Český Krumlov Castle, South Bohemia

I set the alarm for 6.15 as I had booked a full-day trip to Český Krumlov and Hluboká Castle. I was tired as I had been awake in the early hours. However, I got myself organised, had a coffee, and left to catch a tram. It was obviously still dark outside. It was also very foggy!

I arrived at the meeting point by 7.30am (15 minutes early). Our guide arrived soon after and checked us in. We were a full coach, so I had an older lady sitting next to me. She promptly fell asleep and didn't wake up until the first stop.

We couldn't see much as we left the city because of the fog, but that didn't stop ? giving us a running commentary on what we were driving past!

When the fog lifted, we were driving through the countryside of southern Bohemia. It was lovely to see the autumn colours in the sunshine. We stopped for a quick coffee and toilet break before completing our journey to Český Krumlov, arriving there at about 10.40.

We were given headsets so that we could hear the commentary, and then we walked up to the castle complex. The magnificent castle overlooks the town of Český Krumlov and the River Vltava. Dating back to the 13th century, it is the second-largest castle and château complex in the Czech Republic, after Prague Castle. Over the centuries, it was home to several powerful noble families, most notably the Rosenbergs, the Eggenbergs and the Schwarzenbergs, who transformed the original medieval fortress into an extraordinary collection of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque buildings. The complex contains five courtyards, beautiful gardens and more than 40 buildings, all perched dramatically above the river. One of its most recognisable features is the colourful Renaissance tower, decorated with elaborate painted architectural details, which dominates the town's skyline. The castle is also famous for its beautifully preserved 18th-century Baroque theatre, one of the finest surviving examples of its kind in Europe, complete with original stage machinery, scenery and costumes. Another unusual tradition is the keeping of bears in the castle moat, a practice dating back several centuries. Even from the outside, the sheer scale of the castle is impressive, and the views over the red rooftops of Český Krumlov are absolutely stunning. It's easy to understand why this extraordinary complex is one of the Czech Republic's most celebrated historic landmarks.Read more