The Czech Republic is a great country for budget travel. Our trip to the Czech Republic Cheap Czech hotels
Territory Czech Republic has been inhabited for thousands of years and is a land dotted with castles, medieval cities, beautiful mountains, ancient ruins and world-class wineries.
Everyone comes to the country every year more tourists, but they mostly visit Prague. Once you leave this beautiful (but touristy) city, you'll discover inexpensive country and one of the most beautiful countries in Europe. If you dare visit the Czech Republic, you will probably come to Prague, but be sure to go outside the city and see what is hidden from the eyes of the average tourist!
Standard costs in the Czech Republic
Cost of housing in the Czech Republic– Prices in hostels in the Czech Republic will vary depending on where exactly you want to stay: starting from 175 CZK per small towns and up to 400 CZK in Prague. Typically, every hostel has free Wi-Fi and a kitchen where you can prepare your own meals.
IN budget hotel will start from 500-700 CZK per night, and usually includes free WiFi (prices will vary depending on what city you are in, with prices in Prague being the highest).
Expect to pay around 900 CZK per night for a budget hotel that offers free breakfast. can be found in major cities, although the vast majority of apartments are located in Prague. Prices for apartments in the Czech Republic with shared accommodation with owners start from 450 CZK per night. If you want to rent an entire house or apartment, expect to pay at least 1,500 CZK per night.
For those traveling with a tent, there is tent camps, scattered throughout the country - prices start from 200 CZK per night. 
Food in the Czech Republic– Czech cuisine does not stand out for its delicacies, it is very similar to the food we are used to, but quite tasty. A plate of dumplings and goulash with gravy will keep you full throughout the day. For a cheap meal at an inexpensive restaurant, expect to pay around 120 CZK. A nicer meal in a mid-range restaurant would cost over 300 CZK. You will pay more for fast food (like McDonald's) than for cheap local food, as fast food usually costs around 130 CZK. If you want a quick bite, there are numerous kebab/shawarma stalls for under 120 CZK. Buying food for a week will cost about 1,000-1,200 CZK if you buy Czech goods at a grocery store. To keep things simple and cheap, you can easily find local sausages and cheese and make yourself quick sandwiches.
Transport. Most cities in the Czech Republic have an extensive tram system, with roots dating back to the communist past. Prague also has a metro that is quite easy to use, with three lines that go to all local attractions. A one-way ticket costs 24 CZK for a 30-minute trip or 32 CZK for a 90-minute trip. An unlimited 24-hour pass costs 110 CZK. Traveling by train between cities is very easy, just don't expect modern comfortable carriages. If possible, buy your tickets at the station in advance to get the best fare. For example, a ticket from Prague to Brno will cost less than 300 CZK. Intercity buses are a cheap alternative way to travel. From Prague to Vienna up to 500 CZK, and a bus to Berlin is less than 600 CZK.
Events– Traveling through most Czech cities you will encounter not only local attractions, but also become more immersed in the local culture. After grabbing a beer at the local pub, you'll stroll along the cobbled streets and admire the Gothic, Art Nouveau and Communist architecture. The country is still on the Czech crown, so prices are very affordable. There are also many free ones walking routes throughout the country for those who want to spend time in nature. Most museums and excursions will cost you between 60-800 CZK, although more extreme tourism, such as white water rafting, will be closer to 2000 CZK.
Recommended daily budget– 1,025-1,285 CZK / 39-50 USD (Note: this is a recommended budget, assuming you stay in a hostel, have a small dinner, eat mostly home-cooked meals and use local transport. Using the tips below, you can always save this amount However, if you rent an apartment and a hotel room and eat out more often, expect this amount to be higher!)
Buy tickets in advance– If you're traveling around the country by train or bus, check and book or travel by train or early to take advantage of student benefits or early booking discounts. Buses and trains are quite popular modes of transport among local residents, so they sell out quickly - another reason why it's recommended to purchase your ticket early.
Eat local food– Go to a local bar for a plate of goulash and a pint of beer, and have lunch for 245 CZK. Don't hesitate to try local food at reasonable prices, and one plate will be enough to keep you going for the whole day.
Take your international student ISIC with you. Many Czech cities, especially Prague, are student cities. Because of this, you will find many discounts for those studying at university. Show your student ID at museums and shops and you'll save money.
Walking tours. The Czech Republic is quickly becoming a tourist destination, and free walking tours tourism organizations created their branches throughout the country. This is actually a great way to learn about the city and its history, so enjoy the stories and don't forget to give your guide a small tip at the end if you enjoyed the tour!
