Tag Archives: Prague

Top 5 – Europe (Part 1)

I’ve been looking back recently on my travels, and thought it would be fun to share some of my recommendations of places to see.

This is part 1, from the time I spent living in Europe (2014 to 2016) and where I traveled at that point.

Karlstejn

Karlstejn is a small village a short train ride from Prague. I spent many of my free days there, wandering the streets and window shopping in all the quaint stores, enjoying a lunch at one of the many cafes, walking up the hill to the castle to enjoy the views, and having picnics by the river. It’s a perfect day trip from Prague without the hustle and bustle of Prague. And the view from the castle is amazing!

Vienna

I went to Vienna a couple of times during my time in Europe. The first was a rushed trip to do the paperwork for the work visa in the Czech Republic. There wasn’t a lot of time to sightsee. The second time there, I had the chance to figure out the tram system, which let me spend more time wandering around, walking around the gardens of Schönbrunn Palace, enjoying a delicious coffee and pastry, and checking out the Prater Amusement Park. It’s a delightful place to wander around and if I had more time, I would have liked to spend a night there to see even more!

Dresden Christmas Market

Two of my classmates and I headed to the Dresden Christmas market a few days before Christmas 2014. We took the Student Agency Bus and spent the day wandering around both sides of the river. We discovered a lovely artsy area which had some unique outdoor art (watering cans attached to the walls to make wind chimes for example).

We waited until early evening to head to the main Christmas market so we could enjoy the lights on the tree and the multitude of decorations. We even had a ride on the carousel! We sampled some delicious food as well as some of the many delectable sweets that were available at the market.

I loved the markets in Prague, but I found the market in Dresden was quite unique compared to Prague’s. Highly recommend going to Dresden at Christmastime.

Montmartre and Sacre Coeur, Paris

I could not make a Top 5 list and not include this area of Paris. It was the one place that I instantly fell in love with. To begin with, the church is spectacular on the outside and inside. I took a few moments to go in and sit in the pews and look around in wonder at the church.

Montmartre is a great area, narrow cobblestone streets with some of the most amazingly smelling cafes I’ve encountered. It is an artsy area. It has some great stores to wander in. You can pick yourself up a lunch at one of the cafes, head to the grounds in front of the church, find a spot and have a lovely picnic overlooking the absolutely amazing city of Paris.

Prague Castle at night

Prague Castle is amazing to see any time, but I always found the best time to go was in the evening. Shortly after dusk, when the tourists would wander off to a restaurant or bar, the grounds would slowly empty and there were times I had it all to myself (except for the guards of course). The view looking down on the city with it’s lights shining, and the spectacular view of the Vltava from above was breathtaking.

Walking through the castle grounds, by St. Vitus Cathedral, and the gardens when it was empty and quiet was relaxing. I never worried about my safety – in fact I never worried about my safety at all when I was in Prague. One of the safest cities to be in the world, even more reason to visit.

Memory Lane – Prague

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Tonight was a night of nostalgia, looking back on the beginning of my adventures in Prague. Three of my favourite pictures I took were of the first night I was there, and one on the last day I was there.

I arrived there on November 15 2014 and once I got settled, I immediately went to the city centre to check out the area on my own, and to see the Prague Castle. I was not disappointed by the beauty I encountered.

This was one of my favourite places to go – across the river to just gaze at the wonder of the castle.

June 29 2016 was my last full day in Prague – I was heading to Paris the next day, and then back to Canada for 7 weeks to get ready to head to China. I knew that on the last day in Prague would have to be spent at Letna Park, looking out at the City, and the Vltava River and all the bridges. Of course, you can’t go to Letna Park in the summer and not go to the beer gardens. It was a fitting way to my last day there, enjoying a cold beer and a sausage, while looking out at the view.

Some of my most memorable moments in my life happened in Prague, and because of Prague. I miss being there, but I am gearing up for a visit in the next few months.

I cannot wait to see the city, the castle and the views.

Daily Thought – January 23

Memories of my travelling days

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I know one day I will be able to get back out into this world and travel. But tonight, it has been a night of looking back at where I’ve gone, what I’ve done and what I miss the most. As a single mom, I was able to take my kids, each alone, on some pretty awesome trips. And of course, my travels on my own. I wanted to share some of my favourite memories from over the years.

