As a weekend trip nestled between our two weeks in Berlin, we hopped a train with our Eurail pass to Prague. After passing through some picturesque scenery with rivers nestled into the valleys of fascinating hills made of rock formations, we arrived at the train station and rolled our bags over the cobblestones of Wenceslas Square to our very modern Airbnb. After climbing an exhausting 6 flights of stairs (no way was I taking that tiny elevator with my claustrophobia!), we entered a gorgeous attic apartment that contained breathtaking views of the tops of old Czech houses and museums. Nicely, our host had outlined some good places to eat and visit so we set off for dinner at a steak place called Cestr. Now the exchange rate between USD and CZK was very favorable, so we had a delectable 3 course meal + wine at a great price! After dinner, we walked about the hustle and bustle of Wenceslas Square (yes, named after that Christmas icon “Good King Wenceslas”). And then went to sleep a bit early in order to prepare for our jam-packed Saturday.
Boy was it hot! Since we only had one full day in the city, we packed it with many walking excursions. After breakfast at the famous Café Louvre (which had hosted the likes of Albert Einstein and Franz Kafka), we saw the medieval astronomical clock in Old Town Square and toured an interesting photography exhibit documenting Soviet and Russian history. We wandered through the Jewish quarter and stopped for an ice cold tea on the Vlatava river. We hiked up a steep hill to the Prague Castle complex and toured the church, the palace, and several older buildings and streets at the zenith of the hill. Perhaps our favorite activity, however, took place that evening as we caught a tram out to the city’s outskirts to the Brevnov Monastic Brewery. Unfortunately, the brewery was closed by the time we arrived, but we got the opportunity to amble through the grounds, groves, and lake at the monastery and then sit down at an excellent restaurant (Klasterni senk) to try some of the monk’s brews. They were superb! Those monks know how to do beer right.
The next morning brought some more fun sights and sounds after a yummy brunch at Café Café. We crossed the famous Charles Bridge, alight with people and activities. We saw some hilarious modern art peppered throughout the city (giant babies and robotic naked men peeing). My favorite though was the Kafka Museum, which was a museum that attempted to perform its own material. The installations involving music, mirrors, and optical illusions were reflective of Kafka’s own existential disillusionment with reality. What a cool biographical way to tell a story!
Our time in Prague came to an end all too quickly, but the beautiful architecture, scenery, and history made the Czech Republic feel very different from the many Western European cities we have visited. We both left with the feeling that this was someplace we could come back to!
The next morning brought some more fun sights and sounds after a yummy brunch at Café Café. We crossed the famous Charles Bridge, alight with people and activities. We saw some hilarious modern art peppered throughout the city (giant babies and robotic naked men peeing). My favorite though was the Kafka Museum, which was a museum that attempted to perform its own material. The installations involving music, mirrors, and optical illusions were reflective of Kafka’s own existential disillusionment with reality. What a cool biographical way to tell a story!
Our time in Prague came to an end all too quickly, but the beautiful architecture, scenery, and history made the Czech Republic feel very different from the many Western European cities we have visited. We both left with the feeling that this was someplace we could come back to!