My wife and I have a couple of extra days built onto the end of our trip (Budapest - Bratislava - Vienna - Cesky Krumlov - Prague). We will have our own rental vehicle and would like to explore more of the Czech Republic outside of Prague. We will have already visited Cesky Krumlov plus day trips to Karlovy Vary, Konopiste, and Kutna Hora. Looking at some of the major attractions in other cities, it appears it will be more of the same. We will likely be a little tired of castles and churches. Are there any other must do attractions that we should venture out to see? Maybe a small Czech village with a nice bed and breakfast? We are even thinking maybe something a little less touristy. We will have two full days and a night before we need to be back to Prague to fly home the next morning. Recommendations?
Posted by
Prague, Czech Republic
356 posts
You could go to the Communist era internment camp at Pribram. There are also several mining museums and the Jesuit pilgrimage site at Holy Mountain.
Loket is well worth a look too. It is absolutely gorgeous.
Olomouc and Brno are both lovely cities and well worth visiting. And there is loads going on in Prague to keep you busy. (You just need to know where to look.)
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Thanks. I looked up Loket and it looks like a great little town.
Posted by
Seattle
4637 posts
Yes, Loket somewhat resembles Cesky Krumlov, only without tourists. River from 3 sides, castle on the hill with cliffs, medieval little town around. It is very close to Karlovy Vary.
If I know when you are going I can suggest some small towns with interesting festivals.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
We will be in Prague from Friday, 30 June - Friday, 7 July. The 5th and 6th of July are the two days that I have no plans yet. I believe that I saw that these days were national holidays. I hope that is not going to be an issue. If we went out to Loket, would you recommend a day trip and head back to Prague and enjoy the evening there? Or would you spend the night in Loket or some other surrounding village? Obviously the night life has a little more to offer in Prague. Although, Karlovy Vary could be fun for the evening.
Posted by
Germany
868 posts
If you already do a day trip to Karlovy Vary, and want to see Loket, you should spend one or two nights in the area. The Spa triangle also offers more than just these two sites. The other spa towns, Marianske Lazne and.... sorry, can't write the name in Czech... Franzensbad, are very nice too (I actually like Marianske Lazne the most), and the biggest town in the area, Cheb (previously Eger), offers a nice old town and is historically interesting* (Wallenstein/Waldstein was killed there).
If you are looking for something completely different you could visit Bohemian/Saxon Switzerland. These are some of the the most picturesque mountains of Central Europes, with some of Europes best hiking trails.
The area is 2h to the north of Prague on the Czech-German border. 1/3 is on the Czech side, 2/3 on the German.
*if you are interested in history: both the Spa triangle and Bohemian Switzerland are in the former Sudetenland.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Thanks Martin. I appreciate all the great advice.
Posted by
San Francisco
14979 posts
I went to Brno last summer for a day, great place to get away from Prague, continued on to Slavkov, ie, Austerlitz, and Olomouc (Olmütz)... great places to go if you're into European history, see where Napoleon stayed, the Russian HQ, etc., where Lafayette was imprisoned by the Austrians, despite US diplomatic efforts to secure his release, etc. .
Marienbad, Karlsbad, and Franzenbad were places where prior to 1914 European royalty and diplomats went to "take the waters" and to catch on the latest news and gossip.
Posted by
25 posts
What would be folks recommendation for traveling outside of Prague over Christmas (12/23-30).
Posted by
3 posts
hi there does anyone know if there is anybody doing- localmoo com in russia
I have used this site when traveling to France and got lots of local info from locals on the ground.
It would be great to chat with a local in prague........
Regards Sam