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Fall is the perfect time to get outside and tick of things of your bucket list cause the temperature is still high and the weather is usually pretty nice as well.

If you have a few hours left in your busy morning and you are in the area I would suggest a small hike in Randeck. This is a tiny place but full of really cool things. It is in the Kelheim area in Bavaria and has so much to offer. 

There are two routes you can take. Either you park at the foot of the mountain and hike up and after you have taken a look at the castle and had a stunning lunch you go back down or you can park right behind the restaurant and go down and up again. This is you choice. We did the second route, and hiked down. It is a very steep way and slippery at times but I´d say with trekking boots you are safe to go. At the half there is a place with a stunning view down at the river and a bench to sit for a while and take it all in. 

It takes about 25 minutes down (sitting and enjoying the view not included) 

The Trail 

As I have already said you can do the trail two ways – from the parking spot up or from the restaurant down. The trail splits somewhere in the middle and you can hike to Essing or Altessing (a nearby place even smaller than Randeck).

I am not at all a experienced or frequent hiker and it was still very manageable for me. It takes about an hour tops to go up and down so you might want to take this into your planning if you want to go to lunch at the Ritterschänke after.

The Ruin

The ruin dates back to the year 1200 so it is really really old. Usually it is open everyday. You can just go in, there is no one there. On the front gate you will find a little post box with the entrance fees. It really only is a small fee of two Euro. You can walk the grounds and enjoy the amazing view high up over the river or you can climb up the many many stairs of the tower. There is a viewing platform on the top with a 360° view. 

The Restaurant

We have eaten there twice now and it has been sooooooo good. Both times it was roastbeef (the menu changes daily and seasonally) and the best meat I have ever eaten. It is a newly renovated restaurant called the Ritterschänke. The theme is definitely knights and everything around the ruin on Randeck. You can have lunch or dinner there and even celebrate parties or weddings. It is a really pretty and modern location with some vintage charm.

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Have you ever been to a city you have loved so much you´ve been looking forward to visiting again while you where still there ?!! Prague is this city for me. We have now visitied three times and have seen and done so much but there is still so much left to see.

What to do in Prague – Sights

Charles Bridge – One of the oldest landmarks of Prague constructed in 1400. It connects the old town of Prague with the Malá Strana – the smaller, comfy and cozy part of Prague. The bridge is always crowded and has many people who want to take picutres and there are also lots of musicians playing and street vendors selling their products. 

City Hall – City Hall is located in the middle of the old town next to many other landmarks but it is definitley worth to take the elevator (or even the stairs) up and have a great view over the city. You can check out the city hall from inside as well while walking down but most of the rooms are locked cause people still work there. 

Astronimic Clock – Right on the front of City Hall is the world famous astronomical clock. The clock plays a melody and gets alive every hour and many tourists stand in front and look at it. It is definitely nice to go and watch when you are in the area but not to wait for it.

Powder Tower – The powder tower is one of the iconic towers of Prague (there are many more) you can actually get into and go up but to be honest it isn´t one which is worthy to explore further (some might think otherwise here). It is nice though to walk through and take a closer look.

Jewish Quarter – Spanish Synagogue / Pink Synagogue  / Jewish Cemetary – The Jewish quarter with all the synagogues and all the very expensive designer stores is definitely worth a visit. We took a combo ticket which allowed us do visit all the above. It takes up half of your day and all is walkable. The Spanish Synagugue is the most impressive church I have ever seen. Over and over with gold and the richest jewel tones decorated. 

Rotating Kafka Head – Franz Kafka was one of the most significant writers with austrian-czech background from the end of 1800 until the beginning of 1900. There are several landmarks to show how important he was throughout his life.

National Historical Museum – One of the most beautiful buildings of Prague inside and out. A great way to spend a rainy day as well. They have two coffee shops where you can take a break and have some food and also a second building to explore the time before the World War II. You can see dinosaurs and lots of minerals and jewels, history as well as the ice age. There is so much to see. You can also just wander around and take in the architecture of the building. Marvellous. It is stroller / wheelchair friendly (not for all expeditions) for the biggest parts of the museum but they only have 2 elevators so it is possible to wait a long time.

