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Prague in 9 Squares

Continuing with a new series on the wanderingiPhone blog ‘in 9 squares’. 

In March 2012, I went on a solo trip to Europe. One of the cities I visited was Prague. In my research, I came across comments that suggested that Prague may not be safe. I took Prague off my itinerary but then put it back on as it was a city I wanted to visit. I am glad I did and am happy to report that I felt completely safe and my visit was without incident.

I, unfortunately, had only a short time in Prague and felt like I only scratched the surface of this beautiful city. I made the most of my time there but with its architecture, bridges, churches and overall charm, I’d love to go back and explore more and travel deeper. My favourite time of day was just as the sun was beginning to set and as the lights on the buildings started to shine. The only word I can think of to describe it, magical.

Here are my favourite 9 Instagram photos from that trip. Click on the 9 squares below to see a larger version.

Prague Czech Republic in 9 squares
Charles Bridge, Tyn Church, St. Nicolas Church, Estates Theatre, Prague.

 

  • Walking through the cobblestone streets with a hot Sva?ak (mulled wine) in hand as you make your way to Charles Bridge.
  • Standing on the infamous Bridge overlooking the Vltava River with several other bridges in the distance.
  • Watching a Mozart opera in the same building that Mozart debuted Don Giovanni over 200 years earlier in 1787.

 

These are the memories that play over in my mind and I hope to return with my family and learn more about the culture and history as I recently learned that a maternal great grandmother is from the Czech Republic.

March is a great time of year to visit Prague. It’s off season and there are deals to be found. I stayed at the 5-star Hilton in Old Town for only $70USD per night thanks to a winning bid on Priceline’s ‘name your own price’.

To see the photos on Instagram along with their detailed captions, visit wanderingiphone on Instagram. 

Road trip from Bagan to Inle Lake, Myanmar

Somewhere in the lush rolling hills of Shan state in Myanmar between Bagan and Inle Lake. We travelled by private vehicle for about 12 hours past colourful fields and remote hill villages where Shan people still dress in traditional clothing.
It was one of the most scenic drives I’ve embarked on but it’s not for the faint of heart. The roads are very windy with narrow 2-lane roads and tight turns.

In Myanmar, they drive on the right side of the road like in the North America but most of the vehicles are from Japan and the driver is also seated on the right. Not a good position to be in when trying to overtake a large truck or bus on a curve in the road. Somehow they manage, unfazed. Many of the truck and bus drivers give the “okay to pass” sign by flashing their left-hand turn signal. Fascinating. I handled it well, the rest of my family not so much. There were a few nail-biting moments but I tried to live in a state of bliss and not pay attention to the road and the driving.

Celebrating Cherry Blossoms in Vancouver, British Columbia and a Festival

cherry blossoms vancouver

Cherry blossoms are in full bloom in Vancouver and area. We found these ones in South Surrey in March 2016 while we were on a family trip during March Break. As a resident of Toronto, have to say I was a little jealous of their cherry blossom trees. Not only do they bloom earlier than us, they have many more trees than we do in Toronto, at least, it seemed that way. We  saw trees everywhere we looked from Vancouver to Abbotsford.

cherry blossoms vancouver

cherry blossoms vancouver

cherry blossoms vancouver

Vancouver celebrates the Sakura trees and  even has a Cherry Blossom Festival. In 2016, it runs from March 24 to April 17th.

For more information about the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival including a map of cherry tree locations, visit here. The map helped us find the trees pictured above.

Toronto and a glimpse of the CN Tower

One of my favourite drives into the city and spot to view the CN Tower. Also, a partial view of the Rogers Centre (white roof). It was formerly named Skydome, I think I’ll always think of it as that. The Rogers Centre is home to the Toronto Blue Jays baseball team and until last year, the Toronto Argonauts football team. It was opened in 1989 and has a fully retractable roof and hotel attached to it with many rooms overlooking the field.

A Children’s Picnic at Vergenoegd Wine Estate

children's picnic at vergenoegd wine estate in stellenbosch, south africa

My boys had a picnic under the sunny blue skies at Vergenoegd Wine Estate in Stellenbosch, South Africa last month on our visit to Cape Town, South Africa and loved it. So much room to run and play and activities to do.

My husband & I loved the tea and coffee blending experiences, the wine, the bubbly, all 3 courses of the harvest lunch prepared by talented Chef Ryan, the farm to table food idea, the long table with everyone eating together and all the activities for the kids (child minding was a bonus).

It was truly a fun afternoon for the whole

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family. Have to say the duck parade with 800 runner ducks was something special and unique and we are happy we got to experience it. It was one of the highlights of our family trip to South Africa. We’re back home in Canada and are still talking about our time at Vergenoegd. A full story about our experience is coming soon.
Note: We visited Vergenoegd Wine Estate by invitation from Destinate and Vergenoegd Wine Estate. As always, all opinions are my own.