CZECH REPUBLIC

November 30th 2017
We get an early start for our drive to Prague, not really knowing what to expect, if the language will be a problem, are the road signs in English too? We have to get a toll pass for the highway at the border, unfortunately they don't accept cards, very unusual, and we don't have any Czech cash on us as we haven't got there yet, lol
We work out that there is an ATM across the highway at another service station, so we get some cash, get our toll pass and are on our way again. Language was a bit of a problem there, but hopefully wont be an issue in town. The apartment we are staying at is on a very old, narrow street the trams go up and down, with not much room for cars as well. Unfortunately we have a large car (not what we had booked) and there really isn't room to park in the apartment's ancient courtyard, probably was just for horse and carriage. Very cute. We sort it out, but that's a whole other story in itself. Apartment is stunning, like a little palace, antique furniture, heaps of room and even Christmas decorations for us.
We could stay here a long time .Once again far cheaper than a hotel and so much room and character, its really beautiful.

December 1st 2017
After breakfast we take a walk into the main old town area and Charles Bridge. The cobbled roads and old buildings are really beautiful. There are lots of tourists around. There are many cafes and pubs and the prices are very good, the beer is often cheaper than soft drink! In the main old square they are getting ready for the lighting of the huge Christmas tree tomorrow night. There are horse drawn carriages so Gary suggests we go for a quick tour of the old town. Lovely thick blanket to keep our legs warm, it is really nice. We are surprised at one part of town, the very upmarket shops like Cartier, Dior etc.
We head down to the river and decide to take a little cruise on an old timber boat, that even has a little wooden heater on board to keep us warm. Very interesting to hear the history on the city and about the famous Charles bridge. When we get off the boat we are next to the Charles Bridge museum, so we decide to have a look inside. There is a amazing collection and Nativity scene all made of straw from an artist from Poland. Lots of different Angels along the walls, so beautiful. When we are leaving, I ask if they have any of the angels that they sell, I don't think they normally do, but they sell one to me and I will treasure it. I love it so much I go back the next day and ask if I can buy one for Tanya! She will love it.

December 2nd 2017
After a lovely sleep in our little palace we are going to visit the Prague Palace and hopefully see the changing of the guards. Again lots of tourists everywhere, most seem to be Russian. The architecture of the palace and lots of the other old buildings is well persevered and so nice. Even some of the seats on the street are fancy, spotted one like a snake. We stop at a nice pub/café for some lunch, always so much nice food to choose and beer at bargain prices, lol. There is a fair bit of walking up hills and steps and its good to rest our legs for a while.
We go back to the apartment for a rest as tonight we are going to see the lighting of the Christmas tree and go to a Christmas concert in the beautiful Klementinum Mirror chapel.
The lighting of the tree was very crowded, everyone squashing past, I didn't like it at all, just too crowded, but the tree was spectacular. really glad to get out of there. A nicer quiet event now for the classical concert. Beautiful architecture once again and nice to relax in such an ornate venue, its not crowded as tickets had to be purchased earlier and just a small chapel. It's a perfect night for a walk back to the apartment, it is cold but there is a full moon just making this beautiful city look even better. I have to try one of the spiral donut type sweets called Trdelnik . They cook them over charcoal while you wait, very nice but very rich as it has a thick caramel sauce

inside.

December 3rd 2017

We are up early this morning to visit a local trash and treasure market. We always try to see places and markets that are more for the locals than tourists. This one is no exception, lots of bits and pieces and stuff like toiletries and snack foods for sale. We have to laugh at the locals having their sausages and beer for breakfast. We didn't buy anything, I was hoping for some nice Czech antique coffee pot or something. next stop is the Prague zoo. We visit a little food market set up next to the zoo and buy a coffee and cake, always delicious.
There is a fair bit of walking around the zoo and we decide to head back to our palace for a rest as we would like dinner out tonight as its our last night here. There is a small pub a few doors down that has a tiny room downstairs for Jazz nights so we thought we would see what its like. We have a lovely dinner, I tried the local Beef Goulash, very nice, Gary had a mixed platter of sausages and meats. Sometimes we really aren't sure what we will get, but we do like to try the local dishes. The music was good, just local people getting up there and doing a song or two. It was a great night out.

