![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260517_121649-1038x576.jpg "Hluboká Castle")
On my last day in South Bohemia, I took a trip to Hluboká nad Vltavou to see the (very impressive) castle there. It belonged to the Schwarzenberg family for almost 300 years until its nationalization in 1947. Continue reading Half a day in Hluboká
Category Archives: Wide, Wide World
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260516_152648-1038x576.jpg "View from the tower of Český Krumlov Castle")
Český Krumlov without canoe
I would have loved to explore the Vltava River bends near Český Krumlov by canoe, but the weather (at least to my liking) did not cooperate. Therefore, I limited myself to exploring on foot. That made it easier to plan around the rain showers. Continue reading Český Krumlov without canoe
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260514_123012-1038x576.jpg "Premysl Otakar II Square (České Budějovice)")
České Budějovice without Beer
I used the long Ascension Day weekend for a trip to South Bohemia. My first stop was České Budějovice. Continue reading České Budějovice without Beer
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/20260402_113543-1038x576.jpg "Punakha Dzong")
In the Land of the Thunder Dragon
Around Easter 2026, I treated myself to a very special trip (that was originally already planned for 2020): a visit to the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan (with a few days in Nepal before and after).
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/20260409_160254-1038x576.jpg "View of Kathmandu from Swayambhunath")
Katman-hin-du and Namo-Buddha
We spent the last two days of our vacation back in Nepal, specifically in (and around) Kathmandu. Since both Hinduism and Buddhism play an important role in Nepal, we visited both Hindu and Buddhist temples – sometimes even both at once. Continue reading Katman-hin-du and Namo-Buddha
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/20260407_081629-1038x576.jpg "Phobjikha Valley")
Bhutan in 36 Pictures
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/20260408_093905-1038x576.jpg "Tiger's Nest")
A highlight at the end
The last stop on my Bhutan trip was the same as the first: Paro. And once again, a real highlight was on the agenda there. Continue reading A highlight at the end
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/20260407_083119-1038x576.jpg "Phobjikha Valley")
Beautiful Phobjikha
Although we missed Phobjikha’s main attraction, the black-necked cranes, by a month or two, I was captivated by the sheer scenic beauty of this valley. Continue reading Beautiful Phobjikha
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/shuk-drak-goenpa-1038x576.jpg "Shuk Drak Goenpa")
The spiritual heart of Bhutan
The last two days were dedicated to the Bumthang district, considered the “spiritual heart” of the country: It is home to Bhutan’s oldest temples, and is also believed to be the birthplace of Buddhism in Bhutan. Continue reading The spiritual heart of Bhutan
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/20260406_111747-1038x576.jpg "Trongsa Dzong")
Long, Longer, Trongsa Dzong
Today, we visited another dzong. After seeing the most beautiful dzong in Punakha yesterday, we visited the longest dzong in the country, located in Trongsa. Continue reading Long, Longer, Trongsa Dzong