December 21-23 2009- Prague, Czech Republic

Prague- December 21, 2009

We took a bus from Nuremberg to Prague and the ride was pleasant enough, we got to kick back and relax for the few hour drive. We arrived in Prague around lunch time and taken direct to our hotel-The Hotel President. The hotel was lovely and the rooms were modern and huge, large by European AND American standards. The location was great as well and within walking distance to all the major sites and Christmas Markets. The afternoon was free to explore the "Golden City" on our own. We headed right to the Christmas Market, the city was so festive. Prague's Christmas Market had the best Christmas Tree in the main square, it was elaborately decorated and covered in lights which looked like they were dripping off the tree, it was beautiful! We walked all around the town and passed the medieval Astronomical clock which adorns the southern wall of the Old Town City Hall in the Old Town Square. It announces every hour with 12 apostles passing by the window above the astronomical dial and with symbolic sculptures moving aside. That makes it a popular tourist attraction.  We came across Power Tower when we were headed out to dinner. The Gothic Powder Tower in the Old Town used to be a gate to Prague in the middle ages it bears its name because of the gunpowder, that used to be stored there since the 18th century.The Powder Tower is 65 metres high and there are 186 stairs in the spiral staircase. It provides a beautiful view over Prague.

Prague is a terrific walking city, it was amazing how close everything really was. After investigating the city we stopped for dinner at this local restaurant off the beaten path called Hybernia, the food was terrific and surprisingly the cost was VERY reasonable- for 4 people with appetizers, entree and drinks the bill was only $75.00 US.


Prague- December 22-23, 2009

 The next morning we had our escorted sightseeing walking tour and I could see why Prague is considered one of Europe’s most attractive cities. We visited the 1,000-year-old Hradcany castle which is the largest ancient castle in the world then into the courtyard where we were able to view the whole city with it's red colored roof tops, such a pretty site. We also went into St. Vitus cathedral which was beautiful and had many superb examples of 20th century Czech stained glass and marvellous pieces of art.  We continued to walk throughout Old Town and then cross the Charles Bridge to the Old Market Square. The Charles Bridge over the river Vltava is definitely one of the most beautiful places in Prague. It is the oldest bridge in the city, built between the 14 th and 15 th century, and it spans the river with 16 pillars. It is lined with statues and lamps and this scenery together with the Gothic bridge towers on both ends makes the Charles Bridge a breathtaking historical monument. There is no better place in Prague for a walk in the evening.


We then stopped for lunch and although it was very good, the price was about the same that we paid for the previous night at dinner, except we were only 2 for lunch so that was a little disappointing. Unfortunately I was unaware that the "chips" they place on the table are not free, they charge for E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G! So don't make the same mistake I did :)


After lunch we headed to the Jewish Quarters. The Jewish Quarter contains the remains of Prague's former Jewish ghetto. As many of the Jewish died during the WWII and were forced by the communist regime to leave the country, the current Prague community numbers 5000 – 6000 people. We took the tour of the  Old-New Synagogue built around 1270, it is the oldest working synagogue in Europe and one of Prague's earliest Gothic buildings. The most touching was Pinkas Synagogue. Since after the WWII it has served as a memorial to all the 77,297 Jewish Czechoslovak victims of the Nazis. Their names are inscribed on the walls. .


As dusk approached we headed back to Charles Bridge to view it in the evening and if it is possible, it was even more beautiful at that time. A quick dinner and back to hotel to pack and relax for the evening. The next morning headed to the airport for our return trip to the States, again AMA did a wonderful job in delivering us on time to the airport.


That ends a fantastic vacation that I would highly recommend all around. If you have any questions, feel free to email me or reply to this post and I would be happy to answer your questions....