Thursday, December 24, 2009

Prague, Czech Republic

Yes...we did arrive in Prague at 3:55 AM!!!  We were supposed to arrive at 9:30pm but due to weather and other problems, we were delayed slightly.  We flew on Czech Airlines and they were absolutely wonderful.


Tom and I love Prague - it's a wonderful city and the people are so warm and friendly.  Below, Tom is in Wenceslas Square.  St Wenceslas is the Czechs' patron saint and the Good King Wenceslas of Christmas carol fame.

The astronomical clock...tells current time as well as relating the movement of the planets around the earth and the sun through the signs of the zodiac.



On a boat on the Vltava-Moldau - a river that goes through Prague.


Entering Prazsky Hrad (Prague Castle) which is the biggest castle complex in the world.  Our guide, Radek, in the blue jacket, was so knowledgeable and funny.

Changing of the guard at the castle...


The metro and tram system made getting around the city very easy - once you got used to the language.




FYI...how to say hot, mulled wine in Czech...

The Christmas market in Staromestské Namesti (Old Town Square).  We love these dough-like tube things that are dipped in cinnamon, sugar and other delicious things.  Yum!!









It was so cold in Prague that there were also polar bears there and they were extremely friendly!!


I wonder who selected our hotel for this trip??  It was called the U Medvidku Brewery AND Hotel.  We could eat, drink and sleep without having to go outside!!


There was even this beer thingy in the hotel lobby!!

Actually, this hotel was wonderful.  It was within walking distance to most everything in Prague and just a block away from the metro and tram stops.  In addition, we had made reservations for a car from the hotel to pick us up at the airport and he was there at 4AM waiting for us!!  What a great trip!

4 comments:

Anne in Oxfordshire said...

WOW Dawn it looks absolutely fantastic, what a trip !!!!

Your photos are brilliant! The markets look great fun. Yes I wondered who picked your hotel :-)

Merry Christmas to you, Tom and Bob..Happy New year too!! Take care and have a good time. love Anne

Andrea said...

I'm so jealous! Looks like you had a great time.

I was going to go to Prague for New Year's but the hotels I was looking at staying in were 250 euros per night! Hopefully they'll be cheaper early next year.

Sorry I can't make your party this weekend, we're going away for the New Year.

Take care and have a happy new year!

Notes from Noël said...

Anne - Merry Christmas to you and your family also!!

Andrea - The prices really go up in the cities for New Year's Eve. Our hotel was 48€ on Thursday night and 58€ for Friday and Saturday night. The price also included a wonderful breakfast!

Phivos Nicolaides said...

Excellent place to visit, gorgeous pictures. Merry Christmas Noel.