This post is the fourth in a 6-part series where I want to share the knowledge, experience and insight I acquired while planning and executing this trip. If you missed them, you can read Parts 1, 2 and 3 by clicking on the links below.
Where We Stayed
This was an apartment building; not a hotel, so there was no lobby or doorman. We arranged before-hand to get an entry code and there was a mailbox in the hallway for us to get the apartment keys. The process of booking online, getting the entry code and getting our keys was smooth. There were no issues! The apartment we booked was very lovely. It had a full kitchen (not that we planned on cooking), two bathrooms (which was nice, considering you do not get two bathrooms with a standard hotel room) and an extra large bedroom. It was clean and fully stocked with everything we needed during our stay. The apartment was within walking distance of Old Town, many restaurants and places to shop. We booked the Apartment De Luxe, One-Bedroom apartment.
Where We Ate
We were fortunate that a co-worker of my husband is a long-time resident of Prague and we were able to meet up with him. He was gracious and took us out for dinner that first night to a local place, Kolkovna (Olympia) and we were able to try a few local dishes.
What We Ordered
We stopped in at the Bakeshop. This was a lovely little place.
What We Ordered
We also ordered an Omelette but sorry, no picture . . .
The last night in town we dined at Svateho Vaclava
What We Ordered
We also ordered Farm-raised Chicken stuffed with Salsiccia, Chips and Mulled Wine.
A must-try while in the Czech Republic is a Trdelník. This is a sweet treat and you can find them all over town. So, whenever the mood strikes, you should be able to find a Trdelník nearby.
What We Did
We walked past a local Starbucks on our route from the apartment to Old Town. Of course, we stopped here for coffee multiple times during our journey.
We walked all around Old Town and in Mala Strana (also called Lesser Town); taking in all of the charm and history this city had to offer.
Along our path, we stopped at the Charles Bridge; Prague’s oldest existing bridge. The history and the beauty of it is worth the crowds.
In Old Town, you enter the Charles Bridge by walking through the Old Town Bridge Tower.
You exit the Charles Bridge through the Lesser Town Bridge Tower.
We made a stop at the Old Town Hall with Astronomical Clock and toured around. We went up into the tower and had some great views of the city.
Below is the view of Old Town Square (founded in the 12th century) from the tower. The picture does not do it justice!
Also on the Old Town Square is the Church of our Lady Before Týn. It is one of the most impressive Gothic buildings in Prague.
We also stopped at the Jan Hus Monument.
Kinský Palace, a former palace, is now an art museum located on Old Town Square.
We walked by the Powder Tower. This is how the coronation processions of Czech kings entered Old Town.
We also saw the Jerusalem Synagogue.
We walked through the stunning Wallenstein Gardens. This is in Mala Strana (Lesser Town).
. . . where you can see the Statue of Hercules . . .
. . . as well as a number of other statues and peacocks.
Also in Lesser Town is the St. Nicholas Church.
We must not forget to let you know about the best Triple Chocolate Covered Almonds ever! We went to Prague Chocolate and they were so good and we ate them so fast, I do not have a picture (sorry). We also tried their ruby chocolate. If you find yourself in Prague, this place is a must-do!
If you are into steel, then you must make a stop at the Gallery of Steel.
We did not get to enjoy an opera on this trip but we did watch as the copper roof on the National Theatre lit up in the sunset. It was an amazing sight to see and again, the picture does not do it justice. Some things, you just have to see for yourself.
The shopping in Prague was not too bad. You could get a lot for your dollar. I purchased a few ornaments (one in Bohemian crystal and another in polished ceramic) for the Christmas tree to take home with me.
Last, but certainly not least, we stopped at the John Lennon Wall.
How We Traveled
We arrived by way of a day train from Vienna
. . . and we left by plane.
Our Take-Aways
Myself
We arrived in Prague via a day train from Vienna. It only took a few of hours to travel from Vienna to Prague and it was a wonderful way to travel (certainly more time-efficient than a plane). Once in the city, you immediately felt the richness of the culture surrounding you. I loved Old Town but we did not spend enough time there. The Trdelník dessert was fabulous and we should have had more of it. Another must is a stop in at the Prague Chocolate store. The apartment where we stayed was exceptional and I would highly recommend it. Overall, it felt like home and I would go back in a heartbeat. Prague is a beautiful city with tons of history and culture. I loved it!
My Husband
Prague was another city high up on my “must visit” list. The company I work for has an office in Prague and the people I talk to on a regular basis make it sound like it is “heaven on earth”. Well, perhaps that is a slight exaggeration but Prague has such a rich culture and history, it requires a lot of time to see and do everything it has to offer. For us, we had about a 1.5 days so we did not even scratch the surface! What we did do, however, was wet our appetite for another trip. The food was exceptional, the people were nice and friendly and our accommodations were more than acceptable. Just like our previous stops, we needed more time, which only means we will need to go back!
My Niece
After a train ride and an early arrival into the Prague train station, we set out to find our hotel. The train station was beautiful and the area surrounding it was a nice walk. Prague is stunningly gorgeous and to me, magical. The Charles Bridge, while quite busy and hectic, does not disappoint. The cool sculptures and views it provides are not comparable. I loved every minute in this city and would go back again. From walking through Old Town, trying the fantastic food, dessert and shopping, Prague has found a special place in my heart. I highly recommend trying the Trdelník (this sweet dessert is everywhere) and this alone is worth the trip!
Come along with us on our next stop: London, England!
