Just when I thought the Czech Republic couldn't possibly get any more beautiful, I was proved wrong yet again. Our week spent exploring the Bohemian countryside, a region outside of the bustling city of Prague, was truly one for the books. I was rewarded with extraordinary scenery, pastoral sights, and a bizarre, skeleton-chilling church. 

The picturesque countryside of Bohemia is what makes this region so enchanting. We started our visit in Litomyšl, a small town in eastern Bohemia. The richly decorated village was a sight to see. Our tour guide informed us that the town emerged in the 13th century on the site of an older fortified settlement along a trade route that served as an important link between the regions of Bohemia and Moravia. 

Our next stop was Kutná Hora, a lovely city in central Bohemia. The first place we toured was the famous Bone Church that looks like a normal church on the outside, but inside, the bones of approximately 40,000 to 70,000 plague victims eerily decorate the walls and ceiling. The chapel looks like the set of the Pirates of the Caribbean (though Johnny Depp was suspiciously absent).

St. Barbara's Church pictured above (not Bone Church)

Our last visit was to Český Krumlov, a fairy-tale town of roughly 15,000 that is buried in the hills of the southern Czech Republic. Its main charm stems from the simple fact that the village feels as old-fashioned and medieval as it looks. I read that the town is the second-biggest tourist magnet in the Czech Republic and after experiencing its simple beauty and distinctly medieval feel, I certainly understand why. The rugged woods and hilltop castles of Bohemia made me feel as if I was walking through a scene in the Lord of the Rings film. So many of us dream of experiencing these quaint places and I am traipsing through them. Even as I write this now it simply boggles the mind.

Český Krumlov from Castle viewing spot

The most memorable part of our trip to Český Krumlov was our rafting voyage down the Vltava River. The three-hour (or four hour in our case) float down the dreamy river, through Bohemian forests and villages, past pubs and campsites, was an absolute riot. I really could not think of a better way to end an unforgettable week in Bohemia. 

Our final stop, the grand finale, in my opinion, was our visit to the Hluboká Castle. This château is considered to be one of the most beautiful in all of the Czech Republic and it most definitely did not disappoint. We learned from our brief tour that the castle owes its current appearance to the Schwarzenberg family (the richest aristocratic family in the Czech Republic and one of the wealthiest in central Europe). It has 140 rooms and 11 towers and offers peeks inside lavish ceremonial halls and elegantly furnished rooms. The royal castle made for a royal visit indeed.