Archive for Czech Republic
TravelBlur.com Wins Three Travel Writing Awards
Posted by: | CommentsMy mom taught me not to brag, but I’m going to do it anyway.
As of Saturday, I can now call myself an “award-winning” freelance writer. You read it correctly. Someone actually gave me an award - and not just one, but three. They came from a legitimate journalism organization too.
The folks here at TravelBlur.com (that’s really just me) brought home two first place and one second place writing awards from the Oklahoma Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. Seriously, we won.
My lovely wife and I took home a first place award in the Leisure Writing category for Newspaper Division B (circulation 7,000 to 25,000) for a collaborative effort headlined The Splendor and Rich Heritage of Copenhagen which appeared in Edmond Life and Leisure.
In the Newspaper Division C (circulation less than 7,000) Leisure Writing category, this writer captured first place with a story titled Giant Buddha Rules Kamakura and second for a Halloween piece called Prague’s Creepy Gothic Church of All Saints. Both stories published in The Journal Record.
While honors and awards are a welcome validation, the true joy of writing comes not from the accolades, but from a quality turn of phrase. I like writing, I like crafting a narrative and, honestly, I like winning awards too.
Spooky Travel: Czech Republic Church Houses Creepy Collection
Posted by: | CommentsHappy Halloween to all the travel ghosts and goblins across the blogosphere.
It’s in this spooky spirit (no pun intended), I’m writing this morning about the eerie art at the Church of All Saints in the Czech Republic town of Sedlec. Just outside of Prague, Czech Republic, near the town of Kutna Hora, this little church has turned the skeletal remains of 40,000 of its dead ancestors into one of the greatest Halloween costumes of all time.
coat of arms
For more, Czech out (sorry) this story I wrote for The Journal Record.
chandelier
Kutna Hora is easy to travel to from Prague and makes a fun day trip if you are traveling in the area.
Boo!
Prague: Easy to Fall For, No Matter the Season
Posted by: | CommentsMany of my European trips have been during the fall, and as the leaves begin to change I find myself a bit nostalgic about past journeys. When there’s a chill in the air, like today, I always think about a few cold and blustery days spent in Prague, Czech Republic. One of my favorite travel trips, Prague is a traveler’s dream.
For me, Prague’s top tourist sites are the Old Town Square and the Charles Bridge.
Old Town Square
Dramatic architecture highlights Old Town Square, especially the twin towers of the Tyn Church. The astronomical clock is worth a look and I thought the House at the Stone Bell was fascinating. All tourists eventually end up on the Charles Bridge and it seems like everyone arrives at the same time. Packed with photo-happy travelers, the best description is enjoyable chaos. Karlova Street connects the square and bridge and is nothing more than a retail gauntlet lined with typical junk souvenir stores which I happen to love.
House at the Stone Bell
As for Prague’s other touted tourist sites, I enjoyed touring the Jewish Quarter’s synagogues and cemetery, thought Wenceslas Square was okay and wasn’t that impressed with the castle.
Although it’s touristy, Prague is a mainstay on my top 10 list.
