Last Saturday, Dave and I bought our one-way tickets from Boston to Prague and reserved a space for Smudge on the plane. It's official! On...
Read MoreWhere in the World is Mel?
We’re off! Dave and I have packed our bags and are heading over the Atlantic tomorrow for six weeks of adventure. I’ll be blogging, Tweeting, and Facebooking while I’m there, so you can keep up with our shenanigans. Aside from the usual holiday-inspired rest and relaxation while in Prague, we have plans to try kundalini yoga (Czech and Gurmukhi!)… to hit the grocery store and cook food in our apartment (Czech labels!)… to visit CrossFit Praha for barbell work and metcons… and to do plenty of interval running on assorted stairs, cobblestones, and riverfront pathways. There might also be some bike riding involved.
Our previous 3-week excursions to Prague have included side trips to Berlin and to Paris. This year, we’re doubling our travel time (not to be confused with time travel… OMG. Time travel! Then we’d not only go to Prague, we’d go to post-WWI Prague when Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk was president!)
Anyway. Where (when) was I? Right! Exploring more of Europe… like this:
First, Prague.
Prague is just about my favorite city anywhere, and I’ll be marking my 45th birthday there on May 1 and celebrating spring with Witch’s Night (pálení čarodějnic) on April 30.
Then we’re off to Cesky Krumlov, a fairytale village in Czech Republic.
We visited Cesky Krumlov on our last trip and enjoyed the very best day of our entire trek. There’s something magical about it. Maybe it’s the tower that overlooks the whole thing… or the Gypsy Bar. I found a leather heart on a cobbled street, and I carry it in my purse for good luck.
Then a transfer through Vienna, Austria for just one night.
After that, it’s Lake Bled in Slovenia (to hunt vampires, naturally).
Followed by a few days in Slovenia’s capital city of Ljubljana, which we pretty much decided to visit based solely on this photo:
In Ljubljana, we’ll be joined by our fellow vampire hunters friends Aimee and Tannen, and we’re RENTING A CAR (OMG! We’re driving in Europe. I even got an International Driving Permit with the worst. photo. ever.) to go to Croatia.
First up, Rovinj, which we selected based on my desire to have a cocktail at this bar on the rocky shore of the Adriatic.
But there’s also this. (You know I can’t resist a staircase that leads up to who knows where?)
Then hiking in Plitvice Lakes National Park…
A stop in Hvar Town on Hvar Island…
A few days in Dubrovnik (where we will definitely walk around the city ramparts)…
A quick trip to Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina because I want to walk on this bridge…
And then back to Prague for another week of café time and leisurely strolls…
I think I’m going to take a cooking class in Prague and travel always inspires new recipe ideas(remember these Czech Meatballs and Bohemian Brussels Sprouts?), so who knows what culinary delights await you and me when I return to Austin?! Between now and then, I’ll keep you updated with barbell, yoga, eating, and travel adventures. I wish I could take you all with me in my suitcase!
Previous Prague-related posts:
Prague & Berlin
Prague & Paris
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My mother is going to Prague in October -I’m super jealous and these photos make me want to drop everything and go at this instant. Have a fantastic time.
PS – Have you read The Historian? These photos make me want to live it out in real life…
I LOVE The Historian. I’ve read it three times and some of our travels were inspired by the places they went in the book!
Awesome, I am so jealous! I can’t wait to hear about your adventures!
Ok,living through you vicariously starting….NOW!
Well probably actually starting Saturday. I hate flying.
Seriously, have a blast. I know you will!
I’ve spent a few days on Hvar and absolutely LOVED it! It is such a gorgeous place. And if you are able to, there is a restaraunt that is right off the shoreline that makes this traditional croatian stew that is wonderful. You just need to let them know 24 hours in advance that you would like it because they slow roast the meet for hours. Well worth it!
Could this trip be any more fabulous?? Dang! Have a fantastic time!
Wow! Have a great trip! We’ll be flying into Austin tomorrow (for the Food and Wine Festival) when you’re flying out of it. Happy travels!
What an amazing trip that looks to be! While you are traveling the world, I will travel vicariously through you and try many of the recipes in your Well Fed book, which just arrived on my doorstep this week. OH…and you have the same birthday as my daughter. Cute!!
Nothing is as exciting as anticipating a travel adventure!! I can’t wait to live it vicariously through you!!
Have a great trip!!
These places have never been on my radar to visit…until now!!
Happy birthday in advance… I can’t believe you’re going to be 45! Power to ya!
We’ll halfway cross paths somewhere along your travels depending on how long you’ll be in Prague. Enjoy, and I’ll do the same! If you end up lost in Germany, give me a call and you can have a place to stay rent free!
We have been to Slovenia and Croatia recently. You will love it all! We want to buy a vacation house in Hvar now 🙂 we were there last summer.
Pretty lady!!
It looks so amazing over there! Have fun on your adventures!!
I love that you base your itinerary on pictures of local landmarks! I hope it’s a great trip, and can’t wait to see the new travel-inspired recipes.
sounds AMAZING! have an awesome time! can’t wait to see pics and hear about all your adventures.
This has inspired me to read the Historian again. Looking forward to updates!
I’m officially jelly. A six week vacation?!?! To PRAGUE ?!?! I wish my work would let me leave that long in one gulp. *Sigh*
Can’t wait to see your pictures!
SO well deserved. Have a wonderful time! Looking forward to getting the daily down low on your adventures!
Amazing photos. Have a great time!!
Have a wonderful time! You are so clearly excited to be off on six whole weeks of excitement and adventure – I look forward to your posts from your trip. My 45th is coming up this year, and now you’ve got me thinking!!!
This question doesn’t really fit here, but I didn’t know where else to post it. By the way, hope you’re having a great trip.
I’ve been using your cook book (and love it)and I’m trying to get it together so I don’t have trouble during the week.
You say you and Dave eat about 13 pounds of protein a week, but the cook off only shows that your cooking about 6 lbs. What about all the other protein you need to cook?
Thanks so much. I understand if you don’t care about answering this while your on vacation.
So jealous! I’m reading The Historian now, on your suggestion, and LOVING it!! Stay safe! Just read there was a bombing in Prague. Thanks for posting these gorgeous pics too!
We’re safe. The news is saying it was a gas explosion, not a bomb. So… whew! I heard sirens when I was out for a morning run, but didn’t hear or feel anything related to the blast.
So exciting! Thanks for sharing your trip with us. Have you read Black Lamb and Grey Falcon by journalist Rebecca West? She does a pilgrimage through Yugoslavia at the end of the 1930s.
So jealous, but glad to live vicariously. Hope you two have a splendid time!
What a great trip you have planned out – all of those locations look amazing! Can’t wait to read all about it & see your photos.
I just got off of a Skype call with Keri – she says you guys are getting together tonight – have fun & give my adorable pink-haired niece a squeeze for me!
xoxo
Erin
Hi, Erin! I wish you were here with us! Will definitely hug both lovely ladies for you… and we’ll document tonight so you can see what kind of mischief we get up to.
XO