Compared with other socialist/ communist countries the standard of living in former Czechoslovakia was relatively high. But the Czechs were not allowed to travel abroad. So they built plenty of summer houses, so called 'second homes'. The homes were fully equipped and adapted to living the year round. Sometimes the houses were not far from the main residence. The homes were a substitute for travel. The Czech summer retreats evoked the idea of 'tramping'. In 1920's this was a popular way of spending one's free time. 'Tramping' is popular even today, mostly among the fashionable inhabitants of Prague.