As always our travelling notes basically "are ground" under those who prefers to move on the/rented car on roads of Europe and not only. Somehow having staid hours five in turn on our border and on a return way as much, absolutely flown into a rage and izmochalennye, we have come to cross to not revocable decision borders of our native land only by the plane, and after the arrival into place to lease the car. Here such scheme, on it we stand, we go more precisely.
Trip key parametres
Cities and sights are listed in a chronological order.
Terms and duration of a trip: the August, 2007, seven days.
In a way on the car: 1500 km.
The budget: 1500 EUR.
Rating: We have decided to create the estimated system far from objectivity. The algorithm reflects our personal sensations, impressions, emotions plus the arrangement of stars in the sky, etc. is based on a number of irrational factors, such as,
Scale from 1 to 10.
All that above any estimations, we estimate simply – the Masterpiece.
Car rent
After several successful experiences of rent of the car, we have passed also negative experience. After Czechia we urgently recommend to check carefully the car (ex-terrier) before to leave on him. On us have palmed off the car with scratches over a back wheel. The companies with the international reputation usually warn and specify all defects in a map. The reputation is more expensive. Our operator was an average hand, us «have forgotten to warn» and we have got. We have noticed scratches only in fifteen minutes when unloaded luggage near hotel. But was late. Our carelessness has managed to us in the stress, the spent nerves and 300 USD. Unpleasant incident when you cannot prove anything and you is unscrewed by hands, knowing, that at you registration aboard the plane has begun. At a stage of the order of the car pay attention to the contract or voucher text between you and the operator about car rent. The matter is that by default to you offer so-called «the base insurance», it the cheapest. It does not switch on insurance upon damages and larceny. It is necessary to pay extra for each additional service on the average 10 EUROS for days. Set questions and choose, what variant is more comprehensible to you, the house-keeper or a high-grade covering.
**
Rent cost at the base insurance makes 30 EUROS a day.
Car class: Mitsubishi Colt and similar.
Parking and gasoline
With the account of specificity of our travel, basically on locks which are on the whole concentrated out of cities or in a countryside, we did not test any complexities with parkings.
**
Average cost of a parking near locks, makes 1 EURO without restriction in time.
95 Gasoline – 1-1,10 EUROS.
Diesel engine – about 1 EURO.
Roads
Roads of intermediate, average quality. Not Europe and not Croatia. Good avtoban (if it is possible for that and concrete sites) connects Prague to all large cities of Czechia.
**
Cost of payment for using avtobanom makes 5 EUROS (within a week). To buy the voucher it is possible in cafe, restaurants, refuellings etc. the Fare on avtobanu it is switched on in the price of rent of the car.
Residing at Czechia
We not zamorachivalis preliminary reservation also have appeared are right. To find a lodging for the night in Czechia it is possible easily and not straining. In this country a keyword – PENSION. These are small hotels, level *** where there is all necessary for a nomadic life. To find their sight along roads and in cities, also it is easy, as well as to lodge.
**
Days in board will manage to you on the average: 20—25 EUROS for a head.
Restaurants and meal
Nourishing, tasty enough meal. At least, it is comprehensible to our tastes and stomachs. All the same Slavs. The big influence German (Austrian) kitchens is felt. Well and the well-known knedliks are offered to all dishes. Coffee below any criticism.
**
The nourishing dinner/supper with a good piece of meat/fish + a beer glass, will manage plus-minus 10 EUROS on a head.
As to Prague, multiply by capital factor, dared on 1
PRAGUE
Personally the city has not hooked on me. Probably because I have grown in Lvov, and for me a similar sort of the City - a part of mine of a being. Though, of course, Prague - it another, is good and beautiful. It is necessary to arrive to Prague simply to see Karlov the bridge and the Old city. The quiet, slow rhythm absolutely pacifying a city.
Kafka lived in Gold street, Kafka lives, Kafka will live in images of souvenir production.
On Saturday and Sunday absolutely speculative course on exchange. Ask again, when change. Divorce full. Somehow indecently for a civilised country.
Rating: the Masterpiece - Karlov the bridge
ABOUT THE CZECH LOCKS
From the very beginning, we conceived ours a trip across Czechia as "zamkovuju", that is not surprising for the country in which is about 200 locks, palaces and gradov. Having sat with guidebooks and the Internet, the ten most remarkable has chosen and have gone to a way.
To avoid mess, we will use concept the lock. For zamkovyh maniacs and those who would like "zanuritis" in zamkovuju a theme more strongly and to understand concepts, look definitions (after the basic text), taken by me from one of the Czech sites. From my point of view, exact enough classification which reflects the Czech realities. There is no only a definition for Chateau. But it already other, not Czech history.
