Villages: Černošice & Zbraslav

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Residents benefit from a range of amenities – there is a mateřská škola (kindergarten), a základní (elementary) škola, as well as a post office, butcher, Delvita and Eso supermarkets, a lékárna (pharmacy), a couple of penzions and several restaurants. The newly-constructed Centrum Vráž will have both flats and office space on offer, as well as a Tesco Express, set to open in the next month or so. For bulkier grocery shopping, there is also a Penny Market and Albert in Radotín, five minutes away by car.

In their free time, locals can head down to Club Kino for a night out where there is plenty happening – live music and cinema several nights a week. If you want to eat out, try Restaurant Luna (www.lunarestaurant.cz). A popular place with locals (making it wise to book a table ahead), it has a good choice of fish, steaks, pasta and pizzas, as well as a surprisingly respectable wine list, all at exceptionally moderate prices. I recommend the baked salmon in pastry with creamed garlic spinach. You´ll find it located in Mokropsy, by the Berounka river, but it is well-signed from the centre of Černošice.

Černošice and Zbraslav are also in a favourable location for some interesting trips, most obviously to Karlštejn castle, a favourite of Czechs and international tourists alike. Built by Charles IV in 1348, Karlštejn is a gem of late gothic architecture. It also defies the normal April-October castle season by remaining open all year (except February). See www.hradkarlstejn.cz for more information. An alternative trip is to the nearby ‘Americas´ – Velká Amerika and Malá Amerika – between Karlštejn and Mořina villages. These are former stone-quarries, the larger of which has a lake, and are situated in a popular area for walking. Access to the floor of the quarries is forbidden, as the sides are sheer and there are no paths; although the stone-patterns and remains of fires at the bottom testify to the fact that the warnings on various signs around the top about financial penalties for trespassers are not always taken seriously. You can walk around the rim of Velká Amerika in around half an hour, but remember not to look down if you haven´t a head for heights!