Bring back the memories. Prague.

           The Christmas is coming and there is festive spirit in the air. Everywhere.

All the capitals in Europe are preparing for this beautiful and warm holiday.

There are some places where magic of the Christmas stays for entire year. For clarifying, the fairy-tail’s spirit follows you all over your stay in such city as Prague, Czech Republic.

Old Town Square
It is always good decision to come for a couple days to Prague. And if you have a big dream, there is a chance it comes true after making a wish on the Charles bridge.

Prague castle

The Czech Republic capital is always pleased to have visitors and offers a big amount of different interesting architecture, amazing view on Vltava river from the bridges, tasty food (as gulash with traditional bread dumplings), 

Guláš knedlíky

mulled wine on the street when it is cold outside is a really good and warmed idea. For those who are going to spending more time in the city it would be interesting to visit the Prague’s opera where opera’s singers from all over the world show their beautiful talents.

    

Long, narrow streets with cozy little shops, a lot of tourists that are everywhere, smell of grilled sausages in the air, various kinds of beer – this is the spirit of the oldest and most beautiful capital in Europe.

This is the place that should be in everybody’s list “must see”.

shopping in Prague is prescribed

little weakness

It was almost three years ago when I was visiting that special place.

What do I remember?

Certainly, St. Vitus Cathedral. Beautiful and amazing. For a moment some parts of the Cathedral seemed like the “Sagrada Fimilia” – I have no idea why – I’ve never been in Barcelona. Nevertheless I was total impressed.

First time in my life I liked the opera. Wonderful opera’s building with five floors where the “Carmen” was inexpressible! After such nice “food” for soul we went to eat the best Gulash with bread dumplings ever!

Night life. The day of our arrival we wanted to celebrate with local students. Fortunately we found a nice spot next to our apartment.

 We did not want to lose even one hour of being in Prague so every night we were in different places.

The plan was easy: sightseeing during the day and going out at night.

I hope the photos will explain my visit to Prague in the better way. The memory of three wonderful days in Prague will stay with me for a long time…

caught barehanded by paparazzi

sweets as well

Absent. Everywhere

Dolls. Many of them

the best investment

"Night, street, lantern...."

  

Return

Two weeks ago I’ve visited wonderful Budapest! I dreamed again about it yesterday’s night: I really miss it and want to go back…

I’ve found that “Olasz” (Olash was chosen by chance, one of my dear friend called me in this way) means "Italian" from Hungarian language. I've never been to Italy. I know - I should go. Next post will be about lovely Hungary.

August in Budapest

 If I had to express “Budapest” in three words it would not be “goulash”, “tokaj” or “paprika”. 

Nothing like this. Budapest is “bread”
“the nicest drivers” and “Duna’s promenade”.

  

What is special about bread? At first sight it does not seem like something special at all but if you put a little of your attention and looked in the bakery or the nearest grocery store you would see something wonderful for you eye and mouth is there. It has been the best bread experience for me: here it was – bread with olives, bread with dry tomatoes. All of them are strongly recommended! If I mention that the small sandwiches in Budapest are the best sandwiches I have ever discovered in this beautiful country– I will say nothing. I am introducing you the two coupled of the tastiest babies – I hope you will meet them again. They are only four representatives of the dozen of the others (by the way, one of them is called "Olasz" - means "Italian". I knew it after I had put my nickname - Olash, a friends of mine used to call me in that way. What a surprise).

Delicious. For every taste

My stories about the drivers will come later. The reason is Duna river which has stolen my heart and as I see it right now it will never return it back. So I am in hurry to tell about the river that is separating two sides of the one most wonderful city in Europe. Walking along the promenade in soft lights and feel nice breeze – what can be better? Can be – be next to the St. Gellert water fall in a really hot day!