We would allocate two prominent features of the Czech locks. It first of all excellent safety. In difference, say, from Polish, the Czech locks were fine saved and have not been repeatedly plundered and burnt, etc. Certainly, locks changed owners because of what repeatedly were reconstructed and became palaces and residences for the higher aristocracy.
Impresses fullness zamkovyh interiors, them netronutost and safety. Impression such, that owners of the lock had just supper and left because of a table. All on a place. On the other hand, we would note also certain monotony of expositions in the Czech locks. As a rule, at first go zamkovye interiors with fine saved material subjects of a life and utensils. After interiors you pass in a trophy, hunting hall. The present «a cemetery of deer», a collection olenih horns, is proud razveshana on walls. At last finishes survey «a hall of ancestors» with portraits of the former owners.
Konopishte
Was the first on our way to Southern Bohemia. Though it is difficult to name the lock the lock if it is plastered. On collars the lock (there was a Monday) hung and we have decided to wander simply on zamkovomu to park which though has somehow brightened up negative impression. As on us, it is possible to pass visiting of this lock safely.
Rating: 3
It is deep over Vltava
Strange, but the fact, in such tourist country as Czechia, on Monday all sights are closed almost. It is deep over Vltava it has appeared one of few opened on Monday. For this reason our way has begun with it. The Lock-palace is built from a white stone. Tremendous stylisation of the English lock. The Palace-residence with fine saved interiors, conditions and park. Our higher estimation.
Rating: 10
Orlik
When that stood on a high, eagle rock, from here and the name. After have constructed a dam and have flooded a territory part, «has gone down on the earth», but from it has not lost force. The present fortress costs on a bend of Vltava, inside a palace.
Rating: 9
Zvikov
Ruins of the royal lock-fortress. Costs on a bend of two rivers. A unique place where it is possible to wander simply without excursions.
Rating: 8
CHeski Krumlov
One of the most beautiful cities who ever met on our way. Here the river Vltava does improbable «Nesterov's loop». It turns out, that all historical centre is in this most river loop. It is possible to wander simply all the day long and not to start missing. And, certainly, what Czech city does without the lock which it is necessary to visit. We recommend as a place for a lodging for the night. Despite a large quantity of bus groups and russkogovorjashchih tourists, the city leaves unforgettable sensation.
Rating: 10
CHervena Lgota
Probably, the most beautiful and romantic lock. Costs on water, on lake. It is located far from tourist routes, therefore we and have not met any foreigner, that a rarity for Czechia. Very much we recommend for visiting, on time can occupy a floor of day or all the day if will take in head to drive by boats round the lock.
Rating: 10
Telch
Looks as happy "Swiss" small town with the extended rectangular area in which never occurred nothing and already anything never happens. Beautifully, but it is dullish. Position rescues the lock surrounded with the man-made river and park. Necessarily find pair of hours to wander on park and along the river. Very beautiful place. Enters into the UNESCO list.
Rating: 9
Lednitse
Here not the lock the main thing, here is located the biggest in Europe landscape park. The Czech answer to Versailles. The park reaches 14 kilometres, between two locks, mentioned Lednitse and other lock Valtitsa. Usually connect these two names in one area: Lednitse-Valtitsa. It is possible to walk and wander all the day. Man-made reservoirs, the French garden, a formal garden and even a minaret. Lease bicycles. So German tourists do. Paradise for bicyclists, as routes much more.
Rating: 9
Valtitse
Outwardly the palace is very beautiful. Actually, except a facade in him for today anything is not present. A palace put in order and reconstruct. There is no sense to visit.
Rating: 3
Sky Austerlitsa
If there is time and on a way, turn to the place of legendary fight of three emperors, near Austerlitsa. It in 10 kilometres from present Slavkov also is called the World Barrow. Here 200 years ago 160 thousand persons battled among themselves, from them 30 thousand persons for ever remained in the Moravian earth. Now on a place of their destruction the World Barrow is erected. Such event cannot completely pass and will reject a shade and in centuries. Déjà vu and it is a lot of memoirs thanks to the book and a film - "War and peace". Very sensible museum.
Rating: 8
Buzov
Classical knight's castle at mountain top directed up. Impresses and is more tremendous it is beautiful. Outwardly looks as fairy tale castle. In guidebooks it advance in general as wedding place castle. Do not believe. Believe only to the eyes. Inside and actually one of few well saved locks filled with historical artefacts of the Award of crusaders. Those who were in Malborke (Marienburge) and saw the Lock, us will understand. It has appeared, what exactly here was "hornet's nest" and last haven of crusaders. Here, after defeat in Grjunvaldsky fight when the ridge of their military power has been broken, one of the administrative and financial centres of the Award who has existed already till 1948 has been transferred.
