Partying in Prague

Free Walking Tour 

Due to enjoying the walking tour so much in Berlin we thought we would try another here in Prague. Like Berlin, there are several companies acting in Prague, we decided to go for the Prague Royal Walk after the recommendation from a girl in our hostel. They meet at the astronomical clock every day at 11am and 2pm and can be found by their large yellow umbrellas. 

The astronomical clock itself is very impressive and excuse the pun but was ahead of its time with it not only presenting the normal time but also the Arabic time, the name day, the sign of zodiac, the lunar calendar...and these are just the ones I can remember. On the hour, there is also a show, which echoes the puppet shows on old grandfather clocks. 

Aswell as being taught more about Czech history we visited: 

+ Old Town Square

+ Charles Bridge... From a distance 

+ 'Mozart' Theatre

+ Prague Castle... From a distance 

+ Jewish Quarter including the Old New Synagogue and Spanish Synagogue

+ Wenceslas Square  

+ And much more 

I did enjoy this tour, however it was not as good as the Berlin tour. Also, the leaflet is slightly misleading because it does state you will see monuments although this is from a distance. It is definitely worth going on on, if only to get your bearings of the city. 

Groove Bar 

Situated in Praha 1 close to Narodni Trida, Groove bar is perfect for cocktails starting at 100kz. It often gets busy so if you are going as a part of a large group, I would recommend reserving a table. Staff are really friendly and the cocktails are to die for especially for such a cheap price. Perfect for per drinks or an evening of drinks. 

Prague Castle 

Although it is often thought that the Prague Castle refers to merely to the cathedral it actually encompasses much more. If you are planning on visiting the Castle, I would advise taking the metro to Malostranska and walking to the steps or getting the 22 tram. If you do the former, prepare yourself for a climb but believe me once you reach the top the view rewards you. It is one if the highest points in Prague so it really is spectacular. There are several beautiful buildings and gardens around the castle so explore the whole location before heading back. There a lot of museums in the surrounding buildings but if you are on a budget there is still plenty to do. In the cathedral itself there is some really impressive stained glass work. 

Grosseto 

After a lengthy scan of trip advisor we stumbled across Grosseto, an Italian restaurant in Central Prague. Despite not having a booking we were seated quickly. There are two parts of the restaurant; a lower level and a higher level with a better view. You would need to book for the upper level and also on the reviews on trip advisor there were suggestions that this may not guarantee. I ordered the seafood pasta accompanied by red wine, both were very enjoyable and good value for money. 

Despite the food being good, the service was not the best. We were often forgotten about, food did not come out altogether and clearing plates was also disjointed. This service was reflected in several places we dud eat in, in Prague questioning whether this was common. 

I would recommend coming here because you are getting decent portions for a good price, however do not expect to be well looked after necessarily. There is also another Grosseto on the river which I imagine would have amazing views but definitely need a reservation. 

John Lennon Wall 

This is a little bit harder to find as although an attraction it is often not well represented on maps. Moreover, it is down several side streets but if you do come across the John Lennon Pub then you are on the right track. It was smaller than I expected but it's definitely worth a visit. Some of the paintings and sketches are amazing. 

Charles Bridge 

On the walking tour we were advised to not go to the Charles Bridge in the day:

1. Due to the high tourist numbers

2. The amount of pick pocketers around

3. The view is even better at night

We decided that before drinks one night to visit the bridge and our tour guide was not wrong. The views were phenomenal and the pictures I have taken do NOT do it justice! Perfect for an after dinner or pre pre-drinks walk! 

Tea Room 

On one of the side streets near to Narodni Trida, there is a really nice little tea room with a wide selection of different teas including green, red and many more.  It is such a chilled place, perfect to have a lazy afternoon. There are little sofas, cushions and even a bunk bed to sit. They also have shisha facilities. Even if you aren't a massive tea drinker like myself there really is a flavour for all. I had a lychee flavoured tea which I really liked, just be careful to not over sweeten!

