teresa’s valley in early spring

last weekend, we had weather over twenty degrees here in south bohemia. on the first few days of april. what a fantastic development! i am used to the perpetual central european winter that finally subsides sometime after the middle of april, but nothing like this! i think almost every single person that day was outside somewhere – especially in their gardens, if they had one.

i saw these temperatures coming from a week away and i’ve been waiting to get back into that day-tripping spirit we felt so strongly our first spring here (for years ago), so we headed to teresa’s valley (terčino údolí) near nové

hrady (a town a kilometer away from the border with austria). i was looking for blooms, green buds, and any sign of spring. alex was looking for a cold budvar and schnitzel (he got them!). ferdie was looking for dog friends and to rustle around in the leaves. i think everyone got what they wanted in this remarkably romantic valley– what a great hike and perfect way to celebrate the true arrival of spring here in bohemia. (below, the former spa where many a schnitzel was consumed on the patio in the hot sun)

besides just being entirely gorgeous, the star of teresa’s valley is the waterfall! so what if it’s man-made? it dates back to the 19th century! also so enjoyed were the picture-perfect babbling brooks running throughout from the stropnice river and historical chateaus, ruins, and a fortress from the late 15th century! (czech republic’s little malbork) so much to see in such a small area.

i think i was the only one wearing a dress as everyone else had worn jeans! (it’s all about that planning, man…) after we hiked back up into nové

hrady town center, we ran into some of our friends in the square. south bohemia is entirely a village, i am certain! it was fun to sip on grape sodas and chat as we waited for our train home.

then, this morning we had our first al fresco breakfast – strawberry french toast. it’s been a fantastic weekend. hope you had a great one too!