Homeward Bound

After a quick and drizzly shuttle to the airport, we bid a sad farewell to Prague, boarding a short Air Dolomiti flight to Munich, Germany. We were very impressed with our first experience with this Italian airline.

A short layover in Munich gave us time to grab a more substantial breakfast, before boarding a larger Lufthansa plane for the long flight over the Atlantic. Jane watched movies on her seatback while I listened to several albums on mine. As with the flight over, they were not shy with the food and drink.

We finally landed in Toronto - twice. As we touched down the first time, they suddenly powered back up and shot straight up into the air. The seasoned German flight attendant assured us that this was normal, and promised to get us more details as we made a wide circle over Toronto for a second attempt. We were then informed that a "sudden gust" had prompted the last-minute wave off. The second attempt was flawless.....our theory being that the (very young) co-pilot got to try the first time and then the Captain took over.

Once we claimed our baggage, our late afternoon arrival put us firmly in the midst of Toronto rush hour. We arrived home while daylight waned, to gardens full of daffodils and tulips, and a house full of needy kitties.

AWESOME TRIP!  

Farewell to Prague

Air Dolomiti was great!

Short flight Prague to Munich

On the ground in Munich 

Lufthansa to Toronto

Circling for second try to land in Toronto

Prague

The trip culminated with three days in Prague (Praha in Czech), the capital of this wonderful country. We stayed at the charming Hotel Waldstein in the Little Quarter, just under the castle. From this great central location, we did a LOT of walking.....after daily breakfast in the cavern below the hotel.

Excursions included traversing the iconic Charles Bridge several times, wandering the Old Quarter and the Jewish Quarter, and visiting Wenceslas Square and the open market on the edge of the New Town. We also explored the Castle District and stunning St. Vitus Cathedral. Near the hotel, twisty uphill Nerudova street provided all the shopping and culinary delights one could require. We also signed up for a guided night walk in some of the older neighbourhoods.

Of course, there was much food and drink, as the logical breaks in three days of walking. Beer is cheap and food is also quite affordable, with large portions. Many good local dishes and great local beers were enjoyed.....though Jane eventually declared herself "done" with pork and cabbage.

Unbeknownst to us, the World Hockey Championships were also taking place in Czech Republic during our visit, in the cities of Prague and Ostrava. It was great to see that the Czechs are equally rabid hockey fans as we are, with games being broadcast in many public venues, flags waving everywhere, and great respect and sportsmanship.....even when Canada beat the Czech squad soundly.

For a specific excursion, we found a little music store in the Old Town run by Radek Bubrle, a one-man show with a shop full of cool used instruments. As my special souvenir of the trip, I picked up a Czech mandolin from the sixties, bubble-wrapped with expert precision to ensure a safe trip home as my carry-on item. It still plays great!

On our last night, we got a "deal" on a dinner cruise of the Vltava River. The "deal" meant that the ship was booked with two Russian tour groups, and we got the only two remaining seats for the price of one. So....while we understood nothing, the food was good and the scenery was great! We even passed a small lock to head up the river several more bridges at sunset before drifting back in darkness. Our friendly bartender also introduced us to Medovina, aka Czech honey mead. Yum.

Sore feet, and many sights for sore eyes. That was Prague in three daze, er, days.

River Vltava

Karluv most - aka The Charles Bridge

Pedestrians on the bridge

West bank of the Charles Bridge

Praha street scene - Mostecka Street

Swans in the Vltava

The birthplace of pilsner!

Nerudova Street near our hotel

St. Vitus Cathedral in the Castle District

High Mass in session!

View from the rear

Prague from the Castle Wall

Prague Castle and Cathedral from the Charles Bridge

Old Town charm

Astronomical Clock in the Old Town Square

Directions....in Czech!

Wenceslas Square - the border between Old Town and New Town

Prague Outdoor Market

Crowds in the Old Town Square

Old Town Square

Old Jewish Cemetery

Dinner Cruise on the River

Vltava by Night

Cesky Krumlov

A scenic drive from Linz saw us cross the border into the Czech Republic, and northward into Bohemia to the idyllic town of Cesky Krumlov (Chess-Key Kroom-Loff), a UNESCO World Heritage site. I quickly dubbed it "Disneyworld for Adults" - it was like going to a renaissance faire, but it was real!

We spent two days exploring this fabulous town from a very centrally located Hotel Barbora, under the shadow of the imposing castle. We walked the narrow and winding cobblestone alleys and wooden bridges of the Old Town, contained within a meandering loop in the Vltava River. There was beer. There was some dining. There was more beer. The town also has its own brewery, Eggenberg. The Czechs lay claim to being the birthplace of beer - the nearby town of Plzen is where Pilsner was born.

We climbed the castle tower for a commanding view of the area, and went underground to eat and drink in cavern pubs. One evening,we strolled outside town for "an easy 20-minute hike" up a large and rather steep hill for a great view of the town and valley below. Rick Steves may need to update his guidebook....

It's the kind of place where you can "see" all the sights in a day or two, but where you could spend weeks just hanging out like you live in this magical place. Especially when food is cheap and beer is cheaper.

The happiest place on earth

(Vltav)a river runs through it!

The dining terrace at our hotel

Town Square

Fine dining in underground caverns

The Old Town

Views from the Tower - our hotel was on the small channel in the middle

Walking the riverbank

Gypsy Cavern pub

View from the Castle

Eggenberg Brewery

Hotel Barbora