I absolutely love how creative, retro and classic this Prague airport security line video. The only link I could find is this one on Youtube...
http://youtu.be/OSPq9Prjzow
Friday, January 10, 2014
Prague - basic information
Accommodations
Gordon found the apartment we stayed in on VRBO: www.vrbo.com/507652
The apartment is also listed at: www.apartmentplan.cz along with the 40 other apartments owned by the same guy.
Rental of the apartment includes transport to and from the airport... a very nice detail to make arrival and finding the apartment very easy!
The owner is wonderful, helpful, walked us through the apartment showing us all the details. Everything had been thought of from a fully supplied kitchen with basic spices, salt and pepper, olive oil and balsamic vinegar, to a well stocked supply of tea and coffee. A few days into our stay we texted the owner to ask where we could buy more coffee for the espresso machine he refilled our supply that day.
The owner also had a local map for us and helped us get our bearings, recommended some restaurants and things to do with kids.
Money
When we arrived at the airport in Prague there were long lines at all the ATMs. Here's the deal... completely opposite of Sweden, many businesses do not take credit cards so it is necessary to have plenty of cash on hand.
Prices in Prague are in euros or Czech koruna. The apartment owner recommended that we always pay/negotiate in koruna. In fact when buying souvenirs always ask about a discount... most shop owners knock off a percentage right away.... and if you pay in cash you can knock off the VAT tax difference.
Money does go further in Prague (except in Starbucks which maintains its prices!). Dinner one night was $62 for the five of us... 3 entrees and 2 glasses of wine each (me and Gordon, not the girls). We were almost giddy!
Here's a basic comparison: $15 = 99sek or 300czk
Transport
Prague is very walkable. Our apartment was in Mala Strana close to the Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, Old Town, etc. We never used public transport (the trams running through town are always packed) and took a taxi to and from the Aqua Palace one day.
Restaurants
Sakura (sushi) - Namesti Svobody 1 (Nove Mesto area, near Wenceslas Square) tel: 774 785 077, www.sushisakura.cz
The guide book describes it as one of the best sushi places in Prague and family friendly. Definitely recommend a reservation although we didn't have one. It's in a mall so it doesn't feel very 'special' and the wait-staff definitely has an attitude. Sushi is not my thing so I can't speak to that but my red curry chicken was really, really good!
Noi (Thai) - Ujezd 409/19 (Mala Strana, near Petrin funicular), tel: +420 257 311 411, open daily 11 -01, www.noirestaurant.cz
We did not have a reservation but were able to get a table right away... reservations seem to be the way to go in Prague. Pro - the food was really good. Cons - smoking in the restaurant... it's nice that we've become accustomed to clean air with the occasional smoker this place however had more of a club atmosphere including inescapable smoke.
Cantina (Mexican) - Ujezd 38 (Mala Strana, almost across the street from Noi), tel: 257 317 173, www.restauracecantina.cz
Make a reservation! Fun decor/atmosphere, good food but nothing to write home about. A solid, safe bet.
Bohemia Bagel - Lázeňská 19 (Malá strana, just a few steps from Charles Bridge), tel: 257 218 192
Open: Mon-Sun 7:30-18:00
We were so excited to have real bagels! It's the real deal... sesame seed, everything, asiago cheese, plain, and so on.
Sight-seeing
Most things are open year round with different closing hours depending on the season. Only thing to be aware of is the Jewish Quarter in Stare Mesto (Old Town). In the winter the museums and synagogues close at 4pm on Fridays and are closed all day on Saturdays... something we'll have to go back to Prague to visit.
It is worth it to get up early one morning, grab a Starbucks and enjoy the Charles Bridge (Karluv Most) when it's not crowded.
More details are in my other Prague posts!
Gordon found the apartment we stayed in on VRBO: www.vrbo.com/507652
The apartment is also listed at: www.apartmentplan.cz along with the 40 other apartments owned by the same guy.
Rental of the apartment includes transport to and from the airport... a very nice detail to make arrival and finding the apartment very easy!
The owner is wonderful, helpful, walked us through the apartment showing us all the details. Everything had been thought of from a fully supplied kitchen with basic spices, salt and pepper, olive oil and balsamic vinegar, to a well stocked supply of tea and coffee. A few days into our stay we texted the owner to ask where we could buy more coffee for the espresso machine he refilled our supply that day.
The owner also had a local map for us and helped us get our bearings, recommended some restaurants and things to do with kids.
Money
When we arrived at the airport in Prague there were long lines at all the ATMs. Here's the deal... completely opposite of Sweden, many businesses do not take credit cards so it is necessary to have plenty of cash on hand.
