My Remodeled Life: September 2012

Monday, September 03, 2012

Prague - Day Six - Czech It Out

A few retakes from our earlier strolls through the city.

Prague - Day Six - Mucha

Alfons Maria Mucha, known in English as Alphonse Mucha, was a Czech Art Nouveau painter and decorative artist, known best for his distinct style. He produced many paintings, illustrations, advertisements, postcards, and designs. The Mucha Museum is dedicated to his artwork. We ended up skipping it to stay outdoors on a beautiful day. Still- Mucha influence in Prague is everywhere. It is hard to miss him and his work.

Prague - Day Six - Redo Prague

It is a beautiful day in Prague. Armed with Day Pass for the transport system - we are off to revisit several of the sights around the city. We've changed our itinerary in response to some accidentally deleted photos. It is too beautiful to be inside museums today anyway. So - here we go.

Prague - Day Six - Wallenstein Garden

The garden built by Albrecht of Wallenstein was divided into several major parts. It is located in Lesser Town below the Prague Place.

The Grotto - Dripstone Wall is called the secret or secluded garden. This section created area where elements of artificial and real living nature mingled and contrasted, where the feeling of uncertainty was heightened by the startling images of frogs, snakes, monsters, grotesquely formed faces and various kinds of animals hidden in the wall.

Sunday, September 02, 2012

Prague - Day Five - Chagall's Club Restaurant

Tonight we dined at Chagall's Club Restaurant (another recommendation from Brewsta, our local foodie). We were exhausted after a full day of walking around the city - thankfully the restaurant was a short walk from Hotel Josef. The food was very good but the place was empty. We didn't mind and enjoyed ourselves all the same.

Quinoa

Buffalo Mozzarella

Scallops

Risotta

Lamb

Gnocchi

Prague - Day Five - St. Peter & Paul Church

Located in Vysehard - the Church of Saints Peter & Paul was founded around 1070. The art nouveau paintings of portraits of the saints were painted by Frantisek Urban and his wife Marie. The Church was reopened in 1992. The cemetery is home to many of Bohemia's most famous historical figures.

Prague - Day Five - Vysehard, Prague's Starting Place

I saved our walk through Vysehard (http://www.praha-vysehrad.cz/Plan-of-Vysehrad ) until after seeing the bigger tourist attractions (read: crowded) in Old Town and Lesser Town.

Some believe Vysehard was the location of first settlement which later became Prague. It is home to the oldest surviving building Rotunda of St. Martin from the 11th century.

For us - Vysehard is a welcome escape from the crowds near the Prague Place and Charles Bridge.

Brick Gate

Located within the wall are several of the original limestone statues from Charles Bridge. This room was originally designed to house 1,200 soldiers.

St. Martin's Rotunda is the oldest building in Prague dating to the 11th century.

Prague - Day Five - Local Lunch

Vadim recommended we drop into Slavia Kavarna (http://www.cafeslavia.cz/ ) for a quick lunch. This local spot sits opposite the National Theater on Narodni street. The Czech food is simple and perfect for a quick lunch.

Czech Snitchel with Potato Salad

Salad with Ham

Ham Sandwich

Prague - Day Five - Prague In Context

I love to travel. I enjoy discovering and learning about new places, people and cultures. For me - each trip is much more than the time spent touring the location. I can spend months of self-study researching the location's sights, museums, art and food before making final plans.

Many years ago I stumbled across Context Travel (http://www.contexttravel.com). Paul's company is simply one of the best in the World. They hire local experts in every profession to serve as docents for travelers. Whether a group tour, limited to 6 people, or a private tour of your group - the experience is consistently positive. I can hardly keep up with Paul's company and their every expanding coverage of new spots on the globe.

Despite months of self-study - nothing can add to the value of a trip aboard than a knowledgeable guide. Today we are joined by our Context docent, Vadim Erent for a 3 hour walking tour (they like to call them seminars) of art nouveau and modernism architecture in Prague at the turn of the century. Vadim stepped in when his wife Bonita got sick. I am sure Bonita would have done a fine job - but Vadim was outstanding. We all enjoyed his architectural seminar of Prague.