Tuesday 22 September 2015

Two castles in one day

I'm still in my planning the trip mode. Searching for as much information as I can and trying to choose the places we want to visit. We seem to have agreed on the general plan. So now I can start looking for more detailes. Yes, I'm a planner. I like knowing ahead. I like being prepared. So I'm spending most of my free time reading about Thailand. I hope I'm almost done, though ;) Cause there is such a thing as "too much information" ;) Our trip starts in a little less than a month! Can't wait!

And in the meantime, I still want to share with you some pictures and memories from our last holidays in Polish mountains. Enjoy!

Our first full day in Czorsztyn was... awful. It was raining all day long. It was quite warm, but not the kind of weather you expect when you're on holidays. Or not the kind of weather I expect when I'm on holidays.

What can you do in the mountaind when it's raining? It surely depends on the kind of mountains and the attractions around. We didn't feel like staying home doing nothing. In Cinque Terre we decided to hike anyway, but spent most of the time seeing the villages. In Czorsztyn we decided to see the castles.

First, we went to Czorsztyn Castle. Or, rather, what's left of it. Then we took a ferry through the lake to get to Niedzica Castle. Yes, the one with the Incan legend. You haven't heard of it yet? Read my previous post here, where you'll find all the information on the castles and the legend itself.

Czorsztyn Castle was empty. There were just four or five people there with us. So it was really great. All alone, with the history lurking at us from these old walls.

Niedzica Castle is much more crowded. Tens of people everywhere you go, long queues to get into some rooms. Much less comfortable. Much more commercialised. That is why I have so many more pictures from Czorsztyn than from Niedzica. 

I was hoping to face my fears again. That shaky bridge on the water. When I think of it, a shiver goes down my spine. But it wasn't there anymore. The owner took it down and there's a new path along the lake. Bummer.

Oh, and one thing I didn't know before. You can spend the night in Niedzica Castle. We could see that some of the rooms were for tourists.


Niedzica Castle as seen from Czorsztyn Castle
On the ferry. Planning our next trip in the area.
Czorsztyn Castle as seen from the ferry
Niedzica Castle
The two castles in one picture

What is your favourite castle that you've visited? Or maybe one that you wish to visit?

Travel Tuesday
 

16 comments:

  1. There are a lot of cool castles in Europe- I don't really have a favorite. I would like to explore some more in Scotland I think. Just beause I want to go back to Scotland soon :)

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    1. Scotland has been on my bucket list for ages now. I wish to explore their castles one day, too.

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  2. Wow, I love that view from the castle on the lake! I think my favourite castle is the one in Edinburgh!

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    1. Believe it or not, when the castles were built there was no lake, just a border that they were protecting. Oh, Edinburgh... I will visit that place one day :)

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  3. I feel like I had already read this somewhere, your kids are adorable! and how nice that you got to see two castles in one day!

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    1. It's a common practice to visit these two castles in a single day. The ferry ride takes only a few minutes (10 maybe?). Thanks for dropping by!

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  4. I'm not super big on Czech castles, but these Polish ones are truly breath-taking, as is the scenery around them. Looks like a great travel day indeed!

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    1. Yes, that was a great day. Though rainy. You definitely should try and explore Czech castles. And if you don't like them, you can always hop over the border and explore some Polish ones, too :)

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  5. Lovely! I'm sure the kids loved that!

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    1. That's true, they did :) but we (adults) also liked that a lot :)

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  6. I feel you on the trip planning! I always like to have an idea about a place before I go! There is such a thing as too much information though! At some point you just have to let your instincts lead you :D I love the statue of the dog in the castle!

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    1. Luckily, we already have a general plan for the trip. So no more reading, no more planning, just waiting for the trip to begin :) I loved that dog, too, and can't recall seeing it there nine years ago. I just wonder if that was some special dog, meaningful for the place...

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  7. I love visiting castles and imagining the families that lived their long, long ago.

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    1. With all the wonderful gowns, dresses and all. I know what you mean :)

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  8. Wow how incredible - love the setting! I know it's cheesy but I do want to visit Neuschwanstein (the Disney castle) just to see it with my own eyes :)

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    1. I'm with you on that one! And I've already been pretty close to it at least once (twice, I think), but it never was "on the way". There's another castle right next to it, though. So it's also two in a day :)

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