Tag: castles

Destination: Český Krumlov

Published on by Grace13 Comments

One of my favorite places in the Czech Republic is Český Krumlov.  Located in Southern Bohemia, the town is a 2 and a half  hour drive from Prague.

Due to its old-world charm and natural beauty, it is one of the most visited places in Czech.  On our trip there, I was surprised to see a lot of Asian tourists.  Other than Prague, this town had the most diverse tourist population compared to the other places we visited.

The castle, with its beautiful gardens, offers breath-taking views of the city.

But the inner city is not to be outdone.  It also has its own charm that enchants every visitor.

Český Krumlov is a city bordered by the Vlatava river.  Thus, it is not surprising to see that canoeing, kayaking and rafting is one of its best attractions.

During our trip, we didn’t get to do this, but it gave us motivation to go back.  Perhaps when Jakub is older, we can try it.

I felt that the 2 days that we spent there was a very short trip, but it gave us reason to come back for more.

For those of you who are interested in checking out this place, more information can be found here.

Destination: Konopiště Castle

Published on by Grace4 Comments

One of the most beautiful castles in the Czech Republic is the  Konopiště Castle.

Situated close to the the town of Benesov,  its original purpose was as a gothic fortress for the people of Benesov.

Its most important owner was Archduke Frantisek (Franz) Ferdinand d’Este, whose killing in Sarajevo in 1941 initiated the first World War.

In it can be found a baroque rose garden and luxurious baroque style interiors.  It is also fully decorated with Franz Ferdinand’s hunting trophies.

There are trams in the parking lot that can take you to the entrance of the castle for a minimal fee.

Jakub had a great time riding in it.

There is also a souvenir shop with lots of kids’ toys that little kids or the kid in you will surely love.

All tours are guided, and are offered in both Czech and English.   Other languages are also available with the use of an electronic translator.

It took us an hour to get to our final destination, but the sight that awaited us was so worth it.

More information about the castle can be found here.

Destination: Karlstejn Castle and Czech America

Published on by Grace9 Comments

Although the Czech Republic is a small country, they have a lot of things to see.

My dear readers, I apologize for the irregular updates.  Our schedule has been packed these past few days and I literally didn’t have time to open my computer.

Anyhow, the next leg of our tour took us to the Karlstejn Castle and Czech America.

Karlstejn Castle is a castle that was built by the Charles IV to protect the crown jewels of the Bohemian kingdom.  Like any other castle it is situated in a steep hill which made invasion difficult for all its unwanted intruders.

Taking pictures inside the castle was prohibited so I can only show you an aerial view of the castle.

However, the things to be seen and explored inside the castle makes up for the steep climb.  All tours are guided and can be availed in both Czech or English.

Aside from its amazing architecture, what was interesting for me were the relics that were supposedly hidden inside the castle.  In one of its chapel walls, a relic from the cross where Jesus was crucified was believed to have been imbedded in there.  If you are into architecture, European history and religion, this is definitely a must for you.  More information about the castle can be found here.

Another great spot to visit as a side trip to Karlstejn is Czech America.

This place is called Czech America because it resembles an American canyon.  During the summertime, you can find locals taking a dip in its pristine waters.  Although it may look natural, this place is actually a side product of quarrying.  It is not commonly found in tourist books since it hasn’t been officially developed as a major tourist site.  But for the inquisitive and adventurous travellers, this is one place worth checking out.  More information about this place can be found here.

Have a great weekend!