**My daughter and I had a special memory of going to New York City in 2008. It was one of the first places on my bucket list and was so excited to go!**

**My son and I did a road trip down to Nashville and some of the southern States in 2009. I love Nashville!**

**I moved to Calgary in 2011 and one of the highlights in my 3 years there was to go snowshoeing in Banff. Truly amazing views!**

**My daughter and I headed to Italy in April of 2014, this is Florence.**

**In 2014, I made a huge move and headed to Prague to get my certificate to teach English. My absolute favourite city in the entire world!! (so far anyway….)**

**Zizkov, the area that I lived in Prague**

**After 2 years in Prague**, **I headed to Changchun China to teach English for a year. While I was not particularly fond of China, these kids took my heart.**

**The Ice and Snow Festival (biggest in the world) in Harbin, China**

**Before I headed back to Canada from China, I made a 7 week stop in Chile, starting in Santiago**

**From Santiago, I headed to the ocean, to Valparaiso and Vina del Mar**

**I headed north to La Serena, and then to Antofagasta**

**I could not visit Chile without heading to the Atacama desert. Pukara de Quitor, just outside of San Pedro**

**I ended my 7 week adventure in Arica, Chile, on the southern border of Peru. What a perfect place to end my trip to Chile!**

**In January 2019, after a year and a half of working, I decided I needed a three week vacation and headed to Spain, Morocco and Portugal on a Trafalgar bus tour. Amazing Seville!**

**My travelling buddy Trip came with me to visit the sites in Spain**

**The last trip I went on was to Canada’s Capital city – Ottawa.**

I do miss travelling but I know that, soon, I will be heading out for another adventure. I am hoping to get to Turkey and Greece for a few weeks in the next year. These boots have gone through China and Chile – they will be coming with me wherever I head to next!

**Seeing this picture, the song “a Horse with No Name” runs through my head – that was the song that they played on our way back to San Pedro after our tour of Valle de la Luna.**

The Most Beautiful City in the World

In search of myself

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When I first started traveling three years ago (which seems more like a lifetime ago!), I never really thought that I was in search of myself. I just knew I needed a change in my life, that my job was making me feel stagnant, and that I was ready to discover more about the world. I thought I was a well-grounded person then, who knew what she wanted and what she was going to do with the rest of her life. What has happened in the past three years has definitely changed all of that thinking.

A friend asked me recently if I felt I had been “living a lie” before I started out on this new life. If I had noticed a change in myself after a few short weeks of my new life. I answered pretty quickly and said that while I didn’t think I had been living a lie, I think what I had been doing was living a life that everyone else was living. A predictable, safe life. Working 9-5, paying my bills, hanging out with friends. Don’t get me wrong – I had a fun life in Calgary! I worked at a great company, I had the best friends (and still have them!), and lived in a nice area in a nice house. It was safe. It was what everyone expected someone of my age to be doing. And I really loved my life in Calgary. So what made me want to leave such a great life? I wanted to travel. I wanted to live in another country.

I never considered my life BP (before Prague) as an unhappy life. Was it an unfulfilled life? Yes, I believe that now. My job, while it was a really good job, was just that. A job. Not a career. Not something I could see myself doing for years (even though I had done it for almost 30 years). I knew in my heart that there was something more that I wanted to do, and that I just needed to find out what it was.

One month after arriving in Prague, I graduated from my TEFL program, and was officially a TEFL certified teacher. I knew right then that my life had changed. I knew I would never go back to my old life. I knew that Europe was where I was going to be for a while. Prague was amazing. I found my self-confidence grew while I was there. I found out that I loved teaching – that teaching was not a job but a career. My self-esteem improved. I no longer felt awkward. I no longer felt like I was in the shadows of someone else, trying to show that I was just as good as they were. I no longer felt that I needed to be in a relationship to be truly happy.

So, almost three years later, I can answer that question my friend asked me honestly. No, I wasn’t living a lie. I was living my BP life. I was living the life I needed to then. I am now living the life I dreamt of, and am happier than I have ever been! I don’t regret a moment of my BP life, nor do I regret any moment I have had since leaving Canada. I am happy. I am content. And I am strong. That is the biggest thing I have learned about myself. The strength I have inside. And I am now ready for my SA life!! (South American life haha).

Bucket list dreams

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Growing up in a small Ontario city, one dreams of having the chance to see and maybe even live in exciting cities of the world. But how many of us actually get to do that? I am sure people would be surprised to hear that many of us do!

I am one of those people. I grew up in Welland, Ontario ~ a small industrial city in Southern Ontario, close to Niagara Falls. I enjoyed growing up there. I had lots of friends, school was fun for the most part, but then I turned 16 and I started dreaming of moving away. Toronto and New York City were the big cities that I wanted to see and live in!

