Rental regulations don't allow cars of certain type to cross over into some EU countries. The next couple of countries on our itinerary had to be done on trains.
And I am actually glad we did them on trains (except a scare from a delayed train that nearly made us miss our flight back home) because apart from driving long distances,
cities like Prague are best seen on foot. We stayed closed to the town center in a fabulous AirBNB property and I have to talk about it. The apartment is based in a historic building "The House of Five Crowns".
The first note of the house comes from 1364. The original house had a Gothic character. In the 17th century the house was reconstructed into the renaissance style, which dominates the house architecture today.
The house was later modified with Baroque and Classicism elements present mostly in the courtyard. Due to the extensive historic value of the house, the National Heritage Institute did not allow for a construction of an elevator in the building.
The apartment is based on the 5th floor and there are 100 steps leading to the flat.
How you experience a place and what you take away as memories gets shaped by so many little things that happen by serendipity that any amount of planning cannot predict (I really hope that is true).
Staying close to the town center meant we had the opportunity to take walks to the famous landmarks of the City of Spires at whatever time we wanted which for us was 5 am in the morning to beat the throngs of crowd on the Charles bridge...
...and be able to witness the beautiful sunrise.
Fairytale pastle colored houses
Charles bridge
You can smell this doughy, sugary, nutty treat called Trdlo on every street but they are not all the same. The one on the Melatrichova street market was the best even with its rather sarcastic server.
The astronomical tower is one of the most recognized landmark on the old town square. And again we were able to witness a fascinating aspect of culture because of early morning walks. We realized very quickly that avoiding crowds and the soft golden glow of dawn also draws a hoard of wedding photographers and would be brides for their wedding shoots! And for reasons that we never figured out, nearly all the photographers and brides were Asian.
Charles bridge - and this is not from an early morning walk.
Prague Castle
Looking at the city from Prague Castle
The tower on top of the hill is the Petrin Lookout Tower, Prague's own Eiffel Tower
Charles bridge at night
Another one from an early morning stroll
Tyn Cathedral
Old town square
The Prague castle reflected on the Vltava and the sky changes every moment...
...turns golden...
...till the sun sets, the lights come on and do their magic.
