Day 1: Prague has always held a little magic for us. We first came here exactly ten years ago, kids in tow, during our round-the-world adventure. It was one of the places we immediately fell in love with. Coming back felt like meeting up with an old friend, familiar in all the right ways, but with plenty of new stories to share. Over three nights, we strolled through cobblestone streets, peeked into quiet corners, loitered in busy squares, and let ourselves get swept up all over again in the charm that made us fall for Prague the first time. Join us as we explore Prague!

After two overnight flights from Chicago through Frankfurt and zero sleep, we arrived in Prague this morning absolutely exhausted. We checked into this beautiful, centrally located hotel around 10:15am, fully expecting to drop our bags and wait until the 3pm check-in time… but to our surprise (and delight!), our room was already ready! Thank you, Ava! We were beyond thankful for the warm hospitality, and let’s be honest, a quick two-hour nap made all the difference before heading out to explore this incredible city.

Our private airport driver, originally from Britain, was fantastic, keeping us engaged the entire ride with funny stories and filling us in with great local tips to make the most of our time in Prague. Grateful for such a smooth and welcoming start to our European journey!

Where We Stayed: We began our stay at the Andaz Prague, set right on Wenceslas Square, where historic charm meets contemporary design. This hotel highlights Prague’s heritage while offering the comforts and creativity of a modern boutique experience. It was the perfect springboard into the city’s vibrant center. For more photos, check out our blog on the Andaz Prague – coming soon.

For the second part of our trip, we moved to the Four Seasons Prague. It is a beautiful oasis on the banks of the Vltava River. Just steps from the Charles Bridge, it gave us direct access to some of the city’s most iconic views and highlights. And it was especially magical early in the morning before the crowds arrived. We’ll be sharing a separate post soon highlighting the Four Seasons Prague, so stay tuned!

First Night in Prague: Walking Food Tour: After arriving in Prague and checking in to our hotel, we hit the ground running, or rather, walking, on a local food tour through the city’s charming streets. This is one of our favorite ways to settle in when we travel. It gives us a quick overview and great orientation of the city highlights, while allowing us to sample delicious local cuisine with a native guide. It also keeps us moving so we don’t fall victim to jet lag and head straight to bed!

We left our hotel much earlier than necessary so we could walk at a leisurely pace and take in all the stunning views along the way. First up…gorgeous views of the famous Charles Bridge on our way to meet our guide for the evening. And this photo is just a glimpse of its beauty!

Our first evening in Prague was a delicious adventure from start to finish. We met our guide just outside the first restaurant and with that, our adventure began. We were off! From savory Czech classics to sweet treats, it was the perfect way to experience Prague on night one. These tours are not only fun but incredibly practical, a great way to adjust to the time change and dive right into the local culture. We wandered through the charming streets of Malá Strana, tasting our way through local favorites:

Hearty Sausage Sauerkraut Soup paired with something strong and something sweet:

Home-baked Bread Rolls with Edam Cheese and a creamy onion-garlic spread and Beer Tasting. I could have eaten either the soup or the rolls and cheese as a whole meal, they were both so delicious. This café in particular was very quaint, with art work decorating the walls, and tables made from old vintage sewing machine bases.

Gingerbread and Chocolate Biscuits topped with Almonds and filled with Raspberries: This was one of the cutest bakeries in town!

In between tastings, we were also exploring some of the highlights of Prague:

John Lennon Wall: Tucked away in the charming streets of Prague’s Lesser Town, we came across the vibrant and ever-changing John Lennon Wall during our walking food tour. Once a quiet wall near the French Embassy, it became a symbol of peace, freedom, and non-violent resistance in the 1980s. Covered in Beatles lyrics, Lennon-inspired art, and messages of hope from young Czechs rebelling against the communist regime. Today, it’s a colorful canvas that continues to evolve. Anyone can add to it, making it a living tribute to free expression. A must-see if you’re wandering through Prague!

The Černý Fountain: One of Prague’s most eye-catching modern artworks is David Černý’s playful bronze fountain outside the Franz Kafka Museum. It features two mechanical figures standing over a pool in the shape of the Czech Republic. At first it looks whimsical, but like much of Černý’s work, it’s also a sharp piece of satire, often read as commentary on politics, power, and the relationship between the government and its people. Lighthearted yet thought-provoking, it’s one of those Prague sights you won’t forget once you’ve seen it.

The next stop on tour tour was dinner. Rich Beef Goulash with thick potato pancakes that were nothing like what we usually think of as pancakes. Dinner also included tender Pork in a Creamy Sauce with Potato Dumplings, again, more like a dense bread than a dumpling. And we finished with a perfectly sweet home-baked cake. Of course, we paired our bites with Czech classics: crisp Pilsner, aromatic white wine, and a splash of Slivovice (plum liquor).

A Unique Ending to Our First Night in Prague: Just when we thought the night might be winding down, our guide Petra encouraged us to make one final stop, and we’re so glad she did. Hidden behind a nondescript door, we discovered one of Prague’s famed alchemist bars. Drinks here weren’t just poured, they were revealed: smoky potions, glowing elixirs, and secret menus created a whimsical, theatrical finale that captured the city’s centuries-old fascination with alchemy. After a long flight and little sleep, we almost skipped it, but stepping inside this mysterious spot gave us a literal and figurative taste of Prague’s enchanting personality, a magical end to our first night in the Golden City.

You’d think at this point we would have headed straight back to the hotel and into bed, but no! We were in Prague! Instead, we chose to walk the 45–60 minutes back, slowly wandering and meandering through the streets. The city was magical as the sky shifted to deep blue and the bridges, buildings, and monuments began to glow.

As exhausted as we were, we weren’t ready to call it a night just yet. On our way “home,” we made one last (very important) stop, for a cup of rich, extraordinarily thick, Prague Hot Chocolate. Worth every step! A perfect ending to a beautiful first day in one of our favorite cities in the world. Stay tuned for more!

For more information on our itineraries, feel free to email us at dtgainor@gmail.com or visit Global Getaways to learn more about who we are and how we work.