Kitchen 

This is a noodle bar, situated near to the Mustek stop of the tram. You can sit both in and outside and has a really chilled out vibe. It is very similar to Wagamamas but you get more for your money! I had the chicken yakosobo and it was so nice and perfect for a hangover cure! You can also try kerfolo which is similar to Coca Cola but with a herbal twist. Described in advertisements as a love/hate drink it is definitely worth a try. 

Also, if you happen to be staying on a Monday night, there is a night called Mad Mad Mondays which has recently opened and is definitely worth checking out! 

Angelato

We stumbled across this really nice ice cream parlour whilst making our way around Praha 1. It has a wide selection of flavours including a favourite of mine, pistachio. They give generous portions and provide both tubs and cones. When we went there was a quite a large queue, although this does move quickly. It is quite a small establishment so it you did want to sit and eat this us more difficult because there are limited tables. 

Local Cuisine to Try 

Whilst in Prague, we decided to try some of the local specialities because well, when in Prague and all that! Beef goulash is advertised in every traditional Czech restaurant/cafe/establishment. If you didn't know goulash is similar to a stew or casserole, characterised by thick creamy gravy and slow cooked beef, often served with dumplings or potato pancakes. I am northern girl so the prospect if gravy is always a plus for me! I liked the goulash and the potato pancakes, the only thing lacking was some vegetables. Some green beans or broccoli would have given it that extra something. 

Often in little Czech cafés they include a soup or broth before your meal. We tried a cabbage soup and it was so nice and filling. Perfect for a cold day and especially if you are planning on tackling the Prague castle that day! 

Useful tips and tricks

Our tour guide gave undone useful hints and tips for whilst we were in Prague: 

1. In restaurants, goulash should never be more than 140kz, if it is more it is very likely that you are being ripped off therefore use this as a guide 

2.  Similar for bars, a 0,4 of beer should never be more than 40kz 

3. Although nice, the majority of restaurants situated in or within very close proximity to Wenceslas Square will often be overpriced 

4. Take money out at cash points because you will often be ripped off at exchange places 

I absolutely loved Prague, so much that we extended our stay. It is a such a pretty city, with a good night life and it is very cheap! 

Imogen xoxo

Prague Hostel Review

ADVANTAGE HOSTEL 

We found out about the Advantage Hostel again through the Hostelworld app. If you are going interrailing I really do recommend downloading it because it is so easy to use and so far we have had no issues with it.

Facilities 

There was a common room and kitchenette on the first floor of the hostel which was really good to just chill in and this is where a lot of the activities are put on for guests. They also have laundry facilities although we did not use them. There is also a smoking area and cafe/bar downstairs where breakfast is served also. Wifi is really good here and you get it in most places within the hostel with the only exception being where breakfast is served. It does take a few times to connect and I had a few issues with it but I think this is phone related rather than wifi related unfortunately. 

Breakfast 

Breakfast was included in the price. It was quite basic with a selection of breads, cereals and hot beverages. It was served 8-10 and we found that even if you go down just after half 9, there is still a good selection.

Showers/Toilets 

Like the flying pig, washing facilities were outside the room although there is an option at this hostel to have ensuite. Washing facilities are also split for genders. Despite having only two showers, I never had to wait around. The shower themselves had good pressure and temperature. The only issues with this facility is that the lights are on a timer so you could be half way through your shower and the lights go off!

Staff 

Staff were really nice and helpful on arrival and throughout our stay. They have a 24 hour reception and will let you in late at night if needs be. They are happy to help and give advice, one particular member of staff annotated a map for us of all the best places to get a drink which wouldn't necessarily be full of tourists. 

Value for Money 

This was a cheaper hostel starting from between €11-13 per night which is pretty decent and for the facilities provided a bargain! Beware if you are booking for a weekend the prices can double. 

Dorms 

The rooms were probably the nicest of the rooms that we have stayed in so far. They were spacious with large lockers and a lot of plug sockets. Furthermore, there were full length mirrors in the room and tables and chairs. 

Location 

The hostel was round the corner from Wenceslas Square and is perfect for exploring the main sites like the astronomical clock. Furthermore, it had great transport links, with a metro station down the road for route A but also Museum metro station 5 minute walk away with that could take you closer to the Castle and John Lennon wall. 

