European Excursion - Photo Montage Part III: Český Krumlov

Orientation: 

(Click on the map to enlarge)
Find Prague in the middle of the map - we are heading south
about 140 km (90 miles) to Český Krumlov (CHESS-key KROOM-lov).
Český Krumlov nearly borders Austria, making it easy for my favorite joke
that "I can see Austria from Krumlov's backyard!" 
Getting to Krumlov from Prague is easier by bus than by train, although most buses require a transfer at České Budějovice (Budweis),
which is famous for its brew.  Do not confuse beer brewed in Budweis
with the American lager Budweiser by Anheuser-Busch,
which was originally brewed as an imitation of the famous Bohemian original.
Český Krumlov (or simply Krumlov) is about an hour more bus ride from Budejovice, making it a 3.5+ hours bus ride from Prague.
Not exactly a "day trip", but I hope you will agree with me, from the photos,
that it is a place well worth a visit.  

Please enjoy the scenery of Český Krumlov.

View of the Castle from below

Český Krumlov, meaning roughly "Czech Bend in the River",
can be called Krumlov for short.  It is a small town in the
South Bohemian region.  Best known for its fine architecture, old town,
and the Castle.  Český Krumlovis a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The most picturesque view I have seen.
Like a postcard, Český Krumlov boasts
a blue bird sky, rolling green hills,
and cobblestones cityscape

The Castle comes complete
with a bear pit!

View through a window from the castle

The Vltava River meanders through the castle,
providing a natural moat and a choice spot
for the Celtic tribes

A nice spot for lunch, overlooking the river

My Rick Steve's Guidebook has not steered me wrong
even once so far, so we followed his recommendation
and went to the local hangout Na Louzi for dinner.  

HELLO, DELICIOUSNESS!!

Inexpensive, tasty Czech cuisine and
hometown Eggenberg beer on tap.
Featured:  Smoked pork with dumplings,
grilled sausage, mixed salad, and potato omletes.
And of course, local Eggenberg beer to wash it all down!

I love my pivo!

Beautiful evening with
the cobblestones cityscape

Outside the patio of Hostel Merlin,
where we stayed for couple nights.  

Yes, these look out to the river

Life slows down by many beats when you have
coffee on the patio, especially THIS patio

Power breakfast before our long hike:
High protein bar, a banana, VIA coffee,
and the bread was just a leftover from something...

Follow the green trail to Klet Observatory
Fruit trees, oak trees, and many
others lined the trail.  The roundtrip is
about 15 km. 

Sign reads "Cesky Krumlov Ends Here" 

The trail turned from paved to unpaved.
Sunny but cool day for a perfect hike.

This is a beautiful picture of our hike!

Almost there!  0.5km to Klet.

Klet Observatory 

The observatory is closed for the summer,
but the gondola would be open
for visitors when the observatory reopens
in November

Pictorial illustration of sceneries.
Facing Cesky Krumlov straight ahead, and
Austria beyond the mountains

Please indulge me...
"I can see Austria all the way from Cesky Krumlov's backyard!!!"
(Tsk...Tsk..!!  Thank you.)

Back to Na Louzi for dinner for
the second night.
Don't mess with success!

Gourmet du jour:
Roast duck with potato dumplings AND (regular) dumplings,
Chicken a la Lady Somebody whose name I forgot
And of course, Eggenberg!

Crêpes should be a food group on its own
according to my niece Katie!

Crêpe of the hour:
Cinnamon and rum raisins

You gonna eat the whole thang?

You can't possibly just have ONE crêpe...
so we went back for breakfast the next day

Man does not live by bread alone...
he also needs crêpes (with various fillings)!!

This is the BEST EVER Americano with the sweetest crema.
Add your own hot water to taste.