Cesky Krumlov Day 5-6 (May 23-24) We were fortunate to have a mini-bus to take us to Cesky Krumlov which is over the border into the Czech Republic. The drive was through very scenic and green countryside, always with a red-roofed village appearing with lovely church towers in the distance. Cesky Krumlov is a Bavarian town, that has belonged to various countries. However, it’s Czech heritage is clearly established now. There is an impressive Castle from the 13th century which stands above the town. It has been cleaned up, and the paint that had been part of a renovation by certain Kings, has been removed revealing amazing frescos over most of the towers. The custodians have chosen not to try and repaint these, rather cleaning up only and leaving them slightly faded but all the better ... read more

Day 14-16 (May 16-18) It was a 6 hour journey by train to Berlin, and then a quick metro to our guest house in the Charlottenburg area. The train was full of local soccer fans with the local Berlin team needing to win for position in the finals. It was a cheery ride, with the fans wanting us to join in the singing. We also passed a massive protest on the way, which looked like a response to the global economic crisis. Our booking seemed to have gone astray but was quickly sorted with us staying in the hotel that was the 4th floor of a large building with private apartments underneath. We headed straight out catching a bus to the zoo station, and another bus that took us on the scenic route to the Parliament ... read more

Day 10-11 (May 12-13) Moving time again and now it was a trip up north 2 hours by local train to stay in the Aukštaitija national park. We were collected at the station and driven to our local host families home where we were staying (they move out into a little cottage next door while we were there). The family speak little English but were so welcoming that we soon felt right at home. We had a room with window and balcony overlooking the lake. The national park was proclaimed with the villages still to remain inside it, as part of the park itself. Soon after arriving we went canoeing in slightly inclement weather along two rivers and two more connecting lakes. There had not been much rain so navigating the rivers without getting grounded on ... read more

Day 6-7 (May 8-9) The following day was another bus journey to our next destination, Klaipeda on the Curonian spit in Lithuania, but not such an early start. We travelled through more amazingly green countryside. We arrived to find that we had a converted guest house which had two adjoining rooms sharing a small lounge area. More importantly it had a kettle so we were able to make our own coffee. Kettle’s in rooms is not the norm in Europe, apparently, so this was a real treat. (it’s funny how small things please when you don’t have them). Dinner was local sausage, potatoes and sauerkraut - a favourite for me. Klaipeda was a jumping off point for visiting the Curonian spit, which is a 15 minute ferry ride from town. We set out the following day ... read more

Day 2-3 (May 4-5) Arriving in Tallin, Estonia around 2pm we had about a 15 minute walk to the hotel, which is a sports hotel and has full gym, pool etc. Our orientation walk around Tallin was really informative. We learned how for the last 6 or 7 hundred years Estonia has been ruled by various countries, Sweden, Germany, Denmark, and Russia mutltiple times. Spending very little time being independent. One of the main parts of the economy is tourism, and the old part of town is certainly geared toward that, but it hasn’t detracted too much from the charm of the town, with its remaining wall and towers, old red roofed houses and lanes and many churches. The central square is a lovely place for sitting and watching the world go by. There is an ... read more