Terezin was a Nazi transit camp for European Jews, a humbling and sobering experience.
Only an hour’s bus ride away from Prague and I would highly recommend a visit.
You can reach Terezin by bus from Florenc bus station. The buses run every half hour during the week and every hour at the weekends. Do check the time of your return bus as they tend to stop runnig early at the weekends.
If you decide to visit Karlovy Vary (also known as Karlsbad) you may need to remind yourself at times, that you are in fact in the Czech Republic and not Russia.
This 14th century spa town its self is lovely and I spent more than one weekend here, very relaxing and always reminds me a little of the south coast of England (without the sea of course!). Again, you can easily reach here in a day but it will still take a couple of hours from Prague. Check out the Thermal Hotel, a celebration of communist architecture if there ever was one.
Karlovy Vary is home to an international annual film festival.
Plenty of places to stay in Karlovy Vary. In my former life, I stayed at the famous Hotel Pupp, which apart from being pricey is just charming and well worth the money just to feel pampered for a few days.
A good day trip. Another UNESO and World Cultural and Natural Heritage town, 60km from Prague, Kutna Hora has a stunning and unique Gothic Cathedral, St. Barbara’s and a quaint medieval town to stroll around. If you can, don’t miss the Ossuary Chapel of All Saints at Sedlec, which is a suburb of Kutna Hora, recycling at it’s most imaginative! Well worth a visit.
I spent my honeymoon in Cesky Krumlov and it really is the most charming of towns and I do recommend a visit. It’s perfectly possible to get there and back in a day but if you have the time and budget try and stay over. It can get really crowded (especially in the summer) so when the coach loads leave that’s when you can really start to appreciate this UNESCO and Natural Heritage town.
Founded in the 13th century, Cesky Krumlov some how managed to survive the communist era and keep its medieval character is intact, no mean feat. We should be grateful there’s not a housing estate or factory built in the middle of the town.
It has the second largest castle after Prague Castle in the country with stunning gardens. If you have good weather you could easily spend the day just wandering in the grounds and strolling along the river.
Plenty of cosy pubs and restaurants in the many cobbled back streets but do steer clear of the main square for eating and drinking, expensive and rude service.
We stayed at the Travellers Hostel (Soukenicka 43),in their rather lovely apartment with a view of the castle.
I thought I’d throw this one in as it’s one of my bear bugs. I have experienced the worst service, anywhere, ever, in the Czech Republic. For the most part they just don’t get it. Expect surly and unfriendly and at best indifferent service in shops, bars and restaurants. I’ve heard all sorts of excuses as to why it’s like this but it just is. My tip is to expect it, check your bill carefully and to keep your sense of humour.
Whatever the service, you have received in a restaurant or café, you will still be expected to leave a tip although it’s obviously not compulsory. It’s customary to round your bill up to the next 10Kc.