Prague Castle, Cold War History, & Musical Evenings - October 11-14, 2022

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Part 1: Planning & Pre-Cruise Athens - September 28-October 1, 2022

Part 2: Embarking Norwegian Jade, Ephesus & Patmos - October 2-3, 2022

Part 3: Rhodes & Mykonos - October 4-5, 2022

Part 4: Argostoli & Corfu - October 6-7, 2022

Part 5: Santorini & Disembarkation - October 8-9, 2022

Part 6: Prague: Arrival, The Augustine & Old Town - October 9-10, 2022

Part 7: Prague Castle, Cold War History, & Musical Evenings - October 11-14, 2022

Part 8: Barcelona: From the Vltava to the Mediterranean - October 14-15, 2022

Part 9: Embarking Valiant Lady, Ibiza & Day at Sea - October 16-18, 2022

Part 10: Virgin Voyages: Malaga Heights & Madeira Green - October 19-21, 2022

Part 11: Virgin Voyages: Crossing the Atlantic & Miami Arrival - October 22-30, 2022 (Coming Soon)

A Morning at The Augustine

Carbs and Cardio

The next morning, we decided to explore a different side of the a-la-carte breakfast menu. While I don’t usually opt for a carb-heavy start, I couldn’t resist trying the “Fluffy Pancakes”, in addition to the buffet options. Kaleb had the classic Eggs Benedict.

After breakfast, we decided to find the hotel’s fitness center. Given that the property is a converted 13th-century monastery, I didn’t expect a massive facility, but it was well-equipped for a workout. They even provided fresh fruit and bottled water for guests.

Ascending to the Hrad

The Walk to the Castle

We began the climb toward Prague Castle. Our route took us through the Waldstein Garden once more, which is just as pleasant in the morning light, before we continued upward through a local park.

St. Vitus Cathedral

Our first stop within the castle complex was the grand St. Vitus Cathedral. The exterior of the building is exceptionally ornate, featuring the soaring gothic spires that define the Prague skyline. The stone carvings and gargoyles are intricate and demand a close look.

The interior is vast, divided into several distinct sections and chapels. While the architecture itself is imposing, the stained glass windows are the true highlight.

Castle Grounds and Relics

After exploring the cathedral, we wandered through the broader castle grounds. We found several displays of medieval relics, including a collection of knight’s armor (which were very short!) and, more somberly, various historical torture devices. It offered a grim look at the medieval justice system that once operated within these walls.

We also passed by Kohl’s Fountain in the second courtyard and passed the ornate Ballroom, which is still used for official state events.

The Royal Garden and Metronome

The Royal Garden was quite expansive, providing a quiet place to walk away from the main crowds of the cathedral. More importantly, it offered lofty views over the city of Prague, with the red roofs and Vltava River laid out below us.

We also tracked down a quirky local landmark: the Prague Metronome. It sits on a pedestal where a giant statue of Stalin once stood, serving as a functional piece of art that keeps time over the city.

Culinary Returns

Back to Naše Maso

For a late lunch, we found ourselves gravitating back to Naše Maso. It’s hard to beat the quality there, so we went in for another round. This time, we tried the cheeseburger and the meatloaf sandwich. Both were excellent—just as savory and well-prepared as our first visit…yum as always!

Dining at The Augustine

Afterward, we returned to The Augustine to relax for a while. Since our Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR) booking included a USD $100 property credit, we decided to enjoy dinner at the hotel’s own restaurant. The setting—within the courtyard and vaulted glass-covered space—is beautiful, and the menu offers a refined take on European and Czech classics.

We began with complimentary bread and butter, followed by a selection of starters and entrées. Every course was beautifully presented and delicious, making for a very relaxing end to a busy day of sightseeing.

Park Vistas and Cold War Sights

Petřín Hill and Tower

The next day, we headed to Petřín Hill, a massive green space that offers a peaceful escape from the stone-paved streets below. Walking through the wooded paths was very tranquil, with the autumn leaves just starting to turn.

The focal point is the Petřín Lookout Tower, which looks like a smaller cousin of the Eiffel Tower. The views from the area are spectacular, providing a clear vantage point over the Malá Strana district and the river.

Wenceslas Square and Communism Museum

Descending from the hill, we made our way to the long boulevard of Wenceslas Square, which leads up to the imposing National Museum. This area has been the site of many historic protests and gatherings throughout Czech history.

For an early supper, we stopped at Bageterie Boulevard. It’s essentially a high-quality fast-casual sandwich shop, reminiscent of Subway but with much better ingredients and bread.

We then spent the afternoon at the Museum of Communism. It is a sobering but fascinating look at life under the regime during the Cold War. The exhibits cover everything from daily life and education to the secret police and the eventual fall of the Iron Curtain during the Velvet Revolution.

A Musical Evening at the Municipal House

That night, we attended a performance by the Czech National Symphony Orchestra at the Municipal House (Obecní dům). The building is an Art Nouveau masterpiece, and the Smetana Hall interior is breathtaking. It wasn’t too crowded for a weeknight, allowing us to really enjoy the acoustics and the atmosphere.

Final Days and Domestic Duties

Laundry and Local Flavors

On our last full day in Prague, we had some logistics to handle before moving on to the next leg of our trip. We started the morning at The Augustine with another unique a-la-carte item: a traditional Goulash Soup. It was rich and hearty, not leaving much room for the buffet.

We then set out to find a laundromat. We used Bloomest, which was a bit of a walk from the hotel. I was genuinely impressed by how fast the industrial machines were; we were in and out in no time. There was also free wi-fi. (As a side note for future travelers, there’s now a place called SPIN & SIP even closer to the hotel, where you can actually have a drink while you wait!)

For our final supper in Prague, we couldn’t resist—we went back to Naše Maso one last time. We finished our “meat tour” with their pastrami sandwich and a selection of sausages. It was the perfect, savory end to a wonderful stay in this city.

Prague has a way of drawing you in with its history and keeping you there with its food. Unfortunately, with my addiction to Naše Maso, we didn’t get a chance to try out more restaurants or beer gardens - a return trip is for certain! Tomorrow morning, we leave the spires of the Czech Republic behind and head to Barcelona for a short stay before embarking on our transatlantic cruise on Valiant Lady…stay tuned!

Museum of Communism on Where in the World is Kat Kong?