Rating 10
Pernshtejn
Probably, the most Gothic and real lock (hailstones) to which we have not got. Were late, as have late arrived, strongly having strayed on mountain roads. But even that we only saw outside, leaves a trace in memory.
Rating 10
Karlshtejn
The most untwisted and most tourist lock (hailstones) of Czechia. Visiting Karlshtejna usually joins in the program of visiting of Prague as the lock is located in 30 kilometres from Prague. As well as it is necessary to the present lock, it is located at top of an unapproachable rock. Lock towers are easily recognised, as repeat silhouettes of the well-known Prague towers. Despite "turistichnost", it is necessary and it is necessary to visit necessarily.
Rating: 10
EXCURSIONS
On the Czech locks you independently do not wander, it is excluded. You are doomed to support of the guide. We will specify and in obvious lacks such guided tours. It when the guide-kljuchnik conducts group, opens a door, tells to associates about surrounding and watches that all have left a premise and locks a door. In general full restriction of a freedom of movement. To step to the left-to the right chances is not present. Add here small premises ….ekskursii it is necessary to listen on the Czech. Also amuse itself thought on similar, slavic language. A fig not clearly. Certainly, excursions in other languages also happen, but, as a rule, they do not coincide with your schedule of moving.
Probably, all this disgrace is called by an economy effort. Where our grandmothers-smotritelnitsy from the Hermitage, au …. Or modern security systems.
Demand printing guidebooks in Russian, they are practically in all museums and locks.
On the average excursion on Czech language will manage to you in 3-4 EUROS for a head. It is necessary to pay extra 3-4 EUROS for the European languages more.
Charles at Clara has stolen corals?
We seldom reflect on an origin of words. The trip to Czechia has generated such questions. We stood on Karlovom to the bridge and have seen the bridge name in English Charles bridge. That is it is Charles's bridge. That is prince Charles, actually prince Charles, and on the contrary. An explanation the following, a transcription of words in Russian and an Ukrainian language languages has come to us from German, owing to the various historical reasons and circumstances. Now the tendency absolutely another. Influence of English language from which all basic new words come is very strong. Collision of old and new transcriptions also generates all this mess with names and not only. By and large, it is necessary to be defined and completely to copy all names in history. Then it is clear, what is it not Charles at Clara has stolen corals. All is easier, it was actually Charles.
Myths prochehiju
Myth the first about the Czech beer, probably, have thought up in Soviet Union when knew two grades of beer: beer is also beer is not present. And if beer is, it warm. In Czechia beer a yak beer. A myth of the second country about cheapness. Do not believe the Internet revelations, basically Russian, that all zadarma. The Central European country with the Central European prices. Not cheaply.
All age are obedient to beer
Has pleased the announcement vidennoe with us at one beer small restaurant in any remote small town. It said: «to Persons beer is more senior 70 years it is released only at presence of 2 relatives». That is at all one. It so that already for certain a body could carry away.
Only for Zamek maniak
PALACE – (from «knjazhy a court yard» - dwelling of the prince) a monumental smart building. Originally – residence only the master, later – the higher nobility, in the Middle Ages – as well public authorities, about 19 century – especially considerable constructions of public purpose. In rannesrednevekovoj to Europe palaces entered into a complex of fortifications, and after have gradually stood apart in the independent constructions, differing splendour and riches of a decor.
The LOCK - the strengthened dwelling of the feudal lord, was erected in well protected places; the main tower was surrounded with shaft, ditches, walls. The severe shape to the lock was given by the deaf powerful walls calculated on long defence. In 13-16 centuries they turn to the difficult complexes of defensive, cult and economic constructions forming complete ensembles. Their shape is enriched arkadnymi by galleries (mainly, in courtyards), bay windows, diverse towers with elegant zavershenijami. With development of artillery the lock loses value of a fortress, in its composition the palace building starts to play a leading role. Signs zamkovoj architecture are saved, but furnish of towers, gear walls with loopholes get more and more decorative character. Further locks are superseded by city and country dvortsovo-park complexes.
HAILSTONES, as well as kreml – the strengthened part of a feudal city. In transfer with Czech "hailstones" - "kreml", but kreml - happen only in Russia, however, in Russian there is a word "hailstones", it kreml, it detinets, thus.