A Brit and A Southerner

Budapest in One Day – Where to Go and What to See?

Hungary

Feb 15, 2016

Budapest in One Day – Where to Go and What to See?

By the time we arrived in Budapest on New Year’s Eve, we were reflecting on an amazing journey through some of Europe’s finest cities. Could it get any better? After visiting the Hungarian capital, we can well and truly attest that yes, of course it could! Budapest in one day was going to be yet another ambitious experience but exploring such a historical and culturally diverse city was going to be an exciting adventure that we were ready for.

If you plan on visiting Budapest in the near future, hopefully this guide will help point you in the right direction, especially if you only have limited time. We spent New Year’s Eve at the Hilton Budapest City which is a great location for exploring many of the city’s leading attractions.

How to Get Around Budapest?

New Year’s Day is a great time to get out and take a stroll because most people are either recovering from the night before or opt against heading out in the freezing cold Hungarian weather. For hardy folks like Heather and I, we were not going to let the frigid temperatures prevent us from experiencing Budapest.

But if you have an itinerary in mind with a myriad of attractions that you just have to see in your short time in Budapest, the best way to get around is to use the metro system. I have read a couple of articles since we returned home regarding the Budapest public transportation system and for the most part, they are not particularly positive.

However, I want to emphasize our experiences and everything about it was great. Here is a quick rundown on how it works.

PURCHASE TICKETS – Purchase a ticket at one of the ticket machines at the station. A single ticket (as of February 2016) costs 350 Hungarian Forint which is equivalent to just over $1.20. A better value is a pack of 10 tickets for 3,000 HUF or a daily 24-hour travel card for 1,650 HUF.
***IMPORTANT*** VALIDATE TICKETS – The most crucial step after purchasing your ticket(s) is to ensure they are validated prior to boarding the metro. How do you do this? Simple! Be sure to validate your ticket using the orange or red ticket-punching machines as ticket controllers may ask to see your ticket, and will fine you for having an invalid one.
METRO MAP – Check the map and ensure you know which station you are leaving at! It’s actually a pretty simple system, far easier than London’s or New York’s subway system but with the language barriers it may take a few glances to confirm where you should be leaving.

So…once you have the metro system down, you are ready to head out and explore Budapest’s finest landmarks, historical attractions and of course perhaps sampling some local goulash or typical Hungarian dish.

Let’s take a look at some of Budapest’s impressive attractions.

City Park

Our time in Budapest started with an early morning trip to City Park which is outside of the main tourist spot but offers an opportunity to explore the beautiful Vajdahunyad Castle.

Renowned as one of the ‘romantic’ castles in Hungary, this stunning piece of architecture was introduced to us a couple of years ago when one of our travel blogging friends sent us a picture of this. We just had to see this for ourselves!

The castle looks much older than it actually is. Dating back to 1908 when construction started, Vajdahunyad Castle has a real medieval and gothic feel to it. When you hear that this castle was inspired by a Transylvanian gothic castle, it’s really not surprising. This castle is actually an enclave of buildings rather than your stereotypical one standing structure.

The variety of architectural styles are what makes this castle so appealing and probably the reason why I was so excited to explore this park. As we walked around the grounds outside by the frozen boating lake and skating rink, we passed by a number of locals selling magnets (this is a great spot to purchase a souvenir as you can help out the locals and also not pay the typical prices of tourist traps!) and other mementos.

We quickly headed to the entrance and immediately noticed the gothic inspired feel. But as our journey through the iconic gate and inside the castle grounds continued, we noticed the different blends of architecture.

From Renaissance to Baroque and even a hint of Romanesque style are visible in and around the castle. This was an intentional design to represent the various eras in Hungarian history.

Outside of City Park is the gorgeous Heroes Square which is one of Budapest’s top attractions. The towering Millennium Monument is the focal point in this square but this is certainly one of the most popular spots in Budapest for special events and celebrations.

If you plan on visiting here, it’s a no-brainer to keep walking to explore City Park and Vajdahunyad Castle.

Nearest Metro Station – Hősök tere

St. Stephen’s Basilica

We hopped back on the metro and headed back to the heart of Budapest to our next stop to check out St. Stephen’s Basilica. This beautiful church is the largest in Budapest and dates back to the original construction that started in the mid-19th century. The iconic dome you see today is not the original, as in 1868 this actually collapsed causing a real delay in the completion of this basilica.

