Someone who knows me very well told me recently, after I had just finished gushing about how much I LOVED Croatia, "Kristen, you leave your heart everywhere you go."
Okay, I admit, it doesn't take much for me to fall in love with a place. I have a soft spot for things that are new and different and beautiful.
So of course it makes sense that I enjoyed spending the last few days in Prague, a city so beautiful that it's almost overwhelming.
Prague managed to emerge from WWII with very little damage. In fact, the city itself was barely bombed at all, leaving it one of the most well preserved cities in Europe. Walking through Old Town today you feel as if you've been transported back in time serveral hundred years. It's easy to imagine what Prague looked like in the time of Maria Theresa, Franz Kafka and Alfons Mucha because, aside from the souvenir shops and corner Starbucks, much of the city is virtually the same now as it was back then.
But, aside from the general splendor of the city, Prague earned its piece of my heart for several other reasons.
1) HOT WINE!
As my dear friend Alex will attest, I adore mulled wine. As soon as there's a chill in the air I whip out the mulling spices and merlot. In Prague they sell mulled wine on the street! For only 40 kc you can keep cozy as you meander the cobbled streets of Old Town with a fragrant mug of holiday cheer.
2) FALL
It's been many, many years since I've witnessed leaves changing colour as summer turns to fall. In Alberta the change is dramatic and sudden, with deep shades of purple, red, orange and yellow on every tree seemingly overnight. When we arrived in Prague, one of the first things I noticed was the colourful groves of trees along the Vltata River, a sight that made me instantly homesick but also instantly at home.
3) Czech Food!
Dominated by hearty dishes like goulash, dumplings, potato pancakes and sauerkraut, eating traditional Czech food turned out to be a surprising delight. Maybe it's because everything we ate reminded me of the Polish food my grandma makes, but every meal we ate in Prague tasted like it was homecooked.
4) Hidden Treasures
Prague is full of all kinds of hidden gems just waiting to be discovered around one dark alley or another. Two of my favorites were:
Okay, I admit, it doesn't take much for me to fall in love with a place. I have a soft spot for things that are new and different and beautiful.
So of course it makes sense that I enjoyed spending the last few days in Prague, a city so beautiful that it's almost overwhelming.
Prague managed to emerge from WWII with very little damage. In fact, the city itself was barely bombed at all, leaving it one of the most well preserved cities in Europe. Walking through Old Town today you feel as if you've been transported back in time serveral hundred years. It's easy to imagine what Prague looked like in the time of Maria Theresa, Franz Kafka and Alfons Mucha because, aside from the souvenir shops and corner Starbucks, much of the city is virtually the same now as it was back then.
But, aside from the general splendor of the city, Prague earned its piece of my heart for several other reasons.
1) HOT WINE!As my dear friend Alex will attest, I adore mulled wine. As soon as there's a chill in the air I whip out the mulling spices and merlot. In Prague they sell mulled wine on the street! For only 40 kc you can keep cozy as you meander the cobbled streets of Old Town with a fragrant mug of holiday cheer.
2) FALL
It's been many, many years since I've witnessed leaves changing colour as summer turns to fall. In Alberta the change is dramatic and sudden, with deep shades of purple, red, orange and yellow on every tree seemingly overnight. When we arrived in Prague, one of the first things I noticed was the colourful groves of trees along the Vltata River, a sight that made me instantly homesick but also instantly at home.
3) Czech Food!
Dominated by hearty dishes like goulash, dumplings, potato pancakes and sauerkraut, eating traditional Czech food turned out to be a surprising delight. Maybe it's because everything we ate reminded me of the Polish food my grandma makes, but every meal we ate in Prague tasted like it was homecooked.
4) Hidden Treasures
Prague is full of all kinds of hidden gems just waiting to be discovered around one dark alley or another. Two of my favorites were:
Dobra Cajovna- a vibrant Asian style teahouse that is a sanctuary of peace and quiet amidst the bustling and touristy Wenceslas Square. All of the teas have wonderfully poetic names like Scent of Kashmir and Memories of Jerusalem. We managed to try about six different teas over the course of a few hours and emerged from the teahouse relaxed and rejuvenated.
Bar & Books- a smokey little cigar bar, styled like a private library and complete with a librarian hostess. We spent an entire evening sipping cocktails and whiskey, eating all types of delicious European cheese and pate, and puffing away on Cuban cigars. We happened upon this place purely by accident, but it turned out to be one of our most enjoyable adventures in Prague.
3 comments:
god i can't wait to go...it sounds like heaven on earth for taking pretty pictures :)
Oh Krissey!!! It sounds like you are having such a great time. We just love reading about all of your adventures. Keep on smiling
Love, auntie Lucille
Yeah mulled wine shout out!! And funny it would come from Prague, because I loved, loved, loved that city!! So true about the home cooked food too :)
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