Cesky Krumlov travel blog

Czech Rep, Day 7 – Hallstatt to Cesky Krumlov
Cesky Krumlov State Castle Pension Wok CK Shuttle Cloak Bridge Photo Spot

After 2 nights in Hallstatt, we moved on with a heavy heart to our next destination, Cesky Krumlov in the Czech Republic. From Gruner Baum hotel, we made our way to Hallstatt Lahn by the town shuttle van at a cost of €10 per vehicle where our inter-city shuttle van to Cesky Krumlov would pick us up.

Travel arrangements on shared shuttle for 2 persons were made on-line through CK Shuttle for CZK1,900 (€76). Since CK Shuttle was unable to enter Hallstatt town proper to pick us up from Gruner Baum door steps, they gave a discounted price of CZK1,200 (€48). A €28 discount against €10 we had to pay for the Hallstatt town shuttle. An acceptable proposition.

The VW suv that took us from Hallstatt to Cesky Krumlov. This suv seats 4 passengers.

The clean and comfortable VW suv came on time to pick us up at Hallstatt Lahn at 9.00 a.m. The journey of about 210 kms would take 3 hours. Me & my wife were the only passengers. CK Shuttle will e-mail you a pick-up reminder 2 days ahead and even if you are the only passenger, they would pick you up. That is their promise and I would not hesitate to recommend them.

Along our journey to Casky Krumlov, we passed by a few picturesque location and the driver, being a local to Cesky Krumlov drove via a short-cut route off the main road and we got to experience the country side and villages for free.

Hallstatt to Cesky Krumlov.

Although the mountains aren’t high, it’s still a beautiful sight.

Not much traffic on the highway makes a pleasant drive.

Austrian lakeside town of Traunkirchen.

Entering a small country town.

The openness of the countryside.

Czech immigration border point no longer in use since joining EU.

The super simple Czech Republic border signage.

Driving along the river bank.

By the river in Czech Republic.

The route taken from Hallstatt to Cesky Krumlov.

We arrived Cesky Krumlov just before 12.00 p.m. and was driven right to the door steps of Pension Wok where we will be staying. Check-in was effortless and quick although we arrived well before check-in time. Pension Wok is situated just by river Vltava where you can see people canoeing & rafting. Room No. 3 is a low ceiling comfortable room with double bed, tea making facilities and the usual amenities. You do need to walk up a few flight of steps to your room.

The quiet and charming Pension (Guesthouse) Wok by river Vltava.

The comfortable double bed.

The wooden sofa cum bed with lower pull-out bunk. Comfortably sleeps 4 in this room. The door to the balcony with a view of river Vltava and the town.

View of river Vltava, Dr Edwarda Benese bridge and St Vitus church from our balcony.

View of Pension Wok from the bridge.

I’ve not heard of Chesky Krumlov but have seen many pictures. It was from those pictures in the internet that arouses my interest and got me to do a little bit of research. Realising it’s between Hallstatt & Prague, I decided to drop Vienna from my itinerary and opted for Chesky Krumlov. Although I knew the only main attraction there was the Castle, but it’s the red tiled roofs in the pictures that lured me. Importantly to say, Cesky Krumlov like Hallstatt, are both UNESCO heritage sites.

Today is the first day it did not rain since we arrived Europe 5 days ago. After lunch, we set out to explore the town starting with the town square which is a short distance away by crossing river Vltava via Dr Edwarda Benese bridge. Then from the town square, onwards to the castle and it’s garden after crossing Lazebnicky bridge, at the other side of town. 30m after this bridge, to your left are the steps leading to the castle tower, the castle, the castle grounds, and to the castle garden which has an up-hill gradient.

CK is rather a ‘compact’ town. Credit : hoteldiscount.cz

The fountain at the town square.

From the town square walk past the red colored building onwards to Lazebnicky bridge.

Past Lazebnicky bridge, walk 30m ahead.

Take the castle steps on the left to the castle entrance.

The main attraction in CK is the state castle. Visiting it on our own deprived us of more information, therefore pardon me of posting pictures from now on.

Aeriel view of castle entrance and bear pit to the right.

The bear in it’s pit and rightly so.

The castle entrance will lead you to the 2nd courtyard and then onwards to the 3rd courtyard.

As you enter the 2nd courtyard, to your left is the way leading to the castle museum and the castle tower.

Tower entrance ticket. 50CZK.

Cesky Krumlov from the castle tower.

The 3rd courtyard walls, each one of them with Renaissance paintings.

4th courtyard. Similar resemblance to the 3rd but has protruding windows and balcony (not visible here). Walking onwards, will take you the the Cloak bridge.

Avid photographers take note. From this Cloak bridge, you get fantastic panoramic aerial view of the town. This is a great photo spot. However, the evening sun will be against you but there are structures to help you shade from the sunlight.

The Cloak bridge (with arches .. that’s where you want to be) adjoining the castle.

View of Cesky Krumlov town from the Cloak bridge.

Exiting the Cloak bridge, there are arches built into this wall. Frame your picture of the town here. Further up the wall, there is a terrace with another excellent view point.

CK through the arches.

From the Cloak bridge it was again up hill to the castle gardens. The garden is not as spectacular as Salzburg’s Mirabell garden. We strolled around before we ended our day.

Czech Rep, Day 8 – Cesky Krumlov

Seeing almost everything there were to see in Cesky Krumlov yesterday, today we spent strolling around to the other part of town and the town itself for a few souvenirs. By lunch we were back to our hotel and the rest of the day spent lazying in our room watching people rafting and canoeing by the river. Another sunny day today.