Cesky Krumlov and Hluboka Castle

Almost a month after we returned from our journey to the Check Republic I'm finally finding the time to go through the hundreds (thousands?) of pictures we took there and select a few for the blog. One of the most interesting days of our trip was the excursion to Cesky Krumlov - a medieval fortress and town to the south, near the border with Austria and to Hluboka castle, one of the most beautiful castles in the country.
The thing I like most about organized journeys is that one not only goes around sightseeing, but due to the lectures of the professional guides one gets to experience personally the geography and the history of the place.
I loved Cesky Krumlov - the castle, the towers, the narrow cobbled streets and the beautiful houses. We were in luck - there was a medieval festival held in the central square of the town and we were able to look at (and buy) articles of artisan crafts and taste traditional meals, sweets and of course, beer. You haven't been to the Check republic if you haven't drank lots of local beer :))

After visiting Krumlov, we traveled to Hluboka castle - a Gothic castle, built in the 13th century, later extended and reconstructed throughout the centuries into Renaissance and Baroque styles. It's truly magnificent and worth visiting.

Krakra Fortress, Pernik

Yesterday we drove to Pernik for the 25th International Festival of Masquerade Games. We arrived in the miners' town early in the morning and after taking a wrong turn and driving in circle for a couple of miles finally found the way to the medieval fortress, built on top of the rocky plateau above the town. The fortress was of major significance for the defense of Sofia (then Sredetz) from attacks by the Byzantine empire and during the march of the crusaders of the Third Crusade through these lands. The fortress was later destroyed and is now under excavation. The forecast promised a sunny day and temperatures up to 10C, but early in the morning the plateau was cold and covered in mist and we were the only visitors. It was so cool, to have the entire fortress to ourselves! The mist gave it a spooky, mysterious and somewhat fairy-tale feel.
I had read some negative comments on the way the fortress was reconstructed and was prepared for disappointment, but the place surpassed every expectation - it is abundant with information boards, there are platforms and a tower for views above the ground, broad visitors' paths, cleared from the snow, benches for rest. We loved it and are definitely coming back in the summer!