This Looking Back Series is dedicated to my Travel and Life Companion who has shared with me the joys and sometimes frustration of travelling in Europe in 2012.
A year ago, if anyone asked me where is Český Krumlov, I would have no idea. This UNESCO World Heritage site in the Southern Bohemian region of the Czech Republic is not a tourist destination featured in any of the popular travel brochures in the UK. But it is a breathtakingly beautiful town that comes complete with a Castle, an extensive bridge over a deep gap in the rock upon which the castle is built, and a large rococo garden which has witnessed signs of neglect. Situated on the banks of the Vltava River, it is an outstanding example of a small central European medieval town whose architectural heritage has remained intact thanks to its peaceful evolution for more than five centuries. We picked the right time to visit: beautiful spring weather and the right amount of light. At the restaurant, I ate a memorable meal of deep fried carp, apparently a dish that the Czechs eat at New Year.
We went back to Prague, a city that impressed us with her beauty when we visited her last in 2002. This magical city of bridges, cathedrals, gold-tipped towers and church tomes, has been mirrored in the surface of the Vtlava River for more than ten centuries. Almost undamaged by WWII, Prague's compact medieval centre remains a wonderful mixture of cobbled lanes, walled courtyards, cathedrals and countless church spires, all in the shadow of her majestic castle. It is a city full of energy, music, cultural art, and good food catering to a large range of tourists. To me, Prague is one of Europe's most charming and beautiful cities. We stayed at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, and luxuriated in the way they looked after their guests. The breakfast table is one of the finest in terms of choice and quality.
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| View of Český Krumlov from the Castle |
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| Main Square, Prague, at night |
