Sometimes visiting a beautiful village can be a mixed blessing.
The town of Cesky Krumlov in the Czech Republic was such a blessing. There’s no doubt that it’s one of the prettiest towns we’ve seen. Like San Gimignano, Cesky Krumlov is protected by UNESCO as a world heritage site because of its lovely medieval buildings. However, unlike San Gimignano, we visited Cesky Krumlov before we knew the cardinal rule of travel – never visit a “charming village” on a day trip. That’s because everyone else in the world is also visiting it on a day trip. The town was blanketed with crowds, and we surged up the hill to the castle like a family of salmon desperately swimming upstream with their five hundred best friends.
We didn’t regret visiting. Our favourite part of the day was eating lunch on a terrace overlooking the castle. We enjoyed our Pilsner Urquells while the girls sipped orange Fanta beside us. In the serenity of those moments, we could imagine what it might be like to visit Cesky Krumlov when it was quieter.
Miraculously, our pictures reflect the charm of the town rather than the maelstrom of the crowd. And I’d still recommend you visit this lovely village. Just promise me you’ll spend a night there or see it in the off-season. That way you can enjoy the cobblestone streets, the red roofs and the medieval buildings without the presence of those five hundred best friends.
22 comments:
Love the salmon analogy :) It looks completely charming and quaint based on your pictures. Straight out of a storybook. Thanks for sharing another lovely trip!
My neighbor is from the Czech Republic.. I don't know why she would ever want to leave there ;) it is gorgeous!
Very beautiful. Hey, I still have Fools Girl by my computer. Email me your address and I'll send it to you.
It's nice that you mention those 500 people as best friends, why let the crowds spoil your experience! I love the villages as well, one amazing photo opportunity after another with a few good meals thrown in for good measure!
Well, I can see why a crowd showed up. Such an idyllic little village:)
Oh, this is gorgeous! (and I never like traveling with my 500 best friends :D )
Your photos definitely make this a must visit, crowds and all!
Beth absolutely beauty pictures love them!! gloria
What a gorgeous, gorgeous place to visit.
Looks like a fairy tale place from your pictures, just wonderful!
The fact that a city's beauty can shine through despite large crowds is a testament to how amazing it must be to see in person. :-)
Just like Dubrovnik, only more greenery. It too was swamped with tourists when I was there... I would love to see more of that country! Have you ever been to Tallinn? It has a similar look - just beautiful.
Oh, the curse of the Day Trip. We have all been there.
Separately, that view off of the terrace was kind of reminiscent of Heidelberg for me. I'm not sure if it's the roofs, the water or what but what a lovely little jolt back.
Beautiful, Beth. And every photo does look peaceful...no crowds in sight. Isn't it annoying when you get that "crushed" feeling with other toursits? We always want to be able to explore feeling as though we are the first to discover everything.
It sure looks like a sleepy village in your photos. Crowds are disappointing, but it's hard to avoid them sometimes!
What a beautiful place! I am not a fan of big crowds. That must have been frustrating. Sounds like a wonderful time despite the crowds, though:)
I've always wanted to go there. And I've had my share of travelling in a pack of salmon! But you know - better to have experienced than not. The post proves that.
Wow, it does look very charming and how you managed to take photos that calm and serene even with the crowds amazes me. Hubby and I both dislike crowds, and tend to try and take holidays outside of "proper" holiday seasons, stealing time off school just so we can visit places when the rest of the world is (hopefully) not there.
What a beautiful country side! Crowds and all. :)
It looks like a beautiful place! :)
Wow. That looks like something from a sweet fantasy novel. Must... visit... Czech Republic...
Oh, I know the feeling, I've learned that lesson too! Sometimes, though, it's all you can manage--and on those days you can definitely make the most of what you've got, just as you guys did. Looks beautiful! I hoped to visit, but I was so deeply into the off season that they were snowed in!
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