Falling in Love with Prague

If you've ever wondered what it was like to live in a fairytale world, then I suggest you go to Prague. On our first night there, we went out to have dinner and what greeted us was the sight of the Prague Castle and Charles Bridge beautifully lit up. I felt like I was looking at the Disney Castle logo in real life. The architecture from the Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque eras found in the city's structures are so beautiful that it's a gift to the world that these were preserved over time.

We were all quite unfamiliar with Czech food and culture so for dinner we wanted to try something that was native to the place. Luckily, we stumbled upon a gem that was Casserol as we were exploring the Old Town. They serve traditional Czech dishes with a modern twist. We had the pork knee with potato dumplings and croquettes, and the duck breast with wild broccoli. The food was exquisite, and our experience was made even better by the restaurant's elegant ambiance and the staff's warm hospitality. It was definitely one of the best meals I have ever had.

The next day, we headed out early to explore the city. First on our agenda was visiting the Holy Infant Jesus of Prague located at the Church of Our Lady Victorious. 

We then made our way to the Prague Castle which is the official residence of the Czech Republic's President. The climb going up was so steep that we almost gave up (you'll see the struggle in the vlog below) but it was totally worth it once you see the view of the city from the top. 

We definitely worked up an appetite after climbing the steps of the Prague Castle so we had some lunch at Malostranský Hostinec located just at the foot of the castle. I absolutely love outdoor dining on beautiful days in Europe, and that partnered with good food made for a great day. We had their Caesar Salad which had the chunkiest slices of bacon and chicken on a salad I've ever seen (which was a great thing), Goat's Cheese Salad, and an assortment of Grilled Sausages with fries. I'm seriously salivating right now just thinking about it. While walking to the Charles Bridge, we bought some Trdelnik for dessert which is a traditional Czech bread which you'll find everywhere in the city. Seriously, if you want to eat amazingly delicious food at reasonable prices, Prague is the place to be!

We ended our tour at one of the most iconic landmarks in Prague - the Charles Bridge. It dates back to the early 15th century and crosses the Vltava river. Not only is the bridge an architectural wonder for surviving to this day, you also get a scenic view of Prague when you're walking along it. 

I honestly didn't know much about Prague and didn't know what to expect from our trip there but it has surprised me in so many pleasant ways. From the spellbinding architecture to the incredible food, our Prague trip has easily become one of the best I've ever had.

Watch our vlog below to see how magical Prague really is!

Back in Berlin

The last time I was in Berlin was in 2010 when I hosted the Ms. Philippines-Germany Goodwill Ambassador pageant. I was only in Germany for a little more than a week but Berlin meant so much to me because it was my first experience of Europe. I remember I was literally crying tears of joy when I saw the Brandenburg Gate in person because it meant my dream of going to Europe finally came true. A few weeks before I left, I just saw it in a travel show on television, and now, I was standing right in front of it.

I cherished that trip thinking that it was a once in a life time moment so when I was so excited when I found out Berlin was once again part of our itinerary. We were only there for two days to meet with the winners of the pageant. Since I've been there before, it was fun now acting as the tour guide for our other companions. We just had enough time to visit the major tourist attractions like the Brandenburg Gate, Holocaust Memorial, and the Berlin Wall at Potsdamer Platz but familiarity of the streets, riding the S-Bahn, and even of eating currywursts oddly but pleasantly felt like coming home for me. As cheesy as it may sound, Berlin will always have a special place in my heart.

Check out my Berlin vlog below to see more of our trip. 

Medieval Architecture and Waffles in Ghent, Belgium

After our pageant in Brussels, we were finally free to tour other cities. Before flying off to other countries, we went to Ghent which is a port-city in Northwest Belgium. It used to be a prominent city-state during the middle ages because of linen trade, and is known for its medieval architecture. It was so picturesque, and the way they were able to preserve the old buildings is impressive. 

One of the most scenic places in Ghent is the Graslei which is a street lined with historic buildings and cafes on the right bank of the Leie river.

It was a lot colder in Ghent than in Brussels so before starting our walking tour, we stopped for some one of the best hot chocolates I've had at L. Van Hoorebeke Chocolatier. I used to think drinking hot chocolate in cold places was just because it was delicious, but after experiencing 5 degrees celcius cold (coming from a tropical country), I realized drinking it is almost like a necessity because holding the cup will keep your hands from freezing, and the hot drink will keep you warm. I honestly wouldn't mind living in a cold place if it means I can drink hot chocolate all the time.

We also got to visit other famous landmarks in the city such as the Gravensteen (castle) and the gothic style Sint-Baafs Cathedral.

I really loved how it's such a walkable city. In fact, Ghent's city center is actually the largest carfree area in Belgium.

Before we went home, I also got to try Flemish waffles which are so much lighter than the Liege waffles which is what you'll mostly find in tourists areas in Brussels. I also got to drink mulled wine for the first time. After walking around in cold to the point where I almost couldn't feel my fingers anymore, I finally understood why the idea of hot flavored wine would be so appealing. I was so happy I was able another part of Belgium other than Brussels.

Make sure to watch my vlog below to see more of our Ghent trip!