I first went to Prague ages ago, in 1977, motivated by a desire to see the birthplace of the first serious writers whose work meant the world to me as a young adult. Although Franz Kafka and Rainer Maria Rilke never wrote explicitly about Prague, the city’s literal darkness, Gothic … Read more
Before there were hot stone massages and oxygen facials, Vichy showers and seaweed wraps, there were hot springs. For centuries, cultures around the globe turned to bubbling, mineral-rich natural springs to help heal a wide array of ailments, from joint pains to skin conditions. The ancient Romans in particular cultivated … Read more
Forget Tribeca and Aspen. When it comes to film, Karlovy Vary, the largest and most visited of the Czech Republic’s famous spa towns, is the place to be. Besides being one of the oldest film festivals in the world (it was inaugurated in 1946) it’s one of the most important … Read more
J.J. Johnson once said “Jazz is restless. It won’t stay put and it never will.” That’s a quality jazz has in common with travelers, so why not combine the two and travel for jazz? Though the U.S. is the place for great jazz, there is nothing like the Bohemia Jazz … Read more
Starting August 17th and lasting until September 2nd, the city of Prague will be home to the International Festival of Contemporary Circus. Ladies and gents, this is not just any circus so don’t expect fearless lion tamers or beautiful women doing handstands on the backs of elephants. The world-renowned multinational … Read more
“Where would you go to hear great classical music and opera that is different from the usual, preferably in a city where the music was written?” That is the question I’m asked more times than I can count, by people who know I spend much of my time in the … Read more
The Czech Republic is noted for its amazing historic charm and has become a popular destination for travelers seeking to experience one or more of Europe’s summer festivals. Every year since 1987 The Chamber Music Festival has been hosted in Cesky Krumlov, a small city in the south Bohemian region … Read more
So you’re going to Quebec City – now what? Luckily, here’s Quebec City Tourism’s new mobile app to the rescue. Remember the old craze for magic eight balls? Your questions about life, answered. Well, this new iphone app is definitely better than that, with comprehensive answers to your most important … Read more