Extras 

The directions provided on Hostelworld were good although took a bit of deciphering due to the English used. 

Every night they provided activities for the guests to do so that guests would talk and get to know other people outside of their rooms. We went to a sangria making class and ended up making friends and going out with the people that attended afterwards. Dina, who took the class also taught us some basic Czech words which came in real use! I would really recommending going to the activities especially if you are travelling alone because it is an easy way to meet people. 

OVERALL

I would say this is my favourite hostel that we have stayed in so far because the rooms were nice, location was good and staff were helpful and friendly! I would definitely recommend staying here if you come to Prague!

Imogen xoxo

Bitches in Berlin

Free Walking Tour 

There are several free walking tours provided in Berlin, we chose the Sandemans New Berlin tour because there were several tours a day (9am, 11am, 2pm and 4pm) so we wouldn't be rushed to make a time. The premise is that you tip so to speak what you feel the tour was worth at the end. The tours are a great way to see the sites especially if you are on a tight schedule as we were. Our tour guide was called Zabi and was really informative and passionate about Berlin and the sites and stories that accompany it. In two and a half hours we managed to see: 

+ Brandenburg Gate 

+ Where the Berlin Wall used to be

+Hitler's Bunker 

+ Holocaust Memorial 

+ Checkpoint Charlie 

+ SS Headquarters 

+ The Berlin Wall 

+ Pariser Platz 

+ Bebel Platz 

+ And many more

I hope you enjoyed the addition of Ted to the monuments! I would really recommend going on a free tour or tour in general because you get to learn so much more about the monuments and Berlin itself. Zabi also gave us advice about the best way to see the East Side Gallery!

Berliner Republik 

Since we were in Germany we decided to try the local cuisine, namely currywurst at a restaurant called The Berliner Republik. Currywurst is a popular dish in Germany consisting of a frankfurter type sausage in a curry tomato sauce, often served with the potato of your choice. I went for pan fried potatoes and below you can see the result. 

Do not get me wrong I am glad I tried it...would I choose it again on a menu? Probably not but it needed to be done! If you did want to visit this restaurant, it is in the Friedrichstrausse area down a street beside the river. I would recommend booking as we didn't and ended up eating outside on the river front where they do provide blankets if cold. The only issue with being seated outside is that you often felt neglected and forgotten about. 

East Side Gallery 

I was really interested in going to see the East Side Gallery because I had heard it was a must see in Berlin. We got the train from Friedrichstrausse to Ostbahnhof, which is just a short walk from the Gallery. If you didn't know the Gallery is a reconstructed portion if the Berlin Wall which artists have created murals on. The murals and detail of the murals really are beautiful although some have now been graffitied. If possible try and reserve seeing the Gallery on a warmer day of your trip because we did it on a bitterly cold day so had to keep moving so to not freeze! 

Hans Im Glück 

This restaurant is situated on the main road of Friedrichstrausse, near the train station. It's interesting woodland interior really catches the eye and was what drew us in to eat. The menu consists of different types of burgers from beef, chicken, vegetarian and vegan with a variety of fillings. They offer certain deals in the day, for instance in the evening for the price of the burger plus €7.50, you get a burger, chips and a cocktail. The cocktails were really nice and the ones we chose were quite fruity and strong! I had a grilled chicken burger with bean sprouts, salad and sweet chilli sauce which was really nice but a very large portion so bare that in mind whilst ordering. The service was slightly odd as you seated yourselves and we were asked as we paid if we were going to tip, regardless we enjoyed our meal here and would recommend to others!

Imogen xoxo 

Berlin Hostel Review

BAXPAX DOWNTOWN HOSTEL 

We found out about the Baxpax Downtown Hostel through an app called Hostelworld which provides lists of Hostels accompanied with reviews, directions, prices and the ability to book. 

Facilities 

There was a common room equipped with a pool table, plugs and computer. As well as a bar called Cosmos which served food and drinks. The common areas of the hostel were decorated really nicely. The wifi in the hostel was not good, we were only able to get it in the common areas and even then, each day or sometimes every time we would leave the hostel we would have to re-enter password details. Often we would be thrown off the wifi and it personally could only get wifi in certain places within the common room.