The panoramic views of Budapest from the top of the dome make this an attractive landmark to explore, but of course on New Year’s Day this was closed so we had to be content with exterior views of St. Stephen’s Basilica.

An interesting feature of the dome is that standing at 96 meters, it is the exact same height as the Hungarian Parliament building that we later discovered on our tour of the city.

Nearest Metro Station – Bajcsy-Zsilinszky út

Chain Bridge

A short walk from St. Stephen’s Basilica lead us to the banks of the Danube and the impressive sight of the historic Chain Bridge. The Chain Bridge is a suspension bridge that spans the River Danube between ‘Buda’ and ‘Pest’.

The proposal to construct this bridge was made by Count István Széchenyi and dates back to 1839. Széchenyi was a leading Hungarian figure during the 18th century, and today the Chain Bridge is named after him.

Traffic moves across this bridge in two lanes but perhaps the best way to cross the Danube is to walk on the pavement across the 380 meters stretching the river.

The stunning landscapes looking back across Budapest with the Hungarian Parliament standing out is a sight to behold and certainly one you will appreciate.

Nearest Metro Station – Bajcsy-Zsilinszky út

Shoes on the Danube Bank

One of the most moving and emotional landmarks in Budapest (and possibly throughout Europe) is the iconic Shoes on the Danube Bank memorial. We took the short walk from the Chain Bridge along the banks of the Danube before arriving at the location where sixty pairs of iron shoes lay overlooking the Danube. The story behind these is what makes this such a chilling and emotional landmark.

The memorial was placed here to honor the Jews who were killed by fascist militia during the Second World War. These Jewish individuals were forced to stand on the edge of the Danube, take off their shoes and then shot before falling into the river, leaving their shoes behind on the bank.

The various sizes of shoes represent the different individuals that were killed. No one was spared their lives during this tragic event and whether you were an aspiring child, local businessman or an elderly couple…well the suffering is apparent as we stand at this memorial today and remember this awful story.

To the memory of the victims shot into the Danube by Arrow Cross militiamen in 1944–45.

Nearest Metro Station – Kossuth Lajos tér

Hungarian Parliament

One of the most spectacular buildings in Europe is the Hungarian Parliament. It is the world’s third largest parliament building and dates back over a hundred years to 1902 when construction was completed. It is a typical example of Neo-Gothic architecture and is one of the highly sought after tourist landmarks in Budapest.

We spent quite a bit of time marveling over this beautiful building and walking around the Lajos Kossuth Square.

Exploring this part of Budapest is more than just about the Hungarian Parliament as there is a lot of history and other landmarks worth experiencing. At first glance, you may think this parliament building is much older than it really is, especially with the medieval style appearance.

The statue of Lajos Kossuth stands at the north point of the square which was named after the former Hungarian leader of the War of Independence in the 19th century.

The Museum of Ethnography is across the road from Kossuth Square and is another attractive building worth exploring.

Nearest Metro Station – Kossuth Lajos tér

Fisherman’s Bastion

Our final stop saw us climb back on the metro and head to higher ground to check out the views across Budapest.

Did you know that the panoramic views across the city and Danube are actually a UNESCO World Heritage Site? The Buda Castle district is an ancient part of the city and is home to some of the most historic monuments throughout Budapest. It is about a 10-15 minute walk up a pretty steep incline from the nearest metro station which is Széll Kálmán tér.

The Castle District offers much more than just the castle that stands proudly overlooking the beautiful city. As we walked through the entrance to the ‘Old Town’, we immediately noticed how the architecture differed from everything we had seen previously across the river.

Rich, colorful and even medieval looking buildings are the norm in this part of the city, with cobblestone streets making this a quaint stroll through a quiet neighborhood.

The sound of the church bells ringing and low-key chatter among the locals either enjoying lunch at one of the quirky looking restaurants or going about their daily lives is the immediate experience we encountered.

The Gothic tower of the Mathias Church along with the Fishermen’s Bastion in the background is one of the most frequently photographed sites in Hungary.

Nearest Metro Station – Széll Kálmán tér

Summary

Hungary was the furthest Eastern European country that we visited on this trip, and the first time that we set foot in this nation. What an amazing experience we had walking around this beautiful city and learning about the Hungarian culture in and around Budapest.

Budapest in one day is ambitious but unbelievably rewarding. The iconic landmarks that we have outlined here are just a glimpse of what can be experienced in Budapest, so we strongly recommend spending some time here if you are planning a visit to Eastern Europe.

Amsterdam Walking Tour – Why It’s Epic and Controversial?

