Like something out of Dickens. I mean that in a good way.

Sadly, when you live in a city for a few months, no matter how beautiful it might be you begin to get used to the sights around you. Everyday I pass by an amazing view of the castle on my way to work, but now it has become so much a part my routine that I often barely notice it. That is why, every few weeks, a road trip is order. Once again, a few friend and I hopped on public transport down to the small town of Český Krumlov. The bus ride was about 3 hours, taking us far into the Southern Czech Republic, within an hour of Germany and Austria. The town is renowned for its lovely town square, and fantastic castle, (part of) which you can see in my album. Pretty much every city has a castle here, not to mention a few well placed cathedrals. It was especially beautiful when we went because it had just snowed for the first time this year, and as you can see in the photo, the roofs were all covered in a light dusting.


During my day, I toured the castle, had a delicious couscous lunch, a refreshing hot ginger apple juice, and snapped quite a few photos. Then after sunset it began to snow again and despite the cold, I took a surreal walk through the quiet streets of a snowy European village, with a magnificent night-time view of the castle lit by spotlights. You can see this in my album as well. I would have liked to spend the night, but unfortunately 250CZK ($13) at the hostel was a bit too rich for my blood, what with my future visa expenses, among other costs. So before it got too late I headed back to the bus station to return to Prague. To get there I had to cross over a snowy bridge (pictured below), that basically lead me through some small woods. The whole experience was quite surreal, I half expected the Ghost of Christmas Past to come a haunting. All in all it was an enjoyable day outside the city, but I'm looking forward to taking more lengthy trips in the future. Apparently Český Krumlov attracts many in the summer for canoeing down the very river I happened to take the bridge over, the Vltava (which is in fact the same river that runs through Prague).


Perhaps I will return in the warmer months to take part. For now I must prepare for my next adventure, and my first departure from Czech Republic.

Bratislava in the Slovak Republic. The land of visa applications.