Walk the streets on your own. There are plenty of free walking trails around the country for those who want to explore the streets. The Czech Hiking Club has created maps for all the main routes, so grab one if you want to walk.
The best things to see and do in the Czech Republic
Map of Czech Republic places
Prague
The capital and the most famous city in the country, has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. Come here and walk along the medieval streets, enjoy the ancient buildings that survived the Second World War. Local food is the name of the game, although the main attraction is the beer, which is what most tourists come for. Climb the mountain to visit Prague Castle, look at the astronomical clock and get ready for an eccentric nightlife, which has no equal.
Visit Cesky Krumlov - attractions of the Czech Republic
This city is located on the Vltava River, and is a smaller, but more picturesque version of Prague. Medieval architecture and buildings with red roofs will create beautiful picture for your photos, and walking the streets is a great way to slow down time during your trip. There are many beautiful resorts, as well as lodges that are great for snowy winters.
Visit Kutná Hora – attractions of the Czech Republic
This historical city is home to the famous St. Barbara's Cathedral, which is decorated with thousands of human bones. While it may be a little creepy, it's truly a place you have to see for yourself. Entry costs 60 CZK for adults and 40 CZK for students.
Try some Pilsner beer in Pilsen
You guessed it: Pilsen is the birthplace of Pilsner beer and home of the original Czech beer Pilsner Urquell. You can go here from Prague by bus or train. During your visit, be sure to visit not only the Pilsner distillery, but also visit the beer spas, where you will literally be soaked in beer. Expect to pay around CZK 800 for a soak in the beer bath.
Drink wine in the Moravian region
Although you only think of beer when you travel to the Czech Republic, the Moravian Region is actually very famous for its wine. This great option for a bike ride or wander through the vineyards. Many tours offer tasting options while visiting the area. Prices vary depending on whether you visit one vineyard or several, and whether you organize the tour yourself or hire a guide. For multi-variant multi-day excursion tour prices can reach CZK 5,000.
Karlstein Castle - attractions of the Czech Republic
Everyone wants to have their own fairytale, and this castle is a great stop on your tour of the country, just a short train ride from Prague. Admission for adults is CZK 270, with discounts for students, pensioners and families.
Hiking to the Adršpach-Teplice rocks
Hike around these natural sandstone formations, such as the Giant Chair and Sugar Cone. There are two clusters of formations: Adrspach Rock Town and Teplitz Rock Town. The train from Prague costs around 275 CZK and the journey takes less than 3 hours.
Outdoor adventure in the Giant Mountains (Krkonoše)
Summer or winter, a trip to the Giant Mountains is a must. This beautiful mountain range, which runs along the Czech-Polish border, is the most... high peak in the country. In the summer you can make big hiking and go cycling and skiing in winter.
Trip to the Renaissance city of Telč
Telc, with its winding cobblestone streets, is one of the most exemplary examples of a Renaissance city in Europe. This is also an object World Heritage UNESCO. The town was rebuilt after a fire in 1530, so medieval arcades with their gabled houses surround the picturesque town square.
Visit quaint Olomouc - Czech Republic attractions
Olomouc is a small university town famous for its parks, churches, sculptures and fountains. The Holy Trinity Column and the Great Astronomical Clock are UNESCO sites.
Relax at a spa in Karlovy Vary
The Karlovy Vary resort spa offers hot mineral springs, beautiful baroque and gothic architecture, forest walks and a vibrant cultural scene. There is also a castle in nearby Loket, overlooking the Ore River.
Enjoy the Šumava National Park
Pack your bags and go hiking in Šumava, the largest national park countries. This is a region full of densely populated hills along the border with Austria. Immerse yourself in picturesque lakes, trout streams, virgin forest areas and important historical monuments. Entrance to the park is free.
Visit a nuclear bunker
The museum is located in a five-story building in Prague and is full of Cold War paraphernalia. The bunker was intended to house civilians during a nuclear attack, after which they could then escape to a nearby village. The tour lasts a couple of hours and costs 600 CZK for adults (500 CZK for students).
Hello friends! We recently implemented . Sorry if the tape is in In social networks and Instagram was full of my photos - I wanted to show you a lot! Today I want to talk about on our trip to the Czech Republic.
