Tag Archives: Cycling

Czech Republic: Short Road Trip In Bohemia And Prague

  


Disclosure: this article was first published in late 2019, 
following a trip made a few months earlier. 

Before this trip, for me, the Czech Republic and especially Prague were exclusively linked to Milan Kundera and Kafka, two of my favorite writers. I am happy to have discovered a bit of Bohemia: the extremely green landscapes, forests and castles. And of course Prague, the architecture, rhythm, small and large streets.

Our short road trip begins with the Brussels Airlines flight which lands in Prague at 11 a.m. Then we collect the rental and take the road to Pilsen and its surroundings.


Text and images below of our exciting itinerary.

Day 1: Pilsen And Surroundings

On Our Way To Pivovarsky Dvur Plzen (Near Pilsen)

Where I experience my very first beer spa at the Purkmistr Beer Spa   (photo above 1). In fact, I’m immersed in a warm beer. Nice! We continue to Pilsen, where we join the Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tour, in order to discover the huge Pilsner Urquell brewery (photo below 3). The tour is interesting, but a bit long if like me, you don’t drink beer (2).    

On the road again, we cross beautiful super green landscapes and arrive in the early evening at Kašperské Hory (4), a picturesque village. We dine at the restaurant of Nebespan, Boutique Hotel, whose chef is French. I really enjoy the cool setting, atmosphere, food and team. 

Day 2: Kašperské Hory & Sušice

On The Program: Castles And Bikes

We spend the day with our very friendly guide, Veronika who takes us to the emblematic Kašperk castle (photo above 1 and the two first photos of the article) built in the 14th century on the Ždánov mountain. Near the castle, hiking trails in the Bohemian forest allow you to have different panoramas of the castle.

In the afternoon, from Sušice we take a superb (and sporty) 46 km bike ride in the countryside. Thanks to Veronika, we visit small villages and a romantic castle transformed into a luxury hotel, the Zámek Hrádek (photo above), where we stop for a drink.

Day 3: From Dobříš To Prague

Dobříš & Slapy

We leave Kašperské Hory, where we slept the first two nights. After 1 hour 40 minutes, we arrive in Dobříš, to visit the Dobříš chateau dating from the 18th century (1 & 2). We have lunch on the terrace at Zámecká restaurace Dobříš, the castle restaurant. Then back on the road, we head to the Slapy Water Reservoir on the Vltava, in the Prague-West district, a famous resort for Prague people. 

Lively and colorful surroundings: many small sailing boats come and go (3). While the shores are filled with people in bikini sunbathing on grass. Family and summer atmosphere. We do a nice ride on the water which allows us to better enjoy the landscape sourrounded the lake. And then, we are off to Prague. We leave our luggage at Mama Shelter Prague (6). I cool off and we go to the historic center.

I am super excited: Prague! I’ve been wanting to see Prague for so long! In the historic center, there are too many tourists! We step on each other and lots of drunk young tourists (from 7 p.m.). The monuments are superb, but we decide to return to the Mama Shelter’s area with a quiet hype neighborhood. We dine in the very trendy Cobra Bar (4). I liked everything, the cool atmosphere, music, my hamburger with coconut sauce (5) and the proximity to the Mama Shelter: I said, e-ve-r-y-t-h-i-n-g! 

Day 4: Prague

The Last Day Of Our Breakaway

And my real first day in Prague! We walked for a long time in the center much quieter and more pleasant than the day before. Finally, I enjoy the beauty of the city. Long dreamy break in a terrace bar overlooking the Vltava. I would love to explore more and visit the museums, but we must return to the hotel to collect the car and go to the airport, our return flight is at 6 p.m.

Prague, I will come back!

Where To Sleep? The Mama Shelter Prague

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

Informations  

Czech Tourism 

Related articles : Destinations & Hotel Review

Many thanks to Czech Tourism for this beautiful invitation. As always, these are my opinions. 

Nazaré, Portugal: The Biggest Wave in The World

Nazaré-Praia do Norte-1-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2013

Onda da Nazaré, the biggest wave in the world ! 

And extreme surf ! Yes, Nazaré ! Do you remember in 2011 the feat of the Hawaiian Garrett McNamara who surfed a wave of 23.77 meters high ? The biggest wave ever surfed … Until he established a new world record in January 2013 and this time with a wave of more than 30 meters! Welcome to Nazaré, Portugal … 1h30 drive north of Lisbon.

Stunning panorama of Praia do Norte (North Beach) from the old lighthouse. The wind is cold, mild euphoria, I do not feel the cold, warmed up by this amazing winter sun. Azure sky, incredible brightness ! Surf waves break a few meters below. No wall of water today, from time to time some powerful waves, Atlantic Ocean. Whenever I discover a legendary surf spot is flat LOL! Two three surfers in the water, a photographer with his assistant and a tripod …

I can spend hours and hours looking at the ocean, endless beach. And we head to the beach. No real path, the descent is steep, very steep . Large sandbar that stretches out of sight . I’m deafened by the noise of the wind and waves. Also surprised that despite a strong wind, the sand doesn’t fly unlike Guincho, another famous surf spot in Portugal. Time flies, we must go back, I feel boosted. A last glance towards the beach (photo 9). To be continued …

Nazaré-Praia do Norte-2-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2013Nazaré-Praia do Norte-5A-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2013Portugal-Farol da Nazaré-1-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2013Portugal-Farol da Nazaré-3-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2013Portugal-Farol da Nazaré-2-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2013Nazaré-Praia do Norte-3-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2013Portugal-Farol da Nazaré-5-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2013Nazaré-Praia do Norte-4-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2013

Photos : Mademoiselle Le K – copyright 2014, tous droits réservés.

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DESTINATIONS 

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Kent, UK: Biking in Whitestable

Keeping its authenticity, Whitestable is a very chic seaside resort for Londoners. A big crush for the “very stylish” seaside to discover by bike, under a blue blue sky today: lucky me! I’ve always loved sheds and I want this one (picture below)!

Back to the Harbour hosts the main attractions of the Whitestable Oyster Festival, in a friendly ambiance. Between us, I really do not like oysters (lol!).

Lovely cottages with a fantastic sea view, most of them are Londoner’s properties. Maybe I will try some sailing, I love sailing. Okay,  let’s meet later, in my coming-up post for a bit of shopping in Whitestable…

Infos : Whitestable Cycle Hire, www.whitestablecyclehire.com et Visit Kent, www.visitkent.co.uk.  

Related posts about Kent & England : DESTINATIONS