Local, Near and Far: Our journey of exploring the world.

Category: Europe (Page 5 of 9)

The People of the Czech Republic

Every Friday we take a break from our regular blogging schedule to allow the authors an opportunity to feature a certain topic they are passionate about. In the past you’ve read about art, studying abroad, experiencing culture through food, and the great burger adventure. Through this and other future posts we hope you’ll enjoy reading, we hope to share with you our personalities, passions, and interests on a more personal level.

While traveling, you can see the best art, taste decadent food, and experience the most exhilarating adventures.  But what makes a trip most enjoyable for me is the people I meet.  This is one of the reasons I am addicted to traveling.  Meeting new people, sharing in their culture, and understanding their past is a joy.

Making a Trdelnik, a Czech-Style Donut

Making a Trdelnik, a Czech-Style Donut

When we returned from the Czech Republic, one of the highlights I shared was the incredibly hospitable people!  Our exposure to generous Czechs started before we even stepped in their land.  While we were preparing for the trip, our interaction through email was great.  Then when we arrived, every person from a taxi driver to hotel owners went out of their way to make us feel at home.  It made me want to stay!

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Český Krumlov After Dark

Some places turn magical after dark.  Český Krumlov is one of these magical places!

After watching the sun set over the town from the Hill of the Cross, Rebekah and I began a leisurely walk back into town.  Food was our first priority.

Plague Column in the Old Town Square

Plague Column in the Old Town Square

After winding through some back streets of the Old Town, we found the lively Gypsy Bar.  Český Krumlov has a large Roma (formerly known as Gypsy) population, and as we entered, we felt welcomed.  Seated at the few tables, locals were drinking beer and a couple of tourists ate food silently.  I ordered a Pilsner Urquell, the staple Czech beer, while Rebekah enjoyed a glass of red wine for a change.  A large plate of ham with sauerkraut and potato pancakes and a second with fried fish and potatoes soon arrived; the food was delicious!  While no one played music that night, an entertaining atmosphere still filled the small pub.  As we ate, we realized the five men at the front table had their portraits on the walls.  They were definitely regulars!

Český Krumlov Castle At Night

Český Krumlov Castle At Night

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View of Cesky Krumlov from Hill of the Cross

Often when we make plans for travel, we are not quite sure how to break up our itinerary.  We love big cities because of the art, accessibility from airports, and public transportation (we are still not brave enough to rent a car in a foreign country).  But on the last few trips, the quaint and slow paced towns off the beaten path have been our favorite, and unfortunately the smallest part of the itinerary.  Not learning our lesson yet, we only planned 24 hours in Český Krumlov, my favorite part of our last trip.  I could have spent a week there hiking, biking, canoeing, and walking around town.  For an overview of our time, check out the Český Krumlov overview post.

View of the Czeck Countryside

View of the Czeck Countryside

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Český Krumlov Castle – Gardens & Round Tower

The Round Tower

The Round Tower

Today, we continue exploring the most popular attraction in Český Krumlov, the Krumlov Castle.  Since there are many areas within the spectacular Castle complex, we began this miniseries with an overview of the Český Krumlov Castle, as well as information on the guided tours available.  In this second article, we concentrate on the Castle Gardens and the Round Tower.  The Gardens are simply beautiful, and the panoramic views from the Round Tower are worth the climb!

In general, the entire Castle is a must-see if you are anywhere near Český Krumlov!

Český Krumlov Castle Gardens

Český Krumlov Castle Gardens

The Castle Gardens:  After finishing the Castle Tour, we slowly walked across the multi-leveled bridge and continued the climb to the Gardens.  The views of the Old Town and Vltava River are awesome!  There is a small café with a wonderful observation point, allowing you to look back on the Castle stretching to your right. Continue reading

Český Krumlov Castle – Overview & Tour

Perched high on a cliff above the Old Town is the imposing Český Krumlov Castle, constructed to control an important river crossing on the Vltava below.  The Round Tower pierces the sky with its pastel-colored Renaissance façade.  Cross the draw bridge over the bear pits at the entrance, and walk steadily uphill through a sequence of courtyards until you cross a multi-leveled bridge and reach a Baroque theater.  Pleasant English and French style gardens add one additional layer of sophistication to the experience.

The Round Tower from the Courtyard

The Round Tower from the Courtyard

If you find yourself in Český Krumlov, this Castle and the complimenting beauty of its surroundings is likely what brought you here.  The best word I can find for this UNESCO World Heritage Site is picturesque!  There are no words, no pictures that can accurately capture the splendor of this small town in the southwest corner of the Czech Republic.

Well, now that I have set myself up with an impossible task, let me tell you more about this place…with words and pictures. Continue reading

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