Snapshots of Prague

June 14, 2017

A white building and vintage clock in Prague, captured by travel blogger Cee Fardoe of Coco & VeraSnapshots of Prague, Czech Republic, taken by travel blogger Cee Fardoe of Coco & VeraPink and cream building in the old town of Prague, photographed by travel blogger Cee Fardoe of Coco & VeraPastel architecture in the old town of Prague, Czech Republic, as seen by travel blogger Cee Fardoe of Coco & VeraPolaroid photos of Prague taken by travel blogger Cee Fardoe of Coco & VeraGiant's Gate at Prague Castle, captured by travel blogger Cee Fardoe of Coco & VeraThe word that best describes our trip to Prague is a favourite of mine: effortless. From the moment we boarded our Czech Airlines flight in Paris, everything went smoothly. And everything was simple: catching the airport bus, taking the metro, finding our hotel, even exchanging euros for the local currency, Czech crowns. We did not get lost during our stay, despite taking an occasional wrong turn – and despite barely using a map. We never struggled to communicate, even though we speak exactly no words of the Czech language. Part of me absolutely loved that about the city; there was no confusion, no missteps, not even a single struggle to find a good restaurant. But another part of me felt like tourism in Prague has become so prevalent, and so much of the economy dependent on it, that the most beautiful parts of the city have become the exclusive domain of travelers. Perhaps I am wrong – I hope that I am – but I got the impression that if I lived in Prague, I would avoid the Old Town entirely. (Much the same way I avoided Stanley Park when we lived in Vancouver.)

As tourists, we spent most of our time in the Old Town. And it is exactly as I had imagined, a paradise of dreamy pastel buildings. If I remember correctly, I spent practically all day every day looking up from the wide cobbled boulevards to admire the intricate architecture. The array of paint colours – from blush pink to turquoise to white and peach – is simply too delightful. But aside from the fairytale setting, the city felt just like home in many ways. There are adorable (and, ahem, instagrammable) coffee shops, burger bars and bakeries on every corner. Dress is casual, though most women favour dresses over jeans. Pariszka street is lined with luxury shops – from Hermes to Gucci to Tiffany, the gang is all there. Prague is modern, even trendy.

It wasn’t always that way, of course. The iron curtain hung until 1989. The last vestiges of the communist era still remain in the city. And nowhere was the recent history of Prague more evident than at local department store Od Kotva. Opened in 1975, there is no doubt it was an incredibly elegant place to shop in its heyday. But time has continued to pass outside of it while inside, Od Kotva has stood still. An immaculate cigarette stand, the kind that hasn’t existed in Canada since my childhood, greets shoppers just inside the front door. But as you ascend the escalator, the collision of past, present and future feels all the more poignant. Od Kotva, built in Brutalist-style, is all concrete and glass. And on the fourth floor, a large window in a now empty department gives a perfectly unobstructed view of the romantic Old Town that is framed by two totally contrasting concrete pillars. By the time we left, I couldn’t decide if Od Kotva made me nostalgic for my childhood, when everything in life didn’t come with a label about health risks, or just glad that architectural styles have changed…!

We loved Prague, but somehow, four days there felt like enough to experience the city fully. Which is to say that I’m not sure when we’ll be back – Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, absolutely stole our hearts in 2009 and we would likely choose to go there again first. But if you haven’t seen Prague at least once, you absolutely must add it to your list of travel destinations. You won’t regret it.

6 comments so far.

6 responses to “Snapshots of Prague”

  1. My gosh, I’m absolutely blown away with how beautiful those buildings are. Love, love!!! The details, colours, that gate!! Did I say I’d retire in France? Now it’s just a toss up between this & Paris! So beautiful, truly, and I’m thrilled to know you had such a lovely and easy trip as well. It just makes all the difference, hate feeling frazzled when I travel! And cuties, love that photo of you & Ian!! xo

    http://www.girlandcloset.com

  2. Eloise Alice says:

    oh how dreamy! I love the little polaroids- cute idea. Smooth travelling is honestly the best, especially as i’m such a stresshead when it comes to travelling haha. Your description is wonderful and it really does sound effortless. What a place to experience.

    http://www.thewhimsicalwildling.com/

  3. I have always wanted to go to Prague – ever since I became dear friends with a wonderful girl from the Czech Republic at a boutique where I worked right out of college. Reading this motivates me to get there once the kids are a little older and I can start traveling more regularly again. Effortless is right up my alley.

  4. Lyddiegal says:

    I feel like more often than not, when it comes to travel, the word effortless rarely comes up, so to have an trip without any hiccups seems like a vacation in and of itself. The city does look gorgeous, and I love your description of Od Kotva, I do kind of love the idea of a space preserved in it’s original time.
    Chic on the Cheap

  5. The architectural details Cee are stunning. I love the colors of the buildings as well. So refreshing! Fairytale indeed 😀
    http://www.averysweetblog.com/

  6. Sherin says:

    Prague is so high on my to travel list. It just looks so lovely and calm.

Cee Fardoe is a thirty-something Canadian blogger who splits her time between Winnipeg and Paris. She is a voracious reader, avid tea-drinker, insatiable wanderer and fashion lover who prefers to dress in black, white and gray.

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