Kutna Hora, Czech Republic September 13, 2017

We decided to take a day trip outside Prague. According to wandertooth.com, our choices were: Kutna Hora, Cesky Krumlov, Karlstejn Castle and Town, Terezin Concentration Camp, Karlovy Vary Spa Town, Dresden (Germany), and Pilsen. After some humming and hawing, we decided on… you guessed it: Kutna Hora.

We boarded a train for an hour ride. We stopped at the main station in Kutna Hora, where we could either take another, more regional train to the Mesto, downtown station, or walk the 30 minutes. We’re walkers! Ten minutes into our walk, we arrived at the Church of the Assumption and its adjoining monastery. Fun fact: although a Unesco  Czech Heritage site, the abbey is now the Tobacco Museum, owned and operated by Philip Morris, and is part of their local factory. A few more minutes of walking and we arrived at the Sedlec Ossuary. Described as non-creepy by another blogger, I would highly disagree. It’s creepy!

Another 25 minute walk, in the rain, and we arrived in the historic downtown, another Unesco site. We had built up an appetite and wanted to dry off, so we made our way to the V Ruthardce restaurant for amazing food, notably a sweet dill mushroom soup with poached egg, called Kulajda, and a homemade chocolate cake with fresh field berries and sour cream. After lunch – you guessed it! – more walking and sightseeing. We ended our day at the Saint Barbara Church. With access to the “top floor”, it made for excellent photo taking opportunities… unless you suffer from vertigo, like me.

On our way back to Prague, we sat in the same compartment as a fellow traveller. A native of Prague, he travelled most of the world – he was on his way to India, via Amsterdam. Yes, he has even been to New Brunswick! His impression? Very friendly folks. We had a great conversation, learning about his travels and getting some tips on the rest of the Balkans.