Prices in Prague are in euros or Czech koruna. The apartment owner recommended that we always pay/negotiate in koruna. In fact when buying souvenirs always ask about a discount... most shop owners knock off a percentage right away.... and if you pay in cash you can knock off the VAT tax difference.
Money does go further in Prague (except in Starbucks which maintains its prices!). Dinner one night was $62 for the five of us... 3 entrees and 2 glasses of wine each (me and Gordon, not the girls). We were almost giddy!
Here's a basic comparison: $15 = 99sek or 300czk
Transport
Prague is very walkable. Our apartment was in Mala Strana close to the Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, Old Town, etc. We never used public transport (the trams running through town are always packed) and took a taxi to and from the Aqua Palace one day.
Restaurants
Sakura (sushi) - Namesti Svobody 1 (Nove Mesto area, near Wenceslas Square) tel: 774 785 077, www.sushisakura.cz
The guide book describes it as one of the best sushi places in Prague and family friendly. Definitely recommend a reservation although we didn't have one. It's in a mall so it doesn't feel very 'special' and the wait-staff definitely has an attitude. Sushi is not my thing so I can't speak to that but my red curry chicken was really, really good!
Noi (Thai) - Ujezd 409/19 (Mala Strana, near Petrin funicular), tel: +420 257 311 411, open daily 11 -01, www.noirestaurant.cz
We did not have a reservation but were able to get a table right away... reservations seem to be the way to go in Prague. Pro - the food was really good. Cons - smoking in the restaurant... it's nice that we've become accustomed to clean air with the occasional smoker this place however had more of a club atmosphere including inescapable smoke.
Cantina (Mexican) - Ujezd 38 (Mala Strana, almost across the street from Noi), tel: 257 317 173, www.restauracecantina.cz
Make a reservation! Fun decor/atmosphere, good food but nothing to write home about. A solid, safe bet.
Bohemia Bagel - Lázeňská 19 (Malá strana, just a few steps from Charles Bridge), tel: 257 218 192
Open: Mon-Sun 7:30-18:00
We were so excited to have real bagels! It's the real deal... sesame seed, everything, asiago cheese, plain, and so on.
Sight-seeing
Most things are open year round with different closing hours depending on the season. Only thing to be aware of is the Jewish Quarter in Stare Mesto (Old Town). In the winter the museums and synagogues close at 4pm on Fridays and are closed all day on Saturdays... something we'll have to go back to Prague to visit.
It is worth it to get up early one morning, grab a Starbucks and enjoy the Charles Bridge (Karluv Most) when it's not crowded.
More details are in my other Prague posts!
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
Math magic
Hey! This is Gabby! I have not written a blog entry for a while, and I have something to share with you. I was in math class, and we didn’t really have much work to do because it was a few days before we were let out for Christmas Break, so instead we played a few games. My math teacher, Mr Carayol, also did some riddle-type things. There was a cool one so I thought I would share it with you. :)
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Follow these steps one by one..... DO NOT SKIP AHEAD!
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Think of any number between 1-50 (if you’re good at math choose any number)
Multiply your number by 2
Add 6 to your number
Divide your number by 2
Subtract your original number from your current number
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Scroll down when you have your answer.... Make sure the math is right
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
| | | | | | | | | |
V V V V V V V V V V
Keep Scrolling
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
OK! Your answer should be 3!
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
This will also work with adding other numbers besides 6. (Only even numbers)
Try the following:
Think of any number between 1-50 (if your good at math choose any number)
Multiply your number by 2
Add 2 to your number
Divide your number by 2
Subtract your original number from your current number
ANSWER: 1
Think of any number between 1-50 (if your good at math choose any number)
Multiply your number by 2
Add 4 to your number
Divide your number by 2
Subtract your original number from your current number
ANSWER: 2
Think of any number between 1-50 (if your good at math choose any number)
Multiply your number by 2
Add 20 to your number
Divide your number by 2
Subtract your original number from your current number
ANSWER: 10
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Follow these steps one by one..... DO NOT SKIP AHEAD!
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Think of any number between 1-50 (if you’re good at math choose any number)
Multiply your number by 2
Add 6 to your number
Divide your number by 2
Subtract your original number from your current number
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Scroll down when you have your answer.... Make sure the math is right
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
| | | | | | | | | |
V V V V V V V V V V
Keep Scrolling
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
OK! Your answer should be 3!
