Prague!

Charles Bridge

One of the best parts of a trip to Prague is walking across historical Charles Bridge that goes over the  Vltava river. It is usually at the top of every tourists must-see in Prague list. This stone Gothic bridge is extremely old, as it was finished during the 15th century. There is a legend that eggs were added to the mortar that was used to build the bridge, and that's why it is so strong!





There are many souvenir shops, art stores, and music performances along the bridge, making it a very busy place. At each end of the bridge stands a large tower, both of which can be climbed for an aerial view of both sides of the Vltava River.

St. Vitus's Cathedral



This metropolitan Gothic cathedral serves as both a working church and a symbol for the city. The detailed architecture of this amazing church awes tourists from around the world, making it one of Europe's most-visited churches. A part of Prague Castle, the outside is dark and mysterious, complete with creepy gargoyles. Inside, the nave is filled with color, from the stunning stained glass to the golden chandler that hangs above the transept.







To get amazing views of the area, I recommend taking the 297 steps to the top of the cathedral's great south tower. The entrance for the climb is in the Third Courtyard however, the admission is not included in castle tour ticket. Along with the stunning views of the city, you will get an up close view of the clockworks dating from the 1500's. The largest bell in the Czech Republic, built by Tomáš Jaroš, is just one of the unique aspects of this beautiful church.

Prague Old Town 

The busiest part of Prague, the Old Town is also the most beautiful. This historic square, a sight itself, has many features including the famous Prague Astronomical Clock, the Tyn Cathedral, the Old Town hall, and of course, lots of amazing food!

  

Photo courtesy of http://travelioo.com/images/czech-republic/prague-astronomical-clock

      

One of my favorite foods that I tried in Prague were the Trdelníks, which are sweet, crunchy, tube-shaped pastries that are covered in cinnamon. I got these particular ones in the Old Town, but they are sold by dessert vendors across the city. 

Be sure to czech out Prague Castle which is not only an amazing historical and architectural masterpiece, but also the residence of the President of the Czech Republic. For more information about tourism in the castle visit the Prague Castle official website :) Views from the castle are amazing, so it's a must see when visiting Prague! 

Happy travels! 
❤ Gwyn 

 

Český Krumlov

In the south of the Bohemian region of the Czech Republic, Český Krumlov is a small city with a rich history and a beautiful castle. A UNESCO World Heritage sight,  Český Krumlov draws tourists in from all around the world, and is the literal depiction of a storybook village. 

The castle area itself is surrounded by a bear filled moat - yes, bears - and demonstrates a beautiful mixture of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture. Castle tours are available in a variety of languages all year round. The tours provide visitors with an in-depth view of the castle's historical and cultural aspects.

   

From the castle, which is situated on a large hill, there are spectacular views of the old town and river. This is a great spot for pictures. 
 

  

Around the castle, there is so much to do! Be sure to "czech" out the many ice-cream shops in the area. My favorite was Smurf (Smoula) flavor - only in the CZ! :) My friends and I also went to this super tacky hall of mirrors/wax museum. It was overpriced and extremely cheesy, but we all had fun. 

When walking around the old town, you will find that Český Krumlov has an enchanted and peaceful atmosphere. The cobblestone streets, the historical buildings, the red roof houses - everything comes together perfectly to form this culture hotspot.

  

Happy travels!
❤ Gwyn

Tiské Stěny Rocks

Tiské Stěny is a large group of rocks near the Czech-German border, located in Bohemian Switzerland. A trip to Tiské Stěny offers amazing views of the area and many options for challenging hikes among the rocks and boulders. 

Now, for a short geology lesson (bear with me)...

The rocks compromise of mostly sandstone and belong to the Bohemian Cretaceous System. If you look closely, there are occasionally stripes in the rock, caused by concentrated minerals. Natural weathering has resulted in cavernous areas, tunnels, and  has caused the boulders to be bizarre shapes and sizes. 

It was a bit rainy the day that I went, however, still incredibly beautiful. Climbing in the rock formations was the most fun part, and the views from the top were incredible! 

 

Happy travels!

 ❤ Gwyn

Děčín

Close to the German border, Děčín is a city in the Elbe valley (halfway between Dresden and Prague) that provides travelers with whimsical flower gardens, a beautiful castle, and amazing views of the river from high rocky plateaus that surround the area.

    

Děčín castle, the city's landmark, stands on a hill near the city center. Once the home of Bohemian royalty, the castle is now Děčín's main tourist attraction and is a must-see in the region!
Adjacent to the castle are the rose gardens and fountains where you can see the flowers in full bloom with views of the nearby city.

    Photo courtesy of http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Decin_CZ_Rose_Garden_02.jpg (Maggie Hammond)

  

The Děčín Zoo, founded in 1949, is one of the country's smallest zoos. However, this is a great way to spend an afternoon in Děčín, and you might have the animals to yourself! Located in a forest on a high plateau above the Elbe river, the zoo has a good variety of animals including goats, birds, rabbits and even some bears.

