Travel

Disclosure: Our trip was complimentary in partnership with Jet2.com. As always all thoughts and experiences are my own.

Personally I found Prague to be something of a seasonal city. What I mean by that is that I feel it is somewhere that it enjoyed to its fullest at a certain time of the year. In this case I felt that Prague was perfect for colder months, when cosy clothes and hearty food are embraced.

The food in Prague is absolutely my kind of food: wholesome, hearty and unpretentious. The characteristic, solid and old architecture is almost mimicked in the Czech dishes. Both are rich in history and flavour.

The Beer

Beer is to the Czech Republic what tea is to England. You cannot go there and not have it. I was told just how affordable the beer (and food & drink in general) was in Prague but experiencing it first hand was another level.

Our very first tankard cost a mere £1.90 and ended up being the most expensive drink of the trip. The cheapest beer we bought was just 97p.

When soft drinks are more expensive than a pint you’ll find yourself embracing beer with every meal, as you should not only for its affordability but for its wonderful taste.

The selection is dizzying and there are truly beers to suit all tastes. Even non-beer drinkers are sure to find a light, fruity and friendly number.

Steak Tartar

Meat and bread feature heavily in Czech cuisine and you’ll see steak tartare cropping up regularly as starters and mains.

My steak tartare experience presented the meat in a much finer fashion; almost mince like compare to the larger chunks I am used to. It comes richly and fragrantly spiced; in fact there was an intriguing flavour within my dish that I just could not place.

Goulash

Goulash is everywhere in Prague and probably their most famous dish. Originating from Hungary, this rich stew, dark in colour has been adapted and is served with slices of pale bread dumplings.

It’s an extremely humble dish and resembles comforting home cooked food in every way. Perfect with a beer!

Burgers

Not exactly steeped in Czech history but as a place that takes their meat very seriously the burger situation is serious. You’ll find plenty of restaurants in Prague serving delicious gourmet burgers.

Vietnamese

Prague has a large Vietnamese community which originated from the Communist period of the Czech Republic. A such, you’ll find plenty of wonderful Vietnamese restaurants in Prague which offer a light and fragrant change from the heavy local dishes.

Pljeskavica

This is in fact a dish from Serbia but it has found its way to Prague and makes a great informal street food meal.

It’s a patty made with a mix of pork, beef and lamb (you can see why it has success in meat-loving Prague) and after cooking over hot coals is packed into a garlicky flatbread with fresh vegetables and a delicious red pepper sauce.

Sauerkraut

I love sauerkraut. In Prague I found it to be sweeter than what I am used to in Germany and Finland. Very tasty sprinkled over your goulash.

Trdelník

Travel snobs may recoil at my inclusion of this because it is completely fabricated for the tourists. Yep: this snack did not previously exist in Prague, or anywhere in the Czech republic. But it’s everywhere and it’s delicious, so you better believe I’m including it.

Trdelnik is a rolled dough cooked over hot coals on a pole, it is dusted with sugar and served with chocolate, cream or ice cream. It’s like a crispy donut; still warm and a very indulgent, messy street snack!

Rum Infused Desserts

I was very pleasantly surprised to discover that rum is pretty damn popular in Prague! Not only did mine and Q’s favourite rum El Dorado appear on numerous pub menus, but dark rum infused desserts appear on many restaurant menus as well. Rum Baba as well as a boozy sticky toffee pudding-like dessert are both a delicious way to end your meal.

