Melnik, Castle with Vineyard

Melnik is a historic town in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic, situated at the confluence of the Vltava and Labe rivers, known for its well-preserved castle, charming architecture, and picturesque vineyards producing local wines.

It is only 1 hour to get to there from Prague, so I directed there to spend a half of a day and to try some local wine.

The Vltava is the longest river entirely within the Czech Republic, flowing through the picturesque landscapes of Bohemia. And the Labe, also known as the Elbe, is one of the major rivers in Central Europe, flowing from the Krkonose Mountains in the north of the Czech Republic. These rivers play a role in the region's viticulture, influencing the climate and contributing to the cultivation of vineyards for local wine production

Melnik Castle, situated atop a hill, is one of the most important sights of the town. The castle is built in the Renaissance style, and its roots dating back to the 10th century. It is surrounded by vineyards, and it has a longstanding tradition of wine production, so below the castle there are large wine cellars.

Of course I have tried some white wine from the local producers, and I do not mind to repeat this experience.

Dresden, Florence on the Elbe

Dresden is often referred to as "Florence on the Elbe" due to its abundant artistic and architectural treasures. The city was once one of the most important cultural centers of Europe, and it still boasts numerous museums, galleries, and historic landmarks that attract visitors from all over the world.

I continue exploring the city and visit the most famous landmarks.

Indeed, the main landmark here might be called the Elbe river. It is a nice type of activity to visit the riverbank and enjoy the dawn or sunset. I am not sure if it is good to swim there, but some people were doing it.

One of the most amazing views on the city is available from the clock tower of the royal palace. So, I climbed 200 steps and enjoyed the picturesque panorama.

Next stop was at the Zwinger Palace, which houses a good collection of art and antiquities. I simply could not but visit this gallery.

I was bored at the end of the day, frankly speaking. Probably, even one day is really enough to devote to exploring the city. Still, it is always a good idea to spend the morning in the new place. So, I do not regret that I have stayed here for a night.

Dresden, Demolished and restored

 

I have decided to go to the German city, which is very close to Prague, and which is very often offered for a weekend-trip for those who are staying in Prague. It is Dresden, the capital of Saxony, 150 kilometres to the north from Prague.

Dresden is divided into two parts by the river Elbe: the new town (Neustadt) and the old town (Altstadt). I have found an affordable hotel in the Neustadt, which is very famous among younger people, because you can discover there an alternative lifestyle rivalling what you would find, for example, in Berlin.

During the World War II, the bombing raids on February 1945 almost destroyed this German city. So, those raids became a symbol of the “terror bombing” campaign against Germany.

However, in the decades following the war, Dresden underwent a remarkable transformation, with many of its iconic buildings and cultural landmarks being restored to their former glory.

Dresden is known primarily for its Baroque buildings. And there are three major architectural landmarks in Dresden: the Baroque Zwinger Palace, Semperoper opera house and the Church of Our Lady (the Frauenkirche).

The rest of the day I have spent in the Neustadt walking, eating and drinking. One of the most amazing impressions was meeting the sunset on the open field...

Karlovy Vary, Mineral Water

It was a nice awakening, cheerful shower and good breakfast with fresh coffee. So, now I am ready to start another page of my life.

In the early morning I went for a walking. I like it very much that the city is huddled by wooded hills from all sides.

In fact, there are three mountain ranges nearby: the Ore Mountains, the Doupov Mountains and the Slavkov Forest.

Eventually, I have decided to climb one of the nearby hills and admire the outlook of the city from an aerial view.

Later I went to the bus station to meet my old friend from Novosibirsk. She came here to spend one day specifically with me. Together we have observed the town, have had a nice lunch at some restaurant and had drunken coffee in the symbolic cafeteria Elefant.

Of course, the part of our entertainment was drinking mineral water from all accessible springs. It is for free :)

My friend has left me, because she had a return ticket to Prague. Meanwhile, I have decided to visit the open swimming pool at Thermal Saunia, where I could enjoy thermal water with temperature of 38 C. Such a useful activity for body and mind.

My weekend is almost over. Tomorrow I leave Karlovy Vary and return to my work. It was such a perfect weekend, indeed. Without any doubts, I would like to repeat it another time.