Speculum Alchemiae – We have visited this about two years ago and in my opinion this is the best attraction of Prague. It is just so cool and mysterious and forbidden which makes it super interesting. You can have a look in the olden days here when making medicine and „gold“ was marked as witchcraft and forbidden so it had to happen underground without anyone knowing about it. You can see all the different potions here and the secret passages under the city. The coolest thing was the secret entrance through the cabinet.

Castle Prague –

St. Veits Cathedral – This doesn´t look like much on the outside but it is a magnificent church. The chandelier itself is very impressive. It is located right behind city hall. In the Winter months there are many boths in the park in front who sell ham and chimney cakes and mulled wine.

John Lennon Wall – The graffiti wall is on the quiet side of Prague and it has been there since the 1960´s. It´s covered in poems, stories, graffiti art and song texts. Definitley worth a visit if you are on this side of town.

Narrowest Streat in Prague – The Vinarna Certovka is one of the narrowest streets in the world. It is only about 50 cm wide and located in the Mala Strana district of Prague

Malá Strana – This is the quiet and idyllic part of Prague without all the hustle and bustle. Nice and quiet restaurants and coffee shops and still a lot to see. I would definitely check this out. Time runs slow around here. Feels like you are in a total different town. The John Lennon Wall, the narrowest street of Prague and a cute little restaurant with the most perfect view of the Charles Bridge.

Wencels Square – This is the main shopping area of Prague with lots of coffee shops, restaurants and all the shops you can imagine. At the end of the wencels square you can find the National History museum. 

What to eat in Prague – Cafés and Restaurants

Trdelnik (Chimney Cake) – Let´s start with the most iconic sweet treat in Prague – the trdelnik. There are shops where you can buy it fresh around every corner. It is made freshly for you out of dough rolled on an iron bar and then baked over the fire. You can add different toppings like cinnamon and sugar or chocolate and nuts. Another option is ice cream. A whole chimney cake filled with ice cream and topped of with whipped cream or sprinkles. It costs about 5 Euros and you get a lot for it.

Mad Rabbit Café – The cutest Alice in Wonderland inspired theme coffee shop I have ever seen. It is crazy detailed and just gorgeous. I had a cappuccino and a macaraon cake. It was delicious. There are several tables in there but it wasn ´t crowded at all. Prices are fine for the location and the delicious treats. 

Ribs of Prague – I have never eaten better ribs than at Ribs of Prague. They are amazingly tender and you can choose from different toppings. Make sure to order the cole slaw, it is made with horseradish and tastes so good. You can make a reservation online and I would highly suggest it cause it gets very crowded during the busy seasons. 

Café Cerna Madona – If you are into little aesthetic cakes I would highly suggest a visit here.  I definitely could not decide which one I wanted to try cause they all look so pretty like little artwork. We went with the Dubai cube and a pavlova. They taste as good as they look. We went there in the afternoon so it wasn´t too crowded. You can sit inside and outside as well. 

Terasa U Prince – Rooftop bar with the most iconic view. You enter through the restaurant and go up by an elevator to the top floor and then it is still another floor through a tiny staircase and then you are there. You can either choose to have a meal or just a drink. There are seperate areas for this. We made a reservation for lunch but I think it isn´t very crowded at this time. We had the ravioli and the Ceasar salad and both dishes have been extraordinary delicous. The photospot where I am standing in the picture gives you a great view over to the actronomical clock on city hall and you have a good overview of all the other buildings and street in the main area of the old town.

Indian Jewel – The best Indian food I have ever eaten and I have tried a few. It was located very convenient right across our hotel. I had the Chicken Massalla and loved every bit of it. 

U Medvidku – Czech brewery with hearty cuisine. You need to try the czech gulasch somewhere so why not here ? It is a little pricier than other restaurants cause it is located at the heart of wencels square and they have had plenty of celebrity guests as well (you can look at all the pictures inside) but it is also made up like a building from the middle century with chandeliers and knights. 

Restaurant Café Sv. Václava – This is a very old brewery / restaurant / hotel. We had a lovely meal here. Czech gulasch of course and it was very cheap cause it is located at a side street.

Where to shop in Prague – Shopping Center and Downtown

Palladium – The biggest shopping center in Prague. It really has every shop you could ask for from H&M to high end stores. Open Monday till Sunday.

Shops and stores – There are luxury stores all around the jewish quarter. Wencels square is the main shopping street. You can find everything you need there and if it rains just head over to the Palladium.

Where to stay in Prague – Hotels

We have a stayed in a different hotel everytime we visited – not because we didn´t like our accomodation but because they have always been fully booked.