Netherlands

Chris Boothman

Feb 11, 2016

Amsterdam Walking Tour – Why It’s Epic and Controversial?

It’s time to be real honest with yourselves! What is the first thing that springs to mind when you think about Amsterdam? Depending on your age, perhaps you will say Anne Frank or the stereotypical canals and bicycles that are literally everywhere in the city. But I am sure there are a few of you out there that would think about the Red Light district or the freedom of cannabis throughout the city. Regardless of your stance on any of these issues, the reality is that Amsterdam exudes freedom and we were excited to visit the Dutch capital to learn more. What better way to do this than by an Amsterdam walking tour!

Sandemans Amsterdam Walking Tour

Amsterdam is a beautiful city and it didn’t take us long to fall in love with the perfectly dubbed ‘Venice of the North’. After arriving late at night and experiencing first hand the awesome FREE ferry service that takes locals and visitors alike to various parts of the city, we headed back to the central part of Amsterdam to take another of Sandemans free walking tours.

The previous day we experienced the Brussels walking tour which was an excellent way to take in the main attractions, along with a few hidden gems that our tour guide introduced to us. We were excited and prepared to go along with the Amsterdam version as we now considered ourselves to be seasoned pros of the free walking tour.

From the wild history of prostitution and drug decriminalization, to the tragedy of Anne Frank’s story and Nazi occupation, we aim to give you a perfect introduction to Amsterdam.

Having read the above quote on Sandemans website prior to taking the tour, this was going to be…as the title of this post goes…an epic yet potentially controversial walking tour. But we all love a bit of controversy right? Arriving at the National Monument at Dam Square meeting point just before 10:00AM, we met a variety of visitors from all corners of the world.

We were introduced to our tour guide for the day, Katjalisa who immediately asked us if we were all ready to stick with her for the full 2.5 hours despite the cold weather and potential for heavy rain. A little inclement weather wasn’t going to stop any of us from experiencing the city of Amsterdam!

Red Light District

***PLEASE NOTE, PICTURES WERE NOT ALLOWED IN THIS PART OF THE CITY AS ADVISED BY OUR TOUR GUIDE***

If any members of the tour were thinking that this was going to be all about history and modern art in Amsterdam, they quickly realized this was far from the truth as we immediately headed for one of the most controversial neighborhoods of the city – the Red Light District. Visiting this part of the city during the morning is clearly a very different experience than at night, with very few people on the streets and the windows/buildings all covered up.

Walking through the district, Katjalisa began explaining that she is actually working on a research project ‘behind the scenes’ of the Red Light District. I am sure certain members of the group were a little uncomfortable as our tour guide shared more information on ‘costs’ and ‘expectations’ of individuals visiting this neighborhood, but the reality is this is what takes place here and it is an accepted industry. Katjalisa emphasized that the females participating in prostitution here are some of the most confident individuals she has met, it is a very different industry to the stereotype that most cities associate with this.

How does the government, city of Amsterdam and locals feel about this? Just like we later discovered with the topic of cannabis and ‘coffee shops’, it is a topic that is rarely discussed. However, it is clearly apparent that the type of tourists and visitors to the city are for the most part not what Amsterdam would like to attract.

Oude Kerk Square

As we stood in the Oude Kerk square listening to Katjalisa’s stories, a group of ‘typical’ juveniles strolled through the district, and she immediately frowned indicating that this is exactly the type of people that are frequently seen here and unfortunately, it has a negative reflection on the city. We also noticed a small, bronze statue of a woman representing a prostitute waiting at the door for a potential client. You can see how proud she looks and this is a perfect representation of all the prostitutes in this part of the city.

We also noticed a small, bronze statue of a woman representing a prostitute waiting at the door for a potential client. You can see how proud she looks and this is a perfect representation of all the prostitutes in this part of the city.

I mentioned the Oude Kerk square, well after listening to the controversial stories related to the Red Light district, we then switched to the historic church that towers above this district. It’s kind of ironic that this church is located here but it’s believed that throughout history, devout protestants would have enjoyed the Red Light district the previous night before crawling into the church to beg for forgiveness after their sins!

Venice of the North

The Red Light District may be the most famous neighborhood throughout Amsterdam, but for those of you less interested in hearing about that perhaps you will be more interested in what I now believe to be the best stereotype of the Dutch capital.

The canals that run through the city reinforce the similarity with a fellow European city, but it’s also intriguing to see how this city is pretty much revolved around bicycles.