Restaurants I Recommend:

• Krystal Bistro: a wonderful restaurant in the Karlin district of Prague. A very friendly, family run atmosphere and a delicious menu that draws from Czech and French cuisine.
• Muc Dong: You’ll find this Vietnamese restaurant just by Prague Old Town. The food is solid and the service snappy. The perfect pit stop among site seeing.
  Pivovarsky Klub: If you like beer, then you like here. Claiming to have the largest beer selection in the entire country, the drinks menu is more like an encyclopaedia. Knowledgeable waiting staff will help you pick something complimentary to your meal. Did I mention there’s a beautiful cellar where you can dine?
• Eska: Taking an ultra modern approach to Czech cuisine this restaurant offers a different vibe. It’s extremely trendy and booking a table is a must. The menu is extremely minimalist so you won’t really know what you’re getting when you order things like ‘Potatoes in charcoal’ and dishes are a little hit and miss, but the atmosphere and experience is spot on.
• Coffeeholic: A modern coffee shop serving lovingly-made coffees and tasty pastries.
• Muj Salek Kavy: Another found in the quieter Karlin District. A vibrant urban coffee shop with a tasty menu. (Also their brownies are great)

 

Disclosure: Our trip was fully compensated by Jet2. All thoughts, words and experiences are my own.

Prague has a dizzying collection of sights. Residential streets are colour palettes of greens and oranges and yellows, pavements are intricate mosaics of grey and white… when even the mundane is breathtaking, it becomes quite an overwhelming task to take in as much of Prague’s famed beauty as you possibly can within a short city break stay.

Q and I were ticking off this cornerstone of Europe thanks to Jet2 City Breaks. Staying for three nights we had bookmarked a few key sights that we wanted to see, and had a clear goal to experience both the famous, and more local sights.

Wander The Residential Streets

Speaking of those beautiful, colour-rich streets, my first recommendation is that you must take a stroll down them.

We chose to stay at the Pentahotel which is available via Jet2 City Breaks. I loved its location away from the main buzz of the city. Here it was nestled among pretty green and yellow houses and cafes. Very peaceful.

Enjoying these streets is a perfect relaxing activity for days that you are travelling.

Jirak Farmer’s Market

If you’re looking for a more local experience then this is a fantastic one to visit. Jirak Farmers Market runs every Saturday 08:00-14:00 and is an intimate yet varied gathering of vendors selling groceries, flowers, artisan products and street food. Great for wondering around, filling up on food as you go.

Tourists are far outweighed by locals here so it’s perfect for an authentic Prague experience.

We hugely enjoyed mooching and eating our way around the market. But best of all, on the day we visited there was a band! They played with such enthusiasm both local songs and well-known classics. They brought such a cheerful atmosphere to the market and I could not help myself but dancing along! They really made my day!

I’ve since learned that they play at the market often so be sure to add seeing these guys to your itinerary!

Masopust

By absolute chance we stumbled upon Masopust. This is a Czech tradition which takes place in the run up to Easter. It is a lively parade through the streets with drums and dancing and performers. Q and I observed the crowd and noticed that every one dressed up with masks and costumes as though it were Halloween.

To outsiders like us with no context at the time, it was absolutely bonkers.

Masopust (it turns out) is a celebration of the end of Winter and the time of plenty before Lent begins. But we only knew that after a good bit of research. But there in the moment, having stumbled upon a localised Carnival we looked on utter confusion and joy at the bizarre merrymaking taking place!

The Brazilian drummers were spectacular. The whole spectacle is great fun to see if you’re in Prague in the run up to Easter.

Žižkov Television Tower

If you’re an architecture nerd like us, then the Zizkov television tower is worth a visit. In stark contrast to the chocolate box buildings of Old Town, this is a 216m tall monolithic ode to the communist era. Nowadays, it hosts a restaurant, hotel and pop-up art installations. A bizarre and really quite creepy location for leisure activities.

In the surrounding square are some great little coffee shops where you can grab a cuppa and take in the imposing height of the tower. I recommend Cofeeholic.

Old Town Square

Okay, onto what Prague is really known for. This should really be your starting point for delving into the main attractions. This is where the old streets we walked from our suburban hotel suddenly opened up to reveal a hive of activity.

The square is surrounded on every side with buildings so unique and beautiful that you’ll fumble with your camera/phone and want to capture every single one.

From the square you can take a number of routes to other famous sights, so enjoy a bite to eat at one of the many street vendors or cafes and get fuelled for a solid day of walking!

