Exploring parts of the Czech Republic...

Note to self: Nemluvím moc dobře česky - (translation: I don't speak Czech very well..)

After passing Prague on our way to Poland, we knew we had to make another trip just to see a bit of the Czech Republic. On the way to Prague we wandered through Český Krumlov, and on the way home we made another side trip to České Budějovice. These two cities are close to each other, the first is a half hour detour, and the second is just off the highway on the way.

Český Krumlov:

This place is incredible, and a must see if you ever pass through here. An old castle sits perched on a hilltop overlooking remnants of a medieval village, with a river meandering between.

The approach comes along cobblestone streets, through a couple of arches, and into the main courtyard.

This is the inside the courtyard, with a tower on one side.

A stroll up the castle lanes leads to beautiful views of the town below and across the river.

At the top of the hill you come to gardens with flowers, statues and fountains.

Another beautiful view of the river and the edge of the old-town below the castle hill.

We considered spending more time in this charming town on the way back because we did not have enough time to explore the old-town, but decided instead to check out another nearby gem.

České Budějovice:

On the way to Prague you pass by the edge of this town. To see it you need to exit the highway and make your way to the edge of the old-town. This used to be a walled village with a waterway around it. The main attractions are centered around the huge town square, which has a fountain in the middle.

Just outside the main square, on one corner, a bell tower called "Black Tower" overlooks the town.

For a small price you can walk up the 225 steps inside the tower to reach the balcony at the top, where you can view the entire town, as well as the surrounding countryside

The town square has a peaceful small town feel with its beautiful architecture.

Comments

PLITVICKA NATIONAL PARK - CROATIA

I had seen a few internet posts about this place, and was determined to make a stop here on the way to Brac. It is definitely worth the detour. We ended up spending a second day wandering around the lakes and through the waterfalls. Coming into the national park from the north after leaving Zagreb, we started to encounter examples of the beauty that awaited us, as we passed through a town full of travertine pools and waterfalls. Plitvicka National Park is a larger area of forested hills, but the main attraction is a series of lakes, created by calcium deposits which form little dams and terraced pools between the trees and vegetation along the base of a canyon. There are three main lakes, but countless smaller pools in between. You can start at the top or the bottom of the area. By starting at the bottom you are always looking forward and up at the next waterfall. The first set of waterfalls is below the first lake. Got to take one of those "yes, we were here" pictures. Grea...

Griasdi, Do sa'ma! (translation) Hello there, here we are!

OK, looks like we made it, and are off to our two year adventure. Despite spending most of the first month getting our visa paperwork together, getting insurance, finding a place to live, buying furniture and other furnishings for our new home, and all that other not so fun stuff, we have been able to spend a little time checking out the beautiful sites and touristy things around here. Bad Ischl for the day Our new home. Let's hope they let us stay. The winter hasn't been very wintery. Going for a walk up the neighborhood street Across the street from the house An evening walk at the beach The Attersee (our lake) the Almsee Yep, it's winter here, but less snow than usual

BRAC, CROATIA - Olive orchards, tiny fishing villages, and rocky coastline

Made it to Brac, one of many islands along the Dalmatian coast. To get over to the island you have to drive or walk onto a ferry boat. . Ah, the sleepy little town of Supetar, the largest village on the island of Brac. It's October, past the tourist season, but you would think there would still be a few people here. The weather is mild, ocean still warm, but COVID travel restrictions killed their tourist business. We were the only tourists in a huge resort of probably 500 units. Pools were all drained, restaurants all closed, etc. The usually busy tourist options sat still, like this nice little boat that usually provides sailing tours. Ah, but the swim beaches were open. We practically had the entire beach and swim bay to ourselves. Water was still warm, so we swam around and watched the fish circle our feet and legs. Perfect opportunity to lay around in the sun and dangle your legs in the ocean. Spent a couple of days driving around the island to the other small villages. Not a ...

Werner and Rosi Wanderlust

Search This Blog