Day 19 - Český Krumlov to Hluboká nad Vltavou - Donaueschingen to Prague

September 25, 2019

Day 19 - Český Krumlov to Hluboká nad Vltavou

Today we left Český Krumlov and headed to Hluboká nad Vltavou via Holašovice. The gang humoured my request to go to Holašovice another world Unesco site in the Czech Republic. It was out of our way and meant doing a very long climb. Our first 15km were up from Český Krumlov through a Bohemian forest culminating near the top of Mt Klet. We climbed 500m/1650ft over the 15km much of it in double digits peaking at 15%. Needless to say there was some push biking for me but Patti did all in the saddle. The trail was along paved logging roads nonetheless it was hard work and we glad to see the end of it. The village of Holašovice has a very interesting history. It is reputed to have been founded in the 13th century by WenceslasII but in the 16th century the village habitants were wiped out by the plague (only 2 survivors). After this it was occupied by German settlers who centuries later joined the Reich during WWII. Hence the remaining Czech inhabitants were deported. After the war the village fell into disrepair until the 1990s when it was declared a Unesco site and it was completely restored. Now 140 people live here permanently.

Once we had a break here we continued to our final destination of Hluboká nad Vltavou the home of an amazing castle that we hope to visit before leaving tomorrow. The ride into here was easy and we have rooms in a lovely 4* hotel for tonight and we had an amazing meal at the best place in town. So far the food in the Czech Republic has been superior to Germany and Austria.