czech republic - Travel With A Butterfly

This blog post is a continuation of my Prague itinerary from the previous two blog posts. You should check them out if you haven’t done so already – Days 0 to 2 at Why is Prague the “Taiwan” of Europe, and day 3 at Visiting Powder Tower, Jewish Museum, Eating Chimney Cakes.

DAY FOUR

Prague Castle (website)

Prague Castle was situated a little further away than Old Town Square, and so we dedicated one day to visit this Castle. Supposedly it would take us 5 hours to see the whole thing.

Prague Castle, located in the heart of the Czech capital, is one of the largest and most ancient castles in the world. Dating back to the 9th century, it spans an impressive area of almost 70,000 square meters and presents a blend of various architectural styles, from Gothic to Baroque.

Serving as the official residence of the Czech president, it also houses numerous museums, galleries, and historical landmarks within its complex. The stunning St. Vitus Cathedral, an iconic feature of the castle, showcases remarkable stained glass windows and the tomb of St. Wenceslas, the patron saint of the Czech Republic. With its breathtaking views of the city and the Vltava River, Prague Castle is a must-visit destination for those seeking an immersive experience in the rich history and cultural heritage of Prague. Continue reading Prague Castle, Lennon Wall, and a Railway Restaurant

Czech Republic

Visiting Powder Tower, Jewish Museum, Eating Chimney Cakes

ByRyan Lee

This post is a continuation of our time in Prague from “Why is Prague the Taiwan of Europe.” In this post, you will see lots of information about the Jewish Quarter, the Prague Castle inside and its gardens, restaurants we ate at, and a revisit to the old town square.

DAY THREE

We revisited the Old Town Square first because we were going to the Powder Tower.

Church of Our Lady before Tyn Continue reading Visiting Powder Tower, Jewish Museum, Eating Chimney Cakes

Czech Republic

Why is Prague the “Taiwan” of Europe?

ByRyan Lee

Our driver, Mr. Lau from goeugo.com, told us that Prague, and the rest of Czech Republic, is pretty much just like Taiwan. Why? That’s cause Prague is super cheap, especially in comparison with other countries like United Kingdom, Italy, and also the country we last visited – Austria. We’re talking like at least half price to 2/3 cheaper. And not only that, the way they maintain their nature is also similar – it just feels more rundown and unkempt than say their neighbor Austria, where their grass and gardens were maintained to perfection.

From a history and cultural standpoint, I think Vienna takes the cake here. That doesn’t mean Prague didn’t offer anything interesting from their museums and castles, they still were impressive, but just not AS impressive as Vienna and Austria. On the plus side, at least the variety of food there was much better than eating schnitzel and beef broth soup everyday in Austria.

Enough of the chitchat, let’s get straight to our itinerary and photos. Continue reading Why is Prague the “Taiwan” of Europe?

Czech Republic

Karlovy Vary, the Spa City of Czech Republic

ByRyan Lee

Karlovy Vary is a picturesque spa town located in the western part of the Czech Republic. It is situated in the Karlovy Vary Region and is the largest and most famous spa town in the country.

The town is nestled in the deep and narrow valley of the Teplá River and is surrounded by lush green hills.

Karlovy Vary, also known by its German name Karlsbad, has a rich history dating back to the 14th century. It was founded by the Emperor Charles IV and quickly gained recognition for its natural hot springs with healing properties. The town’s architecture reflects a mix of Baroque, Art Nouveau, and Renaissance styles, giving it a unique and elegant atmosphere.

The main attraction of Karlovy Vary is its 13 thermal springs, which were believed to have curative powers and attract visitors seeking wellness and relaxation. Continue reading Karlovy Vary, the Spa City of Czech Republic

Czech Republic

Kutna Hora, where the Black Death Killed Over 90% of People

ByRyan Lee

My driver said that the infamous black death, or what I call the plague, the one that killed tens of millions up to an estimated 100 million, apparently killed over 99% of the inhabitants in this town called Kutna Hora. At least, this is according to my driver. He could be speaking the truth, could be exaggerating, could have heard it wrong, or maybe I heard it wrong. In whatever case, it must have killed enough people that this town actually has a bone skeleton cathedral dedicated to the people who died from the bubonic plague.

Anyway, Kutna Hora wasn’t our first stop of the day. Our first stop was actually at this small town called České Budějovice.

České Budějovice

České Budějovice, also known as Budweis in German, is a city located in the South Bohemian region of the Czech Republic. With a population of around 94,000, it is the largest city in the region and serves as an important economic and cultural center. The city is renowned for its beautiful historic center, which features well-preserved medieval and Renaissance architecture. Continue reading Kutna Hora, where the Black Death Killed Over 90% of People

Czech Republic

A Picturesque Little Town Named Cesky Krumlov

ByRyan Lee

After our last night in Austria, we made our way to Czech Republic, first visiting this fairy tale like town called Cesky Krumlov. It was a wonderful town, a much more charming and authentic town than Carmel By The Sea.

Cesky Krumlov is a picturesque town located in the southern part of the Czech Republic. It is known for its stunning medieval architecture and the enchanting Vltava River that runs through it.

We stopped by a gas station near Linz and I bought this Spezi. The gas stations in Linz are so clean and organized and well taken care of! Unlike the ones in United States. The ones in Japan along the roadside are the ones that are comparable. Continue reading A Picturesque Little Town Named Cesky Krumlov