Hotel Elysee – We got upgraded to a suite here and had a huge living room with a small kitchenette. The breakfast was very good and the whole hotel had such a nice look like in American Hustle. You can park at a parking garage around the corner but the hotel itself does not offer parking.

Hotel Adler – It is a small, very nice hotel. The breakfast was fine. Nothing to fancy but good things you can try and you will definitely get full. A nice and silent patio to sit and have a drink at night. Parking here is also very rare. You´ll need to be very lucky to get a parking spot around the hotel. Parking is tight everywhere.

Astoria Hotel – Nice and big rooms. Right around the powder tower so this one is very central. The breakfast area was huge and things have been delicious. Also parking hasn´t been a delight. There are a few spots in front of the hotel but we have parked in a garage in the small shopping center behind the hotel. 

The hotels are all very affordable and cost about 250 Euro for two nights including breakfast. I have booked them all via booking.com.

Downsides of Prague

There are tons of touristy shops. And by tons I mean almost every third or fourth shop. They sell alcohol (mostly the green fairy), souvenirs and snacks or drinks. I mean yes it is practical but it really isn´t pretty at all.

Restaurant prices are almost twice as high in the middle of the city and at the big sights. March was a great time to visit cause it wasn´t very crowded. We visited again in June and it was full at all the sights. 

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Rothenburg is a small city in the county of Bavaria. It is a very old and medieval city and has lots of architecture to look at and things to do. It was a short drive of about 2 hours for us since we are located in the same county.

After we parked we have entered the city through the white tower. A huge light colored tower big a big arch underneath to walk through. The city has six big towers and several gates you can enter. All of the city is surrouned by a big city wall which was was used for protection in the early days. Now you can take a walk on it around the whole city which takes about 2 hours and you can buy a piece of the wall to show your support for renovations and restaurations. 

When you have entered the city through one of the gates there are two things you immediately recognize – the plants / flowers and half-timbered houses. Every house has beautiful flowers planted in front or ivy climbing up the house. This looks very pretty and maintained and is a real eyecatcher.

What to do in Rothenburg ob der Tauber

So now this is what we did in the exact order…

– Käthe Wohlfahrt Christmas Museum and Shop

If you love Christmas this is THE store for you. It is open the whole year and plays Christmas music all day long. They sell the prettiest special ornaments but also souvenirs from the city of Rothenburg. No matter the color or theme for your tree. You will find it here. The store has several huge decorated trees and little decorated houses. But I might add, the ornaments are quite pricey. The entrance is free though.

– Dungeons under City Hall

On the back of the city hall is a small passage and you can enter here and get into the tiniest museum you´ve might ever seen. It is an exhibition about the story of the city and how it has evolved through the years and at the end of it you can enter the staircase to get down to the city hall dungeons. These cells have been used to keep prisoners until they have been executed. There didn´t exist long term fines back then. 

There is also a tower on the city hall you can go up and have a look at the city from above but for some reason it was closed this day. I would definitely do this if you are there and it is open to go up.

– Hearty Lunch at Restaurant „Goldenes Lamm“

– Wandered down the main shopping street 

You can find lots of restaurants, coffee shops and stores here. Also the criminal museum is down this street and many more beautiful half-timbered houses.

– Photo stop at the Plönlein – the most famous house in Rothenburg

This was such a cute stop. You can only take a look at it from outside and stop for a quick picture but it is the cutest little house right in the middle of the street I ever did see. I was waiting for some fairy tale creatures to come out every second but there lives a very normal person. 

– Visited the Medival Crime Museum

This was very interesting and took a lot of time to get through. You can learn about everything from the witch trials to any kind of torture instrument you could possibly find and also fines they have used a few hundred years ago. You can get your tickets here. 

– Had a coffee and „Schneeballen“ at the Zuckerbäckerei

This was a very delicious treat we got for ourselves in the afternoon. The „Schneeballen“ is the well known treat of the city. It is made from shortcrust pastry, filled with nougat or jam and glazed with chocolate. Mine was strawberry and exceptional good but it is big and hard to find a place for that first bite.

– Took a stroll on the city wall back to our parking spot

This was our last stop before we headed back home. You can enter the city wall on several spots through a long and tight staircase and go around all of the city. The whole walk takes about 2,5 hours but you don´t have to do the full round.