St Nicolas Church

On the direct peripheral of Old Town Square this is a quick and easy landmark to tick off. I love visiting churches not only for their unimaginable beauty, but because no matter how touristy they are, they are always peaceful inside. St Nicolas Church is as beautiful and ornate as any other religious building of its time. Take a seat and crane your neck up at the beautiful paintings and carvings, not to mention the giant chandelier.

A lovely place for a quiet, reflective moment. Emerging from the church, the city feels even more lively by comparison. Buskers await you at the exit to awaken your senses once more.

The Powder Tower

It was only after gawping up at this beautiful blackened tower, finally adjusting our necks back down to the ground that we noticed an inconspicuous iron doorway, ushering us to explore inside…

Cheeky.

The tower used to hold gun powder, hence the name. You can climb part-way up the tower for free, where you can enjoy carved stone rooms and lovely stained glass windows. Then for a small fee (100 Koruna each) you can climb right to the top and enjoy spectacular 360 degree views of the city.

The spiral stone staircases are narrow and dizzying; a challenge for those unsteady on their feet or scared of heights. Particularly as traffic passes both up and down at the same time and there’s a fair bit of “Sorry! Thank you!” as you shimmy around each other. The views at the top are well worth the effort however.

Charles Bridge

Charles Bridge dates back to the 14th Century and, like many of Prague’s architectural delights, is a grand and Gothic spectacle.

The bridge sends you on your way from Old Town towards Prague Castle, and adorns your journey across the river with many statues of patron saints.

As a rule, I’m not the kind of hyper-reality blogger who gets up at 5am to photograph empty, idyllic streets that don’t represent the real experience. But if you’re wanting that perfect shot you’ll have to do just that for Charles Bridge. It is a stunning piece of architectural engineering but the sheer amount of tourists and souvenir stands along it do take away from the beauty.

I admit in this instance I did just want everyone else to disappear for a few moments so that I could really enjoy the beauty of this bridge. One thing that remains completely unspoilt is the incredible views of the city beyond the stretches of the river.

Prague Castle

Q and I spent a good while chasing the imposing spires of the Castle Cathedral which peeked over the streets below. We eventually came to a staircase which lead us up (and up and up – you’ve got to earn this view!) to the Castle complex.

Prague Castle is a complex, and the sheer variety and scale of these buildings is breath taking. Dating back to 870 (I mean wow) churches, palaces, halls, towers and gardens all reside atop this hill. You could spend a whole day up here exploring; I was quite surprised to find that at no point was I ask for money to visit anywhere that I went.

The views up here are another reason to visit. Quite probably the best you can get of Prague city.

Out of all the countless buildings, and many architectural styles, Saint Vitus Cathedral was my favourite.  It is so monstrous and ornate that I ran to the farthest corner of the huge plaza in which it proudly sits only to find that it still didn’t fit in my camera frame. Iphone pano to the rescue.

Its beauty and scale just cannot compare to seeing it in real life. One of the most stunning buildings I have ever seen. I was so pleased to have witnessed it bathed in sunlight.

Sight Seeing in Prague

• Prague is surprisingly hilly! At least, I hadn’t expected it to be. Pack comfortable shoes for those hills and cobbles!
• It is undeniably an extremely touristy city. You will have to battle crowds, unless you set your alarm for dawn.
• Worried about it being a stag do capital? They won’t get in your way; they’ll be hungover in bed whilst you enjoy the sights. I did however spot a chap dressed as a dinosaur with pink lipstick in Old Town Square…
• Old Town is where everyone congregates; the contrast in people here Vs the rest of the city is quite stark. Be sure to visit further afield for some peace and quiet.
• Jaywalking doesn’t appear to be the done thing here, be sure to wait for the green man.
• Watch out for trams!

Disclosure: Our trip was fully compensated by Jet2. All thoughts, images and experiences are my own.

