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

Category: Hidden Gems (Page 4 of 9)

local favorites that are off the beaten path. or are not the tourist traps

Český Krumlov Town Overview

After two full days enjoying Prague, the capital city of the Czech Republic, Rebekah and I were looking forward to a change of pace as we explored a small portion of the Czech countryside!

We boarded a train at Praha Hlavní Nádraží Train Station in Prague’s New Town, and were on our way to Český Krumlov, a small town located in the Bohemian area of the Czech Republic.

With an early departure, we wanted to make sure we had everything prepared.  The day before our departure we purchased one-way tickets for 240 Crowns each, roughly $11.50.  Overall, we found the rail tickets  to be very reasonable as long as we did not cross country lines, which can escalate the prices.

The four hour train trip was comfortable.  Rebekah LOVES trains, and this leg of the trip was a highlight as we watched the Czech countryside pass before our eyes!  The only disturbance from the peaceful views was a large group of college-aged students having an overtly good time with alcohol.  We changed trains once in České Budějovice, where we found the locals extremely helpful in successfully making our connection.

At 1:00 PM, we arrived in the Český Krumlov! The main attraction of Český Krumlov is the town itself, dominated by its imposing Castle.  We loved exploring this UNESCO World Heritage Site!  Český Krumlov is situated on a double oxbow on the Vltava River, with the Castle Town occupying the larger oxbow, and the Old Town occupying the smaller oxbow.

Continue reading

Chasing Caravaggio: Caravaggios of the National Gallery, Part 2

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.

As part of our continuing desire to bring beauty into focus, From Texas to Beyond will periodically feature brilliant pieces of art that have influenced our lives.  We are excited to showcase these universal works of beauty with you.

Today, we conclude the two-part miniseries examining the Caravaggio painting from The National Gallery in London.  As I mentioned in my first post in the Chasing Caravaggio Series, I am on a quest to view all of Caravaggio’s masterpieces firsthand.  Thanks to a short layover at London Heathrow I found three more in The National Gallery.

Picking up where we left off during the previous Chasing Caravaggio, I was standing before three great works of art by Caravaggio in The Nation Gallery in London.  While the first two pieces, Boy bitten by a Lizard and Salome receives the Head of John the Baptist were delightful, my favorite of the three now had my full attention.

The Supper at Emmaus

Caravaggio's The Supper at Emmaus - Courtesy of Wikipedia

Caravaggio’s The Supper at Emmaus – Courtesy of Wikipedia

The final and greatest Caravaggio painting in The National Gallery, The Supper at Emmaus, was much large than I expected.  The scale of the painting accentuates the viewer’s ability to enter into the scene as Christ stretches his hand out of the painting’s surface, directly to us.

Continue reading

8th Wonder Brewery

While visiting Houston a few weekends ago, I wanted to meet with some friends on a Sunday afternoon.  Rebekah was practicing for a choir concert, so I had some time to kill.

I thought it would be fun to meet Isaac and Jessica in downtown Houston for a beer.  Wanting to find a brewery that was open on a Sunday afternoon, I used my newly-created Texas Craft Brewery List.  Within a few clicks, I had found a match.  8th Wonder Brewery met all my requirements, mainly, a brewery open on a Sunday producing Texas Craft Beer.  While I came in with low expectations and knowing nothing about the brewery, I quickly found this place to be awesome!

If you love Houston, you will love this brewery.  If you don’t love Houston, you will still probably love this brewery.  But if you love Houston sports and Texas Craft Beer, you will be in heaven!

Continue reading

History of Fort Worth

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.

Did you know I enjoy history? I do. Knowing and understanding the history of something helps me to appreciate art, people, buildings, cities, culture, and traditions all the more. Today I want to share with you a brief segment on the history of Fort Worth. I’ve muddled through a few different resources and have condensed the information to be able to share it with you today.

I should also note: I’m a timeline person. It probably has to do with being instructed to “make a timeline” with pictures when I was a child plus, I appreciate the linear format for easy reading/understanding. Here goes nothing! Continue reading

Sudie’s Catfish House

A couple of weeks ago, David and I went to Pasadena and Deer Park, TX.  We traveled there to be able to honor a beloved teacher in a retirement celebration.  I have never been able to share that area of Texas with David, so it was a special time for me in many ways.  We drove by my old schools and the house I grew up in, and forgotten memories flooded my mind and heart.  I am sure I did not stop talking for hours…But David is used to this by now…

5 Piece Fried Catfish Dinner

5 Piece Fried Catfish Dinner

One of the places I knew I had to take David was Sudie’s Catfish House.  I tell you there is no better place to eat catfish in the world, or at least that I know of, than Sudie’s.  I remember as a little girl, my family saw the structure built and wondered what it was going to be.  We all had theories, but alas, the sign was installed, a catfish house!

Continue reading

« Older posts Newer posts »