The Jordaan District is a perfect example of a Dutch neighborhood in Amsterdam as it was initially created by the working class and immigrants moving into the city. Today, Amsterdam is one of the most multi-culturally diverse cities with migrants from a myriad of nations finding residence here.

An oasis of peace with a labyrinth of narrow streets and little canals

Having experienced all of the bicycles in Copenhagen, I never imagined we would visit a city with more two-wheeled forms of transportation.

But Amsterdam has a network designed for bicycles that make this by far the best way to get around. In fact, as you walk around the city it’s apparent that bicycles are the norm rather than cars!

We took a short break before continuing our tour and this gave us an opportunity to experience some of Amsterdam’s fine cuisine.

The Coffee Shops

Our tour of Amsterdam continued through courtyards, cobblestone alleys and of course by the iconic canals. Katjalisa pointed out a few of Amsterdam’s most iconic ‘coffee shops’ including Dampkring Amsterdam, most famous for being the location in the movie Ocean’s 12 with Brad Pitt and George Clooney.

Locals suggest this is not one of the better coffee shops around, so if you are interested in sampling some of Amsterdam’s finest cannabis, perhaps you need to ask a local for their recommendation!

The topic of cannabis is again another ‘controversial’ matter and one that Katjalisa was a little hesitant to discuss, primarily because this is another tour offered by Sandemans.

By the way, if you haven’t already figured it out…the term ‘coffee shop’ in Amsterdam refers to a spot where you can grab a menu with all varieties of cannabis/joints etc. available for purchase!

Where does all the cannabis come from? Well, that’s the million dollar question that in reality no one knows. Is it legal? Technically no, rather it is ‘tolerated’ by the government. Our guide indicated that if the police caught you with a beer and a joint, they would ask you to get rid of the beer but say nothing about the cannabis. An individual may carry a maximum of 5 grams of cannabis without risk of prosecution.

The Begijnhof Convent

If you are looking for a spot around Amsterdam to head away from the hustle and bustle of city life, in particular, those bicycles that are difficult to avoid unless you are a local, head over to the Begijnhof Convent which is an enclosed courtyard dating back to the 14th century.

It’s crazy to think that over the last 600 years, this location has maintained such a quiet ambiance and sanctuary feel yet everything surrounding it has developed into the modern city.

Today, people are still living inside the Begijnhof so visitors are encouraged to maintain the silence and pay respects to the gorgeous architecture that is preserved throughout this courtyard. The well-maintained garden is a central focal point alongside the English Reformed church which still maintains the original medieval tower dating back to the 15th century.

Quirky Architecture

Walking around Amsterdam, you can’t help but notice all of the quirky architecture. For example, during our tour, we noticed both the widest bridge and narrowest house.

Let me tell you, I can’t imagine moving much furniture around in the narrow house! Regardless of whether this is ‘officially’ the narrowest house in Amsterdam, it is a little over 2 meters wide proving that it’s not that much wider than the actual doorway.

The Torensluis Bridge is the widest bridge in the city and was initially constructed in the 17th century. It was originally constructed to serve as a prison and today the barred windows under the bridge serve as a reminder of the original purpose.

The iconic figure of Multatuli is also present here through a statue that depicts this author who was most famous for his satirical novel, Max Havelaar.

Anne Frank House

Our tour of Amsterdam culminated at probably the most iconic of all attractions, the Anne Frank House. Have you read the ‘Diary of Anne Frank’? I have to admit that none of the tour group members had but by all accounts it’s definitely a worthwhile read.

Although our tour didn’t actually go inside of this building, the story of our Frank and her family lived in the annex here along with her father’s business. As Anne Frank was a Jewish victim of the Holocaust, she was kept in hiding in this location for quite some time. She used the time spent here to write her diary and portray her feelings and experiences throughout these difficult times.

Her secret location unfortunately didn’t last too long, as on August 4, 1944 she was captured by the Gestapo and taken to the Auschwitz Concentration Camp. She died there just a few months later in early 1945.

Today, the popularity of this attraction makes the waiting times quite lengthy but according to Katjalisa it’s well worth the wait. Quotations and artifacts from the infamous diary can be seen in the museum, and although we didn’t have time on this trip to head inside, we look forward to a return trip in the near future. Not that we need any excuses to return to Amsterdam!

Summary

Amsterdam is clearly an ‘epic and controversial’ city, but surely that’s the reason why it attracts so many visitors from all corners of the globe every year! Our Amsterdam walking tour was a real eye-opener but thanks to Katjalisa, she not only educated us in a number of ‘touchy’ topics but she introduced us to a city that oozes real character and uniqueness.

