Top 10 (or 11)Ways You Know You’re in the Czech Republic….

1.  The shocking hue of red/purple/orange hair dye is everywhere.  Rumor has it that this was the only color choice available when the Commies were in power. Lenin would be proud that this tradition hasn’t died (no pun intended).  Do reds have more fun?
 
2.  Every town and village touts that its’ historic medieval square is the most beautiful in all of the country…and they are all right! 

  

3.  The fashion of choice is plaid (check) paired with anything - camouflage, stripes, non matching solids.  We doubt this fashion trend will find it’s way West.

 

4.  There are  young and old Skodas all around.  Skoda is the only car ever manufactured in the CR.

 
5.  There is a huge plague column in the middle of every medieval square built as either a thank you to the gods for not allowing the plague in their town or for only taking a few during the plague.  My column’s bigger than yours!

6.  You’re in a church made up of the bones of 40,000 people who died long long ago from the plague or some all important Catholic/Protestant battle.
 
7.  You’re in a castle overlooking a skyline with 100’s of spires – the beautiful city of Prague; mostly spared from bombs in WWII.

8.  You’re touring a brewery and walking over open conduit and spilled suds all along the floor.  OSHA would be very busy here.   And you get two full size tastes!

9.  You’re in a traffic jam of the most decked out, souped up baby strollers you’ve ever seen.  CR is in the midst of a baby boom that is being compared to our post WWII boom.  There are tons of kids under 3.  (No pictures on this topic, you’ll just have to believe us.)
10.  The houses and buildings have the best sgraffiti – decorative carving in the plaster facade. 
 
And number 11……if you ever get lost, look skyward.  If you see the most unique bell towers with 4 or more spires, you know you’re in the Czech Republic. 
   

Wachau Valley – Wine and Wheels

Is it the Napa Valley of Austria….the home of quaint medieval villages aligned along the Danube river, or is it …..heaven?  For us it was both. 

 

 

 

 

 

We stayed in beautiful Weissenkirchen, in the center of the Wachau Valley between Melk and Krems, in the heart of Austria’s grape growing region.  Wine has been produced in this area since Charlemagne (800AD)!We slept in a home that was built over 500 years ago, but was recently renovated with all new modern amenities.

The Wachau Valley is a bicyclist dream.  The paths are paved and well marked and tons of people use them.  Long distance riders to local commuters pedal through the vines and villages.  We joined in the fun and rented two and cruised through this very lush valley.

 

At every turn in the road was a picturesque town, funky architecture, a castle on the hill, or steep terraces filled with our favorite fruit!

To top off our experience, a local family hosted us for a personal wine tasting and education on many of the Austrian varietals.  This family has been making wines from the grapes they grow on the hills surrounding their home for almost 200 years.   We toured their wine making cellar in their basement.  It has been used for producing and storing wines for 1100 years!  Hard to even imagine.  “We have a car now, let’s buy a case or two”.  It’s unfortunate that the wines made here aren’t available in the USA.  But our host family sells every bottle they make and are currently upgrading their equipment in order to increase volume of their higher quality varietals.   (aka…less jug wine). We’ll drink to that!    

If you go to the Wachau Valley, and we highly recommend that you do, remember to pack your padded shorts and cycle, eat and drink your way between the heurigens (wine tasting venues), home made preserve stands and gourmet restaurants.