Stairs galore

August 5, 2024

Maybe getting older means sleeping in and not rushing to get out the door, because today we didnt set an alarm again. Our goal for the day is the Prague Castle and the Petrin Tower (their mini Eiffle Tower).

After our breakfast we headed out to the castle. It took us about 35 minutes to get there. Out of our hotel, through Old Town square, over Charles bridge and up the hill to the castle. There are about one million stairs between the bridge and castle (ok not really but there are so many!) As always, PB beat me to the top – but ya know what, I made it and thats all that matters. Also, I really need to remember my inhaler – ooopps.

After getting our tickets we headed over to the first stop – the reception hall. This is the place that 18 years ago we took our “dancing” picture. I was so excited to reenact this picture – but alas things change, so it couldnt be done exactly the same. PB and I both thought the main reception hall was really just a side room, we were both wrong. We got someone to take our picture, since now the stairs that I set up the camera on before are blocked off.

After the reception hall we headed to the chapel and then the Golden Road. The Golden road is basically where all the merchants lived and worked when the castle was active. It is also where Franz Kafka lived as well.

The last stop on our castle complex tour is the cathedral, but first – the tower. The tower has 287 steps, again, I really need to use my inhaler. Note to self, start hoarding them so I can have one in every single pocket. It was a beautiful view from the top – full city view of the Old Town area of Prague.

One might think that you have reached the top of Prague by climbing all the stairs to get the Castle, but you would be wrong. In order to get to Petrin tower there are even MORE stairs! On the way out of the Castle complex I looked for the guards that we saw last time we were here together, and they dont even have their stand anymore.

I basically met PB at the top of the hill near Petrin tower. At least these stairs are in the middle of a park, made the view while climbing a bit nicer. PB wasnt nearly as excited as I was to go up the tower – and ya know with his fear of heights, I was very impressed as the stairs are open to the outside! At least in this tower there are two sets of stairs, both an up and down.

Once we were done with the tower we headed down the hill via the walking path. I do want to point out that there was a funicular but PB said it wasnt in his vocabulary – funny, funny man. First stop – the grocery store to get some cheese, bread, yogurt, and a drink. We ate all this and the blueberries (that I have picked up almost every time we have gone to the grocery store) on the floor in our hotel room, a little hotel picnic.

After lunch and a bit of relaxing we headed to the hotel pool. The pool has one of those jets that push the water, so if you wanted to you could swim “laps.” We also hopped into the sauna and then jumped back into the pool to FREEZE.

Our hotel offers us happy hour in the status lounge. So many snacks and drinks! If you wanted to you could probably eat an entire meal during happy hour. During our happy hour we met a couple at the table next to us from Florida, the “blue” part of Florida. It was their first day in Prague so we told them a couple things to do. They were also going to Pride opening night tonight too!

We had made reservations to Terasa U Prince (if you go to Prague, go here, just make reservations a few days in advance). It is a rooftop restaurant and bar with the best elevated view of the astronimical clock. I had seen it on a “top things to do in Prague” Instagram video. We even ordered dessert there!

Filled up from dinner, we headed to Legii park island for the opening night of Pride week. We walked around the island and took in the views of the city from the island and people watched as others danced and boy did they dance! It only lasted until 10pm and I stayed the whole time!