My first visit to the Czech Republic was in 2005 to visit a
small town called Cesky Krumlov. I was living in Austria at the time and I had
never considered visiting the Czech Republic before. We drove there, first to Linz and then
north. It was fairly obvious when we
crossed the border, the area looked poorer in comparison to the well kept fields
of Austria.
Driving into Cesky
Krumlov is as bad as driving into any Czech town. The outskirts of all Czech towns have been
ruined by the building of concrete apartment blocks that are horrible. These were put up during the time of the communists
– living space for the people – living space that the people hate.
Once you get past
the eyesores Cesky Krumlov flowers before your eyes. The centre of the town is the only place to
stay – stay anywhere else and you will miss the best that this beautiful town
has to offer.
In the centre the
river Vltava runs through twisting its way among the old street and against the
huge castle walls. You can easily
imagine Cesky Krumlov being flooded anytime the river rises – and it happens.
We booked into and
old Pension, old on the outside – complete with mod cons inside. Large warm rooms in the middle of winter,
windows overlooking the river towards the town and the castle behind – a photographic
indulgence.
The town has many places to eat and drink all at very reasonable prices for this western. It is filled with many tourist shops a must for me when I did not think I would be back to the Czech Republic. How little I knew of my future back then.