If you plan on visiting Amsterdam, I would strongly encourage you to consider taking a guided walking tour. You will appreciate the knowledgeable guides and leave with a wealth of knowledge about the destination we can now all associate as the ‘Venice of the North’!

Free Bratislava Walking Tour – Is It Worth the Time and Effort?

Slovakia

Chris Boothman

Feb 8, 2016

Free Bratislava Walking Tour – Is It Worth the Time and Effort?

If you are thinking about visiting Slovakia, or specifically Bratislava, you may have heard a lot of stories suggesting that this part of Europe is simply not worth your time and effort. Well, let’s start by encouraging you to ignore all of those stories and listen to what we have to say because after our experience in Bratislava we can 100% confirm that this is DEFINITELY worth exploring! A free Bratislava walking tour is certainly one of the best ways to visit many of the highlights and iconic landmarks in the Slovak capital.

Our trip to Bratislava started in Vienna as we boarded an early morning train heading for the Slovak capital. I will openly admit that both of us were a little skeptical about this trip but excited at the same time as this was one of those countries off the beaten path that most tourists probably don’t think about visiting.

Bratislava – Eurotrip Revisited?

Let’s take a step back and look at the stereotypes that are floating around about Bratislava. Yes, Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia which was formerly part of Czechoslovakia before both countries became independent nations in 1993.

Before going into too much detail, Bratislava and the country of Slovakia as a whole suffer from a lot of corruption which is definitely one of the main problems here, but the stereotypes that I am sure many of us have seen portrayed on movies like Eurotrip and Hostel are far from the truth!

Planning a trip to Bratislava and worried that you may be the next tourist kidnapped? Please, please don’t worry about this! The chances of winning the lottery are about as high as this happening to you.

Useful Information

Arriving at Bratislava’s train station, we were immediately greeted with a large ‘Welcome to Slovakia’ sign and given the small size of the station we were still left a little unsure as to what we could expect during our visit to the city. If you want to go to the city center, the best way is to take the X13 bus to “Namestie SNP” and from here you are one step away from the very center of Bratislava’s main square (Hlavne namestie).

After establishing our bearings in the station and using one of the luggage storage lockers inside the station, we hopped on the bus and took a short 10-minute ride to the heart of the city. Leaving the bus, we immediately felt more confident and excited about what lay in store for us during the walking tour of Bratislava.

Be Free Tours – Bratislava Walking Tour

So…spending 6 hours in Bratislava, what can you see? This is where the free Bratislava tour comes in handy because you are given a guided tour by a local Slovakian and taken to all of the hot spots in and around the city. Thanks to Be Free Tours for offering this awesome 3-hour tour and special thanks to our tour guide Andrea for an informative and well-organized walk around the city.

Tours are available in English and are offered twice daily at 11AM and 3PM. We opted for the morning edition on New Year’s Eve and despite the incredibly frigid conditions, the tour went ahead. We met at the Hviezdoslavovo namestie meeting spot, also known as the Statue of Hviezdoslav, which is essentially located in the heart of Bratislava.

Our guide gave us a quick summary of what to expect from the tour and just like other free walking tours around Europe, it works on a tip based system. The beauty of this is that each tourist is given the opportunity to pay the guide based on how informative and rewarding they think the tour is. This certainly encourages the guide to give a better tour so that at the end they receive better tips. Tips ranging from $5-$20 are standard but honestly you can give whatever you think is appropriate for a 2.5-3 hour tour of the city.

Here is a quick guide to the top attractions in Bratislava that you can expect to visit during your tour of the city.

Hviezdoslavovo Námestie

The first part of the tour started in Bratislava’s main square where we met. From the gorgeous, towering statue of Pavol Hviezdoslav to the Hotel Carlton that has housed many famous guests including Einstein, Nobel and US president George Bush. In 2005, President Bush gave a speech in Hviezdoslavovo Námestie alongside Russian President, Vladimir Putin.

The iconic statue that I mentioned of Hviezdoslav relates to the Slovak poet who is a well-renowned figure in Slovakian history, and his values certainly relate well with the Slovak people hence the reason a statue was formed in his memory.

As you peer around the main square, it is difficult to avoid seeing many other stunning buildings such as the Philarmonic Concert Hall (known locally as Reduta) and at the southern point is a statue of famous Danish author, Hans Christian Andersen following his visit to Bratislava and his claim that he loved this city (belief is that many of his stories were inspired from his visit to Bratislava).

