Český Krumlov, is the Bohemian soul of Czech republic and a sweet escape, is one of the most picturesque towns in Europe. It’s a little like a small Prague – a Unesco World Heritage Site with a stunning castle above the Vltava River, an old town square, Renaissance and baroque architecture, and hordes of tourists milling through the streets – but all on a smaller scale; you can walk from one side of town to the other in 20 minutes. There are plenty of lively bars and riverside picnic spots. It can be a magical place in winter, though, when the crowds are gone and the castle is covered in snow.

Architecture

Situated on the banks of the Vltava river, the town was built around a 13th-century castle with Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque elements. It is an outstanding example of a small central European medieval town whose architectural heritage has remained intact thanks to its peaceful evolution over more than five centuries.

Food, coffee and street art

The formation of Bohemia also gave rise to traditional Bohemian foods. The basic foods were millet, honey, eggs, legumes, milk, cabbage, mushrooms and fruits. Salt was also widely in use. One of the most important foods of predecessors was black bread. The chronicler Kosrnas mentioned bread with cheese as the basic meal of working men. He also describes milk, sour milk or buttermilk.