I have not mentioned the Hungarian Parliament yet! It is because I have not found any appropriate word to describe it. I only know the expression of my face when I saw it!  I have heard the Parliament is made from very specific material so every time it needs to be clean cause after some time it becomes gray or something like this. That is why whenever you come to Budapest to see it – some part of Parliament for sure will be closed for a renovation (being cleaned). Still. Amazing piece of architecture!

The biggest mistake that you can make in Budapest is to come there and don’t visit the bathes. I would never forgive myself. Relaxing, fun, healthy – what else? That can be really great to visit a 100 degree sauna with ice in your hands. 


To be continued...

Blue lake - Голубые озера - one weekend in Urechche

   Belarus is called the “lungs of Europe”. Theorigin of the name is the thousands of lakes and swamps that are located on the territory of Republic of Belarus. I would like to present only one but very interesting lake which is called “The Blue Lake”. I would rather call the color “turquoise” but it does not make a difference – the nature that is surrounding the lake is as amazing as the lake. The place is located in central Belarus, near the city of Slutck. Nevertheless the “blue” lake is so far from industrialized areas so you can feel pure connection with the nature. The history of the lake is not complicated: in the past there were deposits of chalk all over the place. That is why the color of the lake is so incredible. For your attention it is very very deep – 9 meters in some places.

        You get more than just pleasure from swimming there - the clay which covers the bottom of the lake is very beneficial for your skin. All these clay scrubs that you’re buying in the store – you have here – natural, better, from the source.

This is the best place to go for a picnic on the sunny day with the family or friends and just relax, watching the marvelous work of the nature…

Ausswitz

Poland. Cracow. Kazimierz district.

              The famous director Steven Spielberg has made a movie on these narrow bright streets and called it “the Schindler’s list”. There is an amazing spirit and more history than anywhere else in Cracow. Welcome to the Kazimierz.  Jewish district. The most famous area in the city. The district is located in the center of Cracow alongside the Vistula River. The composition of beautiful renaissance architecture and nature around creates unforgettable perception and brings you back to the past.

  There are a few working Synagogues in the center. This is a big spiritual part of the life of the district that was a separate town in the past. Visiting the Jewish house of the prayers is a nice experience, putting you to a deeper understanding of their traditions and belief. There is history all around you, the streets are decorated with different symbols and colors that

makes the place special.For a long time this district

has belonged to the Jewish people. It was their home,

the place where they could save their culture. It was a present from King Kazimierz III, who invited the Jewish people to move to Cracow in order to develop and modernize the city. The people were grateful to the King and named the district in the honor of him. The Kazimierz district played an important role in the economy of the city since the end of the thirteenth century. It passed through its Golden Times and right now we can see all the wealth of the Jewish heritage.

            There are a lot of cultural events during the year. The festival of Jewish music, the biggest one in the world takes place in the end of June and it is one of the brightest and most cheerful events. People from all over the world gather here to enjoy the beautiful music, dance and have joy.

    There are some specialties for the gourmets as well. The Jewish restaurants are all over the district offering different delicious meals (kosher food). We had four course meal included very delicious bread (still have it in my mind), goose pastete under the cranberry sauce and such wonderful desert but there was no free space for it…I was wondering if the water was kosher as well?

The restaurants are very nice, decorated in a very cozy way so you can feel the calm, amazing atmosphere and enjoy the Jewish traditional meals. The dinner is accompanied by live music and this makes the place and the spent time very special like everything in the district.

Visiting the Kazimierz is one of the important parts of your stay in Cracow.

Viva!

Here I am. No luggage, no tickets in my hands. Yet. Ok, I lie. Always with some tickets for the future.
Location: Berlin.
Challenge: german language studyng.
I've just returned from the trip to Greece. Wonderful weather, amazing food and the most important thing:
first time I fell in love with Athens!
I wanted to stay there forever (one place for me forever? never enough) But this and other stories I am going to tell later. Now - VIVA!

P.S. starting this blog I ate one box of chocolate cookies. at least they are gone!