Photo 1. View of Prague. Our trip to the Czech Republic
Before starting to describe our journey, I want to introduce you to the beautiful girl Lyudmila. Which we met thanks to the blog. Luda has her own virtual Diary, where she writes about traveling around the world, about the picturesque Czech Republic, where she now lives, about fashion and creativity. We are both in love with travel and cannot imagine life without trips. Therefore, I didn’t think much about Lyuda’s invitation to come visit, and happily agreed. True, we didn’t go right away, but after six months, but everything that doesn’t get done, as they say, is for the better!
Photo 2. Prague. Our trip to the Czech Republic
Is our independent travel We arrived in the Czech Republic at the end of September. Romantic Prague greeted us with surprisingly warm weather.True, the day before the weather forecaster predicted rain, but the sun never tired of delighting us every day. The umbrella stayed in my backpack the entire trip.
By the way, we abandoned bulky suitcases and replaced them with backpacks. We felt the difference when we walked in Lviv. The fact is that there was plenty of time left before the bus to Prague, so we came up with a plan excursion program" ". The walk promised moving with luggage along the central cobbled streets of the city, and with suitcases, you know, it’s problematic, but since we had backpacks it was much easier. Throw them on your back and go!
The Czech Republic is rich in attractions, we wanted to see more, but not miss the main thing, soindependent travelWe tried to think it through and compiled a list of the most important places to visit. As they say, “Preparation for a trip is already the beginning of the journey.” Schengen visa to the Czech Republic was received unexpectedly quickly. Two days later we had passports with visas in our hands. We applied at the visa center ourselves. I have already written about this, so read it if you are interested.
Now it is valid for Ukrainians, and there is no need to apply for a visa. Traveling has become much easier and more affordable, since you don’t have to pay for Schengen. I have prepared and so that everyone can choose the right country for travel.
Travel to the Czech Republic. Prague
Our journey to the Czech Republic began in Kyiv, but the most interesting thing was ahead of us. The bus arrived at the Florenc bus station, where Luda and Misha met us. We decided not to waste time on rest, but to quickly change clothes and go for a walk. Of course, we couldn’t do without tasting Czech beer, which our hospitable hosts treated us to. How nice it is to meet you open people. It is so easy to communicate with them, as if you have known them a long time ago.
On this day, the guys gave us a wonderful sightseeing tour of Prague, which was very useful, since we needed to plan all the rest of the days and get our bearings a little about what and where.
From the central bus station it is not difficult to get to the city center. The metro is nearby. If you are arriving in the Czech Republic by plane, I have prepared a useful article "".
Photo 3. View of the Old Town Square. Our trip to the Czech Republic
Prague turned out to be very convenient from a tourist point of view. Almost all the attractions are located close to each other and you can easily visit them on a stroll. But for those who don’t like to walk a lot, this will help you.
Surprisingly, the most convenient way to get around in the capital of the Czech Republic is by tram. Every day we enjoyed riding it to the center. For some reason, until now I had associated this type of travel with inconvenience and slowness, probably as a sign of travel on the Kyiv trams, which, by the way, look exactly the same as the Prague trams. There are, of course, newer formulations, but there are many like ours. By tram you can get to anywhere in the city very quickly and comfortably. Tickets can be bought at stops, but not all have them. The fines are not small, so it’s better not to risk it and buy a ticket in advance. By the way, it’s very convenient that for all types public transport one ticket is valid.
Photo 4. Old Town Square. Our trip to the Czech Republic
Traveling to the Czech Republic, as I already said, we thought it through carefully, so there were no misunderstandings. The Czech language is quite understandable for Ukrainians, so we had no problems with understanding or communication. Moreover, we have compiled for ourselves a small phrasebook of the Russian-Czech language. When traveling independently, it makes communication and understanding very easy. In the Greek language there are quite funny words that stick in your head and don’t come out for a long time.
Photo 5. Czech chimes. Our trip to the Czech Republic
Sights of Prague unique. They delight, I'm sure, everyone! We walked around, constantly clicking the camera and turning our heads so as not to miss anything. Just look at the value of the Czech chimes, or as I also call them Orla. This ancient clock is located on the Old Town Square (Staroměstskéname). Every day crowds of people come to watch them and listen to their amazing fight. At a certain time, all the figures on the clock begin to move, silently speaking to us. Each of them has its own deep meaning. We didn’t specifically choose the time to come to the clock, but we were lucky on the very first day to capture this grandiose event in our memory. This central square Prague, in addition to unique clocks, has many interesting sights.
