DAY 3 IN PRAGUE: DANUBE RIVER CRUISE

This is a multi-part series about our Danube River Cruise.

DAY 3
I'm up before the alarm goes off, and wide awake. Why is it so easy to get myself out of bed when I'm on vacation? One of life's great riddles, I suppose. After breakfast, we meet our local guide, who will take us through Prague's historic Jewish quarter on this glorious morning. 

A collection of historic synagogues, a cemetery, and other landmarks make up what is called the Jewish Museum. We learn that rather than destroy the area, Hitler decided to preserve it as a "museum of an extinct race." Regardless of whether that is true or not, it is an emotional walk through this small section of the Old Town.

The oldest synagogue on our tour, and possibly the oldest operating Jewish temple in Europe, is the Old-New Synagogue, which was constructed in 1270. 1270! Our guide tells us that when it was built, it was call the New Synagogue; then, when newer temples were built around it, it became the Old-New Synagogue. I'm disappointed that we don't go inside.

Old-New Synagogue

We do go inside the jaw-droppingly beautiful Spanish Synagogue. Word has it that it is the most beautiful Jewish house of worship in Europe. Word, indeed.

Spanish Synagogue

Silently, we make our way through the Old Jewish Cemetery. For hundreds of years, it was the only place Jews were allowed to be buried in Prague. There are thousands of tombstones from as early as the mid-15th century, but we can see only the top layer. There are seven or eight layers of graves below them.

Old Jewish Cemetery

After our morning outing, I'm chomping at the bit to go to a local restaurant for lunch. It's not to be, because we don't have enough time before the afternoon tour. Lunch in the hotel will have to do. Such are the trade-offs one must make when on an escorted trip.


I'm super-excited for this afternoon's tour of the Strahov Monastery library. A Tauck tour exclusive is the ability to actually walk through the library, whereas most folk only get to peek inside the two spectacular rooms through a doorway for a few seconds before someone clears their throat to make them move on.  We arrive, enter through an unassuming door, and..........

Oh. My. Heavens. 

Our collective jaws pretty much drop to the ancient floor as we look up at the ceiling. I'm trying to pay attention to what the guide is saying, but I'm too busy snapping pictures.

The volumes of books that fill the rooms of this abbey founded in 1143 leave us breathless. 

Strahov Monastery Library

The second room is just as extraordinary as the first. I could get some serious work done in this library.

Back on the bus, our guide asks if anyone would like to be dropped off to walk across the Charles Bridge.  I raise my hand and look around -- I'm the only one. Oh well, see y'all! I've waited three days to get up close and personal to Charles, and by golly, I'm going to cross that bridge when I get to it!

The towers can be climbed for magnificent views, but that's where I draw the line. I opt to stay at ground-level, a decision I know I will regret in hindsight. 

Charles Bridge Tower

The bridge is packed! There are musicians, artists, souvenir vendors, and, I think, every tourist in Prague must be here. I make my way through the crowds, taking in the statues, and the views.

One of many statues on the Charles Bridge

I'm keeping an eye out for a certain statue -- St. John Nepomuk.  It is said that if you rub the spot where it shows him being thrown into the Vltava River, it will bring you good luck, and insure a return to Prague. I am so intent on getting a photo with no one around, that I forget to rub it. Uh-oh........

St. John Nepomuk

I catch my first glimpse of the Legion Bridge. It doesn't take too long for me to cross from Mala Strana to Old Town. It is HOT, and I'm sweating. Time to go back to the hotel to shower before dinner.

Legion Bridge

Before leaving for vacation, I made dinner reservations at La Finestra, based on excellent word of mouth. Now that I've been here three days and have yet to sample any local food, I start to question my sanity as to why I picked an Italian restaurant over Czech cuisine. Our meal, however, is outstanding, and we're all happy with our selections.


Three days in Prague were full and satisfying, yet I will realize once we're home that we missed seeing the Charles Bridge lit up at night.  We also didn't get to see the Dancing House, a uniquely designed contemporary building that stands out among the older architecture of Prague. And.......I never did get to taste anything on that "Must Try" list of Prague specialty foods. I'd console myself with the thought that there's always next time, but, darn it, I forgot to rub that statue to assure that I'll be back in Prague one day.

Ah, well, no use crying over spilt mleko, as they say here in Praha.

Castle Quarter at dusk

I'm worried that three days of Prague-blogging is overkill, but I can't help myself. Fear not, dear readers......... I'm done with Prague for now! 

In the morning, we are off to Germany!

To be continued......... 

This is a multi-part series about our Danube River cruise. 

Read 10 Things To Know About River Cruising here. 
Read Our First Day In Prague here.

Read Our Second Day In Prague here.

Read A Day In Medieval Regensburg, Germany here.
Read Picturesque Towns Of Austria Part 1: Engelhartszell here.
Read Picturesque Towns of Austria Part 2: Salzburg here.
Read Picturesque Towns Of Austria Part 3: Durnstein here.
Read Scenery Of The Wachau Valley here.
Read Vienna: Exploring The Old Town here.
Read Bratislava: Slovakia's Charming Capital here.
Read Budapest: The Pearl of the Danube River here.

Resources:
Tauck Tours
Intercontinental Hotel Prague
Rick Steve's Eastern Europe (affiliate link)
La Finestra Restaurant

LINKING WITH:

 Best Of The Weekend
Cooking and Crafting With J & J
Take Me Away