4 min read
Prague is known as the “Paris of the East” and though I hear several other cities also lay claim to this title, it’s easy to see why Prague (known locally as “Praha“) is a serious contender.
As we walked toward the historic Old Town Square our first night in the city – also New Year’s Eve – scenes straight from the illustrated pages of a fairy tale dazzled our senses. Our double-socked, insulated boots tread on cobblestone roads and sidewalks slick from evaporating snow. We strode past vibrantly-colored edifices, red tiled-roofs and magnificent Gothic cathedrals – a city oozing with charm.
As I experienced in Paris, I wondered if city officials flooded the air with happy molecules. You can’t help but feel more buoyant; shielded from life’s little worries for a moment as you absorb it all.
When we reached the picturesque square, we knew we’d made the right decision to skip out on the rest of our Berlin trip and take a detour to Prague. Within minutes of integrating ourselves into the large crowd of merry faces – young, old and in between – the last of the gloomy essence of Berlin fled from our psyches.
A massive, beautifully-trimmed Christmas tree dominated the square; an enthusiastic Czech rock band on a stage with “2015” brandished in roman numerals on a bright yellow awning, entertained the gathered, some of whom blared noisemakers, others who relied on their own vocal cords to make noise; while others drank from cans of Pilsner Urquell because drinking on the street in Prague? No worries there.
Prague knows how to throw a New Year’s Eve party! Minutes before midnight, we filed out the Irish pub we’d settled in earlier, and with the rest of the new year celebrants converged on the town square for the countdown to midnight. The magical fireworks show began the second the clock struck “12” and seemed to continue for hours, never wavering in its power to delight. The party really didn’t stop ’til (at least) “6 in the morning.”

Prague’s French influence is also evident in its many brasseries, bistros and patisseries, a handful of which are Michelin-starred or Michelin-recommended. Just when we thought our Europe trip would be light on food memories. Z and I were brunch buddies when we both lived in Los Angeles, so it’s fitting that we welcomed 2015 with a late-morning meal at a darling French restaurant and patisserie, Au Gourmand, whose window display of pastries beckon the sweet-toothers and the savory-seekers alike.
After a satisfying brunch we revisited the Old Town Square to take it in during the light of day.

For someone like me who hates being among huge crowds of people wandering aimlessly, visiting the Charles Bridge – probably one of Prague’s most spectacular and most visited sites – should have been a nightmare. Everyone in Prague seemed to have descended upon the bridge that day. Yet, as we slowly traversed the bridge with the throng of others, noticing an over-abundance of selfie-sticks rising above the mass, I was so taken by the wondrous view all around me, I felt temporarily insulated from annoyance. Is this place for real?
The centuries old Charles Bridge connects Prague’s Old Town (or Stare Miasto) to Lesser Town (MalΓ‘ Strana) across the Vltava River. Along the nearly 1/2 mile long bridge, in addition to stunning views of the city, you’ll find local artists and craftspeople selling their work as souvenirs, musicians entertaining for tips, striking religious imagery, as well as two imposing Gothic towers flanking each end of the pedestrian thoroughfare.