Photo 6. Dancing house. Our trip to the Czech Republic
Prague contains unique assets of various architectural styles, many interesting modern monuments that are so beloved by tourists. For example, extraordinary dancing House. At first, residents did not like the building at all. In their opinion, it spoiled the appearance of ancient Prague, but after a little time, the Dancing House took root, I would even say, joined the romantic atmosphere of the city. Now, in its place, townspeople and tourists cannot imagine anything else.
Photo 7. View of the Vltava and Charles Bridge. Our trip to the Czech Republic
The capital of the Czech Republic is divided into two parts by the Vltava River. The name translates as "Wild River". At first glance, quiet and lazy, it sometimes turns into stormy, impetuous and indomitable. In 2002, this quiet one flooded the central part of Prague. During the flood, the dams were destroyed, after which a huge stream of water poured into the city center. The water rose to the second floor and flooded the subway. This was the largest flood in the last 500 years.
Photo 8. View of the Vltava and Charles Bridge from Mala Strana. Our trip to the Czech Republic
Despite this, I really like it when cities have rivers. For example, in Kyiv the Dnieper, with Trukhanov Island, but in Prague - the Vltava with Streletsky island. The island is shaped like a narrow boat and is the highlight of the city. Families with children love to come here, as well as everyone who wants to ride a “pedal” catamaran. Pleasure boats and restaurants constantly ply through the Vltava. Some of them are moored on the embankment, where walking along you can see many swans, which have become completely tame here. Without a doubt, we can say that the birds really like it here, they breed and do not want to fly away at all.
Two dozen bridges connect the two banks of the Vltava. Each of them is unique and has its own name. The oldest and historically significant is the famous Charles Bridge. It connects two legendary districts of Prague - Old Town Square with Lesser Town.
Photo 9. Charles Bridge. Our trip to the Czech Republic
Prague's Lesser Town differs from Old Town Square ( Old place ). I can say that there is a completely different atmosphere here, more ancient or something!
In the Lesser Town there is another attraction of Prague - Prague Castle. We walked up the cobbled streets to it almost every day. It contains a masterpiece St. Vitus Cathedral. It’s amazing that no matter what corner of Prague we were in, almost from every corner we could see the tall spiers of this temple. It takes a lot of effort to put the cathedral into the lens.
Photo 10. St. Vitus Cathedral. Our trip to the Czech Republic
We went to the Cathedral of Vitus most often, because we could not get inside. The fact is that just at that time there was a unique exhibition where the crown of King Charlemagne was shown. This happens extremely rarely. The crown is very valuable decorated precious stones and pearls. Therefore, these days there was special attention to visitors. Yes, and there were a lot of them themselves. This gave me the opportunity to see a lot amazing places near.
Photo 11. The immense Cathedral of St. Vitus. Prague. Our trip to the Czech Republic
Take a walk along the Golden Street, where goldsmiths, alchemists, seers and healers lived long ago. Many mystical legends envelop it, which I will talk about in a separate article. Golden Lane most interesting place. There are tiny houses with small rooms on it, which have survived to this day. Entrance to the street is paid, but if you come after 18, like we did, you don’t have to pay anything and see, in principle, the same thing.
Photo 12. View of Mala Strana. Our trip to the Czech Republic
In addition to Golden Street, there is another unique street - the narrowest I have ever seen. It is called Vinarna Chertovka(Vinárna Čertovka). Its width is only 70 centimeters. To ensure that people do not get stuck there for a long time, but take turns on both sides, a traffic light has been installed. For those who are afraid of confined spaces, be prepared for extreme sports. I don’t have claustrophobia, but I have the feeling - I wish I could get out as quickly as possible!
Nearby Prague Castle, there are two dissimilar, but very attractive places. This (Valdštejnská zahrada) and Petrin Hill(Petrin). They are both very picturesque and interesting. The first one houses the palace where the Czech Senate is now located, but it attracted us more with its stunning garden. Peacocks walk in it, and huge carps swim in the pond. The garden is decorated with sculptures and an amazing fountain of the goddess Venus.
Photo 13. Wallenstein Garden. Our trip to the Czech Republic
It was not by chance that we were brought to Petrin Hill either. I really like such huge parks. On its territory there is an observatory, the Strahov Monastery, a mirror labyrinth, a tower that Prague residents call their own, the Eiffel Tower, as well as apple orchards. Don't be intimidated by the high climb. For the lazy, there is a funicular that will take you to the very top. But for active people like us, a hill is nothing. The walk was very impressive. You can take a blanket and sandwiches with you and lie down under a shady tree. Relax and enjoy looking at nature and views around. The hill has been known since ancient times. According to legend, it was from here that Princess Libuše predicted the appearance of the capital of the Czech Republic - Prague. If you take the time to climb to the very top of the Hill, you will have a stunning view of the city.
