The “Florentina” has been set in Prague and waiting for their passengers. The Elbe here to their bike and ship travel, only the Vltava River down, then start. More and more Germans decide for a such combination cruises. Sit only on deck and looking right and left in the landscape, River travelers will find now too boring. It is beautiful, every day several kilometers away to struggle. At the destination, passengers reach their floating hostel, as if it were a Hare Hedgehog game, already firmly moored waiting for then. Still quick shower – and already there are dinner. Is hardly practical.
The first day. Still, an afternoon time in Prague. Unfortunately, mid-July is now. The city looks like a fairground, scramble on the Charles Bridge, nudges on the Wenceslas square. Tourists everywhere. But there are resources – and quiet route. The next day, we can feel it – the crew has our bikes – one is parked before the ship for every passenger on board – The other Prague begins when, immediately crossing behind the “Florentina”, the Art Nouveau bridge Cechuv berth. On the other hand, the wheel must be pushed uphill, it is just too steep. The large beer garden “Letná” concluded still now in the morning. But here, so one suspects the Prague among themselves. How interesting is this area away from the Center. Each home is unique, just Historicism, then with Art Nouveau or simply in new objectivity. Shops for the daily needs, not a single souvenir shop far and wide. You can also visit this post about the Norwegian breakaway to the Bahamas and learn more.
The nice thing about this tour: No guide sets the pace. Everyone drives as quickly or as slowly as he likes, and designed his breaks at your whim. The detailed tour description for every day makes it nearly impossible a getting lost. In addition, there is still a route map. The route description is inserted under the transparent slide of the handlebar bag – so it is always clear what to do.
The historic glass palaces of Vystaviste
How many parks has the “Golden City”? Nestled in the middle of green is an area that was built for the Prague Jubilee exhibition in 1891, Vystaviste. The outstanding position of Czech Czech industry should be presented here. The buildings were based on the concept of the world fairs of the time with their glass palaces. Almost everything is preserved. Today, Vystaviste is used for art exhibitions and music events.
A curved bridge it to the right side of the Vltava River over and then getting the flow along goes to Troy. The name stands for one of the most beautiful baroque castles of in the Czech Republic. There are rich Plafonds, we unfortunately can’t see them. It is Monday – and all museums are closed. A Swiss group of the ship who parked their bikes outside the entrance of the Zoo nearby. Enough for the Zoo, travelers always have time. There are only 30 kilometres to the finish of the stage.
Continue, leisurely along the Vltava, we thought so that. Pandey. Now the trail right into the Interior of the country, up to the village of Warsaw. In the first, you can just mount. The tour description contains, highlighted in yellow, an extra tip: the local “Farm to table”. Young people cook delicious soups and small delicious dishes. Unfortunately, we have also – after breakfast – like all other many sandwiches for busy on the road. It may be but a Cappuccino. Nancy sits on the secluded terrace of an apple spritzer. “Where your husband is John?” – “Oh, who wants to drive but always so quickly, I wanted to follow rush.” The sympathetic, athletic couple from Colorado every year a different country in Europe is looking. “We are like to actively on the road,” says Nancy and shines. “Europe is so nice and different”, the Americans. The other passengers on this trip come from the Switzerland and Germany.
Today’s target is Kralupy. What a contrast to the picturesque Prague. Until the mid of 19th century, Kralupy was a village with 20 houses. The place was suddenly situated for railway construction and straightening of Moldova, industrial enterprises settled. The place grew haphazardly and losing his soul. While trying those responsible for quality of life. Plenty of benches for resting are placed, each with a recycle bin. The berth of the “Florentina” we can admire the most notable of Kralupy: the Masaryk bridge. It was built from 1926 to 1928 simply and it is functional, such as from the style guide of the Bauhaus architects.
From Kralupy we continue in the direction of Melnik. The way is narrow on the high banks of the Vltava River – and you must concentrate in order not to slide off. Not even the older people get over here. Why are you always so fast? “E-Bikes”, says a threesome Siebzigjähriger and laughs.
At some point, all at the castle of Nelahozeves arrived. It belongs, as numerous palaces in the Czech Republic, the extensive family Lobkowicz. The Castle, built in the 16th century in the style of the late Renaissance, the Princes have 1993 get back. The North facade of the castle is decorated with Sgraffito large areas. In the private collection of the Lobkowicz’ will be presented: Stradivari, relics, Klappaltäre, and halberds. This includes valuable paintings by Lukas Cranach d. Ä., Peter Paul Rubens, and Diego Velázquez. You can see what the Prince did so in their spare time, in the corridors. There are lots of hunting trophies. The library contains approximately 65 000 books, this includes rare manuscripts by Mozart and Beethoven. You can visit this post if you want to read more about the history of Blandford.
Astronaut Armstrong heard Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9 at all
But in fact is the village of Nelahozeves, for another brilliant composer: Antonín Dvorák. His birthplace, a small museum, stands at the foot of the Castle Hill. Mighty proud, you are here to her famous son and made him not only a bronze monument in the garden. Black on white, they have let NASA confirm it: the mission to the moon with Apollo 11 Neil Armstrong Dvorak’s 9th Symphony has heard. The document hangs under glass.
How many rivets probably stuck in the iron bridge, which we have just crossed? And how many old giant trees in the landscape Park, which surrounds the Rococo Chateau Veltrusy? On this third day of travel joins an attraction to the next. Nancy is astonished about the cable ferry, which brings us to the opposite shore of the River Vltava. Her husband is long since over. “John, you see nothing of all the beauties”, will scold you later him.
Castle Melnik greets sublime located on a mountain. There we cycle on the way back up. Now a short cruise is off for now – Litomerice. The former Litoměřice is a jewel of Renaissance and Baroque buildings, surrounded by a largely preserved Gothic town fortification. While you go to the walk through the town, others cycle to a sad place. The Terezín Memorial is only around five kilometres from Litomerice. In 1943, the ghetto was presented the International Committee of the Red Cross as a “Model camp”. You had it previously extra “embellished”. More than 33 000 people died here. The bike trippers still come back from this place.
Good wine is growing in the baroque town of Melnik
Balmy summer air on deck. To see a ship. On this part of the river Elbe, there is no transportation and no excursion steamer. “Too many locks”, says Captain Ladislav Novotny. 14 are’s Prague-Ústí, the last village before the German border, but none from Usti to Dresden. Who rides without pause, is therefore faster than the ship.
Melnik we fall in love with us. What a nice town. The facades of the small Baroque houses around the market square are pale yellow, pink, lime green or pale blue. On the slopes below the mighty castle Emperor Charles IV had grown vines from Burgundy. Even today, Melnik is a wine city. The locals can tap is the red grape juice in bring your own container. Tourists buy it in bottles with elaborate labels on it. Much the wine shops in their inviting boutiques get rid of but. Only a few foreign visitors find their way to Melnik. They could sit on the castle terrace and indulge. What a picturesque image: downstairs the Vltava River in the river Elbe flows.
John and Nancy cycle the last line of Mlcechvosty back to Prague. 40 km. From the ship, we can wave to them. Now, final should be even with the Strampelei. In mind all the pictures of the tour. The density of the hop gardens, the cemetery where the headstones had names, but no figures, painted-on levels of the Elbe on buildings. The 2002 floods ruined many houses.
The Sun is shining, the sky is blue and white spotted. How wonderful it is to leisurely glide across the water. The towers of Prague in the look come sometime. A magnificent sight.
The last evening on board: Captain dinner. Five delicious courses and large pieces of cake will be served for dessert. We clean everything without feeling guilty about away. Who rides, can afford it.