In the middle of March my husband and I went to Prague for a 3 day city trip. It has been the first time we went somewhere without our two girls and while it was bitter the very first day we had a great time together as a couple and lots of fun.
It was a very short road trip, only took us about 2 and a half hours to get there (but this always depends on where you are coming from). There was no toll on the road but you have to get a vignette before crossing the border (this is a little sticker you need to have in you car to make sure you are allowed to drive on the interstate).
Where we stayed
This was our second time in Prague (we have been there eight !!!! years ago) and we stayed at the Astoria Hotel, a cute little boutique hotel. There was parking in front of the hotel but we ended up reserving a parking spot in the parking garage around the corner. Breakfast was included and our room was pretty big and the best it was right across the street from an awesome Indian restaurant.
The staff at the hotel was very nice and helpful. Also our hotel was very central. It was just about 5 minutes walking distance to the astronomic clock (right in the middle of the city).
What we did
Day 1
Rooftop Bar TerasaUPrince for Lunch
Saint Nicholas Church (one of the prettiest churches I have ever been too – the chandelier !!!!)
Speculum Alchemiae
Ribs of Prague for Dinner
Day 2
Castle of Prague
Wenceslas Square
Lunch at Restaurant SV Vaclava for traditional czech beef stew
Astronomic Clock – it plays a music and the figurines move every hour
Indian Jewel for Dinner
Day 3
Carl´s Bridge
Trdelnik – the sweetest czech treat
What we ate
BBQ marinated ribs at Ribs of Prague
Traditional beef stew (Gulasch) at Restaurant SV Vaclava
Chicken Tikka Masalla at the Indian Jewel
Pistacchio Trdelnik with vanilla ice cream
Outfits I have worn
It was a little cold when we got there but the weather improved throughout the first day. Nevertheless we still had Winter coats with us and ended up wearing them at night.
I had a full plan of outifts and loved everyone I was wearing. Initially these have been planned for Rome but we switched cities last minute cause I didn´t want to fly this early in pregnancy.
Oh Verona you are one little Italian city with so much charme and flair. I just don´t know what it is with all of the Italian cities. With the old buildings, the croocket pathways and small alleys. Maybe it is La Dolce Vita or just the delight of being on vacation that everything seems so dreamy and perfect.
How to get there / where to park
This depends on where you are coming from. You can go directly and stay in the city if you are planning on staying more than one day but we are always visiting when we stay at Lake Garda. It is a 35 minute drive from there and costs about 2 Euros of toll.
We like to park as close as possible so we always go to Parcheggia Arena di Verona or Parcheggio Saba Arena. Both are about 2 minutes by foot from the Il Portoni della Brá away – the huge stone gate you will enter to get to the biggest piazza with all the restaurants and the Arena di Verona.
What to see
After you pass through the beautiful Il Portoni della Brá you are in middle of Piazza Brá, the biggest piazza in Verona. To your left is a very long row of cafe´s and restaurants who sell authentic and delicious Italian food. It is a little pricier than in other streets cause you pay for the front row, but in my opinion it is worth it to take in the Italian flair and the hustle and bustle of the city.
To your right is a huge garden area – the Giardini Vittorio Emanule II and right behind it the biggest sight of all. The Arena di Verona.
The Arena di Verona was built 30 after Christ and mainly used to amuse the people with animal or slave fights. It is used until today but of course not for fights anymore. In the Summertime there are many operas and concerts.
Of course you can visit during the day as well and have a look back in time. You can check out the cells where the slaves and the animals had to wait to enter the arena as well as the steps inside and the viewing platforms high above. The entrance fee is about 10 Euro but you can stay and explore the whole day.
Now you can choose between two directions. You can go shopping at the longest and most exclusive street in Verona – the Via Giuseppe Mazzini. It has everything the heart could long for. From Luis Vuitton to Pinko and Sephora.
At the end of the street is another piazza to your left, the Pizza della Erbe. Here you can have lunch or enjoy a cool Spritz Bianco. The beautiful Fontanella Storica can also be found on this piazza as well as a weekly market.
From here you could go back or follow the street down to Casa di Giulietta. Crowds here are always huge so I would suggest to go there right in the morning when the city is still empty. You can get a lot done before 10´o clock. The ticket to Guilietta´s balcony costs 1,10 Euro but therefore you can stand upon there all by yourself and get a cute pic without any strangers. Of course you can still have a look at the balcony without going up and buying a ticket.
After we have checked all the boxes from the sights above there is one thing left. Leaving downtown and taking the scenic route along the river Adige (about 20 minutes by foot) with the goal to visit the Basilica san Zeno di Maggiore. It is one of the most important and biggest churches in Verona and was built hundreds of years back in the 12th century. I personally love the big round window on the front the most.
You take a left before the first coffee shop of Piazza Erbe and go down Via Roma until you see the river. Then you follow the river Adige and the signs to the Basilica.
If you decide to do everything at once you take up a few others of the day but it will surely be a great expericence and so many interesting things to see and learn.
Food to try
This is a whole other category and a very delicious one I might add. There are tons of Italian foods you could or should try but I am sharing three of the best things I have eaten there in quite a while.