 

   Photo courtesy of http://www.wzd.cz/zoo/EU/CZ/cz_decin-zoo.htm

One food that I tried and really enjoyed in Děčín were the traditional Rakvicky (Czech coffin cookies) that are available in cafes all across the city. Though the name sounds depressing, these crunchy cookies are actually delicious! I got mine smothered in whipped cream :) 
 

   Happy travels!
   ❤ Gwyn

Gyeongju

Rich with historical heritage, Gyeongju is a beautiful city with stunning temples, large gardens and some of Korea's best cuisine.  

Gyeongju is easy to get to, as there is a direct bus service from Busan. The ride time is about an hour long, but I mostly just slept and looked out the window at the rolling hills and little villages we passed along the way. Korean buses are usually clean, and the service is efficient.

Once there, the first stop should definitely be Bulguksa temple, which is located just outside the city. There are buses that go to the temple and leave a couple times an hour from a stop near the city bus station. Located on the slopes of Mount Toham, this beautiful temple was completed in 774 and is a Unesco World Heritage Site. Walking around, you can see just how intricate, detailed and colorful the temple's architecture is. This is why Bulguksa is considered an artistic masterpiece in the Silla Kingdom. This sacred destination is home to 7 national treasures including the two cloud bridges, the two famous pagodas and the Amitabha Buddha Statue. 

Down the hill and across the street from the temple stands the actual town of Bulguksa, which is mostly stores and restaurants. I checked out a small little café (which looked more like somebody's living room than a restaurant) and ordered one bowl of soup. When the lady came out with my order, she placed down my soup followed by eight bowls of Kimchi on the side! For only 7,000 won, this was one of the best (and filling) meals I had while in South Korea. 

After the temple, I took a long walk in Tumuli Park. This park is in the center of town and holds the royal Silla burial mounds. Most small parks in Gyeongju require a small entrance fee (around 3,000 won per person). Adjacent to the mounds stands the Gyerim (Chicken Woods), a very beautiful and calm forest that you should be sure to check out. 

Along the sides of the street, you will most likely notice the many traditional Gyeonju bread shops the line the streets. Gyeonju bread, also called Hwangnam is a local specialty of the region made from egg and wheat and filled with a delicious red bean paste. Chalboribbang, two small sweet pancakes filled with red bean, is also a local bread specialty. They are sold in small boxes all around the city, and I highly recommend giving them a try. They are delicious! 

   Photo courtesy of http://budgettravel2korea.blogspot.kr/2011/04/gyeongju-bread-or-hwangnam-bread.html

Busan Tower

Though not as tall as the tower in Seoul, Busan tower is just as great. It offers amazing 360 degree panoramic views that allow visitors to see the whole city, including the harbor area and the busy downtown. 

 
Located in Yongdusan Park, the tower is not especially easy to get to. You must take a series of elevators, staircases, and ramps to get to the tower's base. Also keep in mind that the elevators are just for when you are getting up to the tower. When getting back down, stairs and ramps are the only option, so be prepared to do a lot of walking!




At the tower's base in Yongdusan Park stands a beautiful pagoda, some love locks attached to railings, and a few statues. 

 

This is a beautiful park, but the area's main attraction is the tower. To get to the top, there is an extremely efficient elevator that you must take. Admission is about 5,500 won for the observation deck, but it is definitely worth it once you see the amazing views at the top! This tower is the best place to see all of Busan, and to get some amazing pictures.  

Happy travels!
❤ Gwyn

Haedong Yonggung Temple in Busan

With dramatic scenery and gorgeous architecture, the Haedong Yonggung temple is one of my favorite places in South Korea. It was built by Buddhists in the 1300's and offers great views of the ocean and a fabulous place to take pictures. I recommend going early, as there are a lot of tourists and the temple can get very busy really quickly. 

From the main entrance, you will see a lot of food stalls and souvenir shops. Follow this path and it will lead you to the traffic safety shrine. This is also a great place to try some Korean street snacks! Behind this, there is a path that heads right to the rocky coast where the temple is. At the main temple stands large statues of Buddha, lucky golden pigs, and detailed dragons.

Inside the temple building, there are beautiful paper lanterns tied to the ceiling with golden ribbons. While tourists are not allowed inside this part of the temple, there are large windows that I stuck my camera through to get some good photos.

From the main temple area, there is a small staircase that leads to a higher observation deck. This area offers the best views of the temple complex from behind and the ocean. Following the path heading left of the temple will lead to another observation area that is good for taking pictures of the temple from a different view.

One of the things that caught my eye were the abundance of mini Buddha statues scattered all around the temple grounds. I thought they were adorable and couldn't help snapping some pictures of them!

  

Happy travels!

❤ Gwyn