A holiday in the mountains is a healthy pick-me-up in daily life. However, in the Šumava region, one may also be refreshed in other ways. In the well-known mountain village of Kvilda, visitors will be energised by the excellent coffee, and also by the superb food and drinks offered by the stylishly furnished bistro called Kvildy.Café.
Belgian Greetings
This attractive enterprise in Kvilda, the highest village in the Czech Republic, was created by Luis Přibyl. He decided to convey his passion for good coffee in a cosy café, to which he did not expect many customers. Simply said, the whole concept was built on the idea of "doing it for fun". That's why he had the entire café designed by his favourite architect, Jaroslav Šusta, in such a way that he would enjoy spending whole days there. And it was incredibly well done! Luis' 17-year career in Belgium cannot be overlooked. The land of French fries and chocolate had grown close to his heart, so he brought a piece of it to the Šumava environment as well. And that's why one finds Belgian Tartare or Stoofvlees with tasty Belgian Fries on the menu, and Eel in Green Sauce, which is the highlight of Belgian gastronomy. This is simply where passion and taste meet genius. However, it must be added that Czech specialities are also tempting to try – for example, the classic sweet buns in custard sauce made by Šumava legend, Jarmilka Roučková. She prepares them traditionally and only by hand, according to her secret family recipe, which (as she says) she received from her great-grandmother Gertruda. We say a big "Danke" to her. Don't miss the sweet and salty desserts either – the Poppyseed Strudel, Chocolate Truffle, Butter Croissants or Olive Baguettes with Italian fermented salami are really worth tasting.
Coffee or Aperol?
The pride of the selection is the superb Golden Brazil blend coffee, which is characterised by hand-picked coffee beans with an intense, balanced flavour, together with water from their own borehole in the underground riverbed of the nearby Jezerní slať raised bog. The coffee is 100 % free of chlorine and other chemicals, creating an absolutely exceptional taste that every true "connoisseur" will appreciate. The menu also includes refreshing homemade lemonades, quality wines, excellent Cremánt and cocktails. For that matter, it was the Aperol, genuine and bittersweet, that got us. When we add a friendly atmosphere, a cosy interior with a perfect outdoor seating area which is always adorned with freshly cut flowers, on behalf of our magazine, we can heartily recommend Kvildy.Café.
The mountainous region of South Tyrol is famous for the beauty of its snowy Alpine slopes. Despite the harsh climate, locals have come to love this region. If you visit the homestead located high on the hillside and named after the Ibex, you will definitely join them. Hotel Ansitz Steinbock in the village of Villanders will delight with the amazing view of the surroundings, perfect rooms and exceptional cuisine and, above all, with the atmosphere created by the hospitality of owner Elisabeth Rabensteiner.
A steamship passing silently on the darkened surface of the lake, the peaks of the surrounding mountains disappearing in the clouds and, in the distance, the lights of port towns.
