AfricaPrague
Friday 7 September, we made our way to Heathrow directly from work. The flight was delayed by about 40 minutes so we didn’t arrive at the Emblem Hotel in Prague until a little after midnight.
5km river run
Saturday 8, it was a struggle but I managed to get out of bed with enough time for a 5km run along the river.
After breakfast we took a short walk around the old town close to our hotel. We picked up a venti espresso frapaccino which, at £5.25, turned out to be the most expensive Starbucks we’ve bought on our travels so far! We made our way to the Charles Bridge where we started a guided tour with Prague Extravaganza.
John Lennon memorial
The tour took us over the Charles Bridge and across the Vltava River. We stopped on Kampa Island, walked passed the John Lennon wall and up the steps to the castle. Our tour came to an end after a short tour around the castle grounds.
We made our way out of the castle and back down the hill passing through a small park before crossing the river at the Manesuv Bridge. We had a light lunch at Liberica, a lovely little street cafe.
After our lunch we walked around the high-end shops on Parizska, Prague’s equivalent of London’s Old Bond Street.
Sia
That evening we had dinner at Sia, an Asian fusion restaurant which was followed by cocktails at Black Angel’s bar.
Sunday 9, we started the day a little late with a guided tour from the base of the Powder Tower through the old town and into the Jewish quarter.
We returned to the hotel for a midday rest, having a coffee in the lounge.
The Charles Bridge
In the afternoon we took another walk around the old town, through Havel Street market and then back over the Charles Bridge to Kampa Island.
Views from Legii Bridge
From here we walked a little further south, crossing the Legii Bridge, and stopping at Strelecky Island along the way.
That evening we had dinner at Kogo Havelská, a nice Italian in the old town.
Run
Monday 10, Tammay and I managed to beat the crowds and got to the Charles Bridge for about 7:30. After taking a few photos Tammay returned to the hotel and I went for a 7.5km run along the river to the south.
After breakfast we walked back over the Charles Bridge and up to Prague Castle. We walked around the basilica, the old royal palace and Golden Lanes. This was followed by a pleasant rest on a park bench in the royal palace garden.
Views from Letna Park
We then passed through the Chotkovy Gardens and on to Letna Park where we had a lovely view of the city.
Hemingway Bar
That evening we walked back to the river for a night-time view of the castle. We had a few pre-dinner cocktails at Hemingway Bar.
We decided to eat at La Bottega, an Italian next to our hotel. The food was tasty but our pasta plate was definitely a starter portion. Having paid the bill we headed straight back to Kogo Havelská where we shared an arrabiata and a tiramisu.
Run
Tuesday 11, inspired by our walk through the park the previous day I got out for an early run and headed for the higher ground.
Run
I completing a loop of Letna Park...
Run
...and during the run I also passed the Metronome.
After breakfast we took one final walk to the square in the old town (which by now had been fully cleared of all the tents relating to the celebration of the countries centenary celebration), down Parizska and along the riverfront to the Charles Bridge before heading back to the hotel to check out.
Our return flight was also delayed by around 30 minutes but flying into London City Airport would make the journey home a little easier.