

Czech: A Day Trip to the Beskyd Mountains
On the east side of Czech Republic, about an hour away from Brno, there is a small mountain range called "Beskydy." We had the chance to do a quick day trip to these mountains on a beautiful winter's day. We took the lift up to the top of of the mountain and then strolled through the snow-covered woods to the statue of Radegast - the god of sun, prosperity, and harvest. It was an extremely chilly day and the ground was slippery which made the hike all the more adventurous. Th


GALLERY: Cesky Krumlov - one of Czech's cutest towns
There is a picture-perfect small town in the Southern part of Czech whose streets are lined with beautiful historical houses. The historic center, centered around the castle, has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1992. The city hosts a number of festivals throughout the year and the main square turns into a beautiful Christmas market area during Christmas time. We visited Cesky Krumlov for a couple hours just a few days after Christmas as we were heading to Austria. We


A Czech Christmas in Prague
Prague is a beautiful city that comes even more alive in the Christmas season. There are over a dozen town squares throughout the city that turn into Christmas markets. Tents that offer mulled wine, hot honey liquor, and sweet treats such as "Trdelnik," attract visitors and locals alike. We spent most of December in Prague, so we got to wander around town and visit many of the Christmas markets. One afternoon, as I was walking out of the library, it even snowed! It was a shor


Czech's Crown Jewel: Karlstejn Castle in Winter & Summer
About an hour south of Prague is a beautiful castle called Karlstejn. It was founded in 1348 by King of Bohemia Charles IV. It is one of the most famous castles in the Czech Republic due to its picturesque nature and the fact that it's held many Bohemian crown jewels, holy relics, and other royal treasures. Bryan and I first visited the castle in the summer (July 2019). We did not get to inside because we got there on a Monday - a day when most castles are closed - a small de


Hody: A Traditional Czech Village Celebration
Many villages in Moravia (the southeast part of Czech), celebrate a tradition called "hody" in the late summer or early fall. In my home village of Jehnice, this usually happens in September. "Hody" is a time to celebrate the abundance of family, friends, and food that we have been given. Back in the old days, this would represent a time when all the farmers would unwind after a busy season of harvesting. Nowadays the tradition is still honored as a group of village residents


GALLERY: Prague - A Morning Stroll Through Old Town
Prague - the city of a hundred spires, cobblestone streets lined with colorful houses, and some of the best beer in Europe.
From charming cafes on the Vltava river, to museums that depict the country's history, to art galleries, panoramic viewpoints, lush green parks, and beer spas, Czech Republic's capital has much to offer its visitors. Although it is possible to see most of the major sights in one day, there are many places where one could linger a lot longer.
Prague is