Keys to a Castle

This past weekend, Chris, Laura and the kids invited us for a mini-vacation at Vilemov Castle. Their good friends Eva, Vlasta and their son Danny had invited us all to come and stay with them at this wonderful place. The castle is a couple of hours southwest of Prague, and is normally used as a conference center or wedding venue. Eva's Mom just happens to be the director of events for this castle, and was kind enough to let us all stay.

This is the back of the castle. As Tom was posting photos, he realized that he had not taken any photos of the front of the building, so you can look at the "official" photos here. Vilemov Castle

As we were heading outside to explore the grounds, I noticed those white chairs right away, and mentioned that they appeared similar to American Adirondack-style chairs. Well, they ARE Adirondack chairs, as they were brought here by some of the castle's current owners, who all live in the US. If you look closely (I don't think you can enlarge this one - I moved it) you can see the kids playing Ring Around a Dolphin in the center of the rose beds.

Here is a view from the top windows ..... That's the village church across the lane where Vlasta and Eva were married.

The weather turned really ugly - rainy and cold, but we had a great time anyway. We ate, read, explored the castle, and ate some more. Very relaxing!

This is the library on the top floor - great views and a wonderful space to relax in.

This room was opened for us to use as a family room. The kitchen is to the right of this photo. When the castle is full, this is one of the accommodation rooms. There is a double and a single bed behind the fireplace in a space equally as large as this. It was a wonderful space for the kids to explore and lay out their toys.

This is only part of our room. The rest of it contained a fireplace, a round dining table with four chairs, a couch, other antique dressers, and enough floor space to hold a dance party. In other words, it was HUGE!

The entrance corridor.....

Part of the grounds "out back". There is a croquet court on the highest flat space, a swimming pool off to the left, a tennis court in the front, a telescope in the building you just might be able to discern behind that fence area, and those deep dark woods at the back start the game park.


Oh yes, there's also an outdoor bowling alley. Vlasta and Danny are watching Owen try to knock down some pins. The task is even harder as the lane has been invaded by a tree growing rather closely to it, and the lane is no longer flat!

The fish pond in the game preserve..........

Every castle should have some magic, so we were not surprised when another young guest turned out to be a magician! Here he is showing off a trick to Danny and Owen.

Chris, Laura, and our hosts, Vlasta and Eva.

Friends in low places ( the pub in the cellar )

I am loving my part time job.

I meet people from all over the world. These 6 backpackers are from Germany. They did about 4 rounds of shots and a couple of beers. They taught me to say " eins, zwei, drei " before everyone downs the shot.

This couple were from Venice, Italy. The man's father restores antique jukeboxes.

I don't even mind the long ride home - after midnight, many trams stop running and you are dependent on the Night trams. I get home between 3 and 4 AM, but I can sleep in next morning, so no worries!!!