Places I've visited in Czech Republic

• Prague. This gem of the Vltava river has an 1100 year history of being culturally grand and important. Prague has been the capital of Bohemia and of the Roman Empire. It flourished during both the Gothic and Renaissance eras. It is still the largest city in the Czech Republic and one of the most culturally rich and diverse, and has architectural and artistic highlights from many different centuries and architectural aesthetics. Prague is one of the top ten most visited European cities, with a good look at the tapestry of a millennium of architecture. Top sites include architecture like castles and cathedrals, the picturesque Charles Bridge. Lovers of Kafka can see his home and the cemetery where he was buried. More modern art lovers can see the Giant Metronome, or the Fred and Ginger Dancing House.

• Cesky Krumlov. Cesky Krumlov, a town featuring a large “Bohemian Castle” resides in the region of Krumlov. It was created in the late thirteenth century, when the region was owned by the Bohemians, as a trade stronghold. The location along a natural crossing of the Vltava river made it a perfect place to build. The town’s appearance is little changed since the 18th century and the buildings have been well maintained and restored. It is a lovely castle city that still has the look and feel of a Medieval town. Crooked cobblestone streets and brightly-colored stucco facades make Cesky Krumlov beautiful and unique. The streets are full of interesting shops, succulent food, and timeless charm.

• Karlovy Vary. This hot spring town has been believed for hundreds of years to have healing waters that can clear anything from poor digestion to brain tumors. Like many hot spring regions, the waters were developed into a large spa region. In this case, the transformation happened in the 13th Century, and was commissioned by Charles IV. As spas were the place of nobles, the architecture has always been opulent. However, a series of natural disasters have destroyed most of the buildings that existed before the heyday of Karlovy Vary in the 18th and 19th centuries. The town is still quite grand and picturesque however, and the spa is still open over six centuries later, and still claims miracle cures for dozens to hundreds of ailments.