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March 3, 2011

Thursday’s Child: Destination Prague

Recently I’ve had a few people ask me for advice on upcoming trips.  They’ve been looking for more practical information than I usually give – where to stay, where to eat, and some of the highlights of a particular location.  I’ve decided to add an occasional feature to my Thursday posts, where I’ll share some of that information.  Keep in mind that I’m only reporting on what one family has seen, and you’re always best to consult a guide book for a complete list of highlights.  Also, hotels and restaurants may change over time, so a quick visit to tripadvisor.com should tell you if the establishment is still open and still operating at the level we experienced.
** 
Destination Prague
When we visited: August 2006
Why to go: 
It’s a wonderful, old European city that’s full of charm and romance.  The Charles Bridge is iconic.  This lovely bridge is lined with statues of the saints that are so eloquent, you feel that if they could speak, they would whisper the wisdom of the ages.
On Charles Bridge
What to see:
The focal point of Prague is the Charles Bridge.  It’s busy during the day, and fills up in the evening with street performers.  But I loved it early in the morning, when it was still and silent, and we had it almost to ourselves.
Prague Castle is to the west side of the bridge, up a steep hill.  The castle complex is always crowded, but definitely worth seeing.  Golden Lane is a little street of 16th century homes built inside the castle walls, and Franz Kafka lived at one of them.   
Pinkas synagogue, in Josefov
On the east side of the bridge are Wenceslas Square and the Old Town.  We loved visiting the Jewish quarter (Josefov), Pinkas synagogue and the old Jewish cemetery — very poignant and powerful.  The myth of the Golem originated here, and knowing that story added so much atmosphere to our walk.  
We also spent a lovely afternoon at Petrin Hill.  It was a fun walk there and back for the girls, and provided a beautiful view of the city and river.  
Church of St. Nicholas
Where to stay: 
We stayed at the charming hotel, The Golden Wheel.  Located in the quieter Mala Strana district, we were a short walk from the bridge that connected to the more bustling Old Town.  (However, if you’re not a walker, be aware that it was a steep uphill trek at the end of each day.)  Breakfasts were lovely, and our room had a sweet little loft for the girls to sleep in.
Where to eat:
Having kids, we don’t always eat at fine dining establishments!  But we had three great dinners in Prague.  Our first night, we ate at Malteskych Vytiru (I’m missing about five accents, but it translates as “At Knights of Malta”).  They serve Czech meals in a brick-lined cellar, and that’s where we learned to pronounce our first few Czech words.  The second night we ate at Hergetova Cihelna.  It had a magnificent view of the Charles Bridge, and our hotel helped us make reservations that would coincide with sunset.  And probably the best meal we had was at Square, close to the Church of St. Nicholas.

Filed Under: Czech Republic

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jess says

    March 3, 2011 at 6:42 pm

    As usual, your photos and descriptions are giving me travel envy 🙂 This looks just lovely, and to walk on Charles Bridge in the early hours of the morning must feel divine (pun intended due to saint statues–hee, hee).

    Reply
  2. Joanne says

    March 3, 2011 at 7:06 pm

    The Charles Bridge is just beautiful. I have a feeling that during the early hour when you were there, in a sense, you could just sense those whispers.

    Reply
  3. MyKidsEatSquid says

    March 3, 2011 at 7:15 pm

    Prague has to be one of my favorite places in the world. I love all the vendors lining the bridge.

    Reply
  4. Sweet And Crumby says

    March 3, 2011 at 8:50 pm

    Such stunning photos. I want to be in those pictures, take your walks and eat the great sounding food Beth. You awlays make me feel like I am there on the trip with you and since I can't travel there right now, that is a good substitute.

    Reply
  5. FOODESSA says

    March 3, 2011 at 8:54 pm

    Every time I read one of your travel posts…I get the feeling one day you'll be venturing towards writing some type of travel book or novel maybe?

    Prague is certainly one of the many places I'd love to visit. Thanks for sharing Beth.

    Ciao for now,
    Claudia

    Reply
  6. Shannon O'Donnell says

    March 3, 2011 at 8:59 pm

    Oh, now I want to go there! It looks and sounds wonderful. 🙂

    Reply
  7. TerryLynnJohnson says

    March 3, 2011 at 9:55 pm

    I like this part of your blog! travel advice is great! I do love to travel, but I've never been to places that are famous for urban stuff. I tend to go to places like Costa Rica. Australia whale shark diving is HIGH on my list of dreams.

    Reply
  8. Belinda says

    March 3, 2011 at 10:29 pm

    Oh, one of these places that I need to visit!!

    Reply
  9. Rita says

    March 3, 2011 at 11:45 pm

    That must have been a wonderful trup; so much history in that corner of the world; great pictures!
    Rita

    Reply
  10. Emma says

    March 4, 2011 at 12:44 am

    Beautiful city. I love reading about your travels!

