April 20

Today we wanted to check out some of the tours that are offered from Prague into other parts of Europe. We decided to kill two birds with one cobble stone and see one of the first mega shopping centres built in Prague after the velvet revolution. Centrum Cerny Most. The only picture opportunity I found worth while was the in the food court where there was a stand called "Smak Ceske Kuchyne" which in English means Taste of Czech Cuisine. They offer a really good cross section of the most popular dishes found in Czech cooking.

We also stopped at local bus tour agency and enquired about a five day excursion to Paris. We found one that includes the bus, two nights in a Paris hotel, guided tours and hotel breakfasts. The price? Equivalent of $520.00 for both of us!

Once again, this mall is very accessible via city bus or metro.

After the mall we went back into the city centre and did a little sightseeing starting at "Namesti Republiky" 

And the "Prasna Brana" or The Powder Tower

And then wound our way through The Parisienne Street 

on to the old Jewish quarter

With the oldest synagogue in europe.

After visiting the Jewish quarter we continued towards the river and went by the Rudolfinum which is a major concert hall and a venue for most of the big musical events in Prague.

And just because I can't help myself, here is another shot of the castle with yet another bridge in the foreground

During our various walks we noticed that many of the national treasures, be it old heritage buildings, churches, statues, etc., are being meticulously restored. Below are a couple of pictures showing some of the work being done.

Worker using a wire brush to clean a statuary

Church façade being restored

After crossing the river

and taking a couple of pictures we wound up in an area called Kampa

Prague's little Venice

On the way home we stopped at Albert which is one of the big supermarket chains here and bought groceries for the next few days as it is much cheaper to cook at home and healthier.

Good night.....