You have almost certainly heard of Prague, one of Europe’s most famous and historic cities, but what about the rest of this small country in the heart of the continent? Here are ten facts and observations to encourage a visit the Czech Republic, to help start your holiday planning and further research. Old city: Prague is great for walking and soaking up the atmosphere – and if you travel midweek or off-season, it isn’t over-crowded. The medieval streets and squares are a showcase of architecture ranging from Gothic to Art Nouveau, and a trip across Charles Bridge to Prague Castle offers striking river views and lots of street entertainers. Modern city: Prague has all the attractions you would expect in a European capital, including museums, concert halls, opera houses and a wide choice of bars and restaurants. Hearty food: International food may have come to Prague and other major centres, but try typical dishes including roast pork and dumplings, and many varieties of sausage. Have another beer: The Czechs are Europe’s greatest consumers of beer per head of population, with brands that have been exported or imitated around the world. The type of lager known as pils originates in the city of Pilsen, with Pilsner Urquell being one of the best-known brands. Wine too: Czech wines are little known in the UK, but the Moravia region produces some fine whites. Spas: The curative waters of the Czech Republic have been known and exploited for centuries, and now there is strong emphasis on beauty therapies and wellness treatments as well as taking the cure. The Western Bohemia spa towns of Karlovy Vary and Marianske Lazne are also elegant places for a few days’ relaxation and exploring the surrounding countryside. Go golf: Golf has developed rapidly over the last decade and there are now around 80 courses to choose from. Royal Golf Club Marianske Lazne is one of the best. Boutique style: Large, impersonal hotels are now very much in the minority, while boutique hotels are booming. Chateau-style rural hotels are also growing. World Heritage: Twelve sites are recognised by UNESCO for their cultural significance, only one of which is in Prague. The historical centre of Cesky Krumlov, in Southern Bohemia, makes a memorable trip. Beyond the borders: The Czech Republic shares frontiers with Austria, Germany, Poland and Slovakia, all of which are EU members. It’s easy to cross borders to discover more of Central Europe. The Czech Republic is a small country with a big heart, which has been transformed over the last 15 years into one of the most welcoming and accessible countries in Europe. With availability of cheap no-frills flights to the Czech Republic from all over Europe, holidays in the Czech Republic remain affordable and a great alternative to the more traditional European holiday centres
Archive for March, 2010
Holidays in the Czech Republic- a Summary of Things to Do and See
The Traveling Professor’s Guide To Paris
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Far Too Many Americas
The problem with America is simple – there are far too many “Americas”. John Edwards, now a perennial also-ran in the presidential race, once opined about the direness of there being only a mere “two Americas” where he tried the typical class warfare tactic of pitting the poor and lower middle class against the upper middle class and the “rich”. If only it was so simple. I say that I wish it were only that simple because I believe that reconciling just two Americas and educating people who actually believe that those who have more should be reviled and slapped down by the mighty hand of government would be at least a possible task. But when you look at the rhetoric thrown around in our election cycle this year the facade of there being only a mere two Americas is lifted. Bill Clinton is out and about dividing voters among racial and gender lines. By doing that he has also created “Black America,” “White America,” “Hispanic America,” “male America,” and “female America” just to start the additions to the list of the many Americas that now exist. Beyond that you have other prevalent Americas that always crop up during political seasons demanding to be pandered to. It would be impossible to overlook “Illegal Immigrant America” (one of John McCain’s favorite groups by the way), “gay America,” “oh my God, we’re all going to die from man made Global Warming America,” and “we’re not going to drill for our own oil and remain dependent on foreign countries America.” But that’s still not all of them. Name a special interest group seeking some sort of recognition and you have found a new America. Why I feel like Christopher Columbus with all this discovering of Americas going on! What about “where’s my welfare check America”? Or maybe “unborn babies aren’t human even though they are and don’t have a right to life even though they do America”? And don’t ever forget about “Americans shouldn’t have the right to be armed and defend themselves America” lest those that live in this particular America come with pitchforks and torches to your house in the middle of the night. Some of these Americas can always be counted on for a good laugh too. Americas like “the evil Jews control everything America,” “didn’t you know that the U.S. government was behind September 11th America,” “White Power Neo-Nazi America” and “we support our soldiers even thought we think they are a bunch of murdering bastards who have been programmed by a fascist dictator to kill innocent people America,” are just a few examples. How about “I can’t control my own pie hole and need the government to force restaurants to serve me healthy food America”? And “someone else should pay for my Health Care America” might be a nice place to visit. Mind you I said visit, not live in. Of course, not all these various Americas are [...]
Discover Aquitaine
The Aquitaine region of France is most famous — and rightly so — for it fabulous beaches and superb wine. It was named by the Romans who were extremely happy to discover so many rivers flowing through the land. England, as well as the Romans, once ruled this under-rated area of France. If you are searching for a property for sale in south west france, then this region has got to be at the top of your list. Most regions of France enjoy good food and wine as a part of daily life. This region benefits from truly great food and wine. Bordeaux is a major wine producing area, known the world over. But did you know you can also find a natural inland sea with the largest beach in the whole of Europe here? It is this sea, Bassin d’Arcachon, which produces more than 80% of the country’s mussels. You will probably be familiar with the regions within Aquitaine, such as Dordogne, Gironde and Lot-et-Garonne, but probably the most famous place within this region is Bordeaux, which is at the heart of the Gironde. Gironde is the largest of the ‘departments’ or areas within Aquitaine. It has more than two thousand mile of rivers and seventy miles of fine coastline. The Gironde is home to more than one million people. It was named after the estuary which was formed by two rivers, the Dordogne and the Garonne. Summers here are hot, and winters tend to be mild. There are a multitude of traditional villages in this region, many set picturesquely amongst acres of vineyards. Bordeaux, nestled in the heart of the Gironde, with a population of just over half a million inhabitants, is at the heart of south-west France. It has what is considered to be the most important port in the whole of Europe. But it is probably better known for its neoclassical architecture and spacious, well kept town centre. Bordeaux also boasts wide boulevards as well as well tended parks. An air of the 18th century pervades the streets, a feeling which appears to have been effortlessly cultivated. The town was first settled in the third century BC by Romans. Between 1154 and 1450 the English took charge, and assisted with the development of the wine industry. By far the most popular and widely known of the many wines produced in this area is the red wine known as Claret. If easy access from the UK is important to you, you should be reassured that the region has an extensive travel network. Bordeaux is now linked by TGV to Paris. And airlines such as Air France and British Airways have regular flights into Bordeaux from the UK. If you have been searching for a property for sale in south west france, you owe it to yourself and your family to explore the delightful area of Aquitaine.



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