Cesky Krumlof

Day 7 in Cesky Krumlov

Cesky Krumlov is a medieval town located about 2 hours from Prague in southern Bohemia. We took a 10 hour tour today to visit this Unesco World Heritage site. The bus ride there was a sensory experience. Rolling hills, mountains, tall pines, cows on the fields, and massive fields of corn. While the streets of Prague are a Bourne car chase waiting to be filmed on its cobblestone steep streets, southern Bohemia is beautiful countryside.

When we reached Chesky Kumlof we found the Vlatva River, the longest river in the Czech Republic.  It winds lazily southeast along the Bohemian Forest, north across Bohemia, through Cesky Krumlov and through Prague before joining the Elbe River. 

The Vlatva River is the one we have crossed every day when we go across the Charles Bridge.  In 2002 it flooded to a level not seen in centuries and severely damaged the Karlin District with water levels as high 3 stories.  The Karlin district is one of the areas we visited during our Prague food tour.  That same flood devastated parts of Cesky Krumlov.

We took a walk around the town by the castle (a smaller version of the Prague square), ate lunch and then took a tour of the castle.  The castle was fascinating with some original flooring, furniture, paintings and "warming ovens" for the rooms. It was a long drive to southern Bohemia but we agree that it was actually very interesting. Getting to see the beautiful countryside of Bohemia after being in the city was special. 

Budweiser

In the Czech Republic drinking a Budweiser is a different experience.  Czech's have brewed a beer named Budweiser since the 13th century.  It is not the same Budweiser that Americans are used to.  American Budweiser was created by the Busch family in the 19th century after a visit to what is now the Czech Republic.  Their goal was to create a Bohemian lager.   Due to trademark issues, American Budweiser is sold as Bud in the Czech Republic and the majority of the European Union.  So, if you go to the Czech Republic and order a Budweiser be prepared to drink a local Czech Beer, which is a very nice beer!

Tonight we returned to our hotel, went to the restaurant/bar on the top floor, viewed this wonderful city and shared a bottle of Czech wine.