Breakfast 

Breakfast was not included in the price you pay for the room. So we would often buy pastries once we left the hostel. I would recommend where possible to try and get breakfast included in the price of your hostel because it's less to worry about. 

Showers/Toilets 

We stayed in an ensuite dorm this time. There were male and female showers however there were no locks on the doors of the showers themselves. The pressure and temperature of the showers were good although on a timer. Despite having male toilets in huge dorms there were no female ones which was slightly odd.

Staff 

On arrival we were met by the 24 hour reception staff who could never be described as service with a smile maybe a grimace at best. I would go as far as to say that any issue or problem was too much for them and they would often be less than helpful. An example...When we were given our bed numbers we went to our dorm and saw that although in the same overall room they were separated in to two therefore in reality we were not together. There was a spare bunk above me so we asked the lady on reception if this could be changed. She rudely informed us that if the bed had been free she obviously would have given us that bed. Fair enough we thought...bit rude but fair enough. However, throughout our stay no one stayed in that bed. 

The only saving grace was that their bar staff were polite and one of the reception staff was helpful. When I inquired regarding the easiest route to the East Side Gallery, he provided instructions and an annotated map for me.

Value for Money 

This was a cheaper hostel ranging from €10 to €17 per night which maybe highlights that you really do get what you pay for regarding the service. 

Dorms 

Although larger than the flying pig rooms, the rooms seemed very empty although it did mean bags could be stored easily. In the basement K studio, apart from the lamps beside your beds there was no additional light which meant that we had no choice but to get ready in the shower rooms just for light. We were provided with lockers which again you provide your own lock for. Plugs were few and hidden so often we had to rely on the plugs in the common room, which wasn't exactly ideal.

Location 

The hostel was perfect for exploring the main sites and had great transport links to explore nearby ones. Due to there not being a main bar area in Berlin everything was a bit spread out but we took advantage of what we could!

Extras 

The directions provided on Hostelworld were very informative especially because our train was delayed at the border between Holland and Germany. It is of note that when you book this hostel if you pay the deposit by card you are expected to email ahead to notify them you still plan to stay there. 

OVERALL

Despite the rudeness of staff, lack of plugs and wifi, I did enjoy my stay in Berlin. If you could find a better hostel for a similar price I would advise booking elsewhere. However, if you are aware and are able to factor these issues in, then you will have a great stay!

Imogen xoxo

Amsterdam Activities

An Insight in to my Adventure in Amsterdam...

Initial Exploration  

Amsterdam is such a beautiful city, characterised by it's never ending canals and worryingly slanted town houses. We were lucky enough to have good weather which made exploring that bit better! At night, the city really comes alive with the raging red light district and several bars where liking beer really is a must if you are on a budget! 

Sex Museum 

Although cliché, a visit to Amsterdam would not be complete without visiting the sex museum. For €4 you get a lot for your money, with floors of exhibits so to speak. Aswell as the expected photos, there are actually interesting stories, aswell as the least flattering Marilyn Monroe waxwork I have ever seen! All in all, it's worth a visit if only for a picture on a well known penis chair especially if you have an hour to spare.

I am Amsterdam  

Although another touristy attraction, it would be weird to leave Amsterdam without an infamous sign photo. Furthermore, because it is so close to several museums it is worth going to as an after museum activity especially if the weather is nice. 

Biking

Biking through the city makes it very clear that bicycles rule the roads in Amsterdam. To get to grips with the bikes we started cycling through Vondelpark where we stopped for refreshments at one of the many bars/restaurants. They, like pretty much everywhere in Amsterdam are very bike friendly and very popular. 

If you don't feel confident on a bicycle, I would avoid heading in to the main part of the city which although is very fun, tests your concentration and road awareness on new levels.

Please be aware that smaller bike hire companies have a more limited range therefore popular bike sizes are in greater demand. Due to this, we ended up hiring with Mac Bikes. Although slightly more expensive they provide numerous bikes with adjustable seat height and several sites across the city. 

If only for an hour or so, this is such a fun way to see the city and gives you a work out too!

