Prague, what an inspiration.

My lovely partner Bill took me on holiday to Prague this week, and what an inspiration it was. I had no idea it was so beautiful or that it has had such a difficult history. Despite all the struggles the country has been through, it is a very beautiful, warm and friendly place to visit.
Famous for it's beer, Bill enjoyed taking me to the micro breweries to sample the potent liquids.

The food was simple, hearty and for some strange reason always served luke warm??? But if you like goulash, sausage, spiced cabbage and pork knee you will be fine because that is just about what they serve in every traditional restaurant and bar. Oh and lots of dumplings. I think I may have come back looking like a dumpling. I hate to think how many calories I consumed while we were away.
We did however, do a lot of walking. Prague is easy to navigate, especially on foot. We were never more than a thirty minute meander away from one side of the city to the other.
The city is made up of lots of squares and is bisected by a river.

These buildings are typical of the sort you see surrounding each square. These are in old town square with our hotel  in the square just behind the building in the bottom picture.
Old town square is home to the famous astronomical clock.

It is also home to the church that inspired Disney's cinderella castle.

The church of St Nicholas or Santa Clause is also in this square...

...you see, he really does exist!
Charles bridge is a very popular tourist attraction which is busy, busy, busy, but still romantic depending on the company you are in.

And there are plenty of romantic, quiet, intimate spots to discover, actually not that far away, just under the bridge infact.

I couldn't quite work this out, but there seemed to be another river running alongside the larger one. We are under the Charles bridge at this spot.

The story is that if you place a padlock on the bridge with your name on it, you leave your heart in Prague and will be sure to return.

On either side of the bridge are interesting shops selling all sorts of hand made things. My two favorites were the lady making and selling these wood decorations...

They have obviously been laser cut using CAD technology, then she hand paints them.
Then there was the very lovely lady making ginger bread.

I will definitely be giving these babies a go. The shop this lady had was quite small, but she made and decorated all the gingerbread herself on the premises and had a tiny tea room too, and she was making a living out of it and she employed someone to work with her!!! It seems there is money in gingerbread. Who knew?
So, from the beer and dumplings, to the architecture and gingerbread, it was an inspiring place to visit, romantic too and just a little bit fattening. Oh well. x