For the first dinner of 2015, we kept the French theme going and enjoyed a fantastic meal at Chez Marcel that had me happy dancing in my seat with each course.
Wanting a view of Prague from above, we returned to the Charles Bridge the next day and to our delight, found the number of people greatly reduced from the New Year’s Day horde and much easier to navigate. Ascending the narrow steps to the top of the Lessor Town Bridge Tower – one of the two towers that stand on each end of the Charles Bridge – led us to views so magnificent, I know why the term “breathtaking” became such a writing clichΓ©.
On the other side of the tower exists the incongruously named Lessor Town, home of the grand and architecturally-striking Prague Castle, where the President of the Czech Republic resides.
The night landscape lit romantic views on the way back into Old Town.
Dinner that night, our last in the city, delivered another solid dining experience courtesy of GamberoRosso serving up Italian cuisine like the black risotto with prawns I ordered.
Prague charmed me to the core and ranks highly on my mental list of favorite world cities. I couldn’t have asked for a better place to ring in the New Year!
cherri h
March 22, 2015It looks like you saw and did a lot of amazing things! Cool pictures. π
The Girl Next Door is Black
March 22, 2015Thanks! It’s a wonderful city, and highly recommend it if you ever get the chance to go one day! (If you haven’t already).
Hanis Amanina
January 27, 2015Hi π Prague is very beautiful and people said that it is kind of a romantic city π maybe because many tourists are couples!
It is amazing through out the year, I managed to enjoy Prague in all seasons, but still I never get tired of it.
p/s – one tip I can give if you want to enjoy Charles Bridge by your own – come early in the morning. π
The Girl Next Door is Black
January 27, 2015Great tip. I bet it’s beautiful in the morning too.
natalye
January 25, 2015As someone who lives in Berlin, I can’t help but agree that you made the right choice to leave Berlin for NYE, as the city is just terrible then.
Looks like you saw and did a lot of amazing things!
The Girl Next Door is Black
January 26, 2015Haha, good confirmation! Yes, Prague is a wonderful place!
NaNa
January 22, 2015OMG Prague is gorgeous! I am dead of jealousy! Happy New Year Keisha! Glad that I found yr blog through Travel Tuesday π
The Girl Next Door is Black
February 1, 2015Thanks, Nana! I hope you get to visit one day!
Funky Wellies
January 22, 2015Prague is a city I have not visited yet, it was interesting to read your take on it. Sounds like a fab New Year’s Eve party! π Very much enjoyed the photos too, they really show the atmosphere.
Thank you for your comment on my blog and for connecting on Twitter. π
PS: I have been to San Francisco three times and love it.
The Girl Next Door is Black
February 1, 2015Isn’t San Francisco a cool city? Glad you liked the photos! Prague’s so pretty it was hard to choose which photos to post.
Sara @ Simply Sara Travel
January 21, 2015What a great city to ring in the New Year! I went to Prague two years ago between Christmas and New Year’s, and it was just magical. I loved it so much I got to go back this past summer. It was still beautiful and charming, but I have to say that I missed that gorgeous Christmas tree in the Old Town Square! I can’t believe I missed that Cerny sculpture, In Utero! I had fun on my last trip going around and checking out the quirky statues of Prague. Looks like it is located near the Old Town Square?
The Girl Next Door is Black
January 22, 2015Wow, you got to visit Prague again? So lucky! I’d love to see what it looks like in the summer, but you’re right, it’s so beautiful during the holidays!
Yep, the In Utero sculpture is just beyond the Old Town Square. I believe it’s on DlouhΓ‘ street.
Thanks for your comment, Sara!
Sara Granados
January 20, 2015I absolutely LOVE Prague! So jealous you got to spend New Years there! I’ve only been in the summer but would love to go back in the wintertime! Great photos! Glad I found your blog on Travel Tuesday π
The Girl Next Door is Black
January 20, 2015I bet it was beautiful during the summer! Happy to have found your blog too. π
Megan
January 20, 2015Oh how I love Prague! I visited in the spring, not over the holidays, but nonetheless, I definitely support your decision to cut Berlin short and go to Prague instead. π Looks like fun!
The Girl Next Door is Black
January 20, 2015Hehe, thanks for the validation. It was a great city!
Noodle
January 14, 2015Great photos!
Noodle and crew
The Girl Next Door is Black
January 17, 2015Thanks!
Jarret Ruminski
January 12, 2015You’re an excellent writer overall but you have a particular knack for travel writing. You should turn this into a career!
The Girl Next Door is Black
January 13, 2015Thanks, Jarret! I really respect your writing, so this is an uber compliment!
I am working on the career part. π
locz4lyfe
January 12, 2015Hi, you’ve been nominated for the Premio Dardos Award! Peace and blessings!
Sarah Day
January 12, 2015Sounds like a great place to ring in the New Year – glad you were able to improve on your trip to Berlin.
Keisha || The Girl Next Door is Black
January 14, 2015Me too; thanks!
Heidi
January 11, 2015I’m glad you had a better time there than in Berlin. It’s also great to see that it doesn’t lose it’s charm in the winter (vs. summer).
Happy 2015!!!!
The Girl Next Door is Black
January 12, 2015Thanks, Heidi; Happy New Yesr!
edwinasepisodes
January 11, 2015Wow what a stunningly beautiful place. Sounds like you had a wonderful New Year’s Eve, Yes, my nephew is indeed very lucky; He too spent his New Year there after being home for Christmas.
The Girl Next Door is Black
January 12, 2015How funny! I wonder if our paths crossed while I was in Prague. It’s a small world like that. Happy New Year, Edwina!