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Tuesday, January 26, 2021

My First Trip to Prague with Pieter

 On September 22 of 1996, we both went on a 12–day bus tour from the South of The Netherlands to Prague, Budapest and Vienna.

Arrival in Prague, at our Opatov hotel and enjoying the national drink, a Becherovka
Ready for dinner in my Escada outfit from the Outlet.
The Chanel belt bag proved very handy on this trip. Found it at the Jakarta Chanel boutique.
After dinner we went into the city for enjoying Krizikova Fountain.
This musical fountain got built in 1891
That was quite impressive!
Next day we went to view this 14th Century Gothic Cathedral of Our Lady before Týn, with its 80 m (262 ft) tall spires.
Having my Burberry umbrella on the ready... Wearing my Burberry blazer and Chanel loafers over Escada trousers and top (Outlet treasures!)
This Gothic Cathedral is right on the Old Town Square in Prague.
To the right in a cozy café is where we went for a coffee...
Our coffee stop was most welcome!
The vest I wear here is my own sewing creation... 
When I discovered those great Outlets here in the USA, I quit creating my own clothes!
Travel companion Enne de Groot from Texel, The Netherlands was so kind to make a picture of the two of us!
Pieter in his still favorite Burberry shirt, a tax-free find while doing our mushroom consulting work.
After our coffee by 12 noon we went to see the Old Town Hall.
That's where the 12 Apostles come by at those two top windows above the Astronomical Clock known as the Orloj, after their shutters open at the hour.
Old Town Hall got establishes in 1338!
See more here for a 3D virtual tour and Video.
We started our guided walking tour here at the River Moldau
The famous Charles Bridge in Prague that crosses the Vltava River.
Its construction began in 1357 and completed in the 15th Century. 
Replacing the previous Judith Bridge, constructed from 1158–1172, that got damaged by a flood in 1342.
On the Charles Bridge, at the copper embossed image of St. John of Nepomuk, the court priest of King Wenceslas IV. 
He got tortured and drowned in the River Vltava.
  By touching it, you could make a pious wish.
Prague even proves to be beautiful on a very cloudy day...
We enjoyed a knowledgeable guide to walk through the city.
She spoke Dutch and she even picked up that I came from the South, from Limburg; impressive!
It took a few hours, this guided walking tour!
Both of us found in an old alley a cozy restaurant... Pieter looking very happy for finally sharing this fabulous city also with me!
Next day on September 24, we go to the other side of Prague to see the St. Vitus Cathedral and Castle.
Exceptional stained glass work in the St. Vitus Cathedral 
This is Art Nouveau style in the Arch Bishop's chapell
Next day we went on our way to Budapest...

Have any of you been to Prague?

Related links:

30 comments:

  1. Dear Mariette - that is a coincidence, we also visited Prague in 1996. We took both of our sons and their wives, and my first beautiful little granddaughter who was only 3 years old. It was Easter time and I remember that it was very, very, hot - it is a really lovely city.

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    1. Dearest Rosemary,
      So glad that you also know this gem of a city with its incredible architecture!
      Weather wise you all have been a lot luckier than we were... it was dreary and either rainy or very coudy.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

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  2. Wonderful photos Mariette, Prague is indeed a beautiful city. I particularly enjoyed the panoramic views, did you take them or was it your husband, fantastic!

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    1. Dearest Grace,
      Thank you and husband Pieter operated the camera, he has been an avid photographer and member of a photo club in his younger years. I've also videotaped some in Prague.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

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  3. Beautiful city. That clock at the Old Town Hall is amazing. Lovely photos Mariette

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    1. Dearest Sami,
      That Astronomical Clock or Orloj is indeed worth a visit!
      Pieter took great photos.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

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  4. What stunning architecture and amazing history! Canada is such a young country, really, though of course we had European explorers in the 1400 and 1500s. Thanks for sharing the amazing pics. I hope you're healing well, feeling better. Take care!

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    1. Dearest Kim,
      Thank you and yes, it is always like getting your dose on medieval architecture when visiting such European cities as we have nothing like it here in North America and Canada outdoes the USA with e.g. Québec City. We have only Saint Augustine in Florida... This afternoon I'll remove the bandage and it will be the next step and tomorrow morning my eye surgery.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

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  5. No, I've never been to Prague, but so appreciate the photos you've shared with us here, Mariette. What a gorgeous city!
    Blessings!

