Blogs from South Bohemian Region, Czech Republic, Europe - page 4

After yesterday's drizzly skies, we woke up today to a bright and sunny Cesky Krumlov. I went out for a bit of a wander and ended up at a beautiful overlook along Horni Street. Sitting there all by myself with this wonderful view right in front of me made be start thinking of how lucky I am to have the means to travel a few times each year. Interupted by others who also came to check out the view, I was off to do a little more wandering. Knowing that it was going to be a day with great weather, I went out in search of a rafting company to see how much it would cost for a short rafting trip along the Vltava River. I booked us all on a raft at 1:00 and slowly ... read more

We travelled by local bus from C.Krumlov to C.Budejovice, paying a minimal amount for our suitcases. The Czech driver reminded me of the wonderful actor in 'Kolya'. He had a Czech radio station playing a mixture of Czech crooners, bluegrass and rock and roll. We sat back and enjoyed the 40 minute journey. Our first bus journey on this trip. We didn't book accommodation and were able to get into a self-contained modern apartment which was located at the top of an old renovated building, hence no lift! This meant going up 3 flights of stone steps (60 in fact!). The apartment is on 2 levels with a modern 15 step staircase where our bed is located. We open the windows in the roof and stare out at the rooftops and church steeples. We get lovely ... read more

Our last night in Germany was peaceful and quiet and having packed and sorted we hit the autobahn at 9.30am, next stop Czech Republic. Woolly says – this was a new experience for me and Ian, Jo had been to Prague in the past and rates it highly but even she hadn’t been to the southern area. The drive through was easy and passed with a succession of CD’s, most appropriate of the moment was 2 4 6 8 Motorway which we sang along happily to. We had our passports ready but flew through the border with not a barrier or officer in sight. Jo and Ian told me about the days when every time you went to a new country you had your passport stamped, how wonderful that must have been, I would need a ... read more

Next up on my journey on the well-trodden path is one of Eastern, um, I mean Central Europe's (sorry, Czechs, my bad) most beloved tourist traps. Český Krumlov is the Czech Republic's second biggest tourist draw, after Prague, of course. Austrians hop over in droves, so do Germans, Russians, French, Italians, and, like with all other European snow globe towns, Chinese and Japanese. Before I get there, however, I stop by at České Budějovice, also known as Budweis. Ungh, one of those things where I think "Do I really have to explain that?": Budweis is the home town of one of the best Czech beers (which makes it one of the world's best beers by default), Budweiser. Apparently, they've been having some copyright issues with a beer of the same name, which is brewed in the ... read more

Today we were up bright an early after a night of NO sleep due to a very very loud chain saw snorer in our dorm! No dorms, never again! It was so so painful! The other girls managed to sleep a bit but unfortunately I didnt at all so needless to say was not in a great state to start the day heading to Cesky! But was very excited as we all had high hopes for this lovely lil place! We got up and got a taxi at 8am to the station where we needed to get the 9am bus. the lady at our hostel said not to get tickets cos it was a sunday and we wouldnt need them. But very quickly the platform start piling with asian tourists and we were told the bus ... read more