Enjoying the sights of Prague

What an absolutely gorgeous city!  My first trip to the Czech Republic and I learnt so much about its culture, people and history.  We were invited to join our very good friends to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary.  

We arrived Friday afternoon and checked into our hotel (Hotel Majestic Plaza Prague) which was very well located for the main square and walking distance to all the tourist attractions.  In fact the whole city is very accessible and everything is within easy reach.  Transport around the city centre is by tram, taxi or on foot.

We made our way to the main square, Wenceslas Square in the New Town and enjoyed a late lunch sitting outside watching the world go by.  Many of the cafes and restaurants are set up for outside dining even now the weather has turned cold, they have heaters and blankets and there is something special about wrapping up warm and enjoying a hot chocolate or coffee outside.

Saturday morning we had a walking tour booked with The Prague Tour All-Inclusive – a 6 hour walking tour which includes a boat trip and lunch in a medieval restaurant.  Our guide Alex was excellent and gave us a very good introduction to the Czech Republic.  The tour does not include any visits inside the sights but it does mean you can choose to go back to the ones you what to explore further.

We loved the Charles Bridge and the Old Town Square.  The views from the Castle area across the city are stunning.  We were taken to an excellent chocolate shop for a cup of hot chocolate (really it was pure melted chocolate) – the best I have ever tasted and a well needed way to warm up!

Old Towh Square from the Astronomical Clock Tower

​Whilst on the boat trip we spotted a beautiful restaurant called Kampa Park on the banks of the River Vitava and rang them immediately to book a table.  It was certainly a table with a view!  We watched the dinner boats go by with a back drop of the city, castle and Charles Bridge all lit up.  A happy way to toast our friends silver wedding anniversary.

Sunday we took the opportunity to go back to some of the sights we had seen on our tour.  We took a taxi then the funicular up the Petrin Hill and climbed the ‘Czech Eiffel Tower’ – an observation tower which gave us fantastic views of the city.  We then walked down and had lunch at the Monastery also enjoying the lovely views from the outside seating.  In the afternoon we ambled over the Charles Bridge and into the Old Town, sat in the Old Town Square for a hot chocolate and then went up the tower that houses the famous Astronomical Clock, it was interesting to see and read about the damage caused to the city during the occupation in WWII.

On Monday morning we packed up ready for our flight then walked to Saints Cyril and Methodius Cathedral to see the memorial to the Heydrich Terror incident that took place during WWII.  For more details see here.  The story has been made into a film – Anthropoid - this will be released on DVD in January.  We laid some poppies on the memorial and it was fascinating to still be able to see the bullet holes in the building.  Unfortunately the museum is closed on a Monday but I am sure it would be well worth a visit if we ever go back.

And that was our weekend away!  I successfully packed a capsule wardrobe for my weekend (see separate post here).  Best advice to pass on though ... it gets very cold so wrap up warm in lots of layers and thermals and wear good solid walking shoes as the cobbled streets are uneven.

Michelle x

Charles Bridge

View from restaurant, the Astronomical Clock and the Old Town Square at night