This past weekend was our first getaway from Prague into the countryside of the Czech Republic. We chose Cesky Krumlov, which turned out to be the perfect weekend spot.
Cesky Krumlov is simply adorable and even though I forgot my “real” camera (for shame!) I filled my phone (and E’s!) with a plethora of pictures from the medieval city.
(And don’t worry…I will almost share them all!).
We arrived Friday night and immediately collapsed into our little “riverside cottage” that was straight out of a Tolkien novel.
The next, after sleeping in a bit (we needed it, although I normally do not recommend this on weekend trips–but the Black Lung refuses to go away, so we gots to sleep!), we immediately set out to finally see the town.
We’d walked about half a block before we were waylaid by a rafting/boating shop. I’d heard that a highly recommended activity in Cesky Krumlov was to raft/canoe down the Vlatava River (the same river that runs through Prague) to a nearby abbey. We saw the shop and thought we would check out prices, planning to actually go boating either later that day or the next.
“Do you want to go now?” The shop owner asked after some basic questions.
“Well we were going to eat first…” We were hesitant.
“Eat here.” He pulled out a brochure of a riverside pub, and we were sold.
Immediately we went down a steep, narrow alleyway to the river and hopped into the waiting raft/canoe.
(I’m not sure what to call it–but it was reminiscent of an inflatable canoe).
I loved this spontaneity as usually I have every trip planned out. In this case, a little more planning might have been nice because this was not just the leisurely trip down the river I had imagined. There were small rapids and we got soaked!
Luckily it was a gorgeous day, and they’d given us a dry bag when we hopped in the boat (why this wasn’t a clue to how wet we would get, I don’t know).
Despite a more wild ride than anticipated, I was immediately enchanted. We got into the river just before the big bend that reaches Cesky Krumlov, so our first daylight (and non-misty) views of the town were from the water. We could see the ancient castle, the riverside buildings, a canal, and several churches, not to mention the slanted cobblestone streets. I risked the wet and snatched a few pictures in a non-rapid area of the river.
Not too long after leaving town, we were suddenly in the wilderness, or so it seemed. Thick forest surrounded the river, and there wasn’t another boat near us. Despite the occasional riverside pub, we didn’t see another soul for miles. I was not expecting this but the peacefulness was so needed after our hectic month in Prague.
The river started to get a little busier as we neared the riverside pub our guide had recommended to us. We even saw some locals searching for mushrooms, or “mushrooming,” which is apparently a popular Czech pastime in the warm months.
(As far as I can tell, it involves searching the forest for edible mushrooms! We saw some people with serious baskets or buckets, but one old man with his dog filling his hat. It sounds really fun, maybe someday I will be invited to go…).
We arrived at the pub and after a mishap trying to land (where one of us got really soaked), we climbed up into what turned out to be a Czech campground, complete with beer, sausages, a variety of drinks, and even goulash!
We were eventually able to snag a spot by the campfire, drink some beers (or rum and tea, for those of us freezing ones) and share a sausage. Everything was delicious, as it always is after you work for it! We made some Czech friends by the fire (that we later saw cruising the river with a bachelor party, on a boat that included a grill and a blow-up doll) and eventually took off for the abbey.
I didn’t enjoy the second half of the trip as much as I had the first, so by the time we arrived at the abbey I was ready to get out of the boat and since our ride was waiting (we made an arrangement with the raft company for a ride back, since I hear it’s difficult to get a canoe upriver), we only saw the abbey from afar. Still, it was a lovely, spontaneous trip through the Czech forest, and I can’t wait to get back to Cesky Krumlov and explore more!
Stay tuned for more Cesky Krumlov!
Welcome to Travel Tuesday!
Each week Bonnie, Jessi, Camila and I choose one post from the previous link-up to feature. Be sure to check out their blogs to see who they chose!
This week I am featuring Clem and Marcella from What a Wonderful World and Marcella’s post about The Lavaux Valley in Switzerland. Switzerland always holds a special place in my heart, and I love learning about places to visit there that I haven’t yet! This beautiful visit was all because of a spontaneous wine tasting, and what better travel story is there than that? Thanks for sharing, Marcella and Clem! Be sure to visit their post to check it out.
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Wow, this looks like such a fun day! The views are beautiful; I love how the gorgeous architecture turns into the wilderness and I really want to go mushrooming! Thanks for the mention of my post and Happy Travel Tuesday! 🙂
~ Marcella
Yes! It was a great post 🙂 thanks for sharing with us and participating!! It’s really a beautiful spot. And who knew about mushrooming? I’m hoping to get a Czech invite sometime haha…I think it would be more authentic that way ;). thanks for reading! xo
Sounds like a fun getaway!! I would probably have had a hard time wrapping my mind around the wet if I wasn’t prepared for it, but I guess that’s what happens when you travel! Sometimes you have to go with the flow…pun intended?! Glad you’re having a good time!!!
It was a great getaway!! I want to go back! As usual 🙂 And you’re so right…you do have to go with the “flow” LOL. That’s how you get some of the best experiences, in my opinion!! xo
I loved Cesky Krumlov! I look forward to seeing more of your photos!! I didn’t spend near as much time there as I would have liked, but such a beautiful town! I have a couple of antiques I got at a little shop at the base of the stairs from the castle that I will treasure forever!
