On December 15th I got up and got ready and went and took advantage of the free breakfast my hotel in Český Krumlov offered. They had arranged transport to the bus station and I was working HARD to not be too early to the bus, but wouldn't you know the darn bus was late! At least this was an actual bus station and there was also a convenience store where you could sit (albeit one that only sold pepsi products-the horror!).
I was scheduled to be on the 9:30 Flixbus, but it was about 30 minutes late. One thing I really like about Flixbus was that when booking, I had the option to pay a bit extra and reserve the seat next to me as well. It turns out that neither of these busses were completely full so I don't think that was necessary, but I like the guarantee that I have both seats.
I ended up arriving in Prague at around 12:35 and took an Uber to my hotel (taxis can be sketchy in Prague so it's best to Uber so you know up front what you are paying). Once I checked in and dropped my bags in my room, I headed out. I stayed at the same hotel as my trip 10 years prior so I was familiar with the area.
I made my way on foot across the river and caught a tram up the hill past the Castle because I had tickets at Strahov Monestary.
The chapel
These gorgeous books on display just outside of the library were from the 1400's.
Down in the art gallery there was art as well as historic items of the church. I always end up taking photos related to the birth of Christ on these trips. I guess tis the season!
Views from the garden.
Petřin Hill
I walked back down through the Malá Strana. I stopped at a crêperie for a ham and cheese crepe. I crossed over the river again, but this time on the Charles Bridge.
I decided to walk to the Aux Merveilleux de Fred. If I'm in a town with a Fred, I'm going if possible. Prague has such pretty buildings. One of the remarkable things about Prague is that it wasn't hit hard during WW2 so the architecture isn't rebuilt.
After I had secured treats I walked back to the Christmas market.
I don't know how I so poorly timed it, but every single time I tried to walk past the Astronomical Clock (which was often as my hotel was right by it) it was when the crowds were gathered for the top of the hour!
There is a very nice street right off the square that has all the window shopping eye candy anyone could want! I mostly window shopped but I went in at Burberry and loved those check sunglasses. I decided to sleep on it...
Once I got back to my room I had one of my favorite sweets!
As I mentioned I stayed at the same hotel I did 10 years prior. It has changed owners and has a new name. It's now called The Dominican. I actually had two hotels booked for a while, but ended up deciding on this one again because they have a real hair dryer. I'm not even kidding when I say I stalk out bathroom photos before booking hotels to try and determine if they have real hairdryers or "hotel" ones that require you to press a button down the whole time to make it run. It's not a complete make or break situation, but if I'm debating between two and one has a real hair dryer, it's going to win out.
This hotel also has very spacious rooms.
That's a wrap on my 5th day of vacation!
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