Rick Steves Europe: Prague & Budapest
Meeting our group just after breakfast this morning, we took the metro and tram up the hill to Prague Castle, where we explored the impressive St. Vitus Cathedral, the castle complex, the Great Hall where medieval jousting tournaments once took place, and the Golden Lane, once home to the castle guards. There were beautiful gardens surrounding the castle, and the views of the city were stunning! Lunch was arranged at the nearby Strahov Monastic Brewery, and we were given a tray of traditional pub appetizers, including various bread, pickles, and creamy spreads. There were 4 house beer options to choose from, and our fellow tour members were generous in offering samples of their drinks to anybody wanting to try them.
When the group split up after lunch for time on our own, the two of us went in the monastery’s library, right across the courtyard. The two main halls, dating from the 17th & 18th centuries, were awe-inspiring for us, beautifully designed and filled with over 70,000 books! After exploring a few nearby shops, we revisited the Café Savoy for afternoon pastries and drinks by an open window in their upstairs seating area. We were glad for the chance to sit and cool off after all that walking and climbing, and the luxurious, peaceful atmosphere made this one of our favorite quiet moments. Our next order of business was to see the famous astronomical clock in Old Town Square. Jana had told us about the clock the night before, telling us where to watch for the moving figures representing death, sin, vanity, greed, and the 12 apostles, at the top of the hour. We loved this experience; it was astonishing to see such a complex mechanism from the 15th century in action! The final activity of the day was a performance at the quintessentially-Czech Blacklight Theater, a production we found surprising, amusing, and unforgettable.
For Day 5,
Save some Spare Change!
Some spots in Prague have public toilets available for a small fee - make sure you have a few coins with you to pay.
Public Transportation Tip
When using public transport, both in Prague and Budapest, you usually don’t need to show your ticket as you board the metro/tram/bus - but have it in easy reach just in case it is required.