central europe: part I.

March 19, 2012

staromestske there are two kinds of adventures. the first kind is long and drawn out. you settle down, explore nooks and crannies, dive in so deep you can almost trick yourself into thinking you know a place. the second unfolds more like a whirlwind. it’s a pavement-pounding, train-hopping, sight-seeing kind of adventure that leaves you breathless and tired as much as energized and inspired. this last trip definitely falls into the latter category. 4 cities in 8 days. first up: PRAGUE
organgrinder_Malá Strana view into malá strana | an organ grinder on the charles bridge karlův most 
st. vitus vine gone to seed on the hike up to prague castle pražský hrad | st. vitus cathedral katedrála svatého víta
petřínská rozhledna the view from petřín hill
tram_ujezd tram | streetlight and building on ujzed street
door_Masarykovo nádraží metal door | view crossing jiráskův most
Trdelníktrdelník terracotta terracotta roof in the jewish quarter josefov
liliova choco cafe sweet treats at chococafe on liliova street | vintage czech postcards prague_sidewalks sidewalk stones prague train station train platform | glimpse at the old station

highlights: 
*mala strana: it’s czech for “lesser town,” but don’t let the translation fool you into thinking it’s not worth a visit. we liked tooling through the streets in the evening after dark. and the walk back over the charles bridge was delightful.
*petřín hill observation tower: i’m seriously afraid of heights, but the view of the city from the top was breathtaking and definitely worth the emotional energy.
*the municipal house obecní dům: gorgeous to look at and host to a fancy cafe. next time, we’d skip the breakfast and dive head-first into the dessert cart.
confessions:
prague was a little bit tough for vegetarians. we ate our weight in pastries and staropramen and are not ashamed to admit we found solace in vegetarian and italian restaurants. goulash is not for everyone.
where we stayed:
jurys inn: simple, clean. what it lacks in charm it makes up for in proximity to city-center and foamy cappuccinos.
czechinn: clean, modern, affordable. we stayed here just one night. highly recommended, if slightly far afield.

special thanks to olivia and to rachel and d. for fantastic suggestions. you guys are good.

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18 Comments

  • Reply katy elliott March 19, 2012 at 3:57 pm

    Wow gorgeous!

  • Reply Sue @ SimonsSistaSaw March 19, 2012 at 4:06 pm

    Wow! It's stunning. I was lucky enough to be there to celebrate my 30th last November and also struggled with the vegie options – lots of
    trdelník from the Christmas markets for me.

  • Reply Abby March 19, 2012 at 4:10 pm

    Gorgeous. These are the photos I wish I'd been able to take when I was in Prague a few years ago. That view from Petrin Hill is stunning, isn't it?

  • Reply Rachel March 19, 2012 at 5:14 pm

    Love seeing it through your eyes!

    And, totally blanked on the veg issue when I was giving food recommendations. Sorry! Luckily pizza abounds in Prague. And you could probably live off the Staropramen.

  • Reply Daniella March 19, 2012 at 6:04 pm

    Wow. This looks absolutely beautiful! Glad you had an amazing trip!

    I did the pavement pounding thing in Paris once for 4 days a few years ago, we were seriously tired but it was worth it! We walked off all those pastries too! lol…

  • Reply sweet harvest moon March 19, 2012 at 6:44 pm

    Would love to go there someday… So beautiful!

  • Reply Nicole Marie March 19, 2012 at 8:00 pm

    i'm going to prague next month! my moom is from there so i've been several times and everytime it's just more amazing! can't wait for my aunt to make me some delicious czech food. definitely not the place for vegetarians though. they eat so much meat!

  • Reply Olivia James March 19, 2012 at 8:44 pm

    you guys are very ambitious! love seeing your take on prague – the photos are gorgeous, and it sounds like you guys found even more vegetarian food than we did (since we went to the same restaurant every night).

    • Reply Erin March 21, 2012 at 11:42 am

      still so thankful for your recommendation! we even ordered a vegetarian goulash!

  • Reply nancy March 20, 2012 at 4:42 am

    wow. wow wow wow. these are absolutely stunning. wow!

  • Reply suzie March 20, 2012 at 11:31 am

    It looks incredible, I would love to go 🙂

  • Reply Julie-White Tapestry March 20, 2012 at 12:29 pm

    Prague is absolutely amazing, isn't it? I remember seeing that man on the bridge when I was there! Happy travels!

  • Reply Notes from the Republic March 20, 2012 at 12:38 pm

    Wonderful! I lived there for a while and taught English. For veggies, pizza is a God-send. I loooooved the pizza in Prague 🙂

  • Reply Kristina March 20, 2012 at 11:56 pm

    oh no, now I just read that you both are vegetarians…. so forget my question about the schnitzel please, will you?! 🙂 anyway, I love your pictures, the details are just wonderful!!

    • Reply Erin March 21, 2012 at 11:40 am

      no worries, kristina! i agree–the size of the schnitzel in austria is impressive!

  • Reply Connie @ Daydream In Color March 21, 2012 at 12:27 am

    OMG. I love Prague. Your photos capture its beauty! I totally remember that older man with the monkey on the bridge. I'm hankering to go back now!

  • Reply Zuzana Bargerová August 1, 2012 at 3:46 pm

    Erin, i love your blog 🙂
    I am sorry you could not find anything vegetarian, but next time in Prague you can try a veggie restaurant called Lehká Hlava, i think it is amazing. More at: http://www.lehkahlava.cz/en_galerie.htm – or a sister Maitrea: http://www.restaurace-maitrea.cz/en. I think you would also enjoy eating in a Traveler's club called Karavanseraj: http://www.hedvabnastezka.cz/klub-cestovatelu-praha/english 🙂
    All the best, Zuzana.

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