Spoke to Catherine and she was well up for a trip. Providing she didn't have to organise anything, obviously.
We looked at flight options and both Prague and Munich got the green light. Flights out to Prague and back from Munich fitted perfectly and there's a cheap train between the two so connections are easy.
Neither of us had been to Prague before. Heard lots of good things about it though. Reassuringly, we were told it's easy to avoid the stags and hens too. We were also told its expensive, which it really isn't. Although after three nights we still couldn't get to grips with the currency so it's easy to see where the confusion would be. Beer works out about £1.50 a pint. But the numbers involved are really big so you think you're paying loads. Sometimes we'd pick up a tab for hundreds of Czech Crown (Kc). After much scratching of heads we'd work it out and realise we probably hit about a tenner each for a good fill of beer and food. A few years ago the exchange rate was double what it is today and beer was half the price, but it's still not an expensive destination.
Tipping is never assumed but always appreciated. Drop a couple of extra nuggets and all is good. 5 - 10%, or just round up to the nearest 10 or 20 Kc. They've adopted that annoying German tradition though - if you say thank you when settling a tab they keep all the change. It caught us out once and then we wised up. Either say nothing or tell them how much you'd like to pay in total when handing over cash.
As expected, there's some excellent Czech beer out here. Food is typically basic but tasty. We lived on goulash, dumplings and cabbage pancakes, which were all lovely. It's defo no place for vegetarians though. You can also get foie gras or white veal for a few quid if that floats your boat. I wasn't tempted. Surprisingly, neither was our resident press trip free-loader who thinks nothing of eating the likes of dolphin, swan and seal on her little gastronomic work trips abroad.
Public transport is fast, reliable, clean and cheap. They have a completely integrated transport system. You buy a time restricted ticket (30 mins, 90 mins, 1 day, 3 days) and use it as much as you want on bus, tram, train and/or tube. Tickets are valid from the moment you validate them - usually as you get on your tram or bus, or as you pass through a ticket barrier. There's very few ticket checks but nobody abuses the system because its so cheap.
Yesterday we had a pretty full on day. We visited the National Memorial to the victims of Post-Heydrich Terror. It tells the story of WW2 German occupation and how the (now) Czech Republic entered the war and the lead up to, and brutal aftermath of, the assassination of Heydrich by British trained Czech paratroopers. A little bit of history and culture before lunch.
We then went straight to the Staropramen brewery for a few early afternoon beers. It's a great bar and the staff were awesome. The beer doesn't get any fresher.
This was the start of an impromptu all day session which took us through a choice selection of local bars and jazz clubs and finally ended about 3.30am in a swanky cocktail bar burning the last of our Czech currency on some mighty fine cocktails.
Not our best idea mind. The alarm went off just a couple of hours later so we could get up early and catch our train to Munich.
We're currently sat on the 9.10 from Prague to Munich, about to cross the border. The train takes 6 hours but goes direct to and from the centre of both cities. It's a far better option than flying. We bought a ticket to Pilsner along with a Bayern-Bohmen Ticket earlier in the week. You get them both from the German DB ticket office at Prague station. They're located in the main ticket office, in a room to the left. They'll sell you both in one transaction. It cost about 40 quid (1122 Kc) for both of us but the Bayern-Bohmen Ticket covers up to 5 people for unlimited travel in Bavaria for 24 hours.
We're sat in a cabin with a woman from Ghana whose son Christian asked at the station if we'd watch over her for the journey and make sure she arrives in Munich ok. No idea why he asked us - we're both still completely boozed up from last night. Catherine can hardly stand, although she's just perked up after managing to stomach her first coffee of the day.
She's been pretty good this trip. She's only lost some maps and a few notes of advice from Neil so far. A charge she is still strenuously denying. Pens keep going missing too but usually turn up again eventually.
The only planning she did for this trip was a fully documented itinerary of which outfit she was wearing on which day. But that's better than nothing so don't knock it.
We're both really looking forward to Munich. It's gonna be more expensive than Prague but at least we'll be able to work out the currency so we'll happily pay a bit more for an easy life. The hotel has a pool so perhaps a quick lounge in the pool then a nap before hitting the beer halls.
Prague was awesome and thoroughly recommended. It's a stunning city, full of wonderful buildings, endless statues and cool little bars. It's probably starting on a downward turn though. It's kinda sad to see Irish bars, Starbucks and Hard Rock Cafes popping up but they're in the main tourist parts which can easily be avoided. Even in the tourists parts, you can usually duck down a side street and find a cool little smoky bar full of locals. We didn't see any stag parties or unruly British behaviour. Pick-pockets can be a problem, as with any major tourist city, but just watch your back and you'll be fine. We had no bother at all. The Czechs also have a good grasp of English. Certainly better than my attempts at Czech. I think going out of season helps. We've missed the summer season and it's too early for the Christmas crowds.
Munich should be pretty quiet too. Oktoberfest finished a few weeks ago so everyone will have had their fill and the carnage will have finished. Maybe next year we'll be over for Oktoberfest.
Maybe next year I'll manage to stay on my bike too!
Exhibit A - Liquid lunch at the Staropramen brewery...
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