13.06.2019
Český Krumlov, Czech Republic (16 of 30)
Český Krumlov ranks second under Prague for being the most visited tourist destination in the Czech Republic. A small romantic town surrounded by the well-known Vltava River, ancient Český castle and flanked by the mountainous green terrain makes perfect sense why many decide to make their getaway here. The streets consist of tourists mostly from Korea, Japan, and China largely due to a deal made with Czech Airlines that offers inexpensive tickets from these countries. Despite the crowds, Český Krumlov offers an experience without the constant excursion and activity nagging I have seen in other parts of the world making it feel less touristy as a whole. The Czech Republic also ranks number seven on the safest countries to travel in the world which is great added reassurance to anyone traveling the country.
I have never seen more selfie sticks in my life. Everywhere I look people with these contraptions can be seen capturing picturesque Instagram updates in front of the stunning architecture and epic vistas. Despite the magnificence, I think it is quite silly and would rather capture more natural and intimate moments in the environment but to each their own. Today I took a hike to a timeworn monastery which overlooks Krumlov and found it remarkable no tourists were exploring this area past the town. I only ran into a couple of men riding horses, two older ladies, and a solo mountain biker on my outing. The sense of bliss and isolation the trails just outside of town offered made me certain this place is something special. Despite the constant foot traffic, there are ways to get around it and experience Český Krumlov from a contradictory perspective others tend to pay no attention.
Life is in motion 