Photo 14. Water mill from the bridge of lovers in Prague. Our trip to the Czech Republic
Tourists are bamboozled by the views. The fact is that access to the towers that are offered is paid (approximately 100-200 CZK), but it is not at all necessary and even stupid to pay for it! After all, the city is full of places where you can enjoy the best angles, and for free. I have already said one thing, as you understand. This is second place. It itself is very interesting to visit and is considered the oldest district of Prague. It all began, as they say, with him. Vysehrad is located on the other side of the Vltava. It is given away by the pointed towers of the Church of St. Peter and Paul, which are visible from afar. It is located right in Visegrad. In addition, there is a calm park with sculptures of heroes, memorial cemetery, it is also the most prestigious in Prague. In addition to historically valuable sights, the Castle offers breathtaking views of the surrounding area and the city itself.
Photo 15. Vysehrad. Our trip to the Czech Republic
Travel to the Czech Republic. Karlstein
Our independent journey to the Czech Republic did not stop only at beautiful Prague. One day we went to. It is located 30 kilometers from the capital.
Photo 16. Karlštejn Castle. Our trip to the Czech Republic
We rode on my favorite double-decker train. Well, I like them madly. I remember how I squealed with joy when we drove to Dresden in one.
Photo 17. Karlštejn Castle. Our trip to the Czech Republic
I’m very glad that I got to go to the castle and the weather didn’t let me down. It so happened that we wanted to visit Karlovy Vary that day, but there were no tickets for the morning. Instead, we decided not to waste a day and look at Karlštejn Castle. Prices there are cheaper than in Prague, so I wasn’t left without something new. You can also buy it there.
Travel to the Czech Republic. Karlovy Vary
We dedicated the whole day to Karlovy Vary. The town turned out to be amazing! It took an hour and a half to travel from Prague. I was lucky to get tickets for a very comfortable bus, so the trip was easy and pleasant.small tourist town. It is famous for its thermal waters. In this regard, the central part of the city is occupied by hotels. I was glad that all the spas (springs) are open, and everyone can drink the healing water absolutely free of charge.
Photo 18. Karlovy Vary. Tepla River. Our trip to the Czech Republic
The Tepla River flows in Karlovy Vary, which may be why the water in the springs can reach 60 degrees. It tastes a little salty and even a little carbonated. Judging by the Russian-speaking people around us, you don’t feel like you’re in another country at all. Only when we moved further away from the center did everything fall into place. Karlovy Vary is famous not only for its thermal waters. Probably few people leave the city without Karlovy Vary waffles or platkas and Becherovka, which originated right here.
Photo 19. Karlovy Vary. Tepla River. Our trip to the Czech Republic
Many interesting tourist moments related to this city, so I will write in more detail further.
Czech delicacies
Having visited a dozen Prague establishments, we can proudly say that we tried them all Czech cuisine . We liked many of them, but especially the ribs in honey sauce that the Beer Museum prepared for us, the Boar's knee in the Kozla restaurant, and the delicious duck leg in our favorite establishment, At the Parachutist. Dishes are dishes, but what can you do in the Czech Republic and not drink beer? Honestly, I haven’t had something this delicious for a long time! If in Kyiv we drink beer extremely rarely, then on this trip to the Czech Republic we drank a lot of it. We liked “Krušovica” and “Goat” the most.
Photo 20. Boar's knee. Beer Kozlovna. Our trip to the Czech Republic
I really liked the fact that the menu of each establishment hangs on the street, and you can see the range of dishes and prices without entering the restaurant. Basically it was that we wanted to try something specific, so it was very convenient.
In addition to the dishes that you can try at the establishment, I would like to mention another tasty treat from the Czech Republic:Trdelnik. To tell the truth, I didn’t really want to try it before the trip, but one fine morning after buying coffee at the popular Starbucks, I wanted to chew something. The solution was Trdelnik. In the Czech Republic they are sold at every turn. And what can I say?! I really liked him! One was enough for Vitya and I for two. They cook them right on the street. Trdelnik consists of yeast dough, sprinkled with sugar and nuts on top. If desired, you can order filler inside. Prices may vary, buy further from the center, then it will be cheaper.
Review. We really enjoyed . This boundless greenery, an abundance of trees and all kinds of living creatures, and the air made my lungs green! It’s just so clean and fresh, it’s unbelievable!
