Ever dream of stepping into the magical worlds we read about in books or see on screen? Well, I did just that during my 10-day adventure in Czechia!
While our base was Prague, a fairytale city full of history, we also ventured to two other locations. First, we wandered through Český Krumlov, a picturesque town settled on the Vltava River with cobblestone streets and a 13th-century castle. Then, we headed to the Bohemian & Saxon Switzerland National Parks, situated on the border of Czechia and Germany. Each day spent abroad warrants its own blog post, but in this post, I’d like us to focus our attention on the Parks.
Let’s start our journey on the Czechia (Bohemian) side of the park, where magic hung in the air.
Walking through the Tisá Walls, a maze of sandstone rock formations, I learned that parts of The Chronicles of Narnia were filmed there! With narrow passageways and no clear direction, it felt like I’d stepped right into that enchanted world.
But the real surprise? The ice! Ten days of mist had frozen, covering every tree and surface with a shimmering, crystal blanket. Even the tour guide mentioned she had never seen the park like this! We stepped out of the van, crampons in tow, into an icy wonderland. As we headed toward the trailhead, we suddenly heard a loud crack. The tree above us snapped and started to fall right toward us! We quickly jumped aside to safety, but it definitely made for a wild start to our hike.
What started as a tree-covered trek quickly turned into an open labyrinth of rock formations towering over us. We squeezed through crevasses, scaled down staircases, and climbed atop clifflike outcrops, completely in awe of the landscape. I felt just like one of the characters, stepping through magical wardrobe into a mystical land.
From there, we drove to the German (Saxon) side of the park, where blue skies welcomed us at the iconic Bastei Bridge. The name “Bastei” refers to the jagged sandstone rock formations. Hundreds of years ago, Neurathen Castle stood atop these rocks. Today, only traces remain. What started as a wooden bridge was rebuilt in the 1800s into the medieval stone bridge that still stands today. It was here that the wedding scene from The Grand Budapest Hotel was filmed. So of course, we got a picture reenacting the shot!
This was just one day of whimsy from what was a whirlwind of an adventure! Each day bringing something new and each night closing with a sense of relaxed fulfillment.
Enjoy this video of pictures from Bohemian and Saxon Switzerland National Park!
Plus, below you will find a list of reads and watches that remind me of this remarkable day.