St. Martin’s Cathedral

A short walk from Hviezdoslavovo Námestie led us to the imperious sight of St. Martin’s Cathedral. The traditional Gothic-inspired architecture is evident throughout this beautiful construction but perhaps the most impressive feature is the gold-plated replica of St. Stephen’s crown that sits on top of the tower.

Weighing in at 330 pounds, of which 18 pounds is gold, this makes St. Martin’s Cathedral one of the most sought after attractions (and perhaps this feature is a reason why security is generally a little higher here, though I would hate to imagine someone trying to clamber to the summit of this tower).

The towering spire stands proudly above Bratislava’s Old Town skyline and is in a perfect location for visitors to admire its beauty alongside the nearby Bratislava Castle which is a short walk from this point though the free walking tour does not head in that direction.

The Watcher

One of the most unique landmarks throughout Bratislava (and in fact perhaps Europe!) is Cumil “The Watcher”, who peers out from a manhole in the heart of Old Town. What exactly is he watching? Well, it’s feasible that he is representing a communist worker who simply wants to spend his time watching people pass by or maybe there is a more sinister story behind this such as the one floating around that he is using this spot as a perfect vantage point to look up females skirts (I will let you decide on this one!)

Given that “The Watcher” almost lost his head on numerous occasions due to vehicles not paying close attention, there is now a road sign perfectly named “Man at Work” that accompanies this statue. It’s strange that this has attracted so much attention but I guess when you have something as quirky as this in the middle of a historic city, it’s going to get to get tourists stopping and snapping a quick picture!

According to Andrea, legend has it that a wish will come true for you if you touch the head of the Watcher. Have you taken the time to touch this statue? Perhaps I will regret not doing so.

Streets of Old Town Bratislava

We headed into the historic, back streets of Bratislava’s Old Town and marveled at the gorgeous infrastructure and idyllic cobblestoned streets that typify an Eastern European city.

Passing by buildings such as the Old Town Hall that date back to the 14th century and the Trinitarian Church of Bratislava really emphasizes how this city has preserved much of the rich history here.

Remnants of Bratislava’s past are noticeable throughout the city yet there are signs of the city becoming a more modern city, especially when you look at architecture such as the Most SNP or more commonly known as the UFO bridge crossing the Danube River.

Walking through St. Michael’s Gate is a really cool experience because as you look back down the streets it’s a gorgeous setting with local shops and restaurants making this a perfect spot to relax among a welcoming atmosphere.

St. Michael’s Gate is the only entrance that has been preserved from the medieval fortifications and is ranked as one of the oldest buildings throughout the city, dating back to 1300.

SNP Square

After taking a stroll out of the Old Town through St. Michael’s Gate and passing by the Grassalkovich Palace, the residence of the Slovakian president, we headed to another of Bratislava’s iconic squares – SNP Square.

SNP Square is named after the Slovenske Narodne Povstanie (Slovak National Uprising of 1944) and is one of Bratislava’s largest squares, commonly used for concerts, public protests and celebrations, most notably when Slovakia became World Ice Hockey Champions in 2002.

Andrea shared stories of Bratislava’s past at this point, one in particular, relating to the protests that took place here in the late 1980s during the Velvet Revolution which led to the transition of power away from the Communist party of Czechoslovakia to a parliamentary republic.

It’s worth noting that you can find some of Bratislava’s best restaurants to sample some fine Cibulacka (onion soup) or Cesnacka (garlic soup) near SNP Square.

Blue Church

By the time we reached the Blue Church, over 2 hours into our tour of Bratislava, many of the folks in our group were clearly feeling the freezing cold temperatures. But we weren’t going to let this stop us from enjoying yet another of Bratislava’s gorgeous, yet peculiar looking attractions.

The Church of St. Elisabeth, commonly known throughout the world as the Blue Church, has a very Gaudi-esque look to it yet so it is no surprise to hear that this was designed by Ödön Lechner who was dubbed the ‘Hungarian Gaudi’.

Located in a quiet part of Bratislava’s Old Town, the Blue Church is a typical example of Art Nouveau architecture and mass is still offered here regularly for locals and visitors who wish to experience the interior of this beautiful construction.

Summary

If you are interested in learning a little more about Eastern European history and want first hand experience of a beautiful city rebuilding, be sure to add Bratislava to your itinerary. After experiencing the free Bratislava walking tour, we can attest that this is definitely the best way to see this city and if you are fortunate to have a guide as awesome as Andrea, your generous tips will certainly be justified.

