Blogs from Prague, Czech Republic, Europe - page 6

As it turned out, the departure from Vienna was a lot less painful than anticipated. I had been terribly intimidated about my ability to find the right platform and the right train but, happily, it's a well organized machine if you only know how it works. Our helpful taxi driver explained it on the way to the station, and the well organized station was easy to navigate after that. First, 50 minutes before departure, the correct platform is shown in big screens like in an airport. You look for your train number and destination. Then, once you get to that platform there is a map showing you in which area of the platform your train compartment is going to be at. We were in first class, towards the front of the train, so we had to ... read more

Prague is the love object of my desire. Did you ever have a love interest who was so beautiful yet you know you could not live together? For me, that was the relationship I had with the most beautiful city in the world. I also feel a sense of freedom in Prague and the Czech Republic, an escape from Republican regimes in one's own country, no matter which century, with laws that are less Puritanical and oppressive than in the New World. The Czech Airlines flight hinted of things to come: the Czech personality and diet are there for you to observe before you land. Ask only once when you request something. It will be done eventually. The Czechs do not forget. I had a good travel agency that took care of all of my ... read more

Our Australian friend Tom Johnson, who was visiting his daughter Ellie in London, came travelling with us in Prague and Berlin. We started out with the hop-on-hop-off tour of the city which included a boat ride on the river. Czechs call the river the Vitava, but the English know it as the Moldeau, from the evocative music of that title by the composer Smetana. As usual, we tried to get a handle on the basic layout of the city so we could then plan what to do in the 4 days we had in Prague. The "Dancing House" was right across the bridge from where we were staying, so its rooftop bar became an obvious site for gin and tonics on our first night.... read more

First flight was delayed (due to the snow troubles in London) by 1 hour 25 minutes.... but we got on our way.... read more

The legendary Danube is the European Union's longest river and one of the most popular cruise itineraries offered. Most river cruises visit 4 of the 10 countries through which its not-so-blue waters flow. No other river in the world passes through so many countries. It is the second longest in all of Europe if you include Russia and the Volga River. The name of the river originates from the a mythological source, from a Latin Roman river god, known as Danubius, or Danuvius. Additionally, the meaning can actually be derived from the ancient indigenous Slavonic tribes who called it the Great Water. The Danube runs for 1770 miles, ending up in the Black Sea via three branches. The ten countries it passes are: Ukraine, Moldova, Austria, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania. It starts ... read more