What a great memento to take from Cesky Krumlov! I only bought a postcard this time around but I would love to buy furniture there. How special! It’s really beautiful and I hope we can make it back soon. xo
That seriously looks like such a blast! I like going kayaking occasionally, and a little bit of rapids are a good mix of scary and fun. 🙂 But yes, sometimes it’s nice to know ahead of time if you are going to get wet.
Haha yes I would have liked to be a little better prepared but at least they gave us a dry back so nothing important got damaged!! It was really fun and there were only a few spots with rapids, the rest was really nice! 🙂 xo
This sounds like a really awesome trip! I’ve only gone rowing once, but it was very tame and nothing like this! xx
Most of it was pretty tame but those few rapids were SERIOUS haha 🙂 xo
Oh, wow!!! We were reminiscing about our visit to Prague just yesterday and talking about how we needed to go back to explore the area nearby. That rafting trip sounds like a LOT of fun! I’ve heard Czechs are crazy about their river activities; the bachelor flotilla sounds like a hoot! 🙂
If you get to come back I would definitely recommend Cesky Krumlov! I almost love it more than Prague! There were so many hardcore Czechs on the river. So many of them were dressed for the occasion, too–so many blue-and-white striped shirts! Entire families in pirate or sailor outfits! Too funny.
Wow! How beautiful! The countryside and the Czech forest looks so lovely. I love fun, spontaneous weekends full of adventure and it certainly looks like you had just that! X
Yes those are the best weekends, aren’t they?? 🙂 xo
Spending time out in nature is my favorite way to unwind. Looks like a beautiful weekend getaway!
It’s the best way to clear my mind, I think! 🙂 it was so fun and spontaneous–the best kind of weekend, in my opinion 😉 xo
This looks like such an awesome adventure. Although I would NOT like getting wet!
Haha I didn’t LOVE it but luckily it was pretty warm 🙂 xo
Looks like you had an awesome trip! I’ve never gone boating but would really like to try it one day, although it looks like it’s a lot of work and I’m sure i’d be the one getting soaked 🙂
It’s really fun! I’ve done it a few times but never with such little notice. I was in the front because E wanted to control the direction (lol) and I got WAY more soaked than he did!
The boating sounds lovely except for the getting wet part. Sometimes it’s best not to know how more work it will be so you don’t stray away from the activity, like me :p
I think I would have avoided it if I had known how long it would be! I’m glad I didn’t, it was so amazing! 🙂 xo
That kitchen!! I love the tiles. It looks like you just opened yourselves up to every opportunity and look where it ended up! Floating down that river, it must have been the best way to let all of the flat-hunting stress go and just be with your new country!
Isn’t it so cute? I wanted to live there! Really made for hobbits and right on the river, so amazing!! And it was so fun to just be spontaneous and try to relax! It helped a lot and reminded me to just “be” with my new country, so thank you for your kind words and reminders 🙂 xoxo
Sounds like a great day! I saw a Rick Steves TV show on this town a few years ago on PBS and have been wanting to go ever since:)
Oh Rick Steves! I love that guy. We refer to him as “Rick” lol as he’s given us so many awesome travel tips over the years! I actually heard about the boating trip from his book on the Czech Republic 🙂 xo
Yay Krumlov! I think that’s really cool you guys rented a lil boater’s cabin. Being out on the water clears your mind in the best way. There’s always something new to look at, there’s fresh air, and it’s just enough out of the comfort zone that it keeps your mind on what you’re doing.
I love being out (or in!) the water! It really is relaxing. I was so stressed before this trip and it helped a little…although finding a flat was a huge relief!! I love Krumlov and hope to go back 🙂 I think if I lived where you do I would be there often since you’re so close!! xo
So cool!! I went rafting once and absolutely loved it – and I mean this looks like the setting is just beautiful! And I love how people actually go out looking for mushrooms, it sounds straight out of a fairytale!
I know! Mushrooming has to be the most quaint activity ever. I hope to go but I think I need to wait for a Czech invite haha :).
This looks like such a fun spontaneous adventure! Your riverside lunch on the campground sounds so rustic and perfect. I’m kicking myself for not getting to Cesky Krumlov when I was in Prague. I bet the views of the town from the water were stunning!
They were! We also hadn’t seen any views since we arrived in the dark and it was so awesome that our introduction was from the water! I love it almost as much as Prague…maybe more because it’s even smaller and less crowded!! 🙂 xo
this seems like such a great adventure! the pictures are amazing.
Agreed <3
Thank you!! 🙂 it’s a beautiful spot!
Thanks! it was easy because it’s so pretty!
Have I mentioned before that i LOVE your blog?! Btw I am intrigued by the riverside cottage. Tell us more.
Aww thank you so much! That means SO MUCH to me. And, Right back at ya! 🙂 I will tell you more soon haha! It was actually part of a hostel–we were planning on getting a double room at one that was full, so they told us about this little apartment they also have that was only $5 more a night! Not bad 🙂 xoxo!