Down Town, Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic. Viewing the town of Cesky Krumlov from the lofty position of the castle tower, you get a bird's-eye perspective on this gem of a Medieval town.

Despite a disastrous flood a few years ago of the here placid-looking River Vlata, Cesky Krumlov has bounced back, and is still very much an example of preservation at its best.

Some of the residents may complain about the strict rules regarding what they can and can't do to their properties, but the end result is a authenticity that melts away your sense of time and gives you a a colorful and vibrant sense of a past that still lives.