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    1. Dearest Martha Jane,
      Glad you enjoyed this virtual visit of Prague.
      The USA does not have much history and what little we have/had gets often knocked down... Both of us originate from the Old World and also love history, aside from having had special friends from those cities. Pieter went there several times.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

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  6. Hallo Mariette, het lijkt mij een prachtige stad. Sowieso een mooie reis. Leuk om zo mee te mogen kijken. Fijne dag, lieve groet Willy

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    1. Beste Willy,
      Ja, het is ècht de moeite waard en zal nu ook al veel beter zijn qua hotel voorzieningen en zo. Wij kwamen er nog redelijk snel na de val van het Communisme... ons Opatov hotel was er eentje uit die periode. Een grijze betonnen flat die tot hotel was omgebouwd, net buiten het centrum gelegen.
      Maar je zou Praag zéker moeten bezoeken!
      Liefs,
      Mariette

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  7. Beautiful fountain. You’ve both been to incredibly wonderful places. Hope you are ok.

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    1. Dearest Anne,
      Yes, the Krizikova Fountain was beautiful to watch and listen to its music.
      We have been fortunate and only now find the time for reliving it...
      When this week is over, things will go better.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

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  8. Hello Mariette, I have always wanted to go to Prague. I love the surreal Czech animator Jan Svankmajer, and I heard that he and his wife had a museum for their physical art. I am not sure if the Svankmajer Museum is still there, but perhaps you and Pieter saw it!
    --Jim

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    1. Dearest Jim,
      For an almost overdose in architecture, Prague is a must see! So much history there.
      Both of us don't know the Czech animator Jan Švankmajer and neither have seen the museum. Loved the stacked Armadillos...
      Hugs,
      Mariette

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  9. Great pictures and memories as always. I have not been to any of those cities, but perhaps one day will get there. We had planned to visit more of Eastern Europe last year, but then of course, everything got shut down. :(

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    1. Dearest Tammy,
      Yes, those are some of our fondest memories as they also connected to special friendships for Pieter who came there several times during the Communism era.
      Too bad that you did not get to continue your Eastern European exploring... I do recall your post about Romania. Let's hope we soon will see 'normal' travel times again!
      Hugs,
      Mariette

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  10. Wunderbar Eure Erinnerungen, liebe Mariette und lieber Pieter,
    in Prag war ich noch nicht, aber in Marienbad, auch wunderschön mit uralten Gebäuden!
    Ein lieber Abendgruß zu Euch aus dem Drosselgarten von Traudi.♥

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    1. Liebe Traudi,
      Marienbad soll eine Traumstadt sein!
      Liebe Grüße,
      Mariette

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  11. Replies
    1. Dearest Jo-Anne,
      Thank you and it are for sure wonderful memories of fabulous Prague!
      Hugs,
      Mariette

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  12. I love the memories you capture here. You both look so happy. Beautiful photos!

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    1. Dearest Peter,
      Thank you and yes, it meant so much to both of us that finally Pieter could show me his beloved Prague where he'd been several times before, visiting his scientist friends.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

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  13. Me han encantado los lugares que has visitado y sobretodo Viena. Todos los años veo con atención el concierto de navidad, que retransmiten desde allí con la música de Strauss.

    Besos

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    1. Querida Antónia,
      Gracias y sí fuimos de Praga a Budapest y Viena en el camino de regreso a los Países Bajos en autobús. Tener un post listo sobre eso para leer pronto!
      Abrazos,
      Mariette

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  14. Yes we have been to Prague....although my traveling outfits were not nearly as nice as yours.

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    1. Dearest Janey,
      Thank you and glad you got to see this fabulous city!
      Hugs,
      Mariette

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  15. What a wonderful souvenir of your holiday, Mariette. Thank you so much for sharing it with us. I really enjoyed the photos.

    God bless always.

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    1. Dearest Victor,
      Thank you and yes, together with our video of it, this is great for looking back and reliving!
      Hugs,
      Mariette

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Thanks for your visit and comment.

Mariette...