Day 1: Vysehrad
Getting to Prague wasn't too much of an ordeal. We took the train to Brussels Airport, checked in, went for coffee and then waited to board the plane, which left on time and got to Prague Airport around 12:05. All very smooth and we even got our luggage! Good start!
We both bought a 5 day ticket for the public transportation at the DPP office in the Arrivals Building for 500 CZK each. Outside we went looking for crowded bus 119 which took us on a bumpy 20 minute ride to the Dejvicka subway station, where we took the A line to Muzeum and then switched to the C line, which we took to the Pankrac stop. Having survived the wonderfull world of public transportation, we celebrated by buying cookies and soda's from a little shop at the subway.
I had booked us a room at the ultra-posh Corinthia Panorama Hotel through Booking.
Anxious to see the city, we took off again, taking the subway to Vysehrad and walking to the Citadel, which we entered through the Tabor Gate, which, to me, was a bit disappointing. Things did improve inside when we got to St. Martin's Rotunda and then the views from on top of the citadel's walls were pretty amazing, especially on the river side, where you look down on Libuse's Bath.
The highlight however was the Peter and Paul Church and the adjoining cemetery, where we spent the better part of an hour looking at the tombstones.
We eventualy left through the Brick Gate and made our way down to Neklanova, Slavojova and up the stairs back to the Congress Center and the Vysehrad subway.
We went into town for dinner on Wenceslas Square, which we explored afterwards, walking past the Art Nouveau Hotel Europa and the Wiehl House. Up and down Mezibranska we went, before getting some groceries and returning to the subway and eventually the hotel.
Prague left a good first impression and we were excited to see what the next days would bring.
The skyscraping 4 star hotel itself is mighty impressive. From the magnificent lobby with a huge bronze sculpture to the ultra-fast elevators and the posh, comfy rooms.
We were given a room on the 18th floor, which was an 'executive floor', and after stepping into the room, I really thought about phoning the front desk and asking if maybe they had made a mistake.
The room was huge, with a king size bed and matching flat screen TV, and you could pretty much invite some people over and have a party in the bathroom, should you wish to do so.
In the hotel, there are several restaurants and in one of them, an amazing breakfast is served every morning. Even though it is quite large, it can fill up pretty quickly. The hotel seems to be rather popular with tour groups and you can alway find at least 6 to 8 tour busses in the parking lot.
Breakfast itself is everything you could ever wish for. From bacon and eggs to cheese, fruit salad, and oh, did I mention... cakes?!? The cakes alone are worth booking a room in this place, and I still curse myself for not bringing my camera along and taking a picture of them.
I don't think we could afford to stay in a posh place like this under normal circumstances, but I had managed to book a room through booking.com and, you have to agree that, at 60 Euro per night, including breakfast, this is a STEAL!
As such, if you can get a room in this place at discount price, do it! You will not be disappointed.
