Some Czech souvenirs

Just a few suggestions to consider.. Especially the selection of Skoda miniature cars looked really nice, as their real-life versions probably would come in the same forms and flavours.

Výtopna restaurant

This was very nice dinner place on the side of Václavské náměstí. Too bad my son wasn't with me this time, he would have loved it! ;)

Pivovarský Dům

A nice microbrewery in Prague, with some exotic beers to taste, and "beer based" drinks.. The place is located a few metro stops from the old town.

Tourism - what a wonderful way to exercise!

My pedometer's logged results for a weekend in Prague:

Friday 13535 steps (~7.17 km)
Saturday 17733 steps (~9,39 km)
Sunday 16498 steps (~8,73 km)

Although there were not that many aerobic steps it still kinda proves (to me at least) that "I did my part" to enjoy a few beers with good conscience. ;)

"The Golden Tiger pub"

(Admitted, I wasn't going to mention this place in the first place.. until I read later about Václav Havel favouring this place. Bill Clinton and Angela Merkel have also visited here, among many other famous people. So special thanks to George for showing us this place!)

And come to think of it, this place offered something a bit different really. I found it kind of refreshing to feel like a tourist, but in a very different way than in most other places (totally contrary to what I wrote in the previous entry). I recall it took us some 10-15 minutes to get service, and we couldn't find a seat to sit down, but in this case I don't mind.. And yes, naturally I tipped the waiter as he wasn't asking for it.

Nothing much to Prag about

Tourism is what tourist does. Now don't get me wrong.. I understand that people work to get money, and price level in Prague is ovbiously higher than in Ostrava (for example) so either you need to get paid more, or work more. Also, Prague is crowded with tourists from all over the world. Including Americans. And Americans especially have this "tipping culture" for good service. So, tourists are supposed to give tips when they think they've received good service.. right?

I was faced with the situation several times in Prague's old town pubs and restaurants: usually I wasn't even getting much of service, barely even a smile, but I still was supposed to pay more as "please note that service is not included, in general you can give ten percent" was frequently stated when getting the bill (usually after waiting five minutes to get it).

Now again, don't get me wrong, but I was happy to give tip in Ostrava, especially when not being constantly reminded to do so. Really, waiters were more friendly and I was getting served fast. And everything didn't cost so much in overall. I don't even want to imagine what things might be like during the high season..

But well, I guess that is how the world turns these days. Deset bodů pro Olomouc..

Vyšehrad

A historic and very beautiful area. But somehow it almost spells the same as "Suo-men-lin-na" for Finns. ;)

Hard Rock Cafe @ Prague

Last time the cafe wasn't open, but now I had chance to czech it out. It sure is a big venue..

Praha

What can I say.. still one of the most beautiful cities in the world, without a doubt..

Na zdraví!

"U doktora" was a nice place, with beer taps on the tables. Also the dinner from traditional menu I enjoyed here was *very* interesting. Thanks again guys. :)

Qasek @ Hobit

I'm glad I had local friends with me, to find this local gem! :)

Lunch and dinner in Czech style

Njam - some gulash, and then chicken with a slice of niva (and bacon of course).

Ostravar brewery tour

It was nice to see how good beer is made, although it was mostly Czech pensioners on the tour with us, and it was also mostly explained in the local language only. :)

Burfi

Rather brilliant vegetarian cuisine.

U Rady

"It's a traditional Czech pub with a long history, a bit like U Fleku, but it's in Ostrava".

Poruba

Route of the Utopian Dreams.. a.k.a "walking tour number four". Was really nice especially as we had a local guide and got a peek inside one of the apartments. :)

Back in Czech

And it's nice to be back. :) The weather has been more spring-like than in Finland, though it's not the "terrace season" just yet.

Czech out some beer coasters

This is a brief excursion to some of the Czech beer coasters I've managed to collect on my past trips. The most interesting ones are from smaller breweries.

Thoughts about the Czech kitchen

I'm a bit worried.. I've tried to watch my weight lately, and I've managed to even a few kilos. But now I'm going to take the trip to Czech Republic, a country that I associate with extremely delicious but also kinda heavy food.. such as roast pork with knedliký (dumplings made of white flour) or Hermelin cheese. How can I manage? What should I eat?

Bramboráky (fried pancakes made from potatoes) might be vegetarian choice, but it's not exactly a light dish in the end. Also, better to stay away from late night kebab this time. ;)

Salads are ok but they are usually flavored with mayonnaise. But what's good news is that healthy sauerkraut is commonly used in Czech cooking. Soup is called polévka.

To drink, naturally mineral water (such as Mattoni) or perhaps a sip of light Kofola - though, also original Kofola has 30% less sugar than Coca-cola or Pepsi. Any beer? Yes please. :)

(My main reference: Wikipedia's article about Czech Cuisine).

Hmm.. perhaps I've still managed to miss something essential?

Just plans: Moravian-Silesian region

It might be that I'll be taking a trip to the Czech Republic again in the near future, so it's time to do a little planning just in case I would have some free time there.

Ostrava is the biggest city in the region and it thrives to be European Cultural Capital for 2015 (the other alternative might be Plzen).

From the site Ostrava 2015 I found some interesting information about sights that Ostrava has to offer. There are for example maps for four walking tours, and an interesting "did you know...?" section.

Especially walking tour route #1 in the city centre looks interesting. Among all the architectural sights there is also a mention about the "U Rady" pub which is said to be "legendary" and to offer the best Pilsner Urquell in Ostrava. Also The Hobit Pub is along the route, it should offer beer from a local Biovar microbrewery (I've been to this pub before but I didn't know about the local beer!).

Also walking tour #4, labeled "The route of utopian dreams" through Poruba district might be interesting. Poruba is residential district that was constructed in the 1950's in the "socialist realism" style. I've seen it briefly before. We've also been to the residential areas surrounding Dubina. I think it's very impressive area in its' own style.

The Vitkovice area is - alas - not yet fully open at this time of the year but there is highly interesting walking tour #3 in the area.

Walking tour #2 goes to the other side of the Ostravice river and climbs to a 315-metre tall hill that is made from mining waste.

Of course, as Czech Republic is "the beer country" I should also mention Stodolni bar street and guided tours to the Ostravar brewery. :)

Although outside of Ostrava, it might be interesting to visit for example the Hlucin-Darkovicky fortifications.

PS. Lots of good pictures in this Scyscrapercity thread.