Europe - Prague

Today's Garmin Step Mileage: 12 km

For the last 2 days we have explored most of the Prague we were looking to find, so today is a day to get to some of the areas that we have not gotten to yet. One thing we haven't done is walked along the Vltava river promenade, so that is going to be our number one thing to do this morning. The Vltava River flows through the centre of Prague, and is the waterway around which the city has developed over the past 1000 years. The Old Town (Staré Město) and the New Town (Nové Město) are on one side of the Vltava River. On the other bank lies the Lesser Town (Malá Strana) and the magnificent Prague Castle, which is an awesome sight from the water. At the centre of the city is Charles Bridge, under which the Vltava River flows, and with great force at certain times of the year.

We headed out of our place and turned left down our block. Kozi street (our AirBnB is on Kozi) takes us through the Jewish quarter and onto the river esplanade. From there we

headed south down the river, taking advantage of a different view of the buildings that side on the river. As we wandered down the rivers edge you can get a glimpse of the Prague Castle on the Lesser side of Prague. Střelecký Island is just down from the Charles Bridge, as well as, Novotný Foot Bridge, the majestic National Theatre building and Sova's Mills, currently Kampa Museum.

You can rent paddle boats or a row boat from the island, or go feed the many swans and ducks in the area. As you wander further down the river you can watch the river boats and steam boats navigating the rivers weirs and lock systems. On the way we visited a local artisan shop that specializes in local glass items from Czech artists. We were in search of a new wine glass to bring back to add to our collection. Unfortunately the one we liked was over $125 CAD... a bit too steep for our souvenir, so the hunt continues.

Once we came across Narodni Street we turned left and headed for the National Museum. We walked to Wencelas Square and walked down the promenade towards the National Museum. Wencelas Square is a large street where protestors in years past would gather to try to topple Communism. It is now lined with old hotels, strip clubs and a mass of shabby gift shops. Not much to look at unfortunately. Once we arrived to the National Museum we realized it was closed permanently for restoration.
Being that the museum was a bust, it was then off to the next adventure and where ever our feet would take us..

We wandered further east to the other border of the old town and towards the Praha Masarykovo Nádraží - the other train station in Prague. On our way we visited the Municipal House and The Powder Tower.

The Municipal House is an art Nouveau building from 1918; containing a concert hall, restaurant and cafe. It is unusual to see building from this era over in Europe and they have done a fantastic job of restoring the wonderful building.

The Powder Tower (next to the Municipal House) is one of the original gates to the city of Prague. The City gate was built in the 15th century and restored after being damaged in the Battle of Prague.

We happened to come across a small outdoor market in Namesti Republiky (next to the Municipal House) that had interesting little artisan shops and food stalls. We decided to split some of the local cuisine and enjoyed a wonderful pull-pork gourmet sandwich from one of the vendors.

From there we headed back towards the old town square in search of a new wine glass to add to our collection. Not only did we find a wine glass, but we also found a wonderful ring for Brenda. It has a uniquely cut ruby stone in a silver setting. It will make a wonderful souvenir.

A trip to Prague is not complete without trying one of their famous ice cream treats - the Trdelnik. It is similar to the "chimney cakes" made in Hungary but much lighter. The traditional Slovak rolled pastry originating from the Hungarian-speaking region of Transylvania, the trdelník is usually served warm and topped with a dusting of sugar, nuts or cinnamon. This delectable treat is made by wrapping the pastry dough around a wooden or metal stick, roasting it over an open flame and coated with sugar or cinnamon. Our pastry was dusted with sugar, lined with nutella and then filled with vanilla ice cream..mmm. good.

Czech Cinnamon Pastry-Trdelnik

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3 Tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon sugar, divided
1/2 cup warm milk, divided
1/4 cup butter, softened
2 eggs
2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast (1 envelope)

topping
1-2 tablespoons cold butter
1 egg

1 teaspoon water
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Instructions

Combine yeast, 1 teaspoon sugar and 1/4 warm milk in a small bowl, stir just to moisten and let sit for 10 minutes. Until risen and bubbly.

In mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, 2 eggs, butter and proofed yeast mixture. Start mixing on low speed and add in remaining 1/4 cup warm milk.

Once fully blended switch to dough hook or knead on counter by hand for about 5 minutes. Until smooth.

Let dough rise in bowl for 30 minutes, in a warm location, covered with a damp cloth.

While dough is rising, cover 8 half pint (8 ounce) jars with aluminum foil, set aside.

Make an egg wash by combine egg and 1 teaspoon of water, whisking until well combined.

Combine sugar and cinnamon to make cinnamon sugar.

Once dough is risen, turn out onto counter, roll into a thick log and divide into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a long rope, about 2 to 2 1/2 feet long.

Rub each foil covered jar with cold butter then wrap 1 rope of dough around each jar. Dough should go around the jar almost 3 times.
Spread cinnamon sugar out on a baking tray or 9x13 pan (something big enough to roll your pastry covered jar in).

Brush pastry with egg wash and then roll pastry in cinnamon sugar to coat, pressing down as you roll. Place pastry covered jar on a parchment covered or lightly greased baking sheet, open end down.

Make sure to space jars 2-3 inches apart.

Bake in a preheated 400 degree oven for about 15 minutes.
Remove from oven and carefully slide warm pastry off jars.
Best eaten while still warm.

Notes
Instead of jars, you can also use small tin cans as molds.

After walking our feet off, sampling a variety of traditional Czech foods, and taking in all the sights and history of Prague; we can say that we have thoroughly enjoyed our time here. We had one last spin across the Charles Bridge before heading back to get ready for our next adventure.

Tomorrow we head off to Berlin and back into Germany.
Prague has been a wonderful place to visit. So much history and a variety of different architecture. Having a AirBnB that is right in the centre was essential on this journey.