Czech Photo Challenge

Nothing forthcoming here Greg....hopefully you'll come back and enlighten us...and would be interested to see how this trip went...eg, your thoughts on Plzen...

It was the approach to the chateau in Děčín, which is on the Labe River between Prague and Dresden.

Due to weather delays and adding a couple of places when I got closer and found out more about them, I didn't quite make it to Plzeň (or only to put my bike on the train and go home). But if you're still interested Jake, I wrote about the places I did go here.

Thanks Greg...I had actually read your blog on CO and noticed it terminated abruptly at Plzen so I wasn't sure what had happened...shame you didn't manage to get some of the 'nefiltrovna' pivo at Na Parkanu...

One of these days I'll make that trip from Dresden to Prague...Are Decin and Labe worth a day or two, perhaps ???

I'll start again from Plzen in the spring, so all is not lost ;-)

Between the border near Dresden and Prague, my suggestions would be Litomerice (3km from Terezin) and Melnik; both lovely places.

Usti nad Labem I really tried to like (because nobody else does) but didn't quite manage it. Decin I could kind of take or leave. It's nice enough, with a chateau overlooking the river and a lovely refurbished park beneath. I didn't make it into the chateau as it was closed for the season but the rose garden and views over town were lovely. And there are some nice buildings on the main square, but it's kind of spoilt by a busy road and some ugly 20th century buildings. Good cafe/pizzeria just near the end of the steel-arched bridge.

I'd say if you have time for two places on that stretch, make them Litomerice (w/Terezin)and Melnik; three places-go also to the Czech Switzerland National Park near Hrensko; and if you have time for four places or more you might consider Decin (or Roudnice nad Labem and the mountain Rip).

If you can time your travel for early autumn you might stumble into a wine-harvest festival or two...

Thanks Greg...that corresponds with my own research...if I make it that far I'll probably go for the Litomerice/Terezin/Melnik option and then spend some time in the Saxon Schweiz area on the German side of the border...