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
This will also work with adding other numbers besides 6. (Only even numbers)
Try the following:
Think of any number between 1-50 (if your good at math choose any number)
Multiply your number by 2
Add 2 to your number
Divide your number by 2
Subtract your original number from your current number
ANSWER: 1
Think of any number between 1-50 (if your good at math choose any number)
Multiply your number by 2
Add 4 to your number
Divide your number by 2
Subtract your original number from your current number
ANSWER: 2
Think of any number between 1-50 (if your good at math choose any number)
Multiply your number by 2
Add 20 to your number
Divide your number by 2
Subtract your original number from your current number
ANSWER: 10
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Mirror Maze and Miniature Museum - Prague
Our last two days in Prague we made an effort to get out and about during the day... since most of my pictures to that point had been taken in the dark!
Sofia had been wanting to go to the mirror maze close to the Petrin Tower. It's not a big place and doesn't take long to go through but the girls had a blast in the distorted mirrors room. And, it's a bargain at 75czk/adults and 55czk/kids... basically $12 for the five of us.
The mirror maze was built as an exhibition pavilion for the Prague Jubilee in 1891. The building was inspired by a former Gothic gate of Vysehrad. The maze has 35 ordinary and 15 distorting mirrors.
Open daily - Nov-Feb: 10am-6pm, March 10am-8pm, April-Sept 10am-10pm, Oct 10am-8pm
Next thing on our to do list was the Miniature Museum displaying Siberian technician Anatoly Konyenko's microscopic artwork.... golden horseshoes on a flea, a train in the eye of a needle, portrait on a poppyseed, etc.
The museum is small (no pun intended), takes less than 30 minutes to go through and is run by a less than personable curator. It was a bargain at 100czk for the 5 of us = $5 (although the guide book quotes higher rates?!).
Sofia had been wanting to go to the mirror maze close to the Petrin Tower. It's not a big place and doesn't take long to go through but the girls had a blast in the distorted mirrors room. And, it's a bargain at 75czk/adults and 55czk/kids... basically $12 for the five of us.
The mirror maze was built as an exhibition pavilion for the Prague Jubilee in 1891. The building was inspired by a former Gothic gate of Vysehrad. The maze has 35 ordinary and 15 distorting mirrors.
Open daily - Nov-Feb: 10am-6pm, March 10am-8pm, April-Sept 10am-10pm, Oct 10am-8pm
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| Diorama between the regular mirrors and the distorting mirrors - 1891 painting of Prague students fighting against the Swedes on Charles Bridge in 1648 - created for the exhibition pavilion of the Czech Tourist Club |
Next thing on our to do list was the Miniature Museum displaying Siberian technician Anatoly Konyenko's microscopic artwork.... golden horseshoes on a flea, a train in the eye of a needle, portrait on a poppyseed, etc.
The museum is small (no pun intended), takes less than 30 minutes to go through and is run by a less than personable curator. It was a bargain at 100czk for the 5 of us = $5 (although the guide book quotes higher rates?!).
Monday, January 6, 2014
Aqua Palace Praha
January 2, 2014
We wanted to do something kid-friendly (i.e. no museums, cathedrals, etc.) so we headed to the Aqua Palace for the day. It is a 20-25 minute cab ride outside of the city (or an hour by public transport). FYI, drivers in the Czech Republic, including cab drivers, follow the speed limit... feels weirdly slow!
We bought day passes, rented towels, got wrist band chips to pay for food and drink during the day and headed into the unisex changing areas. Luckily there were individual changing rooms and separate men's and women's bathrooms and showers. Rows of lockers were available with locks activated by the wrist band chips.
Inside contains 8 different water slides, a huge lazy river, toddler water area with shallow pools and small slides, wave pool, and hot tubs. We could swim from one area to another through the outside pool.
The Coca-Cola Cafe offers typical hot bar food (spaghetti bolognese, hamburger, fries, etc.) and a salad bar.
Prices: Adults - all day - 719czk/$36 Kids - all day - 469czk/$23
www.aquapalace.cz
We had a great time at the Aqua Palace but after 5 hours of water and chlorine, we were toast. You should be happy and thankful we have no pictures of our day documenting the variety of swimwear at the AP!
Sauna and Spa World are also available but we didn't try them out.
We wanted to do something kid-friendly (i.e. no museums, cathedrals, etc.) so we headed to the Aqua Palace for the day. It is a 20-25 minute cab ride outside of the city (or an hour by public transport). FYI, drivers in the Czech Republic, including cab drivers, follow the speed limit... feels weirdly slow!
We bought day passes, rented towels, got wrist band chips to pay for food and drink during the day and headed into the unisex changing areas. Luckily there were individual changing rooms and separate men's and women's bathrooms and showers. Rows of lockers were available with locks activated by the wrist band chips.
