The Magic of Praha

The final day of my Return to Prague Adventure was all about savoring the city’s wonders without the rush of ticking off must-see attractions. Instead, I set off on a captivating photo safari, ready to capture the city’s essence one shutter click at a time.

This is not to say I didn’t visit some interesting places. One of which was Praga Magica.

The intriguing Praga Magica exhibition is nestled in the heart of the Old Town Square within the beautifully renovated house U Červené lišky. This interactive experience is unlike anything I’ve encountered before. It employs technological innovations to present the city through a unique lens.

For a fleeting 30 minutes, I felt transported into Prague’s age-old tales. And can we talk about that view of the Prague Astronomical Clock? Absolutely stunning!

However, at 290 CZK (around $13.50), I couldn’t shake the feeling that the entry fee was a tad on the pricey side for what I experienced.

Regrettably, my visit to Praga Magica didn’t quite meet my expectations, which dampened my enthusiasm for exploring more museums or attractions on this final day.

I decided to stick with what I love most — roaming the picturesque streets of this enchanting city. No itinerary, just meandering and soaking in the sights.

And guess what I stumbled upon? Budget Books!

Budget Books

Budget Books Prague
Budget Books Prague

On all my adventures, I somehow always manage to stumble across bookstore, and this time was no different. I love reading, especially specialty books on a particular city’s history. For instance, I’m currently reading Scotland Yard’s History of Crime in 100 Objects by Alan Moss and Keith Skinner. What’s funny is I bought this book at Budget Books.

It’s so amusing to find a British crime book in a Czech Republic bookstore! The mysteries of travel never cease to amaze me.

Culinary Delights Await

What’s travel without tasting the local delicacies? Prague certainly didn’t disappoint!

No, I didn’t visit these restaurants on my final day. However, I didn’t mention my culinary excursions during my previous Return to Prague entries.

Bakeshop – Kozí 918/1, 110 00 Staré Město

🌟🌟🌟 out of 5 stars

My friend, Jodi Ames, recommended I check out the Bakeshop. Actually, she wanted me to have a Cornish pastry for her. 🙃 I did indeed have a Cornish pastry. The place wasn’t crowded at the time I visited, but it quickly filled up by the time I finished my Chicken Cornish pastry. My pastry was edible, but honestly? It didn’t quite excite my palate. The prices were a little steep, yet that seemed par for the course in this touristy area.

Chicken Cornish pastry

hOST Restaurant – Loretánská 179/15, 118 00 Praha 1-Hradčany

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 out of 5 stars

Definitely recommend having a meal at hOST, a small Italian family restaurant nestled in the heart of Prague. I came across this restaurant on my way to another restaurant. I was so intrigued by its menu that I actually doubled back and decided to eat there.

The service was decent, the atmosphere was nice, and there wasn’t a full house. Therefore, I didn’t have to wait long for a table or even get turned away because I was a solo diner. I ordered the grilled sea bass with seasonal veggies. My food was served hot, and it was delicious 😋.

The price was a bit higher than expected, but oh, was it worth every Koruna! My tummy was singing by the end of the meal.

Grilled sea bass with seasonal veggies

U Císařů – Loretánská, 118 00 Praha 1-Hradčany

🌟🌟🌟 out of 5 stars

U Císařů caught my eye during my walk to Prague Castle. The service was friendly, but the food fell way short of expectations. You know those typical tourist prices? Yup, I encountered that here, and it was a bit disappointing given my previous culinary experience.

I also had a cup of coffee as opposed to my normal tea. Coffee was a nice pick me up, but I told myself it would be the only cup of coffee I had on this trip.

Czech Svíčková – Beef Sirloin in a Creamy Sauce

Memory Restaurant: Újezd 421/16, Malá Strana 1, 118 00

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 out of 5 stars

Finally, I arrived at Memory, a place I had vowed to visit after a not-so-great panoramic dinner cruise. Saving the best for last truly paid off! I opted for a light dinner after the rich food I’d eaten during this adventure. I ordered the Miso soup and the Special Bowl. The soup was hot and flavorful.

The Special Bowl was scrumdiddlyumptious. The meat was cooked to my liking, and the vegetables were lovely. Plus, the customer service was attentive without being overbearing, which made the experience even better!

Courtyard by Marriot Prague Airport

As my Adventure in Prague drew to a close, I checked into the Courtyard by Marriott Prague Airport for my final night.

I was treated to a runway view room — because who doesn’t want to wake up to the sight of planes taking off as if they were in a never-ending episode of ‘Planes, Trains, and Automobiles’? Surprisedly, I didn’t hear a plane, train, bus or automobile. Props for the decent soundproofing.

Total VIP vibes, and they even welcomed me with a package containing water, fruit, and a cookie! Talk about hospitality!

I spent the remainder of the evening reflecting on my time in this stunning city. I can safely say that Prague has captured a piece of my heart. Every moment, every meal, and every stroll has been a reminder of the magic that resides here. Until next time, Praha —

HAVE PASSPORT, WILL TRAVEL!

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