Europe River/Bus trip - 2018: Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic

Oct. 23. We stayed in Linz, Austria last night and today we are taking a bus trip to Cesky Krumlov, in the Czech Republic.  The bus ride was about 1 and 1/2 hours.  It was a cold day.  Ellen and I had many layers on.  

This town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it has a remarkably well preserved array of historic houses spanning the 14th and 17th centuries. It has been called a mini Prague.  

Our tour guide pointed out the impressive castle which is the second largest castle in the Czech Republic. It has 300 rooms and 5 courtyards.  There is a Gothic tower, which we did not climb.  By the time we walked through the castle and into the gardens we were almost as high as the tower, since the castle is built on a hill.  

Entering the town under the castle

Views of the town. The town is protected on 3 sides by the horsebend in the river.

Looking at part of the castle and tower

Impressive architecture 

Did I say it was cold today?

One of the courtyards in the castle

Views from the castle towards the town

The castle gardens. 

We stopped for lunch and I ordered potato gnocchi. Yummy!

Afterwards Ellen and I both had the local pastry.

Messy but really good.  Tonight we stay in Linz and then tomorrow drive to Vienna with a short stop in Melk, Austria.