Bratislava is a city that we would both love to return to and perhaps use this as an opportunity to explore more of Slovakia. Stereotypes are there to be disproven and I think we have shown here that the negativity surrounding this nation is far from the truth. Don’t let false advertising shown in movies distract you, take some time to visit cities like Bratislava and you may be pleasantly surprised at what you discover!

24 hours in Prague – Quick Guide to the Stunning Czech Capital

Czech Republic

Chris Boothman

Feb 4, 2016

24 hours in Prague – Quick Guide to the Stunning Czech Capital

As we left the apparent home comforts of Germany behind and headed towards the unknown land of the Czech Republic, we were both a little anxious and excited to see what Prague had in store for us. 24 hours in Prague was all we had to explore the Czech capital and in hindsight this is nowhere near enough time, but we were able to catch a glimpse of the breathtaking history and beauty that runs throughout this city. Hopefully this short guide will inspire you to head beyond some of Europe’s main cities and discover the beautiful city of Prague.

When I referenced home comforts in Germany, I am referring to at least a basic knowledge and understanding of the German language (thanks to my high-school German classes!) along with already spending 24 hours in Berlin and Dresden. However, heading to Prague was a completely different prospect. Neither of us have any knowledge of the Czech language and I will admit that visiting here for the first time, I had no idea about the Czech Koruna (currency).

First Impressions

Pulling into Prague’s Hlavni Nadrazi Central Station, our inherent fears were soon eased as we noticed a number of recognizable brands. From the stereotypical Burger King that is in every European city’s main train station to one of the world’s leading cosmetic brands, Sephora, there were plenty of clues to suggest that Prague was nothing to worry about.

We quickly changed £30, giving us a little over 810 Czech Koruna. Did this amount to enough for 24 hours in Prague? Of course we had no idea, but we soon found out that life in the heart of Prague is not as expensive as many of the other European counterparts. The exchange rate from British Sterling, Euros and even US Dollars is pretty favorable in return for the Koruna, and you will quickly find that your money goes a lot further than other parts of the world.

A Walking City

After checking in to the Jury’s Inn Prague, located about a 15-minute walk from the main train station, we headed out armed with our city map in search of the underlying truth why Prague is such a reputed city for tourists. It didn’t take long for us to discover why Prague’s reputation is so high because the quirkiness, history and unique culture was thrown right in front of us as we walked along the side streets.

From the local street performers playing a rendition of ‘Hey Jude’, to the thriving Christmas markets serving a plethora of festive favorites such as mulled wine and local Czech delicacies (more on that later), Prague immediately captured our hearts and we wanted to explore more!

We love exploring cities on foot and Prague is certainly up there with one of the best we have experienced. Is there any better way to explore a city than by allowing yourselves to get lost amidst the cobbled streets and quirky layout typical of an historic European capital?

But of course Prague is littered with a number of iconic attractions that are a must-see and honestly after visiting them for the first time, I think these are landmarks that you would want to experience time and time again.

Charles Bridge

Let’s start with probably the most famous landmark in Prague. The historic Charles Bridge crosses the Vitava river and dates back to 1357 when the initial construction began under the watchful eye of King Charles IV. Completed in the early parts of the 15th century, “The Stone Bridge” (or The Prague Bridge) as it was initially called, only became known as the present day name in 1870.

Why is the Charles Bridge so famous? Well, apart from the historical background and the fact that it is over 600 years old, the bridge is iconically lined with 30 Baroque inspired statues representing religious figures, making this an extremely popular attraction for a variety of backgrounds.

Although these statues are replicas of the original 17th century versions, they certainly add an extra dimesion to this architectural masterpiece.

At both ends of the bridge are towers providing entry to the New and Old towns of Prague. The Old Town Bridge Tower is adorned with statues of Charles IV, while there are two smaller bridges on the opposite end. Street artists and vendors fight for space on the bridge as this is a perfect spot to capture the attention of passing tourists.

The bridge is a beautiful spectacle at any time of the day, though an early morning stroll to capture the Golden Hour sunrise, or a romantic evening stroll with the lamps glistening over the river make this a perfect spot to relax while exploring Prague.

We enjoyed taking a stroll across the bridge just before darkness but of course the difficulty here is mingling with the large crowds and tourists that are trying to catch a glimpse of the bridge.