Inside contains 8 different water slides, a huge lazy river, toddler water area with shallow pools and small slides, wave pool, and hot tubs. We could swim from one area to another through the outside pool.
The Coca-Cola Cafe offers typical hot bar food (spaghetti bolognese, hamburger, fries, etc.) and a salad bar.
Prices: Adults - all day - 719czk/$36 Kids - all day - 469czk/$23
www.aquapalace.cz
We had a great time at the Aqua Palace but after 5 hours of water and chlorine, we were toast. You should be happy and thankful we have no pictures of our day documenting the variety of swimwear at the AP!
Sauna and Spa World are also available but we didn't try them out.
Petrin Lookout Tower and New Year's night fireworks
January 1, 2014
After a very lazy day of catching up on sleep we finally headed out just as the sun was setting around 4pm. Nowhere has 'burning day light' meant more than our time in Sweden... Prague had two more hours of daylight than Stockholm and it was nice!
We took the funicular to the top of the hill to see the Petrin Lookout Tower. Note to visitors: you need change (as in coins) to buy funicular tickets from the self-serve stations inside the entrance (if you have regular metro/tram transport tickets they will work too). The funicular cars run every 15 minutes (Nov.-March, every 10 minutes the rest of the year). If you are going to the Petrin Tower and/or mirror maze do not be fooled by the midway stop at Nebozizek along the way!
Petrin Lookout Tower is at the top of one of Prague's largest parks. The 62 meter tall Eiffel Tower look-alike was built in 1891 for the Prague Exposition (so was the funicular). Yes, we climbed the 299 steps to an amazing view of Prague Castle and the rest of the city at night. The girls immediately made the connection between climbing the tower and the movie Vertigo from the night before... just a coincidence (and no one fell off the tower)!
Afterwards we took a path down to the Strahovska zahrada (garden/park) to watch the 'official' New Year's fireworks put on by the city at 6pm. It was the quietest fireworks show I've ever been to. No 'oohs' and 'aahs' from the crowd... just a polite clapping at the end of the show. (Yes, I did think of you, John Dameron!)
After a very lazy day of catching up on sleep we finally headed out just as the sun was setting around 4pm. Nowhere has 'burning day light' meant more than our time in Sweden... Prague had two more hours of daylight than Stockholm and it was nice!
We took the funicular to the top of the hill to see the Petrin Lookout Tower. Note to visitors: you need change (as in coins) to buy funicular tickets from the self-serve stations inside the entrance (if you have regular metro/tram transport tickets they will work too). The funicular cars run every 15 minutes (Nov.-March, every 10 minutes the rest of the year). If you are going to the Petrin Tower and/or mirror maze do not be fooled by the midway stop at Nebozizek along the way!
Petrin Lookout Tower is at the top of one of Prague's largest parks. The 62 meter tall Eiffel Tower look-alike was built in 1891 for the Prague Exposition (so was the funicular). Yes, we climbed the 299 steps to an amazing view of Prague Castle and the rest of the city at night. The girls immediately made the connection between climbing the tower and the movie Vertigo from the night before... just a coincidence (and no one fell off the tower)!
 |
| taking a break on the way up |
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| Prague Castle from the top of Petrin Lookout Tower - 5pm |
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| Prague Castle on the left |
Before heading back to the apartment the girls took a moment to play on the seesaw in the small park.
Happy New Year from Prague!
For the first time ever, we think, the girls planned and took a nap on 12.31. Their big plan was to celebrate New Years in Prague, stay up all night watching movies and tv shows, then celebrate New Years by watching the ball drop in Times Square in NYC.
We came back to the apartment, watched Hitchcock's Vertigo, we've been
trying to introduce the girls to the classics, watched a Modern Family,
then everyone but Audra fell asleep. The alarm went off at 5.30am.
There was a mad search for a live broadcast online from NYC and had to
wake Gabby and Sofia from a dead sleep. Unfortunately, even though
Sofia's eyes were open, she does not remember watching the Times Square
New Years.
We all happily went back to bed until noon.
The nap happened as planned, we made dinner in the apartment around 11pm then walked over to the Charles Bridge just before midnight. It was crowded but not overwhelming, meaning you could still walk around people. Police were stationed at each statue on the Charles Bridge to keep climbers away. At midnight fireworks were set off in all directions around the bridge and throughout the city. It was fun and beautiful!
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| on the tv... New Years predictions for 2014! |
We all happily went back to bed until noon.
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