Tuesday, April 12, 2016

4/12/16 - Last Day in Prague

We woke up and visited the Jewish Cemetery first thing to avoid the crowds and then walked through New Town to Westiclas Sq.

We then headed across the Legji bridge to have lunch at the Savoy Cafe where we split beef tartar and schnitzel with potato salad.
Ceiling of Cafe Savoy

schnitzel with potato salad

Savoy Latte

We walked home through Mala Strana and had a quick nap before heading back to the glass store to get a 1933 decanter (w/ 6 glasses) and 1972 vase. Both great purchases. We finished the day at Kampa Park for cocktails and grilled octopus (with popcorn).
Panoramic from Kampa Park

Charles Bridge

Our final meal in Prague? Pizza.

Monday, April 11, 2016

4/11/16 - The Castle and Opera

We started the day with coffee and breakfast at the apartment again and then walked up the hill to visit St. Nicolas cathedral.






Continuing up the hill, we got an audio guide and saw St. Vitus, the Old Palace, St. George Basilica, the Golden Lane and the Southern Gardens.













On our way out of the castle grounds, we found an old traditional pub where we had some great beer and sausage (mustard & horseradish) where Jeff kept getting Stephanie's sausage in the mustard...





Walking back toward the apartment, we passed an antique glass shop and was attracted by some of the art deco pieces in the window. Upon entering, we were greeted by a 'glass geek' and got quite an education on the history of glass and crystal in Czech Republic.

We continued down the hill to see the Wallerstein Palace, the current home of the senate (and closed that day) so we were only able to see the grounds, which were being patrolled by a group of peacocks only too happy to show off.





After swinging by the apartment, we went to an Oyster Bar to have a light snack before the show. We tried a few 'fusion' oysters. One with caviar, soy and lime. The other with bloody mary mix and uni. We split a beautiful salmon tartar with edible flowers, caviar and avocado. It was perfectly accompanied by some nice Cava.


The opera was fantastic. We saw Don Giovanni at the Estates Theater where it had its world premier in October 1787. Our seats were 2nd row (only $90 for the two) and the production was excellent. We had a great time and it will be a great memory.
Statue of the Commendatore


Yes, that close to the orchestra and stage


After the opera, we found another traditional Czech restaurant and Stephanie had the pork, dumplings and sauerkraut she had been waiting for. Jeff had 'rescue soup'...mainly garlic and billed as hangover food. We had a nice waiter who had only been to Palos Verdes, Ca in the states and then walked home over the Charles bridge.

Sunday, April 10, 2016

4/10/16 - Birthday!

We had coffee and breakfast at the apartment and then headed down to take a boat cruise to get a view of the city from the water.
Beer and guide books on the river cruise

Plenty of bridges on the tour

The Jewish Cemetery was too crowded with tourists so we decided find a good traditional lunch spot where we split a spicy sausage dish (mustard & horseradish), Jeff had a potato soup and Stephanie had Svicova (but it was a bit sweeter than her grandmother's version).

We then went to visit the famous Astronomical Clock (we got there just as it was ringing, an hourly spectacle)

and go up to the City Tower where we got some great views of the city and rooftops.






Tower elevator


Ceiling of the Wedding Chapel at Town Square





Wondering around, we found the opera ticket office and picked up our credentials for the following night.

Estates Theater
We then came across an art deco exhibit at the Municipal House, a beautiful event space in New Town.

Back at the apartment, Stephanie got another birthday present and we changed for dinner at La Degustation, Boheme Bourgeoise...the only Michelin Star restaurant in Prague, where we had a delicious tasting menu with wine paring. Not a bad birthday!