Easter

Besides the gorgeous architecture, the bright colors, and the amazing weather, there were three things that I really loved about Prague:

1. The people. We met some truly delightful people. One man I met in the Marketplace. He was an older business man who had just decided to take the afternoon off to enjoy one of the first truly spring days in his country. He initially spoke to me in Czech, but after realizing I only spoke English quickly transitioned and told me many things about his homeland that he clearly loved. We talked for about half an hour and he was so delightful. We also met a lovely English couple who were on holiday. They spotted us exiting a museum and stopped us to ask if it was open. We told them yes and the gentleman then proceeded to open up a historical book and gave us the history of the church we had just exited. He was clearly so excited and interested in the topic that it was really fun to listen. He and his wife then asked us all about America and President Obama, healthcare and our time in Scotland. They were great. We actually met a number of other people in Prague who were just as delightful, but these two really stood out to me.

2. The Easter Market. This was such a surprise. I knew that Germany did Christmas Markets but was totally unprepared for the Easter Market--we didn't know they existed until we walked into the Old Town and saw all the booths set up. Just like the German Markets, the Easter Market is full of vendors who sell traditional crafts, food, and drink. They even had a stage where traditional Czech dance and music were performed. It was really fabulous and I have to admit that we went back to the Old Town Square several times just because I loved it so much.



3. Street Performers. We found some really charming street performers in every city we went to, but Prague was by far the best (and most numerous). It actually wasn't just the street performers, though. The whole city seemed to be alive with music. Every church we passed was advertising a short (though expensive) concert of classical music set in their truly stunning church. We didn't make it to any of those, but did happen to hear one through an open window as we were passing by (and, yes, we did stop to listen). But, back to the street performers, who were really fun, and much more accessible. These were among my favorites:

Easter Market Band

Old Town Square


Marionette on Charles Bridge

Outside the Castle

Can I just say again....I loved Prague.

More Prague

A few more pictures of Prague (I have to say, I am disappointed in my Prague pictures. They do not begin to capture the beauty of the city):

Prague

Prague was probably my favorite city of the whole trip. When we first got there, I was a bit disappointed--we stayed near Wencelsas Square, which I just didn't find that interesting. But, as we walked we eventually made it to the Old Town, and then across the Charles Bridge and to the Castle and-oh my word-it was all amazing. The buildings are magnificent; they are colorful, ornate, and just scream with history. Prague was apparently not bombed much during WWII, so this city is still largely intact, which was really great to experience. More than any other city we visited, I found myself continually imagining what it might have been like to live there at various points in history.

This is the National Museum.
The inside was incredible, but they don't let you take pictures inside.

The buildings in Prague are really ornate. Almost everything used lots of colors and many building have intricate designs.

One of many theaters

Buildings in Old Town

In the Old Town Square, the Astronomical Clocks stands. It was apparently built in 1490 and, although it has been repaired various times and various things have been added, it is pretty much today as it was then. The hourly sounding of the clock is quite the event: the bells chime, the two upper windows open (you can see them on either side of the statue, just about the face of the clock) open and the 12 apostles appear in turn. This is followed by a costumed trumpeter playing a short melody from the top of the tower. Very fun.

Astronomical Clock

The Prague Castle was AMAZING. It is the largest castle in the world and the grounds and buildings go on forever. The first building was constructed in 870, with many additions and changes over the 1100+ years that have followed. The Prague Castle has been home to many leaders, including to Holy Roman Emperors (Prague was apparently the capital of the Holy Roman Empire for some time--a fact I did not know), Nazi, communist, and democratic leaders.

We got there too late for a tour, but did enjoy walking the grounds (the gardens, sadly, didn't open until April) and visiting St. Vitus Cathedral, which is part of the Castle. This Cathedral, by the way, was the most ornate church I have ever seen. It is really unbelievable. In addition to the Castle, there is a large "neighborhood" surrounding it that was full of beautiful buildings, museums, a monastery, and this large and fantastic park.

Looking towards to Castle, from the Old Town side of the Vlatva River.

Stained Glass from St. Vitus Cathedral

I can't remember what this is.....

A view of Prague

A view from the Castle. Looking on Old Town.

Old Town

Tyn Cathedral, on Old Town Square

Tyn Cathedral at night

A really fantastic open flower market. LOVED it.

Marionette puppets

Castle at Sunset

Looking across the Vltava River

I loved Prague so much, I am going to do 2 posts on it! So, check back tomorrow for some of the other highlights of our visit there.

Rhine Valley

On the tip of an old coworker, we decided to make a stop in the Rhine Valley, on our way from Frankfurt back to the airport (which was about 100km from Frankfurt). What started out as a rainy, yucky day turned into a really beautiful afternoon. This was the only day on our entire trip that it rained, and wouldn't you know it stopped raining every single time we got out of the car. So, our entire 4 hours in the Valley were sunny and dry.