December 4th 2017
All packed up and ready for our next journey, on to Karlovy Vary, Czech, it is in part of the Bohemia region. We have a quick look in the church next door to the apartment and didn't realise how ornate it was inside. Picture on previous page.
I had read about this town as being famous in Europe for its health spas and natural hot springs, that were very popular with royalty and the Russian Czar many years ago but still has many health spa hotels. Along the way we make a slight detour to see a tiny town where they did a lot of the filming for the Three Musketeers series. It was very sad that the old Doksany convent has been left to disrepair in areas, though I believe some parts are still used. There was no one about so we just had a stroll about. It was easy to see where some of the scenes had been filmed, if only they were there now !
We find our next stay easily and in a beautiful part of town, so many old mansion houses. It has been snowing and the ground is very slippery, I thought I would slip over just getting to the front door. Lovely, welcoming hosts how are slowly renovating this beautiful old manor house. Their daughter was excited to show me her pet rabbit!
We learn that there are 13 main springs and 300 smaller ones around the town of varying temperatures and the Tepla river flowing through town is steaming hot. Quiet night in the lovely warm apartment as it does get dark quite early.

December 5th 2017
We walked up the road to a small hotel where they do a nice breakfast, thought we would treat ourselves today. The houses, or I should say mansions in the area are really nice, old style architecture. Today we visited the Christmas house, another place I happened to see while researching the area. What an amazing place, I have never seen so many beautiful decorations, every room was full to the roof of amazing stuff, I really had refrain from buying too much. As we are getting near the end of out trip we have to be very careful of our luggage limits. We had morning tea at the wonderful café there and I think it was the best presented hot chocolate I have ever had, delicious too. I couldn't believe the plate of tasty treats that came with it as a well. Picture opposite! We go back to the main streets of town and have a good walk looking at the different spas that have taps to fill up your mug with. You can buy a small porcelain type of stein with a spout to drink out of. Some are very hot and the taste is horrible, supposed to be wonderful for you, but I think we will give it a miss. Very strange to see the river steaming and there is also a small geyser that goes off at certain times. It is a very pretty town and the shops are full of Bohemian crystal from jewelry to large vases and plates and much cheaper than from home. I'm sure I can fit earrings in without worrying about weight!

December 6th 2017
We are up early this morning as a film crew have taken over the carpark of the apartment for filming of a movie around the apartment and local area. A quick stop for a photo of the steaming river and we are on our way. It would have been nice to have a good look around the countryside of Czech republic, it is very scenic and a bit different to other places like Italy or France. Today we drive back into northern Germany and the town of Kassel for a quick stopover on our way to Netherlands and our last few stops. Kassel was made famous for the symbolic burning of books by the Nazis and also where Brothers Grimm lived and wrote most of their fairy tales. It also has a very nice Christmas market on a lighter note. We have a walk through the markets and have a nice burger and beer for dinner. people enjoying Christmas always feel more suited to a cold climate, than our hot Australian ones.
December 7th 2017

We have a look around town nice and relaxing.We find a park that has a castle that is being restored, unfortunately we can't go in but it will be amazing when they have finished fixing it up.It is called Lowenburg and was built about 1793, so not an ancient castle. We drive a bit further and discover a big monument of Hercules that looks over the city for some reason, lol. After reading about it we find it was built between 1701-1717 and is 70.5m in height consisting of a 29.60m pyramid it sits on which then sits on a 32.6m octagon, with the statue being 8.25m. There is a cafe, so a nice afternoon tea to warm us up with views to the city. It is a bit overcast today and quite chilly.We spend the afternoon packing up some stuff we are sending home so we are not overweight with our luggage as we have bought too many souvenirs. There is a DHL branch at the post office so we send it off. I'm sure it will arrive long after us.