Zlaty Andel Hotel Cesky Krumlov

... castle, up on the hill. We are basically operating off of a Google map to find it. The tram map does not have the detail we need and we quickly lose track of where we are. Well, an hour later and eventually use of a cab to get to our hotel. <br><br>There are no lights on. No one answers the door, despite my having received a confirmation. After an hour, we give up and decide to find a hostel in old town. We are on the edge of a park, well ...

... too many people are around. <br><br>The hostel has an interesting hobbit look on the outside with a teeny-tiny door. It is a crash pad type place with its small, more communal style. After a night, Sharon decides that in the future, private rooms are preferred. I have become very used to dorms. Hostels have become my way to socialize and further my interactions with folks from other countries. Private rooms do feel great.

... it means you don't get as wet as when it rains!<br>Walked up to top of the hill behind town which was a bit muddy and cold but got some nice views. Chilled at hostel playing guitar and then went to 2 Marys for a bohemian rabbit feast with beer and hot mead. Huge meal came with boiled potatos, potato pancake and potato dumpling!! Plus rabbit, ham and millet.<br>Went to Zappa bar which has a well in the underground section in the middle of the room. <br><br>

We caught the bus from Prague to Cesky Krumlov &#8211; it was like being back on the bus in South America even though it was only for 3 hours &#8211; we got free hot chocolate, newspapers (even if they were in Czech), and got to watch a random 60's Czech movie AND an episode of 'Friends&#8217;!!!<br><br>Cesky Krumlov is beautiful &#8211; we only ...

... br><br>The castle&#8217;s very cool. It&#8217;s probably not entirely authentic, but the outside of the castle is painted all over with lots of pretty colours in interesting designs. On the first day me &amp; the Canadian girl in my dorm got a crash course in Czech up at the castle from 2 people from Prague. Which was helpful for hey/hi/hello, which in Czech is apparently Ahoy! Just like a pirate. The big thing to do in Cesky K is something ...

... Gryon (Cam and Emma).  As they were giving us the orientation of the town talk, we quickly found out that this stop is going to be all about the food... darn.  Cam and Emma took us to one of their favourite places for dinner, U dwau Maryi (the two Marys).  The four of us ordered the "bohemian feast" and it lived up to its name.  The platter comes with your choice of chicken, rabbit, or pheasant and is accompanied by roast ham, potato pancakes ...

... the perfect excuse for me to bring the Poland chapter to a close and to begin a new one in the Czech Republic. This new chapter was beginning with a 7am train journey to Prague. I had no accommodation booked and as the train left the station and it was something that was playing on my mind. It is always recommended to book in advance in Prague especially in the summer months when many backpackers, from the U.S in particular, seem to flock on mass to the city. My track record at leaving ...

... most residential areas. <br><br>Once through the main gates of the castle and in the front courtyard, we followed a twisting arched passage that led uphill under the bulk of the main castle buildings. At intervals this opened out unexpectedly into a series of small patios before a long colonnade adorned with religious statues, set high above the river and the rest of the town, ended out in ...

... They were a nice welcome to the castle, maybe even my favorite part. The castle here is different because the outside of it is painted with a façade that appears to be stonework, but it really is not. Instead of holding the feeling of power and might, the outside seems as bit rundown. The town has experienced a great deal of history and impact during WW2, communism has also played a part in the ambiance. This is mostly noticed as you venture through the outer town and ...

... The town square has seen a lot of action, from German occupation to communist rallies. It is also the most picturesque in the country. It felt as if we had stepped onto the stage of a pantomime as every shop and house has a colourful façade covering once dull exteriors. It is almost a disappointment to step through a pink Baroque house with Biblical carvings and flowerbox windows to discover it is a shop ...