So, I had a Grand Plan(tm) to post a travel blog every few days while abroad. Obviously, that didn’t hold. But there’s a lot more to write about our time in Prague and then Slovakia! Let’s see if I can wrap up Prague minus the European Route 66 Festival … which is the whole reason we got to go in the first place.
We did a LOT of sightseeing! The architecture in the city is stunning and it’s impossible to walk anywhere and not gawk. There were a few specific spots we wanted to spend some extra time exploring, though. The Jubilee Synagogue was built in 1906, the latest replacement of three previous synagogues that stood at the same spot. Given the time, it has some beautiful Art Nouveau influence. We walked through the inside while the organ was playing – it was very moving.
We took a tour of the inside of the city’s Municipal House, perhaps the most stunning overall building we saw on the entire trip. It’s technically a civic building, but most of it is rented out to tenants, used as a concert hall, or booked for events these days. It’s where the Czech Declaration of Independence was signed in 1918. It has dozens of grand rooms with ornate chandeliers, including one entirely designed by Alfons Mucha. Words really cannot do justice to any of it, but I’m glad we took the formal guided tour. Recommended if you find yourself in Prague!
Pilsner beer was invented in the region; thus, Pilsner Urquell is available everywhere and is often cheaper than water. And it’s GOOD. Nice, crisp, simple flavor. Speaking of that, let’s talk about FOOD! All of the authentic Czech cuisine we had followed that same pattern: good, simple food with robust flavor. Our friend Marian recommended a cafeteria-style place not far from the city center named Havelska Koruna, which was a real treat. As a meat-and-potatoes guy, I found a lot to like around just about every corner. I also happily found a spot to have Kofola on draft! That’s a communism-era cola (when Coke couldn’t be imported) that is popular with the older crowd. And me.
We spent almost an entire day exploring Prague Castle and St. Victus Cathedral. One of their stained glass panels was designed by Mucha, which Samantha was super excited to see. We explored several beautiful gardens, saw the Astronomical Clock, explored the Garnet Museum, walked by the Dancing House, and so much more. It has been hard not to turn this post into just a list of things and the word GREAT over and over again. All of this to say: we had a wonderful time in Prague and hope to return again in the future.
None of this touches on the actual Route 66 festival – which I’ll go into in my next post!
Rhys' Pieces 