One of my resolutions for 2019 was to visit more European cities so I am thrilled to have begun doing just that in the first quarter of the year. Let’s be honest, I am late to the Prague party – quite literally given how popular the city has become as a celebratory destination.

But who cares! Old cities have always appealed to me and there are so many on my list to still visit. For their unimaginable beauty, the architecture that shapes them and has done for centuries. My old architecture lectures from university come flooding back whenever I am surrounded by classical buildings; the old soul in me enjoys these the most.

And of course, the opportunity to eat something new and exciting is a big draw of anywhere I go to… But you knew that already!

Flying From Birmingham Airport

So Q and I didn’t get off to an organised start. I am one of those people that hates being late for airports. I am that person who wants to be there hours before with contingency time built into my contingency time. But this time, I did not have that contingency, because for the first time in my life I have kittens and getting them sorted in the morning (and the house ready for our cat-sitters) may have kept us punctual by regular standards, but horribly late by my own!

And for the first time we drove North to Birmingham airport. After a lifetime of flying from London, Q and I were unsure what to expect, but our very first impression – the car park – was already better than the chaos we experience at Luton. For £45 (for 4 days, not bad at all eh?) we parked on smooth tarmac and glided our bags along a covered walkway to the terminal, where we checked in with not so much as one person in front of us. Then off we strolled through an equally calm and quiet security check et voila: our contingency time had magically appeared again.

Flying with Jet2

Another first was flying with Jet2. They operate from nine airports in the UK and have a good few flights from Birmingham. Our entire trip was organised through Jet2CityBreaks; it’s been a while since I booked a holiday through a ‘one-stop-shop’ and it made a refreshing change with less paperwork and information to carry with me. On hearing that I was flying with Jet2 my parents sang their praises: how they always use them now and how good their airport transfers are. We hopped aboard a little plane glowing a warm red inside and sounding out happy pop songs that put me at ease. Take off isn’t my favourite but bobbing along in my seat to the Spice Girls had me relaxed and ready for my holiday.

Throughout the flight they play friendly recorded messages which I’ve not experienced before on other airlines. The messages tell you clearly what is happening – from seat belts, to dimming of cabin lights, shopping time and when it’s time to land. They’re easier to hear than the usual cabin intercom and more professional. A small detail but as someone who doesn’t like not feeling in control on a plane it added to my enjoyment of the flight.

For 2 hours Q and I chatted at ease over ice-cold ciders about what we wanted to do when we landed, and of course, what we wanted to eat!

Staying at the Pentahotel, Prague

From the options Jet2 offered us, we chose to stay in the Pentahotel Prague. I’d never heard of them before but turns out they’re a small chain of hotels found in popular cities across the world. In Prague, Pentahotel sits on a quiet street about a 30 minute walk (2.8km) from the heart of Old Town. Literally minutes away from the hotel are an array of restaurants, cafes and bars, nestled along rows of colourful residential buildings which I soon learned were synonymous with the city.

We swished through the front doors of Pentahotel and were instantly transported from historical quiet street into a bustling, ultra cool hub. Stepping inside you are met with a warm glow of modern lighting and trendy, atmospheric (but not overwhelming, take it from an introvert) music. It’s marvellous how quickly the lobby sucks you in and makes you feel at home.

Central to the space is a large bar bathed in colourful lights where among choosing your poison you check yourself in. On the perimeter are sofas galore, cushions, armchairs… make yourself comfy. There’s also a snooker table and even a multiplayer Playstation if you’re feeling competitive!

Spaces are divided by deconstructed brick walls, fire and candlelight.

Our Room

Along dark black corridors you’ll discover the rooms, which are more conservative. They are the classic city break hotel room: humble, clean and comfortable. Everything you need for a short stay:

• Rainforest Shower
• Quirky toiletries (in decent sizes!)
• Safe for valuables
• Tea/coffee making facilities
• TV with a few limited English channels, plus pay-to-view movies
• A generous offering of coat hangers (I hate when hotels give you only two?!)

