Danube River Cruise - Day 4 - Saturday, October 27, 2018 - Prague, Czech Republic

After another delicious buffet breakfast at the hotel we were ready to continue our exploration of Prague. Our goal today was to visit the Farmer's Market and to see Vysehrad (St. Peter and Paul's Basilica). We went to the market and were amazed with the variety of goods that you could buy. There was produce, meats, breads, teas and all kinds of prepared foods that you could buy. From there we made our way up hill to the basilica. It was a beautiful church with lovely grounds and a cemetery. As we continued our journey we took a rest for tea and a snack at Ginger and Fred's located on the 7th floor of a very modern building called Jiraskova. Then we went in search of Café Slavia near the National Theater. We indulged in pork belly with sauerkraut and gnocchi and pork schnitzel encrusted with almonds. On the way back to the hotel we stopped in Wenceslaus Square where people were celebrating and demonstrating. It is the 100th anniversary of the republic. We went back to the hotel at 4:15 to rest our weary legs and rest up a bit.

At 6:15 we met for a few drinks at the bar and then went in search again for Trdelniks - a Czech treat which is dough rolled into thin strips around a spindle, glazed with sugar and cinnamon and grilled over open coals. They can be eaten plain, stuffed with ice cream, whipped cream, custard and strawberries or Nutella. They ought to be outlawed.  We walked the streets again. Yesterday we walked 9 -10 miles, today it was 11 -13 depending on if you go by my fitbit or Ron's.

A final drink and it is time for bed. We do gain an hour of sleep which is a good. 

I'll also post some hotel pictures today.

Views of Prague

Views of the Farmers Market

We found "Murphys in Prague!

Views of St. Peter and Paul's Basilica

Good Eating

This was some crazy "hipster" dessert selection

Our hotel The Imperial

The lobby bathroom

The dining room

The dining room

The dining room

The doors in the hotel were massive

The bathroom tiles were marble and onyx

The bedroom

Danube River Cruise - Day 3 - Friday, October 26, 2018 - Prague, Czech Republic

After a good night's sleep we were ready to take on Prague. We are staying at the Imperial Hotel which is lovely. It was built in 1914 and it has preserved much of the old charm. The rooms have huge wooden doors and the bathrooms are finished with marble and onyx. We went down to breakfast at about 6:45 and it was a really nice spread. The dining room itself is also very pretty. I'll include some pictures as the time goes on. Our group met at 8:00 - there are 75 of us so we split into two groups with Renata as our local guide. She was very informative and helpful on our tour. We went to the Prague Castle and walked around the perimeter and got a lot of Czech history. This is a big weekend for them. They are celebrating the 100th anniversary of becoming a republic even though they are now split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia. We went into St. Vitas Cathedral which was beautiful also. We then got back on the bus which dropped us off near the Old Town. We walked across one of the three bridges and saw the Old Town and the Jewish Quarter. The architecture is really beautiful in Prague. Then we went to see the Astronomical Clock in the square at 10:00 - quite an ingenious piece of work. From there we were on our own to explore. We walked through more of the Old Town and over the Charles Bridge. After some hunting we found the funicular and took it to Petrin Hill. There were beautiful rose gardens and we walked up the "Little Eiffel Tower" - 1/5 the size of the one in Paris. Don't let that fool you though it was quite a hike to get to the top but the views were amazing. We walked back across the Charles Bridge and found an authentic Czech restaurant where we lunched on pork knuckles - delicious - and, of course, some good Czech beer.  We all decided we won't need dinner but some gelato or ice cream are in order. We walked back to the hotel and some napped and rested while others of us blogged. 

Breakfast in the hotel

Breakfast in the hotel

Breakfast in the hotel

Views in front of Prague Castle

St. Vitas Cathedral

St. Vitas Cathedral

St. Vitas Cathedral

The Royal Guard

St. Vitas Cathedral

St. George Basilica

St. Vitas Cathedral

St. Vitas Cathedral

St. Vitas Cathedral

Palace Gate

Emblem of Moravia, Bohemia and Selesia

Views of Prague

Views of Prague

Jewish Quarter

Jewish Quarter

The Old New Synogog

Jewish Quarter

The Astronomical Clock

Col and Bob in Old Town Prague

Views of Prague

The Little Eiffel Tower

Views of Prague from the Little Eiffel Tower

Views of Prague from the Little Eiffel Tower

Views of Prague from the funicular

Charles the Fourth

Here's to Prague

Pork knuckle

Cheese and Sausage Plate

Refreshed again we ventured out for our said ice cream.  We went to Cocoa Café and enjoyed a gelato. It was so nice to be able to sit outside and watch Prague on a Friday night. The evening was mild but as the gelato cooled us off we decided to go back to the hotel for a night cap. We tested the skills of the bartender but he passed with flying colors as he made us a Seabreeze, Pina Colada, Harvey Wallbanger and an Old Fashion. Time for bed!