Markets

We visited a few markets whilst we were in Amsterdam. The first of which was the tulip market which faces on to the canals and has all sorts of trinkets and of course tulips for sale. The other was the latest market in Amsterdam which had the best fresh orange juice and smoothies. Plus in Amsterdam giving free samplers are a given whether this in markets or shops, so trying before you buy is a real concept. 

Kantjil & De Tijger 

After internet recommendations we gave this restaurant a go because the Indonesian food in Amsterdam is raved about and we were not disappointed. 

Staff were really helpful on advising for particular dishes and the spiciness of food. Between two, we shared a Nasi Goreng Kantjil which included a beef curry dish, pork satay, several vegetable extras and spicy rice as well as a spicy prawn dish, various dumplings and special potato chips. It was the best meal I had in Amsterdam and I would definitely recommend going again! 

I would recommend booking if you are planning on going later in the evening as as we didn't book and had a shortened dining time. However, the food was prompt so it's not as if we were forced out. 

Anne Frank House 

This was my second time to the Anne Frank House and even for a second time was still so inspirational. It really opens your eyes to the conditions that the Frank family were expected to live in and the story so many of us know so well. For €9 it is worth every penny, there are often queues but it is worth it. It is open till 9 so to avoid the queues I would recommend going to see it in the early evening. 

There are so many more attractions I wish we could have visited but only had a short space of time so tried to use our time wisely. From previous experiences, I would definitely recommend the VanGogh museum!

Imogen xoxo

Amsterdam Hostel Review

UPTOWN FLYING PIG

We found out about the Flying Pig through a friend's recommendation. 

Facilities 

There was a smoking room in our hostel and although I don't smoke, thought it was a good idea. The hostel also had a bar which stayed open till about 3ish every night which was always popular and most importantly to those on a budget, quite cheap! The hostel also provided a great wifi service which was available in all rooms in the hostel. 

Breakfast 

Breakfast was included in the price you pay for the room. It consisted of cereal, both brown and white bread which could be toasted, a variety of spreads, jams and butters aswell as hard boiled eggs and apples. Juice and hot drinks were also provided. Do not get me wrong this is not the best breakfast in the world but it starts you off for the day! 

Showers/Toilets 

For a first time interrailer, I was unsure of what to expect about the hostel bathrooms. I was pleasantly surprised because the showers had good pressure although were very very hot! There were 3 showers on our floor and I never had to wait around to shower so no complaints there. The toilets were kept in surprisingly good condition considering how many people were using them!

Staff 

On arrival we were met by the 24 hour reception staff who were friendly and informative. Throughout our stay, staff helped us with directions etc whenever necessary. Unfortunately, due to staff error I was given the wrong bed number which was awkward when I ended up asleep in someone else's bed! The situation was quickly rectified however could and should have been avoided. 

Value for Money 

This is on the pricier side of hostels, costing on average around €25 per night depending on dorm size and what days you plan to stay. Although, I would not pay this for the remainding hostels on the trip for our first hostel and ultimately, trip in to the unknown we were willing to pay slightly more. 

Dorms 

This was my first staying in a dorm since school trips so I wasn't really sure what to expect. We were in a 12 bed mixed room, which was fine and people were friendly. We were provided with under bed lockers and additional lockers. You are expected to bring locks but we already knew this from the website. 

Location 

The hostel is very close to Vondelpark and the Rijksmuseum which was perfect location for us but if honest Amsterdam is not a particularly large city so as long as you are not on the outskirts location is not necessarily as important as it would be in other European cities. 

Extras 

One really good thing about the Flying Pig hostel is their website, before arrival we knew exactly how to get to get hostel from the airport. If you are planning on staying there, it's a €5 bus ride which drops you off a 2 minute walk away. This information helped us out so much especially because our flight was delayed.

OVERALL

I enjoyed my stay at the Flying Pig and although on the expensive side for a hostel is perfect for a first time traveller! 

Imogen xoxo

Let the Travels Commence

After months of waiting, the day has finally arrived that we have set off on our first adventure around Europe. Keep your eyes peeled for fun, photos, tips and the addition of Lord Ted along the way! 

Imogen xoxo