Weekend Recap: Prague, Czech Republic

Prague Castle, standing on the Charles Bridge

Below are the two of the views from outside our apartment windows- 

Seriously, the BEST VIEWS EVER!!!!
I took these pictures Friday evening, while we were getting unpacked.

This last weekend, we traveled four hours to Prague.  Prague is known as the “Golden City,” due to its authentic historical charm, from the fairy-tale Prague Castle to worn cobblestones and weathered statues.  Under Communist rule, Prague was off the tourist map, but since 1989 the city has seen a surge of visitors.  After visiting this city, it definitely makes the cut to my “Top 5 European Cities!!”  I LOVED IT.  I felt so fortunate to be able to view such a spectacular and beautiful city- again, traveling around Europe is definitely one of the biggest perks of being an Expat!

We decided to try apartment rental again for our trip to Prague.  We had a MUCH better experience than we did in Rome.  The apartment had some "American" amenities (the girls LOVED the refrigerator- "just like Papa and Nana's!!") that we enjoyed; we also enjoyed the huge space, the decor, the different bedrooms with regular beds, the view, being directly in the middle of the city (Elle loved looking out the windows), the huge tub, etc.  And the location COULD NOT have been any better.  If we go back to Prague with guests in the future, we will definitely stay here again!!

The girls making themselves at home:)

The girls playing in the tub!

Elle getting comfy while playing her LeapPad

St. Vitus Cathedral
The glory of the castle complex, St. Vitus took more than 500 years to build.
It was truly breathtakingly powerful and beautiful.

The girls outside St. Vitus Cathedral.
Saturday morning was a tad chilly and rainy....

The MASSIVE organ

Still inside the Prague Castle, we visited St. George's Basilica.

Britta getting a kick out of CONSTANTLY styling Daddy's hair.  I do not know if Daddy was enjoying it as much as Britta was:)!!!

Elle adding a little pose outside of St. Vitus

Elle looking for some treasure inside St. George's Basilica

Now Britta striking a pose inside St. George's Basilica 

The girls checking outside the Toy Museum- inside the Castle!!

And, to their excitement....there was a HUGE Barbie Exhibition!!

The girls were amazed with this Barbie..."Barbie has a baby in her tummy!!!"

Elle just STARED at ALL of the Babies...she would wave to them, point out her favorites, etc.
It was so much fun (for us ladies that is:)!!

We were able to observe the "Changing of the Guard."

The girls having fun on the Charles Bridge

Britta intentionally looking away when someone is taking our picture- WHAT A STINKER!  Who knows if we will ever get a good family picture, while visiting some pretty amazing sites:)

In the background you can see the Church of Our Lady Before Tyn.

The famous Astronomical Clock in Prague's Old Town. The clock not only tells the current time, but relates the movement of the planets around the earth and the son and the moon through the signs of the zodiac.

Daddy and the girls having fun in the "Old Town."

Yes, call us "Sell Outs."  We USUALLY try the authentic cuisine when traveling.  And IF, we were traveling in Europe for a few weeks and not two years, we would not eat at TGIF while in Europe.  BUT, when you live here...you take advantage of ANY "American treat" when possible!!  It was a DELICIOUS meal......though, still no ranch:).  It was a fun and relaxing meal for all of us; the girls even got balloons which was a true delight for them (until Britta accidentally let go of hers on the way home!!).  She yelled, "see you in Germany balloon!!"

Czech Budweiser

Matt tying Britta's balloon to her wrist

On Sunday morning, while Matt was paying for some Czech Crystal we bought, the girls were delighted to finally pet a puppy.  I would share pictures of our crystal, but it is so nicely wrapped/packaged, that I am going to leave it exactly as it is, in the hopes that it makes it safely back to the USA in 9 months.  It will be a nice surprise to see it again!!

One last look at the Prague Castle, while standing on the Charles Bridge, before we leave.

I was going to get one last picture of Elle on the Bridge (Matt and Britta were ahead of us) but the sun was shining too bright for Elle:)- still a cute pic!!