I can say that the trip to the Czech Republic was a success! How do you like our trip?
How to find budget accommodation in the Czech Republic
Cheap accommodation or hotels in the Czech Republic can be found through the hotellook booking system, we use it ourselves, it’s been verified. The convenience of the service is that it compares prices from dozens of booking systems - all you have to do is choose the best offer for yourself and buy.
How to buy cheap air tickets to the Czech Republic
Air travel to the Czech Republic can be purchased directly on the airline’s website, but it is most profitable to take advantage of flight offers in the direction of Aviasales, a unit that we use ourselves. The service selects the most advantageous offers in terms of prices and destinations - you just have to choose the best by price, departure time or favorite airline.- purchasing travel insurance online for citizens of Russia and CIS countries.
] Authors: Jiri Hanzelka, Miroslav Zikmund. Translation from Czech by S.I. Pink. Edited by I.I. Potekhin.
(Moscow: Foreign Literature Publishing House, 1956)
Scan, OCR, processing, Djv-600,1200 format: krestik, 2019
- TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Chapter XIX. With a machine gun to Addis Ababa (5).
Border formalities under tropical rain. A pistol instead of a signal horn with Let's look into the Ethiopian's home. At the Pass of Death. With Tatra to an altitude of 3200 meters. Addis Ababa.
Chapter XX. One hour in the company of Emperor Haile Selassie? (25).
“Tell him that I have nothing against him personally.” King of kings and English language. “I sent a plane for your specialists.” Lion the Conqueror from the tribe of Judah. 72 high school football teams. Ethiopia outside and inside.
Chapter XXI. In the Ethiopian trap (41).
Game of motorists. Gallows in the market square. How to get out of Ethiopia? With Swedish pilots over Ethiopia.
Chapter XXII. Is there oil in the Ogaden? (50).
Railway track in the air. “There’s a small ford here and there.” We are building a road for ourselves. Tangier in East Africa. Third day without water. Refrigerators in the desert.
Chapter XXIII. We are looking for the equator (67).
Termite skyscrapers. Curious ostriches. Magic cat. Wife for 300 shillings. Direction - southern hemisphere. Where is the equator? Black cotton soil. Malaria.
Chapter XXIV. Captured on the roads of Kenya (83).
Another accident victim. 59 degrees in the shade. Bath in the middle of the road. Drinking water from elephant tracks. "Listen to a review of the latest news." Synthesis of Europe and India. With blacks at the all-night vigil. A city without postmen.
Chapter XXV. Czechoslovakian flag over Kilimanjaro (101).
Lions in front of the Tatra. “Are you smuggling flies?” Fight for 6000 meters. Sparkling Mountain. Through coffee plantations and virgin forests. Hail over Peters Shelter. Before the night hike. The sun rises over Mawenzi. Glaciers near the equator. Leopard skeleton in the crater. Wreaths of victory.
Chapter XXVI. West of Mombasa (127).
The Germans must leave Tanganyika. Under the coconut trees. Wholesale trade of elephants and rhinoceroses. Pampered warriors? British colonial "democracy". The birth of a coffee bean.
Chapter XXVII. To the sources of the Nile (148).
Steam locomotives on 28 wheels. Tanganyika - right, Uganda - straight. Once again across the equator. Was Herodotus right? 700 billion hectoliters of water. Crocodile for 120 CZK. 200 students for three million square kilometers.
Chapter XXVIII. Through western Uganda to the Congo Pygmies (169).
Miracle road near Rwenzori. A black ruler under the authority of his royal majesty. Night concert of hippos. "Never argue with them." The smallest people in the world. Among the dwarfs is the bambutti. A day with the pygmies. Pygmies hunting elephants.
Chapter XXIX. 200 elephants in two hours (194).
Two systems. Last night at the equator. First meeting with elephants. Race with the attacking hippopotamus. Elephants grazing. Gas! Gas! Hypnotized buffalo. Petrified antelopes. Chevrolet on an elephant's tusks.
Chapter XXX. Fire rain on Kivu (214).
Country of volcanoes. 60 million cubic meters of lava per month. Throne of Hephaestus. The primeval forest is on fire. A car in a flaming trap. Dante's hell. Along the elephant paths to the volcano. Return to the first days of the Earth. 200 meters from the volcano. Seething lava cauldron. “We’re leaving for New York now!”
Chapter XXXI. Tom-toms sound (237).
