TRAVEL
Wine Castles and World Class Golf ……in the land of which Pilsner was born …..and fairytales might just come true
By CLAUDIO DEMARCHI
I
f you need to have an Ocean on your golf vacation you can stop reading right now. If you are good with waking up in a fairytale setting surrounded by cobblestone streets and mystical architecture, exceptional golf, warm summer nights, and very reasonably priced I might add – then, read on! Colorful and historic architecture abounds, not only in Prague but other cities and towns, Brno, the second largest city in the Czech Republic also the gateway to the South Moravian Wine country, Karlovy Vary and Marianske Lazne some of the recently visited, truly give you that magical feeling. Add to that the Castles and Chateaus that are yours to discover, some even on and part of the golf courses and resorts leave you at a loss for words. The history of which we speak of here often starts with 3 numbers, not four. Have you ever thought you could be waking up in a castle and walking out to the course? Golf Resort Konopiste the largest Czech golf resort at the south end of Prague offers just that. Compared to other golf destinations you will find that your Stay & Play golf vacations will have extremely satisfying price levels. The colorful streets wherever we traveled were very clean and the atmosphere brisk and safe! Very comparable in climate to the Northeast USA and Southern Ontario, no need for sweaters or jackets for any
Albatross Golf Resort Prague midsummer travel. It was a 2-part adventure for me, after landing in Prague and spending a night and having my first Pilsner the next day escorted by Jaroslav (Jerry) of Abante Golf, meeting up with my new Czech golfing buddy Tomas as we spent time touring, staying and playing Golf & Ski Resort Ostravice between the twin peaks of the Beskydy Mountains. In North Moravia, Prosper Golf Resort Celedna which in 2011 combined the back nines of the New and Old Course to test the skills of the European Tour tested our skills too. More on this part of the Czech Republic in a future issue
including a visit to Olomouc, Moravia’s 1,000-year-old spiritual centre. Week two was centered around Prague with a couple of days in West Bohemia and 2 major Spa Towns of Karlovy Vary and Marianske Lazne where we followed in the footsteps of Beethoven, Goethe, Schiller, Wagner, Chopin and King Edward IV to name a few. Both towns have their own prominent golf history and a number of options to play. Prague is a must stop for all first-time international visitors. Often described as “the heart of Europe” or the “City of a hundred Spires” (it’s probably closer to
Golf Resort Karlstejn Prague 26
Golfing Magazine
