Tag: Czech Republic

Ústí nad Orlicí to Prague

It as overcast today, but no rain! Hallelujah!! We walked to the train station and caught a 10:30 train for Prague.

On our way to he train station. All the creeks and rivers look very high.

In Prague we walked to our hotel where we plan to spend two nights. Prague is a beautiful city!

Walking to the hotel in Prague.

Later in the afternoon we went out exploring.

Watching the musicians in the main square.
There were lots of stalls selling delicious looking food.

For dinner we went to a nearby restaurant. Apparently the Czech Republic is the number one consumer of beer in the world. I can understand why. Czech beer is so good.

Duke and his half and half beer, a liter mixture of lager and Pilsner.
The waitress said I was the first woman she had seen finish a liter. She congratulated me but I’m not sure that’s something to be proud of!

When we came out of the restaurant the square and the sky were amazing. The square was beautifully lit and the sky was clear and deep blue.

The Prague main square after dinner.
I’m sorry this trip is almost over.

Brno to Ústí nad Orlicí

This morning we walked to the train station in the rain. For some reason we had to take about a 20 minute bus ride to catch the train. In Ústí nad Orlicí we thought we would take a taxi to our hotel since it was about two miles away and it was still raining. But there were no cabs so we walked. Luckily the temp was in the 50s so it wasn’t too cold.

Duke walking in the rain to the train in Brno
Duke walking in the rain to the hotel in Ústí nad Orlicí.

For dinner tonight we ate at the restaurant at our hotel. Dining experiences are a big part of why we enjoy traveling. We had local beer. If you look at the pork rib picture below you can see the grated horseradish, the sauerkraut, the pickles and the brown bread. I guess fresh horseradish must be traditionally Czech. We have had it multiple times and it is so good. Plus that is a lot of horseradish!

The other dish is the goulash and dumplings. It was perfectly flavored and the spices gave it a bit of a kick. It was also very good.

Goulash and dumplings
Pork ribs, pickles, sauerkraut, mustard, bread and fresh horseradish.

Telč to Brno

Weather makes such a difference to what we do and how we enjoy a place. We woke up this morning to beautiful blue skies. The temperature was below freezing when we woke up so we waited until after we checked out at 11 to go exploring. But then we spent a wonderful three hours walking around the parks and lakes of Telč. We basically hiked park bench to park bench. And the temperature was in the low fifties which made for a perfect Spring day.

The Telč town square.
Duke is holding the swan neck pump handle to pump water.
The Telč castle
A bench that is also a mini library
We weren’t the only ones enjoying the wonderful weather.
A great bench.
Another bench with a nice view.

About 2 o’clock we had coffee and kolāčkys at a coffee shop near our hotel. Then we walked to the bus station.

Coffee and kolāčkys. We have been looking for Czeck Kolaches like we get in the states but so far no luck!
On the bus to Brno.

In Brno we walked to our hotel. Where we were very happy to put our feet up and relax.

Our hotel room in Brno.

Český Krumlov to Telč

We had to check out of our accommodations this morning by 10:30 and our bus wasn’t until 1:00. Luckily we were able to leave out bags in the entry way and keep the key to the front door until it was time to leave.

For breakfast we ate at a cafe called Kolektiv. It was a very pleasant place to relax and eat.

Kolektiv our breakfast restaurant.
Pancakes with plum sauce, cinnamon cottage cheese and butter crumble.

After we checked out we explored a bit more. Český Krumlov is so picturesque.

In he main square the Easter market is gone.
We checked out St Vitus church

At noon we walked to the bus station in the rain.

Luckily it was only misting for most of the walk. It started raining much harder after we got to the bus station.
Waiting at the bus station.

The bus ride to Telc was about 3 hours. For dinner in Telc we walked to a nearby restaurant.

The lake we passed on the way to the restaurant.
My goulash
Duke’s pork chops on black beer sauerkraut with dumplings.

The weather is cold and the hot comfort food with beer really hits the spot.

Leaving the restaurant.

Český Krumlov

Before this trip I had never heard of Český Krumlov. The town is recommended by Rick Steves and judging by the number of tour groups we saw today it is clearly a very popular tourist destination. I love this town. It is well preserved, historic and not too touristy. Today we took it easy, walked around the castle and explored the town.

First we explored the streets and walked across the various bridges to look for a place for breakfast. You can see the castle tower here.
We ended up at Dtunken Coffee
We had toast with Camembert cheese and pickled apples.

After breakfast we went to the castle.

There are bears in the moat.

Next we climbed to the top of the castle tower.

Duke looking at the view from the top of the tower.
The stairs to the top were quite steep.

As we continued through the castle we went across the bridge from the castle to the gardens. You can see the bridge here.

Here we are on the bridge.
Here we are in the gardens
Duke had fun in the maze!
After we finished at the castle we went back to the Easter Market and had garlic soup in a bread bowl.
We also had a potato pancake with cabbage and ham. They were both yummy!

It was especially fun to watch the kids on the carousel. it is hand operated with wonderful carved animals.

I especially liked the bear.

We went back to out pension for a rest. About 7:30 we went to dinner at a restaurant called Papas. The ambiance, service and food were all fantastic.

My duck with dumplings and cabbage.
Dukes beef with wild cranberries and dumplings.
Dessert