One of 2018’s biggest non-regrets: ignoring physical exhaustion and hopping on a four-hour train from Prague to the charming fairy-tale city of Česky Krumlov in South Bohemia.
Instead of spending the day horizontal in my airbnb in Prague, I woke at the early hour of six to catch the 7am train, the one headed for Budapest, that would make a stop at Česky Krumlov around 11. Being one among a handful of passengers who disembarked (and the only traveler that day) threw me off a bit. While most European stations I’d passed through would always buzz with activity and have no shortage of signage flashing directions to the local must-see destinations, Česky Krumlov’s was very quiet and because I ended up leaving my local phone behind in Prague, had no one to turn to for directions. I ended up following the lone road leading out.
Twenty minutes of self-doubt and walking along what I assumed was the main road, I finally caught sight of the town and its famous castle tower.
The closer I got to the walled castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a town on its own really, the more it felt like I was entering a time warp into the 16th century.
Or a story book.
Because seriously, how is this not off a page of a Hans Andersen fairy tale?
Walking into town, I half-expected everybody to break into song—Bonjour! Good day! You call this bacon? —yep,exactly like that Disney film that glorified Stockholm Syndrome. :P
Cobbled streets, vibrant colour-washed houses…daring sword fights, a prince in disguise!
And a lot of places where you can park your ass by the Vlatva River that runs across town, and people watch while downing a pint or two or three of really good Czech beer!
And a lot of pretty trees!
I want my ashes scattered in the palace gardens so I can roam around the place foreverrrr.
Well that took on a bit of a morbid turn…
Ciao!
Europe misses you, T! And so do I. When are you coming back?
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If my sister’s wedding pushes through this November, then sooner than imagined! If not, I’m coming back first quarter. I miss you too! <3
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