We started in Bingen au Rhine, before taking the ferry over to the Rudesheim in the Rheingau area. Here, there are vineyards as far as the eye can see. You can walk through the vineyards on the paths seeing various landmarks on the way. As we were ascending the hills, we noticed a large structure off in the distance. After consulting our trusty tourist's map, we determined it was the Hildegard Abbey. St. Hildegard was apparently a theologan (among other pursuits) in her time, so Joe was quite giddy at this discovery!

After a lengthy, though beautiful walk, through the vineyards, we came to the place:


Though, most of the Abbey was closed to the public, the church was open and it was really beautiful. I refrained from taking photographs as there were some sisters (nuns) quietly worshipping inside.

During our walk, we did walk through a quiet little neighborhood. I saw this mural painted on the wall and had to take a picture. I loved it! (The window is real).



When you are done walking through the vineyards, you can sit and enjoy a glass of locally made wine in any of the numerous wine taverns. This was such a beautiful, charming and quaint area. We think you could walk from town to town in the valley simply by walking the vineyard paths. Something we may think about doing at some point in the future. It was really breathtaking.

We ended up back at the airport a little earlier than necessary so decided to drive around a bit and happened upon another valley region--Bernkastel Kues in the Moselle Valley. If the drive wasn't spectacular enough, the valley was like something out of a fairy tale book. Amazing. Sadly, no pictures. Guess we'll have to go back.

Frankfurt

Copyright Tomas Wolf. Reproduced with permission under the Creative Commons License

After leaving Heidelberg, our next stop was Frankfurt am Main (Frankfurt on the Main [River]). We'd heard that Frankfurt wasn't very interesting and weren't sure what to expect. Frankfurt was apparently bombed quite several during World War II and was not rebuilt in the historic style. Today, Frankfurt is the 5th largest German city and is the financial and transportation center of Germany and the largest financial center in continental Europe. So, although we did find Frankfurt to be more of a modern city, with less of that old world charm, we did enjoy our brief visit, nonetheless.


Some of our Frankfurt highlights:

We got a great deal on lodging in Frankfurt--a really fantastic hostel, with a private room, for a great price with easy walking access to all the sights. The one drawback...it was located smack dab in the center of the Red Light District. I kid you not. And, I do mean a Red Light District. Yes, what you are thinking is what I mean. Hence, no photos of this one! It actually wasn't that bad. We didn't feel unsafe and weren't bothered by noise and no one made any untoward propositions. In fact, if it weren't for the signs everywhere, you wouldn't have known. We even stayed an extra night, we liked the hostel so much. Definitely something we'll remember forever.

Moving on....after roaming around the city and taking in the skyscrapers, the river and the parks, we found this little gem: The Romerberg or City Hall Square. It was open, unusually, hence all the red balloons.

The Romer (City Hall)

9 houses, dating from 1400, that are part of the square

St. Bartholomew's Cathedral, dating to the 1300s. Here, Kings were elected and Emperors crowned.

Katherinenkirche, or St. Katherine's Church, built in the 1600s. It was destroyed in WWII, but was one of the few buildings that was rebuilt.


The Hauptwache. Built in the 1700s it was formerly used as a prison and police station. Since 1904, however, it has been a popular cafe (though, use has been interrupted twice for reconstruction--once for WWII and once during the building of the underground rail).

Heidelberg

We started our trip with a stop in Heidelberg, Germany. I honestly can't remember how we came up with the idea of visiting this little city, but we are SO glad we did. It was beautiful. Heidelberg is a very charming little city with an even more charming Old Town, full of half-timbered and colorful houses and shops and gorgeous old churches. You can only walk through old town, not drive, so you're free to stroll about and take in the sights, smells, and sounds.


Some of our Heidelberg Highlights include a delicious German dinner at a quiet table outside


A few hour coffee/reading/people watching break at a cafe with seating on the main town square

An evening seranade by this delightful group of musicians with an unusual grouping of instruments

A stop in this amazing new and used book shop: multiple floors of floor to ceiling books. Brightly lit, with comfy chairs strategically placed admist the carefully stacked books. So fun.


Views of the Heidelberg Castle Ruins
Strolling along the Neckar River, looking at all the lovely homes


And, a lovely walk along the Philosopenweg (Philosopher's Walk), taking in the sights of Old Town from up in the northern side of the Neckar River and imagining all those old philosophers and academics who have walked there before, talking and thinking....


Sadly, we spent too little time in Heidelberg. Though not the most exciting city, I think we both could have easily spent a long weekend there, strolling about, sitting and talking and reading, looking in shops, and so on. If you are ever in the area, Heidelberg should not be missed! In fact, a special trip may even be in order.

Happy Birthday, Cristy!

Today we are celebrating another Rivera birthday! Joe's older sister, Cristy, is the person of honor today and we want to wish her a simply beautiful and joy-filled day. Unfortunately, we do not have a photo of Cristy (something we definitely need to rectify), so a non-photo birthday wish will have to do.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CRISTY!

Cristy is a very smart and friendly lady and a great mom to her daughter. And, she answers the random questions I put on my blog, which makes her tops in my book! :) Hope you have a great day, Cristy!