So I’m told that Prague is known as the ‘city of hundred spires’ and understandably we were eager to find out why. The towering sight of Prague’s most iconic structure, Prague Castle, overlooks the rest of the city and though our time here didn’t allow a trip to the summit of the castle, a quick glance from many stops along our journey meant this structure was never far from our view.

The best views of Prague Castle are from the Charles Bridge and when you have two historic attractions like this, every avid traveler will be salivating at the thought of exploring such historic beauty.

Old Town Square

A short walk from the Charles Bridge will lead you through quaint cobbled streets before you embark on another of Prague’s iconic attractions – Old Town Square. This historic square is home to a number of additional landmarks including the Prague Orloj, a medieval astronomical clock and the infamous Sleeping Beauty inspired castle known locally as the Tyn Church.

Visiting this part of Prague shortly after Christmas was an amazing experience. Not only did we visit at night and were able to experience the stunning sight of the Christmas tree in the heart of the square, but we also noticed that this was a prime location for many of Prague’s finest Christmas markets.

I mentioned the medieval clock that we passed just before reaching the Old Town Square and this is actually the third oldest astronomical clock in the world and the oldest still in operation. The experience of watching the Prague Orloj in action was entertaining, especially when you think just how old this piece of history is and yet it is still in full working condition!

The awe-inspiring sight of Tyn Church clearly gave Walt Disney inspiration for the castles in Sleeping Beauty and perhaps even Cinderella. Whether this is true or not, the towering presence overlooking the Old Town Square makes this a real sight to behold and definitely creates a perfect photo opportunity especially with the Christmas festivities taking place directly in front.

But before you think the Old Town Square is all about these two iconic landmarks…think again! Every piece of architecture surrounding this square has something unique and beautiful about it. Dating back to the 12th century, this is undoubtedly one of the true medieval squares not only in the Czech Republic but also throughout Europe.

Wenceslas Square

Another of Prague’s must-see squares is that devoted to Wenceslas. The present day Wenceslas Square is home to many of Prague’s leading department stores, many of which you would find in most other European and global cities.

However, the impressive sight of the National Museum Building along with the statue of Wenceslas stand proudly overlooking what looks similar to a French style boulevard.

This vibrant stretch of seemingly new town architecture actually dates back to Charles’ regime in the 14th century. Though nowadays with the inclusion of so many global brands, it’s unsurprising to know that this is a popular spot for many tourists to experience a little retail therapy, sample some fine Czech cuisine and of course relax in one of the many hotels in this part of Prague.

Only a short walk from the aforementioned Charles Bridge and Old Town Square, we explored this part of Prague before heading into the real historical part of the city. We found this to be the perfect spot to begin the rest of our tour of Prague.

If you need more convincing that Wenceslas Square is a place worth exploring, be sure to check out this awesome ‘Affordable Travel Guide to Prague‘ by Just a Pack. The first two pictures in this section are credited to Michael who has been living in the Czech capital over the last few months and will certainly prove to be an excellent resource for anyone planning to spend considerable time in this beautiful city.

Czech Delicacies

Sampling new cuisine in a different country can be challenging and exciting at the same time. However, when you see some of the delicacies that Prague has to offer…I think it’s pretty obvious that there was nothing difficult at all about enjoying the appetizing foods on offer.

Even the local grocery stores have a myriad of delicious looking foods and this is definitely a great way to save some money rather than eating out all the time, especially if you are traveling on a tight budget.

Our time in Prague was limited so we were not able to fully experience the dining scene throughout this city. However, we would like to introduce you to Trdelník, which is a traditional Slovak cake but incredibly popular in Prague.

Slovakia may now be an independent country, but clearly their delicious pastries remained in the Czech capital.

Whether you like sweet or savory, there is a pastry waiting to be devoured! We opted for the sweet strawberry and cream and it was heaven.

Summary

Taking a stroll around Prague is pretty much the best advice we can give you if you are limited with time in this part of the Czech Republic. Given that we were taking an epic train journey throughout Europe and we only spent one night in the Czech capital, we are pretty happy with what we experienced in Prague.

One thing is for sure…we can’t wait to go back! Prague was one of those cities that immediately grabbed your attention and certainly is one of our favorite cities throughout Europe…even with only a short time spent there. With so much to see and of course so much amazing cuisine to try, it’s inevitable that a return trip to Prague will be on the cards for us hopefully sooner rather than later!

What are your experiences in Prague? What do you recommend as the ‘top’ attractions and things to do here?

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