1936 On the Continent

comments. I need add but little to what I have said about the Sokols, except to emphasise the great importance which is attached to physical training in Czechoslovakia. Nearly every town, however small, has a well-equipped gymnasium which is kept in constant use.
    As regards football, I have already given an account of the extent to which it is played in Czechoslovakia. In winter, however, it is replaced by hockey and also by boxing. Tennis is also widely played, but golf is still confined to comparatively few places, such as Prague and some of the larger spas. In these centres also there are excellent facilities for horse riding, as well as race-courses.
    Walking tours can be undertaken in Czechoslovakia with the utmost confidence as there is a very complete system of road-signs. Special attention is paid to the needs of travellers during the winter, and all the main ski routes are kept clear of snowdrifts. There is also an ample supply of hotels and rest huts with telephonic communication. Amateurs of ski-ing will find trainers and guides in all these hotels, where sledges and toboggans can also be obtained. The most suitable regions for winter sports are all the frontier mountain areas, in particular the Krkonoše (Giant Mountains), Šumava (Bohemian Forest), Krušné hory (Ore Mountains) and Beskyds, and the best period is from January to March, sometimes even as late as April. In the Tatras it is possible to continue winter sports until the end of April and, in the upper altitudes, even until the middle of May when the weather conditions have been particularly favourable. The general character of this area is quite different from that of the Alps, as in addition to the mountain plateaux there are attractive snow-covered forests. And in all the Czechoslovak winter-sport centres there is an abundance of sleigh-tracks, natural and artificial.
Aquatic Sports
    As regards water sports, I may here supplement my previous remarks by adding that the rivers Vltava, Dyje and Váh provide admirable facilities for boating, and the visitor will find many places on their banks which have been specially adapted for the needs of the camper. Needless to say there are ample opportunities for bathing, and water-polo is greatly in vogue. Yachting can be enjoyed on the Vltava in and near Prague, on the Doksansky Lake, on the lake near Bitov and on the Danube near Bratislava.
    The abundance and variety of the waterways in Czechoslovakia will attract those also who are devoted to fishing. The upper reaches of the rivers in the mountain areas abound in trout and perch, while in their central courses pike and shad, sometimes of considerable size, are prevalent. As they flow towards the east, farther from the industrial zones, the rivers yield greater quantities of fish. In Bohemia the best fishing centres are in the mountainous areas to which I have just referred. In Moravia I stronglyrecommend the River Dyje, especially near the Vranovsky barrage. Slovakia, however, is the finest region for fishing. In the Danube and its tributaries large salmon, pike and shad can be caught, while the smaller rivers contain large quantities of trout. Those who intend to go fishing in Slovakia are advised to apply to the “League of Fishing Associations” at Žilina.
    Czechoslovakia offers also ample opportunities for hunting. The forests abound in game of every description, which is carefully looked after by experienced keepers. The western areas are best suited for small game and waterfowl. Sometimes large quantities of deer, hares, pheasants and partridges can be bagged in the course of a few hours. In Slovakia, and particularly in Carpathian Ruthenia, the wild boar is the commonest quarry, together with woodcock, grouse and an occasional eagle. Bears are also found but on account of their dwindling numbers they are protected. Along the shores of the Danube there is an abundance of water-fowl. Full particulars of hunting facilities can be obtained from the “Diana” Society, which is attached to the Prague headquarters of the State Forests Administration.
    Motoring is very popular in Czechoslovakia and provides a number of annual contests which are enumerated in the calendar of events below. There are also several regattas every year at Prague, Mlnik, Roudnice and Bratislava. In the spas and other holiday resorts there are regular amateur competitions in tennis, table tennis and bridge which are open to all comers.
    Chess tournaments, as well as