A short trip to the Czech Republic; fresher legs entering Austria

 The short trip to Cesky Krumlov in the Czech Rep worked out perfectly and was the change and rest we both needed. We picked up our car rental on Thursday morning in Passau and headed northeast two hours through the rolling hills of southwest Czechia to the UNESCO town of Cesky Krumlov. I had never been there before and Frank knew it from a very different perspective when he was stationed there during his military service back in the day.

Cesky Krumlov is set on an S-bend in the Vltava river and is dominated by it's 13th century castle (photo taken from the castle)


One of our favourite Czech traditional meals - svickova, which is beef in a special creamy sauce made from vegetables, and of course served with dumplings

The "Five Petal" Renaissance Festival provided all kinds of entertainment. Great street food and drinks, music, elaborate costumes and actors strolling the town, in this amazing setting of cobble-stoned streets and narrow alleys


Frank's brother and sister-in-law made the three hour drive from the north of the country to join us for the two days, so we had an excellent visit while exploring the town. And there happened to be a Renaissance Festival on while we were there which was lots of fun. Thank you Jiri and Bozen for making the trip (and supplying us with great snacks for the rest of the bike ride)!

After another hotel night in Passau, we were back on the bikes early Sunday morning. We crossed the bridge over the River Inn in Passau, just before it joins the Danube and we entered Austria, country number six (if we include Czechia). This was Day 36 on the bikes and it was the hottest by far!

From Passau to Salzburg, we have left the Danube behind and we're following the Tauern Radweg along the River Inn and later the Salzaach River

Trying to stay cool with lots of breaks in the shade yesterday. 34 C degrees and 75 km made for a pretty tiring day

Today was cooler and started off with rain as we rode along the River Inn

Looking across the river to Germany and the town of Berghausen, home to the world's longest castle, which sits along the top of a ridge. We crossed the bridge here to have lunch in the Old Town

The lovely main square in Burghausen

We've been watching for these signs since Passau on the "Tauernweg". Very well signposted. A combination of dedicated cycle paths and quiet roads, with a good sprinkling of short, steep hills. Surfaces vary too - asphalt, concrete, looser pea gravel and hard-packed dirt

On the other side of the river from Oberdorf is the village of Laufen

Tonight we went very traditional for dinner at our hotel - goulash and spatzl for me

Schnitzel for Frank


Tonight we are in a tiny village about 25 km north of Salzburg with a great claim to fame. Oberndorf is where the song Silent Night was first performed on Christmas Eve 1818 by it's lyricist and melody writer (two different people). 

Tomorrow we will arrive in Salzburg where we will take some time to explore that city, famous for Mozart and The Sound of Music! 

After that begins the Alpes to Adriatic Trail which leads to Italy!

The yellow line is a rough representation of our route so far. 2400 km done, about 600 more to go to reach the Adriatic Sea east of Venice 

Yesterday's ride




Comments

  1. JirkaJune 21, 2022 at 3:10 AM

    Daphy, you write like a real journalist. I wouldn't know what of the "goulash" impressions to use.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Eva and GeorgeJune 21, 2022 at 5:03 PM

    Olala.....now the hills and more hills...you are the bestest!😂🤣

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousJune 21, 2022 at 5:47 PM

    What an amazing trip Daphers and Frank! Such gorgeous scenery and the food looks divine!! Thank you for the tour!

    ReplyDelete

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