Sometimes the simple things in life are the best.

Prague Pub Crawl: 4 Blocks, 20 Pubs, 20 Beers, $20 Spent

by Iva Skoch on

In the last few years, much of Prague’s nightlife has shifted from the center (too expensive, too many tourists) to the neighborhood of Zizkov in the Prague 3 working class district. Consequently, Zizkov is my favorite neighborhood for going out. Let me be clear, there ain’t many martini bars to be found here, although a few have popped up. Rather, you will find old school pubs still selling beer for less than $1.

The main artery of pub life in Zizkov is Borivojova street. Its 4-block stretch from Lipanska street to Riegrovy sady has some 20-30 drinking establishments. Weekend after weekend, seasoned drinkers come here to try to accomplish the impossible: stop at each pub and have a beer. We are talking half-liters, too. According to the Prague Post, nobody has been able to do it yet.

Even in a country with universal health care, there cannot be enough liver transplants to go around.

I Do, and Now I’ve Got a Plane to Catch

by Brett Atkinson on

Here’s the ideal solution for those couples that always seem to flit past each other in the whirlwind of a busy life. Get married at the airport.

In a promotion organised by innovative British airline easyjet, Czech couple Miloslava Vopelkova and Robert Hruska won a wedding at Prague’s Ruzyne airport. I’ve spent a few hours at Ruzyne, and while it’s more spacious and modern than a few other international gateways I could name, (bonjour Paris-CDG and howdy LAX), it’s certainly not where I’d choose to spend one of the biggest days of my life.

Still, the bride and groom look very happy, and can now look forward to an all expenses paid honeymoon around Europe.

I’ve just got two questions. Did they have the wedding reception at the excellent Pilsner Urquell pub that’s part of the airport, and who’s going to pay their massive airport parking bill after once return from tripping around the Continent?

Click here to watch the happy nuptials.

Thanks to Micke-Fi on Flickr for the moody pic of Ruzyne.

Czech Countryside Is Perfect for Discovering Your Inner Lance

by Iva Skoch on

It really is. Next time you happen to find yourself in Prague, try to sober up a little and venture out into the countryside. The sleepy towns, medieval castles juxtaposed against socialist-realism architecture, rolling hills in the background…did I mention the $1 beers?

A few private companies, such as Ave Bicycle Tours, offer various cycling vacations in the Czech Republic. If you are feeling adventurous, you can also rent a bike from many railway stations and ride on your own.

And remember, it’s not about the bike.