Its winter in Europe! Having traveled North from the mild climes of Montenegro Rosie is feeling the chill in Prague. Its a brittle, dry, sub zero chill with not a breath of wind where the steam plumes from your mouth when you breath and your fingertips quickly turn a bright numb purple. Note to self, get gloves out of the suitcase.
Rosie and The Operator are excited! The long term weather forecast is for snow in the next couple of days which would be the icing on the cake as we have never experienced a European winter before! Bring on the blizzard!
We are having a short Euro stint this time around as we are planning on being home a week before Christmas as The Operator starts his next 28 day work shift on Christmas Eve!
Before that, we are planning on visiting a few places in the Czech Republic and Poland. We are self driving and here is our 19 day itinerary.
Prague – Czech Republic – 5 Nights
Wroclaw – Poland – 3 Nights
Krakow – Poland – 4 Nights
Telc – Czech Republic – 2 Nights
Cesky Krumlov – Czech Republic – 5 Nights
Rosie and The Operator are excited about these destinations! Back in the 90s we went to Prague on a city break when we lived in Scotland. A budget airline flew us to this mysterious destination not long unlocked to the world for a grand total of 5 pounds each. It was the height of summer and a sweltering 34c. Being in our 20s we spent most of that long weekend sitting in the town square drinking beer, venturing forth to visit the Charles Bridge and then resuming beer drinking. This time around we intend to see alot more of the city…and still get in a little beer drinking!
The rest of the destinations will be as new and fresh to us as the forecast snow. So saying, we will have to revise our sightseeing routines a little for the winter schedule. Tourist sights open later in winter at predominantly 1000am. Wow, this seems so late for Rosie and The Operator….we are normally a couple of hours in by then and have sometimes knocked off a couple of prime tourist stops!
Its all about the daylight, said The Operator…oh yeah, pondered Rosie…its not really light till 0900am and the sun sets at about 4pm. We have a smaller window to see the sights so that means changing the way we holiday. A longer lie in, in the morning…yay, very unusual for us. It also means a shorter lunch break…we cant linger, as daylight is short. Anyway no point lingering as there will be no lunches on outdoor terraces to enjoy as they will all be closed for the winter. Early to bed then? Nah, we will be stretching our day out in the darkness visiting a few more pubs, bars and restaurants me thinks….along with the Christmas Markets.
Oh yes, tis the season, Rosie has been longing to visit The European Christmas Markets forever and The Czech Republic and Poland are supposed to have some of the best! The sparkle and the twinkle of lights on the wee huts selling seasonal treasures in the freezing cold…in Rosies minds eye there is always snow and steaming mulled wine. Christmas lights tinkle on strings above the streets and squares, giant pine trees soar overhead with amazing decorations and lights, filling the air with their piney scent. Rosie has such expectations….she hopes December in Europe meets them. She also hopes she has packed warmly enough….
Lets get on with it then, Welcome to Prague!
Ps – Rosie can honestly say most of her expectations were met within the first 10 minutes of hitting the street….til tomorrow!
