October 2024
Tauck’s “Blue Danube” River Cruise
- This post, Part 1, will cover our time in Český Krumlov
- Our river boat docked in Linz, Austria for the day – then we took a bus into the Czech Republic so we could visit Český Krumlov
- We were signed up to go to Salzburg, Austria but at the last minute decided not to. Salzburg didn’t look that exciting (and I’m not a Sound of Music fan) — and Jeanne had already been there 20 years ago, so we opted for someplace new. And I’m so glad we did!!
- Český Krumlov was the most charming little town in the Czech Republic. We visited the castle, walked around, and just had the dreamiest afternoon in this fairytale town.
- We took the bus back to Linz and had to walk through a carnival to get back to our ship. I loved this cause you know how I love a carnival!
- Our next stop will be Germany, then back to the Czech Republic to see Prague.
Isn’t it CUTE?!
Unfortunate haircuts have existed forever.
Fake bricks.
Cesky Krumlov is a perfectly preserved town dating back to the 13th century — and it has remained largely untouched throughout the years.
We toured the Castle, which was founded by the Lords of Krumlov around 1250. They represented a branch of the powerful Witigonen family, with the five-petaled rose in their coat of arms.
When the Lords of Krumlov died out in 1303, their relatives, the Rosenbergs, inherited the castle. The Rosenberg family ruled there until 1602.
“Artists usually painted their subjects to look more favorable than they actually did. I’ll let you take that for what you will with this woman.” – our tour guide
The Rosenberg family represented important personalities among Bohemian aristocracy — in other words, they were kind of a big deal and REALLY loved themselves.
Everything is so casual and understated.
Oh hey.
A very, very, very old theater.
The Rosenbergs sold the castle in the early 17th century to the Viennese Emperor Rudolf II, who gave it to the Very Big Deal Eggenberg family. The Eggenbergs died out in 1719 and the Schwarzenbergs inherited it all. The Schwarzenbergs kept it until after World War II. It is now a property of the state.
Jeanne was living her very best European history life.
Sadly, they still keep live bears in the moat – a “tradition” that dates back to the 1700s.
A cute little gingerbread shop.
It was seriously the cutest little town. 10/10 experience!
We headed back to Linz so we could board the ship. We walked through the cutest little carnival. But a carnival? It really ruffled the feathers of the Country Club Crowd that we were traveling with!
Isn’t she beautiful?!
We ended the day with Fancy Dinner Night on the ship.