Welcome to the Czech Republic (CZ)

Prague Castle and Charles Bridge

After leaving Auschwitz we continued on to the little town of Pribor, Czech Republic.(CZ) around 5:00 pm.  We managed to find a nice hotel here, the Zafir, which was very quiet on weekends, but has lots of business traffic during the week. The place is actually very elegant but it feels funny when you are about the only people staying at such a large place.


The next morning Sandra read where this was the birthplace of Sigmund Freud. Wow!


We continued on to Olomouc which was to be our destination last night until a large thunderstorm brewing drove us to the safety of Pribor and kept our record intact of 1 hr of rain while riding. 

Trinity Column a WHS

We arrived about 10:00 am. in Olomouc the next day. That’s like 3:00 am Ladysmith time. Not a creature was stirring except to CZ Policia who took exception to us being in the Town square photoing the bike on a Sunday in front of Trinity column. Seems this area is off limits to vehicles and is a walking zone on weekends. There is a little picture sign we were supposed to have seen. Never did.


A rather stern pair they were but they didn’t give us a ticket “This one is free!” but they recorded my details on an official scrap of paper he was carrying. I think they should be able to afford real notebooks for the Politicia. Makes them look more professional. Memo to self to write CZ government on this point when I get back.


Fortunately this was after we had taken a photo of the bike in front of Trinity Column a WHS of course, that was built in the 13th century to God if he prevented Olomouc from suffering from the Prague. Olomouc was saved and the tower is venerated in this manner. We also got a nice picture of the astronomical clock in the town square that is very nice and much better than the one in Prague.

Astronomical Clock

Then onto Prague. The countryside of CZ on a Sunday afternoon is filled with people doing the classic Sunday drive by car and MC. Really busy, and they stop by every pond or what we might even call a slough, to sunbathe, and like many Germans, nude. Sorry no photos guys or gals, this is a family blog!


Onto Prague where the IBIS Old Towne was full however the IBIS Karlin had a room. Now we have become big fans of IBIS and since I joined their " A" club they have sent some email offers. The latest while we were in Krakow drew our attention to the fact they had them in Prague and the Karlin was at a deeply discounted rate. We are staying in a 3 star hotel in downtown Prague for 49E including their fabulous buffet breakfast. Thanks IBIS and Trev and Chenty for tipping us to this great Europe chain.


Our tour of cities has become a little jaded now since we have seen so much but the view of Prague Castle and the Charles bridge is as memorable as the Sultanahmet in Istanbul, or the Sacred Familia in Barcelona from a distance. We like Krakow and its town square more but Prague has its place.

Communism Art

Prague and the CZ for that matter have a more communist hangover feel to it than Poland, though the countryside is very much rolling hills and small mountains, very picturesque indeed and more like Germany. Matter of fact they have a communism tour and communism art. I didn’t know there was such a thing. Keep in mind CZ was at the leading edge of the break-up of communism with the “Velvet Revolution in 1989 along with Poland and Lech Walesa. And they (CZ)  were the victims of Soviet action in 1968 when the soviets re-invaded the country when it had an uprising then. I vaguely remember that as a teenager, too interested in the Beatles at the time to follow current events. Apparently Poland had similar uprising in the early 70's.


Wenceslas Square with a giant St. Wenceslas on horseback is good, their astronomical clock doesn’t stack up to even Olomouc’s let alone Strasbourg‘s, and their Opera House doesn’t have the performance history of Vienna’s or Paris.

Beer Taps

But their beer here is definitely among the best. We had lunch at the Lonely Planet recommended U Vivid brewery pub. I think it might have been on Amazing Race one time where you had to deliver a huge amount of beer on several trays. We ordered a dark Pilsner Urquell with their beef goulash with a potato dumpling and  rye bread. WOW what an excellent meal. 

Entrance to Pub

This place is hard to find but I have a GPS waypoint for it. Are you surprised? Now we will relax with an excellent Moravian red wine and think on my brother-in-law Wes who visited there and recommended their wines.