    Reply
  11. Carol says

    March 4, 2011 at 2:11 am

    Your descriptions and pictures makes me wish I was there. Beautiful!

    Reply
  12. tenaciouslyyours.com says

    March 4, 2011 at 2:59 am

    Can I just say that there's nothing more beautiful than a European breakfast eaten outdoors? My heart practically explodes thinking about it.

    Reply
  13. Jen Chandler says

    March 4, 2011 at 2:46 pm

    Prague has been on my list of places to visit for years! I have this uncommon obsession with Eastern Europe though I have yet to go.

    Thanks for this tour! I loved reading about your journey 😀

    Have a great weekend,
    Jen

    Reply
  14. Claudia says

    March 4, 2011 at 3:17 pm

    Do you set your books in any of these cities? I came so close to going to Prague many years ago and it was nixed at the last minute. I've always wanted to wander that fair city. Now I want to even more.

    Reply
  15. Katerina says

    March 4, 2011 at 4:54 pm

    Many of my friends have visited Prague and they told me that is a beautiful city. It is on my cities to visit list. Thanks for the tips Beth!

    Reply
  16. Barbara Kloss says

    March 4, 2011 at 4:58 pm

    Beth! This destination has been at the top of my list for a few years. Thanks for making it more difficult to be patient 😉

    Reply
  17. Mary says

    March 4, 2011 at 8:38 pm

    Your travel entries just feed my sense of wanderlust :-). Prague is a very beautiful city and I hope to get back there. I hope you have a great day. Blessings…Mary

    Reply
  18. Michelle Teacress says

    March 4, 2011 at 11:00 pm

    Hi Beth, there's an award for you on my blog. 🙂

    Reply
  19. Carol Riggs says

    March 4, 2011 at 11:02 pm

    I love the church and synagogue photos! What gorgeous buildings. And Czech food sounds really intriguing to try. Yum! I like trying diff ethnic/country's foods. 🙂

    Reply
  20. Lydia K says

    March 4, 2011 at 11:40 pm

    I really want to go someday! My parents went and had a wonderful time. The architecture is so lovely.

    Reply
  21. sweetpeaskitchen.com says

    March 5, 2011 at 1:48 am

    I have always wanted to visit Prague! My brother in law spent three weeks there last summer and I was insanely jealous! Love the pictures! 🙂

    Reply
  22. Chow and Chatter says

    March 5, 2011 at 2:54 am

    on my list of places to see keep the travel posts coming love it

    Reply
  23. Valerie says

    March 5, 2011 at 5:11 am

    Stunning photos!
    A great post to read during a cold, rainy evening.

    Reply
  24. Sue says

    March 5, 2011 at 7:16 am

    I travel vicariously through your blog:)

    Reply
  25. Amie Kaufman says

    March 5, 2011 at 12:08 pm

    Oh, memories! We were there right before Christmas. We ate at the fabulous Christmas market in the square (not sure what type of sausages they were, but nom) and I brought home a cassette of very strange Czech Christmas carols that we still play sometimes.

    Reply
  26. Joanne says

    March 5, 2011 at 2:29 pm

    Great description of Prague and so much good information here! This is better than any travel guide.

    Reply
  27. Raina says

    March 5, 2011 at 4:52 pm

    What an amazing place to visit! I love that you are sharing information like this on all of your travels. When my husband I went to Paris years ago, we had no idea where to stay or to eat. So the hotel we ended up in was in a really seedy part of town. And we ate in a few places that were not so great (hard to believe in Paris). We had a great trip, but it would have been really hepful to have info like this:)

    Reply
  28. Kimberly says

    March 5, 2011 at 8:22 pm

    What beautiful photos, it sounds like a beautiful place to visit.

    Reply
  29. allieksmith says

    March 6, 2011 at 12:09 am

    I love your blog! I like this new 'feature' about where to stay and where to eat, etc!! Very awesome!

    Reply
  30. Fresh Local and Best says

    March 6, 2011 at 4:47 am

    I always hear about how wonderful the city of Prague is. I'd love to see where Franz Kafka lived just to touch history.

    Reply
  31. Monet says

    March 6, 2011 at 5:07 am

    Smile. I'm certainly one of those people who has been blessed by your advice. I loved seeing these photographs…you make me want to visit Prague even more. I don't know if we'll make it this August, but we are planning on making it a trip as soon as we can. Thank you for sharing your memories with me! I hope you have a blessed Sunday

    Reply
  32. XingyMingy says

    March 28, 2011 at 7:06 am

    I went to Prague last year, and I loved it too. Charles Bridge is beautiful, they had loads of street vendors there and it was so much fun to see what they were selling 🙂

    Reply

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