Erin and I put a lot of thought into where we should take Jenna on her first continental Europe experience (and Jamie on her single Euro trip before going 3rd world on us). Do we go to Paris, Rome, Barcelona, maybe Dublin (kidding:-)? We wanted to blend history with unique architecture and good nightlife - and go somewhere Erin and I haven't spent much time. Prague was on the shortlist and an easy decision. After paying a whopping 390 sterling to change the flights we incorrectly booked, we made it into town around 11pm on Friday night, just in time for an Absinthe shot or two! We wandered around the old town square and down along the river, getting some sweet shots of the castle across the river, stopping at a night club next to the Charles bridge.
We tried to go to the touristy bar from the 1500's, U Fleku (sp), but apparently tourists don't stay out past 11pm. After getting a cinnamon treat called a Trdelnik (which was consumed almost as much as local beer during the long weekend), we made it to bed.
The next morning we got up and at em reasonably early, probably not as early as these guys though; and made our way towards Mala Strana and Prague Castle via the Charles Bridge.
First constructed in 1357, it is one of the oldest surviving bridges in the world. It has suffered its share of destruction throughout the years, but has always been one of the most awe-inspiring bridges in the world. Believe me, one NEVER runs out of things to take snap shots of in and around the bridge.
After wandering around the area, checking out the castle grounds and visiting the Loreta, we went to U Cerneho Vola, which is a really old pub that oozes character. I couldn't find out how old it is because probably nobody knows; I think it came right after Adam and before Eve, or maybe after tadpoles and before frogs. Either way, it has 4 really old long tables that we shared with some friends from Denmark. It has light beer, dark beer, or water (Pilsner Urquell). To eat there is sausage, fried cheese or potatoes...perfect!
After lunch we meandered around for another hour or so, checking out the park and lake and river and and jewish quarter and cool stuff like that. It was a really beautiful day and fun to just wander around!
Needing to re-fuel (beer), we went to a bar close to the old town square, the only one with a rooftop bar/patio and had a couple brewskies while the sun was setting. Staropramen is my favorite of the mainsteam lagers, but there are many local more local beers to be had in Prague. The view from the bar was amazing.
After drinks and the girls first ever escargot experience, we made our way up to the old town hall which has commanding 360 views of the city. It is the one of the best towers to venture up...period. Actually, you be the judge.
Following the tower we had dinner at a local brewpub that only makes enough beer for the busy restaurant called Pivovarsky Dum. They have interesting beers on the menu that change as often as the tides. I sampled sour cherry, a bok beer, a wheat beer, and a beer brewed with nettles (thankfully they take the nettles out before you drink:-). Jenna and Jamie enjoyed the banana beer.
The next morning Jamie and I were up for Charles Bridge pics at 7:15am. I got some great ones, but won't put too many on as I have documented before on the blog!
It was actually better than the first time as during some of our time making our way down and back, we were the only ones on the bridge, a far cry from what it becomes only hours later! Note to tourists, do the charles bridge before 9am!
After the bridge we had some hotel breakfast and went to the rent-a-car office in the airport to get our car to explore the countryside!!!
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