Final Reading

On our last night in Prague, we gathered at the Franz Kafka Society and were dazzled by the amazing writing shared at our Final Reading.  Prose, poetry, and inspiration abounded, and we were keenly aware how lucky we were to share in this amazing journey…

Wall Is Over

On our last day in country, we stopped by the iconic Lennon Wall–an ever-evolving canvas for John Lennon inspired graffiti that has been a symbol of freedom of thought and expression in the Czech Republic since the 1980’s.  We joined throngs of other visitors in…

Farmer’s Market

After days of travel in Bohemia and a long bus ride back to Prague, our group was craving a little down time, a little lunch, a little pizza, and especially some fresh fruit. A splinter cell of hearty volunteers set off to our neighborhood farmer’s market…

Český Krumlov

We had the sincere pleasure of visiting Český Krumlov during our stay in Bohemia.  This idyllic city nestled into the Bohemia countryside boasts spectacular views of the Vlatava River, a castle that dates back to the 13th century, the Egon Schiele Gallery, and, get this:…

Resident Naturalists Discuss Czech Wildlife

The walls and woods of Zdikov were populated by wildlife.  We were fortunate to have not just one, but two naturalists on our Putney Student Travel program of the Czech Republic. Below, you can find three of their segments on some of the wildlife you might find in the Sumava…

Blog Backlog

During the final days of the program, our frenzy of travel and activity precluded frequent posting to the blog, but we wanted to make sure our travel log is complete and that you can share in the sights and scenes of those wonderful final days….

Kašperk Castle

In the Czech Republic, when you throw a stone, you hit a castle. We went to Kašperk Castle, founded in 1356 by Charles IV to protect the Czech borders.  Our Guest Writer, the indefatigable, Tim Weed, gave us a great historical fiction exercise and lecture. Then: we hit…

Terezín

Initially built in 1780 as a fortress to keep people out, Terezín’s purpose bleakly flipped in 1940 when it was transformed into a Jewish concentration camp. We traveled an hour by bus outside of Prague to see this haunted site. Included below are a few…

Vydra River Swimming

The Vydra River winds through the Sumava Forest in Southern Bohemia. After dropping off our bags at Hotel Zámek Zdíkov, it’s the first place we went. We hiked along the river, taking in the scene. The trees along the trails are the sort of green saved for…

Letná Park to Prague Castle

Letná Park rises up above the north bank of the Vlatava River. We went there to listen. The park hummed around us, the city churned below, and we created soundscapes in our notebooks. We strolled through the park, taking in the jaw-dropping view and approaching the castle from the…