Often, when I tell people about a trip I’ve taken, I’m greeted with a mix of interest — it’s travel abroad! — and confusion, because I didn’t do the typical touristy things people are sort of expected to do when visiting exotic-sounding foreign locales.
Travel, for me, isn’t about seeing all of the must-see places or doing things most other tourists love to do. I mean, I like touristy stuff, too, but what I enjoy more is just sorta roaming around experiencing things. Of course, me being a visual person, that means seeing stuff. And taking pictures.
This last European voyage of ours was a road trip. I planned half and Annelies planned half. (In case there are any newbies reading this, Annelies is the female half of the Belgian couple we’re friends with and travel with often. Yves is the male half.) It was actually Annelies who planned the German and Czech Republic portion. And, I must say, she did an awesome job.
Prague was amazing. I always heard it would be. Equally as delightful in its own way, was our visit to a small, lesser-known town in the CR, Kutna Hora. According to our pension’s website…
Kutna Hora is one of the most charming towns in the Czech Republic for its unique architectural beauty is registered to UNESCO. Visit this beautiful city and discover the most significant monuments, take a walk through the historic center and picturesque streets of the old town. We will advise you where to eat or drink and where to have fun.
What’s a pension? In this case, it was the absolute cutest guest house ever, found by Annelies.
The exterior is quite plain. The interior was absolutely charming. Mike and I were given The Rose Room.
The innkeepers obviously care a great deal about the character of their establishment and their guests’ comfort.
While Hubby caught up on work stuff, I decided to go for a stroll about town. Wanna see some of what I saw?
There are more pics from around town, but I also wanted to share some from the inside of the pension.
The proprietor spends the winters making various craft items, which she sells at the front desk.
The town was quiet, too. A great place for an escape.
There was a delightful restaurant in walking distance, too. It was recommended by the pension owner and served delicious local fare.
All in all, the day was a relatively uneventful travel day, yet it was still memorable, simple, and lovely.
If you’d like to see the rest of the pics, check out the Flickr album.
Wonderful photos! And that does look like a wonderful guest house.I also enjoy wandering around and seeing what I see. Rarely is there much advance research involved. Maybe at the airport on the way…
Thanks, Richard. It was a gem. The lady was so sweet. And she also served a very nice European breakfast every day. Wandering is the way to go!
Cool pics, T-Mama! Kutna Hora looks like my kind of spot–smallish, unique, off the beaten path–and I, too, love wandering without an itinerary. I tend to pre-research a place for attractions, restaurants, whatnot, but not to set a schedule for myself, and I usually try to take more time than necessary (otherwise, return visits are a must–though that’s seldom a bad thing). 😉
Most of my really memorable experiences and encounters happen between touristy stops–when roaming the streets, spontaneously grabbing a beer, chilling in a city park, or hitting a back road out of a town just for the hell of it. Good stuff.
That town and pension look lovely! I especially was taken with the sidewalk art…that was just whimsical and fun 🙂 Definitely my kind of travel too.
What a great little town. I love how quaint everything looks. And I always enjoy the old architecture.