We’re in the Czeck Republic. We’re pining for the 4th of July celebrations at home, so we decided to go to Budweiser for a brewery tour! 🙂

For breakfast we had the yummy fresh rolls, butter, black current jam, fresh red currents, cheese, and double espresso with steamed milk!

Happy Fourth of July!!!!

I made a simple garlic and olive oil pene pasta with Parmesan, tomatoes, and bacon served with a salad. It was fine. Nothing special. Did the trick 🙂

When we returned the picnic basket to Cafe Lounge we also had some coffee (blog tip). We had vacuum brewed coffee for the fist time. Cool experience. Ok coffee. The method is really fun to watch, but we didn’t love the light roast beans. The coffee seemed weak 😦 Still a cool experience!

after coffee we hopped on a river cruise! It was so relaxing 🙂

We were all quite tired after a long day of sightseeing yesterday, so we thought a relaxing picnic was just the thing. I searched online for picnic spot recommendations and found a lovely blog that suggested a cafe and a picnic destination.

We took the train to a sweet restaurant called Cafe Lounge where we ordered food and borrowed a picnic basket (great tip from the blog). They packed up or food and wine and sent us on our way. We headed uphill to the Prague Castle terraced gardens (another great tip from the blog). We found a shady spot under some ripe cherry trees and whiled away the afternoon- eating, drinking, reading, napping. How perfect! The views and gardens were outstanding!

Adam had the chicken salad sandwich on cornbread with tomato and arugula. I had the homemade seeded bagel with homemade cream cheese (whoa!), Parma ham, balsamic reduction, and arugula. The food was fresh, simply prepared, and delicious. We all shared a bottle of rosé , raspberries, cherries, and a strawberry shortbread cookie. Life is good 🙂

We were treated again to a delicious , fresh bread breakfast by our lovely hostess Maria.

She bought fresh rolls and served them with butter and her homemade jams. She also served double espresso with steamed milk, mmmm…! The rolls were excellent. They’re very crisp on the outside and tender inside with large crystals of salt and caraway seeds- unexpected but really good.

We had a long, lovely day in Prague! Looking forward to tomorrow:) We had a somewhat heavy lunch, so we opted for a light, quick, and easy dinner.

We started with a slightly bubbly, fruity, white, Czech wine. I made Greek salads with red leaf lettuce, red bell pepper, tomato, radish, onion, cucumber, cannellini beans, kalamata olives, and an excellent Czech cheese, Balkánský sýr, similar to feta. Along with a balsamic, lemon, and herbs de Provence vinaigrette, some tsatziki and bread, dinner was ready in less than fifteen minutes. Delicious. Healthy. Quick… Just what we needed.

By late afternoon we were tired and beginning to wilt, so we stopped for some refreshment at the cafe just in front of the astronomical clock. We arrived just in time for the 5 pm clock tower show!

Adam had a coke. I had hot tea and we shared the fresh berry crepe. Tasty!

After breakfast we took the train to Prague city center. What a beautiful city! The architecture is outstanding!

For lunch, we did just as our guidebook suggested- we walked ten minutes down a small side street then stopped at the first restaurant with a Pilsner Urquell sign. Great advice! Everyone inside seemed like a local, the food and beer were cheap and excellent!

Adam had the Hunter’s steak with potato pancakes. I had the beef goulash with bread dumplings. Wow! Adam’s steak was rugged and earthy with a great gravy. The potato pancakes were crispy and flavorful. My goulash was supremely delicious- mildly spicy, warm paprika, beefy goodness! I loved the dumplings. They were light and perfect for soaking up all the goulashy-goodness. We finished the meal with excellent Turkish coffee.

All in all we had 8 beers, four entrees, a side of bread, and 3 coffees for just $35!!! We could get used to this! It’s so fun being in such a beautiful European city while enjoying an excellent Dollar to Koruna exchange rate!

Maria set out a lovely, homemade breakfast. Before we awoke, she walked to the local bakery and got fresh rolls and bread. She served the breads with butter and fresh homemade jams- black current and strawberry! She also prepared strawberry tea, and cappuccinos for all to enjoy! We have it made!

After a great tour and beers we headed towards Prague, our home for the next two weeks.

We had an easy, lovely drive through the Czeck Republic and before we knew it, we were home! Our new exchange home is spectacular. Clean, fresh, new, and very comfortable. Maria and Zdenek are our hosts. They welcomed us with generous hospitality and warm accommodations!

After settling in, Maria showed us the way to her favorite restaurant near her home. It was about a ten minute walk. Wow! The food, prices, service, and ambiance was excellent!

The chef gave us a little treat before our meal arrived- ripe olives marinated in garlic and cloves- delicious. For dinner, Adam had the pheasant wrapped in bacon served with ratatouille. I had the beef tartar with crispy garlic bread and bacon, garlic green beans. Yum! We can’t wait to enjoy more Czeck food and drink!

I’ve included a couple pics of our home and the evening and morning view of Prague from our bedroom window 🙂