Dinner at Krystal Bistro

Those restaurants I mentioned that are just minutes away? Krystal Bistro is the closest of all to Pentahotel, quite literally on the other side of the street. ‘Traditional [Czech] cuisine with a French touch’ was to be our first meal in Prague. The bistro had a lovely family-run atmosphere. Calm but very friendly with impeccable service.

Beer was of course the first thing we ordered, Prague is known for its incredible selection of beers after all! I had heard good things about the prices of food and drink in Prague but the reality felt too good to be true. Our very first beer; a large, refreshing tankard cost just £1.90. Say whaaaat?

Q and I quickly learned that Czech food is ultra hearty, Winter-style grub. Red meats, rich sauces and thick dumplings feature heavily. Absolutely, 100% our kind of food.

My steak tartare was served very finely diced, heavily ‘herbed’ and with wholesome slices of rye bread. There was an intriguing flavour in here that I just couldn’t put my finger (tongue?) on.

We also learned fast that the Czechs, or at least Prague, loves a burger. Probably something to do with the aforementioned love of red meat and carbs, but wow they do a good one. The house burger at Krystal, complete with onion brioche and a rare steak patty was a glorious offering.

Y’know, we learned a lot about the popular themes in Czech food from this very first meal which we then saw running through menus throughout the trip. Rum, of all things and I was thrilled to discover, is pretty damn big in Prague! We finished our first meal in the city by sharing a delicious Kofola and rum cake (Kofola is Czech Coca Cola). This was basically a sticky toffee pudding but with rum. So better.

Our three-course meal with a good few beers thrown in cost around the £40 mark. Wow.

First Impressions

After an entire day of firsts we finished our evening back at the Pentahotel lobby, curled up on a large leather sofa in front of a trendy wall of faux fires, sipping on strawberry daiquiris – quite the feminine contrast to all that red meat and beer at dinner.

We reflected on how our entire day had gone seamlessly: from new airport, to new airline, to new hotel and new country. With so many unknown entities we had fully expected something to be a little off but no, it had been a fantastic day of travel. And with With a belly full of wonderful food (at even better value) in cosy surroundings I felt instantly at home. My fresh white bed was calling, ready to prepare me for our first full day in Prague…

Disclosure: Our visit was sponsored by Hotels.com. As always all thoughts and words are my own.

I am forever grateful that one of the most incredible cities not only in the country but the entire world is but a thirty minute train ride from my home.

It’s not exactly my usual ‘brand’, is it? You’ll usually find me adventuring somewhere more rustic or low key.  Nevertheless I’ve found myself in Marbella more than once; among big crowds and loud outfits to celebrate friends who are getting married.

Disclosure: Our stay was complimentary. As always all thoughts are my own.

We arrived to find The Rose & Crown conveniently perched right on the market square. Entering the pub there was a busy atmosphere of locals and visitors alike relaxing away their Saturday with a few drinks and nibbles. I spotted nibbles for furry friends before realising there were numerous dogs dotted about the place, much to Q’s delight!

After checking in at the bar we were led back out to the square and around to a nearby, separate building inconspicuously accessed by a single red door hidden among shop fronts. I whispered to Q that we’d have to remember where the door was when coming back home later in the dark after a few drinks!

As soon as the door closed behind us there was a sense of security. The market on the square was in full swing and the cries of deals on fish and black pudding were left behind as we travelled up the stairway to our room. The inn is surprisingly spacious once you get above the ground! We were led to our home for night in Room 11.

The room is clean, country and classic. I felt instantly content at the sight of the low sun streaming through the window, and the sound of quiet piano playing on the radio to welcome us in.

The room is spacious with full wardrobe, hot drinks and snacks table, armchair and dressing table, and sofa.

The bathroom is perhaps the most pleasant surprise in the room; it’s much larger than you’d expect! Complete with his and her mirrors, power shower and an ornate, freestanding bath. Lots of room for pampering yourself. Lots of romance for a couple.

