Unexpected emotional depth in Czech Republic

I thought I was going to Czech Republic for beaches, food, and Český Krumlov castle. I got all of those things. What I didn't expect was how emotionally affecting the trip would be. The history — particularly around Brno — hit in ways that good travel sometimes does.

affordable by Western European standards was the moment that crystallised it. Standing there, eating smažený sýr I'd bought from a street vendor, something clicked about why travel matters. 13 days and I came home genuinely changed. Some places do that to you.