En-Route to Salzburg: Orlik Castle & Cesky Krumlov (Tuesday 16th September)

After fond farewells last night six of our party departed early this morning, a late taxi not being the most auspicious start to their strike-affected return home!  (All is well though - they have arrived home safely & at last report were driving home to Lynchburg.)
We remaining travelers said farewell to Prague &hit the road towards Salzburg, making our first stop just over an hour later at Orlik Castle...

Orlik proved very different to Sternberg is many ways, but equally fascinating, with a history that included Napoleon, unrequited love, incredible wealth & the communist era.  (Notice the required footwear, to protect the floors.)

Our second stop was the time-warp town of Ceske Krumlov - 'Czech Bend in the River'.  Due to the quirks of 20th century Czech history, including the 1938 Munich Agreement & post WWII communism, the town was 'accidentally' preserved & is now one of the most intact historical centers in Europe.  We had just long enough to enjoy lunch & wander the labyrinthine streets.

Finally, after a long afternoon drive, we arrived in Salzburg.  As our hotel is on a pedestrian street in the historic city center we had to walk from the bus with our bags, but the pay-off is a superb location in this beautiful town.