![[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: Travel Diary
![[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/2026/04/20260409_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/2026/04/20260408_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
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/20260402_093848-1038x576.jpg "Dochula Pass")
Chortens at various locations
Today we drove over the Dochula Pass, which is about 3,100 meters high, into the Punakha Valley. At only about 1,200 meters above sea level, this is almost a “real” valley (unlike Thimphu Valley, which is about 1,000 meters higher). Along the way, we saw numerous chortens and, of course, another dzong. Continue reading Chortens at various locations
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/20260401_103732-1038x576.jpg "Tango Monastery")
Tango in Thimphu Valley
We spent the last day and a half in Thimphu Valley, where Bhutan’s capital city of the same name is located. However, the biggest attraction (in my opinion) was not the city itself, but rather the Tango Monastery, which is located a little further north in the valley. Continue reading Tango in Thimphu Valley