Scenes of Czech Charm

I think it is now how time that I share with you all my happy memories from two weekends ago, when four of us beautiful young ladies traveled into southern Czech Republic. It was rather a spontaneous trip, the idea only having arrived in my brain Tuesday night (and the trip having taken place four days later). The possibility of such a scheme was only opened to us a few days before, when we discovered a delightfully inexpensive rail pass that could get up to five of us over the border and pretty far east into Bohemia. With such aide (and with the kindly aide also of a dear patron who shall currently go nameless), we decided there was no time like the present, and we made our plans.

Bonnie, Hannah, Beth, and I traveled about seven hours by train on Saturday morning, enjoying a pleasant hour in the Plzen station (where mightily good times were to be had thanks to Czech pastries and newspapers), and then continuing on to scenic České Budéjovice. But I get ahead of myself.

Before the pictures begin, I must give credit where credit is due. All but the last five or so of these were actually taken by Beth. My camera had some serious issues over this particular weekend, and I was left to rely on others for picturage. Of course, this reliance actually helped things in that I now have pictures of people. Generally I am too shy, I suppose, to ask my friends to pose very often.

And now we begin at the beginning.


Hannah and I enjoy the morning ride. One of the best things about this trip was simply the people who went on it, because hitherto I had done almost no traveling with Bonnie and Hannah, even though they are both delightful companions.


České Budéjovice... such a sweet little place, especially of a Saturday afternoon. If there is one thing the Czechs like, it is colourful architecture. Notice the blue bridge and the row of brightly coloured houses...



The three of us (me, Hannah, Bonnie) pose by the fountain in the famed main square of České Budéjovice.

Beth discovered a delightful French café, at which we enjoyed hot chocolates and Nutella-filled crepes. These are the times that refresh women's souls.

After a few hours in Budéjovice, we rode another hour south to Česky Krumlov, one of the Czech Republic's most famous and beautiful smaller cities. It's as beautiful as Prague, but tiny, peaceful, and far less crowded.

The gorgeous first sight of the Česky Krumlov castle by night.

You likely cannot tell, but this is the four of us crowded into a tiny phone booth. There was no particular reason for taking such a picture, except that after wandering around an enchanting town for a while, the four of us were feeling a bit like giddy school girls. Upon seeing the phone booth, I begged everyone to join me in it. And they did.

Our hostel was an interesting experience in itself. The location was great, but.... no, it strikes me that I shall have to tell these stories in person rather than on a blog.

The view from our hostel was charming! The old building sat right on the edge of this narrow chanel of the river.

Three of us girls pose on one of Krumlov's bridges, with the warm sun creating good cheer.

A statue of St. Jan (Johann) of Nepomuk. I mentioned this Saint in my blog entry about Prague, if you recollect. I am rather fond of him, and was delighted when we passed through his hometown on our way south!

Yes... this chocolate shop really did exist, and we really did buy chocolate from it. What joys divine...

And this delightful pottery shop held shelf after shelf of locally hand-made Czech pottery and other gifts. I will say without scruple that several of us spent an inordinate amount of money here...

We found a fellow tourist to take a group picture for us, overlooking the city. Do I not have beautiful companions?

This was the unique mill-turned-restaurant in which we ate a hearty Czech lunch.

The main old square of Krumlov - housing restaurants, a torture museum, and all sorts of interesting things (including two out-of-order ATMs... hmm).

We were rather surprised to find that Krumlov's palace is part zoo! The town is partially famous for its castle bears. Aren't they cuddly-looking? And dangerous? And delightful?!

View from atop the castle. Is it any wonder we love this land? The river in the forefront is the Vltava, the same rushing river that makes Prague the glory it is.

View through a porthole on the magnificent bridge that supports part of the castle.

Looking back toward said portholes and bridge. What do you do when you wish to build a castle across two different cliffs? You naturally build a bridge under the castle, and fill it with statues.

Emily herself, enjoying the warm sunshine (notice the lack of a coat!) and the glorious views.

The trip was too short, as we arrived Saturday and left again Sunday. But... it was truly magnificent. If there is one thing the Czechs understand, it is charm. If there is another, it is history. And if there is one thing they do particularly well, it is combining the two under the glow of blue-green lights with a river running below to catch the reflection.