Local, Near and Far: Our journey of exploring the world.
local favorites that are off the beaten path. or are not the tourist traps
From Texas to Beyond was about to publish our 100th article, and the four of us were looking for an excuse to celebrate a bit. Well, what better way to celebrate than a trip! Since we didn’t have an all-inclusive trip to an international resort in the budget this year, we decided on a day trip to Deep Ellum.
As I was planning our excursion to South Bend, IN, I shared the itinerary with my mother and how we were excited to get away. She was glad we were able to go and was also able to give us a restaurant recommendation! Knowing both Matt and I’s love for unique locations and places that have a lot of craft beers on tap, she shared that we must visit Fiddler’s Hearth.
In an effort to not have to drive in less than pleasant conditions or find parking, we decided to take the 5 block walk from our hotel to the restaurant. I believe we mentioned in a previous post how it happened to be February, cold, and very snowy. The Fiddler’s Hearth was a welcome sight for us; even in the short walk, and already hungry before we left, we had ravenous appetites and welcomed the warmth of the restaurant.
Beef Wellington and Fish & Chips
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
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
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
Rebekah and I absolutely loved our stay at Pension U Zámku! Our amazing experience started immediately upon arrival at the Český Krumlov train station.
Courtyard Under the Tower
When finalizing our reservation over email, the pension owner Petr offered to pick us up at the train station. We gladly accepted! Rebekah and I were greeted with big smiles by Petr and his little daughter. This warm welcome made us immediately feel at home in the small Czech town, like extended family returning from a long absence. This kindness saved us a 20 minute walk or the cost of a taxi.
Location: Pension U Zámku is situated DIRECTLY under the Round Tower. With only one day in this quaint location, we paid only slightly more to stay in the heart of the town. This prime location provides quick access to all of Český Krumlov, both the Old Town and Castle Town. The entrance to Český Krumlov Castle is only one minute away. Continue reading
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