Kneeling blacks. "Enchanted Castle" on the lake. Rubber devils in Nyondo. People in the vicinity of the "enchanted castle". Academic half an hour. A kilo of ivory costs 340 CZK. Jablonec gifts. “Quinine, sir!”
Chapter XXXII. "Scandal in Katanga" (259).
Departure on Tuesday at 8.00 - arrival on Thursday at 21.30. “600 more or 600 less...” Dinner under a mosquito net, 1000 kilometers alone on the road. Mass production of labor. Eight percent copper. A workshop without people. 250 tons of copper per day. The tallest factory chimney in Africa.
Chapter XXXIII. Great Northern Road (277).
Copper belt. 15 train sets of copper in a bath. Will-o'-the-wisps underground. 12 equals 20. Large North road. Retreat before the ants.
Chapter XXXIV. Night rainbow over the Zambezi (291).
Decisive millimeters. On the border of eternal rain. David Livingston. Lunar rainbow. Over the canyons of the Zambezi River. Double stripes. Rhodesian drivers. By Cecil John Rhodes. Socrates from Zimbabwe. Across the Limpopo River. The land issue again.
Thank you very much for the travel stories sent to me for the “The Story of My Travel” competition by e-mail: [email protected]. Today is a report on a trip to the Czech Republic from Alexey Batuev. Of all my life memories, the ones that most warm my soul and awaken the best feelings in my heart are memories of three trips to an absolutely amazing, fabulous beautiful country Czech Republic. […]
Thank you very much for the travel stories sent to me for the “The Story of My Travel” competition by e-mail: [email protected].
Today is a report on a trip to the Czech Republic from Alexey Batuev.
Of all my life memories, the ones that most warm my soul and awaken the best feelings in my heart are memories of three trips to the absolutely amazing, fabulously beautiful country of the Czech Republic.
This country was very lucky in that it was almost unaffected by the most destructive second world war in human history. World War, and, thanks to this, on its territory everything that was built since the early Middle Ages has been preserved without changes. Of all European cities, the capital of the Czech Republic, Prague, has the largest Old city, walking along and admiring beautiful buildings, you can see examples of absolutely all architectural styles.
In the relatively small territory of the Czech Republic, more than two thousand medieval castles still stand.
The country annually hosts medieval festivals with colorful carnival processions and knightly tournaments. The most famous of them is the Festival of the Five Petal Rose in the city of Cesky Krumlov.
Festival of the Five Petal Rose in Cesky Krumlov
Lovers of medieval romance - this is the place for you!
And the most remarkable thing, in my opinion, is that the Czech state, although not possessing oil and gas reserves, as well as other natural resources, nevertheless provides its citizens with a very decent standard of living. The Chekhovs cannot be called workaholics, but the vast majority of the population lives in abundance. Life here flows calmly and measuredly, order reigns in everything. The Czechs do not have that rollicking prowess that is present among the Slavic brothers - Poles, Ukrainians, Russians. Perhaps the whole point is that Czechs, as a rule, do not find inspiration in strong alcoholic drinks.
In the Czech Republic, the influence of German culture is very strongly felt, which the country has experienced throughout its entire history. centuries-old history. The Czech Republic was the only Slavic state that was part of the Holy Roman Empire of the German nation, and the Czech kings were vassals of the German emperors. Starting from the 13th century, many immigrants from Germany and Austria lived in the Czech Republic. Many Czech cities, like cities in other countries of Eastern Europe(Poland, Slovakia, Romanian Transylvania) were founded and settled by German colonists. The 400-year stay of the Czech Republic as part of the Austrian Habsburg empire also left a big imprint on the Czech mentality. In Czech cuisine, as in German, pork dishes with sour cabbage are very popular. The Czechs, like the Germans, are tenderly and reverently in love with beer, and in terms of its per capita consumption they occupy first place in Europe.
They joke: “We can only lose our primacy in one case – if Bavaria secedes from Germany and becomes an independent state.” In general, the Czechs are such “Slavic Germans”. It is very noteworthy that this relationship between the Czech and German cultures is personified by the most popular ruler in the history of the Czech Republic - the Czech king and, concurrently, the German Emperor Charles IV of Luxembourg, who ruled the country in the middle of the 14th century. On his father’s side, this monarch came from the family of the Dukes of Luxembourg, i.e. representatives German world, and on his mother’s side he was a descendant of the oldest Czech royal dynasty - the Přemyslids. It was under Charles IV that Prague became one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, and remains so to this day.
