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.

Free Visa Entry In Exchange for US Missile Shield in Europe?

by Iva Skoch on

The Czech Republic is one of 13 countries trying to renegotiate its visa-requirement for traveling to the US. Currently, Americans do not need visa when traveling to the C.R. but Czechs do when traveling to the US. The unfair visa requirement is a source of much bitterness toward Americans in those countries.

Now, Czechs have a new negotiation tool on their hands. The US wants to build an anti-missile shield in Europe — interceptor missiles in Poland and a radar station in the Czech Republic–allegedly to defend the US and Europe from possible missiles from North Korea and Iran. Both CR and Poland are reluctant to agree to this because they are afraid of becoming terrorist targets. Recent polls in the Czech Republic show that 60-70% of Czechs are against building of the base. It doesn’t help that Vladimir Putin has already threatened that he will aim missiles at them if the US builds the shield there.

This is not a NATO initiative; it’s purely a US defense initiative. Is it fair for Czech to demand a no-visa requirement in exchange for supporting the US defense policy?

Photo of the Day (7/2/07)

by Iva Skoch on

Wow. There’s just something about the Czech Republic that gives you that “sweet light” near the sunset. And there’s nothing quite like it on the red rooftops of Prague. But here’s a shot that takes the breath away, from a town in southern Bohemia, called Telc (pronounced “telch”).

The town center is a UNESCO World Heritage site of colorful, picturesque 14th century buildings that can be seen here.

thanks, izarbeltza!