It was so very quiet in our room; it felt comfortably cut off from the outside world. We arrived in Warwick at the beginnings of the Beast From the East, so the -7c conditions took a little while to face when our room was so peaceful and cosy.

But,  piling on layer after layer, wrapping my scarf around my face extra tight and engulfing my head in a big fluffy hood, we crossed the threshold of the little red door and ventured off to explore Warwick.

Warwick is the kind of place that I enjoy just mindlessly wandering around because it’s so quaint. It’s got that medieval charm of York, but on a smaller scale. I’m a sucker for ancient buildings and living in Milton Keynes, a city just 50 years old, I’m robbed of the daily pleasures of old architecture. Warwick was a great place to scratch that itch. My favourite find was the Lord Leycester Hospital:

Isn’t it wonderful? Like something from Game of Thrones.

We took in the sights (me bookmarking all the places I wanted to live) and dipped in and out of pubs along the way for a drink or two. But as the sun dipped below the horizon it became absolutely Baltic!

Having eaten such a gargantuan meal for lunch my stomach (surprisingly) wasn’t too interested in food for the evening. That mighty Camembert starter really did a number on me huh? I focused my evening around cocktails instead.

Despite being a Saturday night the town felt sleepy, and I turn felt the same. The cold turned us in early, as did the thought of that lovely, gentle room. We spent the last portion of our day watching The King’s Speech (a suitably gentle and British film to match the theme of the weekend) and fell asleep to Classic FM.

I woke up feeling extremely refreshed from a lot of much needed sleep. After a wonderful shower we strolled across the square to find the Rose and Crown once again bathed in sunlight, but this time the pub was much quieter, save for more dogs making the occasional bark at each other!

We picked a rustic table by the window which was a lovely sun trap for enjoying our breakfast. The breakfast menu is strong, ranging from £4.95-£10.50 with about a dosen things to choose from. Breakfast is included with a room booking. I was close to picking the porridge which sounded lovely and wholesome with dried fruit, toasted nuts and seeds and honey. But I saw eggs going to another table which swayed my choice.

Simple but satisfying. Every one of our eggs was perfectly runny and I took great satisfaction in slowly pressing my knife into them and watching them burst.

My coffee came with a little bowl of sweets. It’s something not many places do: why not? Smarties with your cappuccino on a Sunday morning is joyful!

I’d like to tell you that we did more adventurous things in Warwick and that I left with a hangover. Perhaps if I’d gone in my early twenties that may have been the case. But our stay was so wonderfully relaxing that our visit in turn was a very calm affair. I have no apologies for that: anyone with a busy life knows the joy of taking a breather. Enjoying rustic, new sights in an unvisited town, dipping in and out of new places for drinks, relaxing in a peaceful, comfortable room and enjoying a leisurely breakfast. Sure it wasn’t eventful, but it was memorable.

Rooms range from a very reasonable  £60-£110 and if you’re looking for a getaway for de-stressing and gathering your thoughts the Rose & Crown is a top spot for just that.

With palm trees and blue seas it can be quite easy to view St Lucia as a destination for doing nothing other than plonking yourself under the sun and baking all day. The resorts are of course all geared up for doing just that and I’ve spent many an hour happily gorging on Vitamin D.

But tropical climates don’t just mean beautiful blue skies and the reason that St Lucia is such an incredibly lush island is that it rains… rather a lot. One minute you can be falling asleep on your sun lounger with the hot sun in your eyes and the next minute you’re rudely awakened by big, warm raindrops splashing down on you! The showers are usually short and sharp, and the weather in general is like a chameleon. Always changing moods.

Aaaah St Lucia…

This was my first ever Winter holiday, and I soon learned that they’re not at all like the Summer kind. First off, they are met with very different reactions to a trip in say July or August. No one reading this needs reminding that January and February are miserable months and that everyone unites in feeling a little glum and a lot fed up of the darkness and cold that at this point, starts to feel like it will never, ever go away.