Perhaps the introduction was too long. I begin to describe the travels themselves. I will dwell on the first two very briefly - they were only a prelude to the third. So, first things first.
A long time ago, in 1981, the stars were so well positioned in the sky that I was incredibly lucky and received a ticket to travel abroad. Let me immediately note that in those good old days, when the Soviet Union and the rest of the world were separated by the “Iron Curtain,” ordinary citizens, for well-known reasons, very rarely visited the borders of our glorious Fatherland, and when one of them had such a happy occasion, our state carefully relieved citizens of the need to choose where, when and for how many days to go. Really, why bother? In the era of historical materialism, Soviet citizens did not go where they most wanted, but where the party, Komsomol and trade unions allocated vouchers.
So, the district Komsomol committee allocated a trip to Czechoslovakia to the Komsomol organization of our enterprise. Fortunately for me, it was to Czechoslovakia, where I went in October 1981. To be honest, after this trip there were not many truly vivid memories left, because sightseeing for Soviet tourists was not the most important thing for which they went abroad. In the first place, as a rule (I don’t want to generalize and speak for all my fellow citizens), shopping was in first place, in second place were meetings with the labor collectives of a fraternal socialist country and visiting places associated with the names of figures of the world communist movement, everything else was on a residual basis.
Our group was lucky - the representative of the host country accompanying the group on the route was a very sweet and very energetic woman who made every effort to ensure that we not only successfully spent the currency we had, but also learned as much as possible about the history and culture of the country . The name of this sweet lady has been erased from my memory; I only remember that by her main profession she was a school teacher and during school holidays worked part-time in the tourism industry. I am very grateful to her - she was the first person who discovered the Czech Republic for me.
If my first trip to the Czech Republic took place as a result of a not entirely conscious choice, then the second, which happened 24 years after the first, in 2005, was the product of a long discussion and consensus with all my children and household members. Being by that time a fully established father of a family, I most resolutely intended to introduce my offspring to all that is most beautiful and feed them to their full with spiritual food.
And so, one fine day, I voiced to them my proposal for bus tour to the Czech Republic. A student daughter who has never been anywhere before except Moscow (we have relatives there) and Black Sea resorts, said thoughtfully: “Excursions? It must be so boring... It’s not for me.” But the son accepted the offer with enthusiasm. Having inherited from me a craving for medieval romance (brave and generous knights, beautiful ladies, noble robbers, troubadours... Well, you understand what I mean...), by the eighth grade of school he had become a fully-fledged lover of the fantasy genre and was very inspired by the opportunity to see all this fabulous medieval surroundings in reality. My wife, who last traveled abroad as long ago as me (she has trips to Poland, Spain and Portugal) agreed quite quickly, especially since I very convincingly and eloquently described to her the beauty of the Czech Republic based on the memories that remained I have from my first trip. The low cost of the tour that I mentioned finally convinced her of the right choice, after which she could start packing her bags.
And then, in short, our first family voyage to the Czech Republic went simply with a bang, with only “pros” and not a single “minus”.
On a 10 day bus tour we saw Prague (2 sightseeing tours around the city), Karlovy Vary, Marianske Lazne, Cesky Krumlov, Kutna Hora, castles Orlik, Zvikov and Žleby, underground caves of Moravian Karst and, in addition, on the way back, Polish Krakow. They "galloped across Europe" at full speed.
I am very grateful to fate that on this tour I was lucky enough to meet an absolutely amazing person - Vyacheslav Borisovich Perepelitsa - who was our group leader, i.e. representative of the tour operator who accompanied the group on the route. I am absolutely sure that this man knows everything about the Czech Republic. And there is absolutely no doubt that he really loves this country and the people living in it. Man with high level erudition, an amazing sense of humor and self-irony, Vyacheslav Borisovich did everything so that those who were with him on the trip would remain the most devoted fans of the Czech Republic until the end of their days. Moreover, he did this completely unobtrusively, as if gradually, without any pathos or false enthusiasm.
For those who want to learn more about the Czech Republic and Czechs, I advise you to find and read the most interesting book by V.B. Quails “Watching the Czechs. Not just beer..." My son gave me this book, having bought it as a souvenir when he was with friends on a trip to St. Petersburg in 2011, i.e. 6 years after the trip. He knew how to please me. And, by the way, my son took this book with him on our next trip to the Czech Republic, which we made with the same members in August 2012, but almost independently, not as part of a group. How I planned and prepared this trip, as well as how it went, I will tell you in detail in the second part of my review.
Discounted hotels here