West Meets East

We arrived in Prague after dark, and our drive from the airport into the city brought us through some not so lovely places. The architecture was more concrete block than castle, and we were a little nervous as we were expecting a magical European city.

It wasn’t long until we were pulling in front of our hotel, the Iron Gate Hotel in the old town section of the city. With extremely narrow, cobblestone streets, we were glad that we had hired a driver to bring us into town.

We were lead immediately to our room, a deluxe suite and the largest room in the hotel. It was really more of an apartment with a bedroom, two bathrooms, one of which had a Jacuzzi, an entryway/study a kitchen area and a sitting room.

The ceiling was painted in a funky, Bohemian pattern, and our apartment was reached by a cool spiral staircase.

Our Jacuzzi with a bottle of Bohemia Sekt sparkling wine, a light, crisp, slightly dry bubbly. I was pleasantly surprised by Czech wine!

The lovely courtyard outside our regal room

Even though it was late when we arrived, we were eager to explore, so we walked the short block to the old town and were completely taken away with its enchanting beauty.

We were hungry after the short flight from Dublin, and we quickly decided on a traditional Czech restaurant. Warm and cozy, Staroměstská restaurace gave us a glimpse into the deliciousness of Czech cuisine with incredibly friendly service.

We shared a few dishes including smoked salmon with a dill cream sauce and herb cheese.

Red and white cabbage salad that offered a tangy crunch

Goulash with bread dumplings in a rich, spicy sauce laden with paprika, topped with spicy sausage and a chili pepper

All washed down with Pilsner Urquell, the Czech Republic’s most beloved beer.

Our server was fantastically warm and accommodating, making sure we enjoyed everything. Note that tipping is acceptable and appreciated in Prague, especially for good service. Personally, although I know that tipping isn’t expected in many countries, I always like to give a little extra for someone’s hard work.

After a warm and comforting dinner it was nearly midnight, and we returned to the Iron Gate where I enjoyed the Jacuzzi and some bubbly to kick off a lovely Prague holiday.