Minuto di Bauli – These have been the most amazing little cakes I have ever had. They where soft and moist and filled with so much cream of your choice. We had lemon and pistacchio in the picture above but they also have chocolate of course as well as jam and hazelnut.
Forneria Mazzini – We got slices of pizza and paninis for take-away to eat at our apartment. It was very very soft, tasty and overall delicious but it is expensive. I think I paid about 30 Euro for 5 things.
Grom Gelateria – Our girls got a strawberry gelato from here and it was fair to say that this was the best one I have eaten ever.
Where to shop
Via Mazzini is your first stop for high fashion and affordable pieces as well as food and drug store products. Souvenirs are also available at every corner and the piazzas.
I have gifted my husband a 24 hrs stay in Pullman City for his birthday in September. Pullman City is a Western Town and as close as you can get in our area to a Western lifestyle. I definitely loved going there in the Fall cause Western looks just look best in the Autumn.
We tried to do everything they offer and got around pretty good but let´s break it down for you, so if you are interested you can spend your own 24 hours in the coolest western city around.
Where to stay
There are different places to stay. It just depends on the experience you want to have. There are two different hotels – the Palace Hotels (where we stayed) and the Hacienda Hotel. If you are up for the real western experience you can stay at a tipi or at a log cabin, but there are no bathrooms there. You have to go to the bath house to shower and to go to the toilet.
Another thing that is new are the country houses. These are new and I have never seen them before. They are like tiny houses and are very modern looking. So if you are just looking for a normal place to stay this would be your preference.
We stayed at the Palace Hotel and from the moment I went into the lobby to the moment we checked-out it was the whole western experience. I have loved the look of it and every detail so so much. It definitely was like you stepped into a western movie.
There is one office right outside the park where you can check-in and -out and get your key.
Breakfast is buffet at the Black Bison Saloon for all the guests from the different hotels but it has to be booked separate.
We stayed in the President Suite at the Palace Hotel and it was the most authentic lobby and room I have ever seen in my life. Disney could have not done it better.
Where to eat
There are several restaurants on but not always open. This depends on what months you are visiting and also if you are visiting on the weekend or during the week.
You can eat at the Black Bison Saloon, the Rodeo Steakhouse, the Cantina Mexicana, Scarlett´s Restaurant, a coffee place and also a cocktail bar.
We have had lunch at the Black Bison Saloon many many times so we went to Scarlett´s for lunch this time and had dinner at the Cantina Mexicana.
Scarlett´s – Baked Potatoe with Turkey and Salad / Western Burger
Black Bison Saloon – Western Pan / Turkey Salad / Pullman Giant Burger XL / Baked Potatoe with Beefstrips
Cantina Mexicana – Enchilada Roja Chili / Chili con Carne / Ensalada Scampi / Guacamole
Shows to watch
Wild West Show – Horseback riding and Indian dancing as well as thomahawk throwing.
The Great Pullman City Show – Dive into the Wild West of America –
Indian Culture and Mythologie – Learn more about the Indian life and culture of the different tribes then and now.
On weekends you can also watch the American History Show and also join in for several other things like Line Dance Workshops and torchlight hikes.
What else to do
– visit the buildings on Main Street (you can walk into a lot of them like the jail for example)
– shop on Main Street (there are several really cool stores to have a look at)
– take a ride on the carriage (it is 3,50 per person but a great experience
– shooting range
– horseback riding
– panning for gold
– riding lessons
– billiard
– torchlight hikes
– line dance lessons
For kids
– huge adventurous playground
– water play area
– kids club in the huge tipi with drawing and arts and crafts
Toddlers are the most unpredictable and impatient little fellas you could ever meet. Now put boredom and a long road trip into the mix and you will not be happy with the outcome. Emilia is now a little over three and we already have some trips behind us that went better than expected.
this aren´t the best requirements for a long road trip and that is why I have been putting together a huge tote with lots of surprises to keep the mood up.
What to pack into your toddler road trip tote
Occupations
First of all I have ordered lots of new things off of amazon. They have Melissa & Doug stuff which is both affordable and cute for toddlers.
They have sticker boards, water color writing pads and so much more, perfect for long car rides. Another thing we already got is a busy board. This was a huge hit last year when we spent a few days at Lake Garda, not only in the car but also at restaurants.
Magnets have also been a great hit. The magna tiles or just dolls to dress.
Snacks
It is a save bet to say snacks will works no matter the age. Whether you have cut up fresh fruit or little sandwiches or a container filled with puffs. You need to bring snacks. Our girls like puffs,
Tablet
If everything´s falling apart give them a tablet. Now this is one thing you´ll need to know upfront cause you might want to download some Disney movies or shows or anything else they love and give them an hour (or half an hour) of screen time.
The amazon kids table would also work great plus it has games for different ages as well.
Now this will only work out if
a) you have any kind of that device and take it with you and / or
b) you kid does not get car sick. Fortunately it isn´t the case here (I am not sure if this might come later or is it an impromtu thing – I have heard both). We used our tablet twice and always only for the last hour.
Another great tip we got is taking breaks at rest stops with a playground so that your children can run around and get some energy out, but this will only work if you don´t need a bathroom break earlier than you´d arrive and the weather has to be good too.
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