I did end up moving to Toronto when I was 19. I stayed a few years, moved to London, Ontario and got married. Yet I still had that itch to see more than Southern Ontario. I just could not see myself being brave enough to get out in the world.
A few years ( and a divorce) later found me and my daughter heading to New York City. One of my bucket list items came off my list!!
Single motherhood became my most important job then and so the bucket list had to wait.

A move to Calgary and discovering a new confidence in myself found me looking at European opportunities to work. A trip to Italy in April 2014 took another bucket list item off and added so many more to it!!! I knew I had the courage to make a move.

In November 2014, after quitting my job, I moved to Prague to start a new life. Teaching English was never on my bucket list but its enabled me to see London, Paris, Vienna, Berlin, Dresden, and now China. And I have a career now ~ not just a job.

I loved growing up in Welland and I wouldn’t trade my memories of my childhood for anything, but I am so proud of myself to have made it as far in the world as I have. I can only hope that I inspire my children to live life with all their potential and to see just how far they can go, with hard work and a bucket list!!

Czech Republic ~ my top 10 places to see

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I lived in the Czech Republic for almost two years before moving to China. It is my second hone, after Canada, so I thought I would share my top 10 places to see there.

1. Cesky Krumlov ~ without a doubt, this is the most beautiful, quaintest, peaceful town I have ever encountered. The history, the magnificent castle and its grounds, the food. Many people will visit only for a day but to get a real feel of the town, you need to take your time, walk through the alleys, visit the shops and imagine you are there back in the medieval era. Spend a weekend at one of the quaint bed and breakfasts. It is worth it!

2. Konopiste ~ again it is a castle town. This country has so many castles to see but this should be near the top of your list. Set away from town, surrounded by trees and the prettiest lake, is a castle out of a story book. I spent about 5 hours wandering through the grounds, having a picnic by the lake, and people watching. A stunning site to see.

3. Karlstejn ~ another castle but so much more. This castle is built above a town, and the town is a site to see on its own! The many shops selling uniquely Czech goods, the aroma of the food (sausages ~ oh the sausages!) ~ its a short train ride away from Prague and a wonderful place to spend a day.

4. Prague Castle ~ my friends will be shocked to see this is number 4 on my list! This Castle has my soul ~ it is a magnificent place. The gardens, St. Vitus Cathedral, the quiet alleys, the incredible views of Prague. There is one special spot in my heart for this Castle. Its amazing to see anytime, but at night, when most of the tourists are in a pub drinking pivo (beer), this place is magical. Serene. Take the time to go at night and you will understand.

5. Charles Bridge ~ you simply cannot visit this medieval city and not walk on the famous bridge! There is much to see ~ statues, the Vltava River, the buskers, the people. It is very busy on weekends so try to go on a weekday.

6. Divoka Sarka ~ at the end of one of the tram lines is what looks like a big forest area. But once you wander down the hill and are enveloped with the trees and the cliffs and the bubbling creek, you will know why this is on my list. It was my place to escape. Its quiet with an occasional group of people biking, or walking, or having a picnic. Whenever I was having a stressful day, I would get on the tram and walk. You can walk for hours and I did many times. It had an interesting history as well. Many battles happened here and you will see signs throughout the park but not in English.

7. Kutna Hora ~ the town with a church of bones! I am not kidding ~ there is a bone church in this town! It is fascinating and quite spooky at the same time. It will chill you! The town also has a beautiful square and incredible views.

8. Old Town Square in Prague and the Astronomical Clock ~ one of the main attractions of Prague is the Astronomical clock. Definitely stay and watch the hour chime in and watch the clock’s animation. Then go and enjoy the square. Jan Hus Statue, the horse and carriages, the aroma of food ~ try trdelnik (a pastry) or langos (its like fried bread with sauce ~ its different and popular). Wander through the narrow cobblestone roads and turn a corner and you will find even more sites and pubs!

9. Wenceslas Square ~ so many shops!! And this is where you will find the best sausages. Well all of Prague has amazing sausages but you will find a lot here. Oh how I miss the sausages.

10. Letna Park ~ in case you couldn’t tell, I love walking. And this park is the best for that because it not only has wonderfully wide paths, and parks for kids, but at the end ~ you will come to the Letna Beer Garden. I could not end my list without including this place, and Czech beer. The views of the city are absolutely the most incredible, and the beer is cold. And yes you can get sausages here too! Try Kozel, or Gambrinus ~ its a favourite place for many people to go to in the summer.

I could go on and make this a top 100 list ~ I have such incredible memories of this amazing country. It is not a country to miss if you are in Central Europe.

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