5 Easy Steps to Visiting Prague

Cobblestone streets. Old gothic churches. World renowned beer. Medieval castles and bridges built centuries before Columbus set sail. A stormy history, both recent and not so recent. (We took an online tourism-marketing course for this?)

Enjoy the links for help with each step...

1. Get the passport.
   Passports are required now, even when traveling to Toronto or Tijuana. But for Prague, no special visa is required (unless staying more than 3 months).
   
2. Get the flight.
   Seasonally dependent (read: winter = cheap, summer = not cheap)
   Fly out on a Tuesday, return on Sunday and your fare drops 20-30%!
   
3. Get the book.
   Highly recommend “Prague” by DK Travel, ISBN 0756615488
   
4. Get a hotel…No, wait - that’s what we’re for. Stay with us, save $100+/day.
   If you feel you would be a burden, you’re wrong.
   But if you would rather a 2-year old not greet you with a smile at 7:00am, well… All Prague hotels, but really, please consider us first. We have the space, the hospitality and the 2-year old.
   
5. Get a credit card:
   Yes, a flight here is more than a weekend skiing in the White Mountains, -but not much.
   Yes, vacation time is precious –so make the most of it!
   Prague is one of the world’s most in demand tourist destinations.
   Oh, and there’s the idea of seeing us, too…which is nice.

Our visitor calendar is now:
Early June – JoAnne
Late June – (you)
July – (you)
August – (you)
September – Jeff’s parents
Mid-October – May’s sis, Erin
November – we move to our new flat
December/New Year's – (you)

You’re excused only if you’re pregnant or recently were. Otherwise, we want you!
Call now - telephone operators are standing by. No pressure, though :)

More links:
http://www.cnn.com/2007/TRAVEL/DESTINATIONS/01/29/prague/index.html http://www.czechtourism.com/index.php?lang=3
http://photo.czechtourism.com/index.php?kat=list&kid=000003

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles
(plus a bus for good measure!)

One hour on a subway train, one hour on a bus, four hours flying, and seven hours in a car (plus some extra hours spent at the airport) will get you from Prague, Czech Republic to Falmouth, Cornwall, UK and back again. A difficult journey for most adults to undertake over only a 48 hour period including the main event - a wedding! We had fears of how Ella would handle it...she was amazing! She slept on the plane and sang in the car. We were so grateful and felt very lucky! We also felt lucky to have two natives to drive us from Bristol, where we landed, to Falmouth, where the wedding took place (Eddie from Britain and Caroline from Scotland). We got to sit back and relax while they did all the navigating...and we didn't have to worry about driving on the other side of the road. Whew!

It was well worth the trip! Ali and Paul got married at Pendennis Castle. It was a beautiful ceremony in a magical setting. I don't know that there was a dry eye in the house.

Ella was very happy to see Dylan, and the "Wee Man" looked stunning in his suit.

We got to enjoy icecream cones as we strolled along the beach to the reception, which was held at St. Micheal's Hotel.

Good food, good drink, good music, and good company made for a great party!

Ella actually slept through most of the dancing...which allowed Jeff and I to have some boogie time! We stayed at the Engleton House B&B and I thoroughly enjoyed their full English breakfast. A welcome break from our typical cornflakes and granola! (Yaya and Baboo know what I'm talking about!)

Jeff took Monday off as a family day and today was a holiday here in the Czech Republic. Today Ella and I finally got to see his desk at work. He had to get a few things for his trip to Brussels.

We also got Ella her first "bike". She loves it! But it's going to take some practice before she's ready to ride outside. Or before I'm patient enough for her to ride outside, I should say. It took us about half an hour to go the 50 yards to exit the mall.

Slowly getting back into the swing of things...
Maylia

P.S. In other exciting news, we recently found out that my sister, Erin, has booked a trip for October...my friend, JoAnne, has booked a trip for June...and Jeff's folks are planning to come in September! WOOHOO!

The Flat is Half Empty
Today's Friday and we're still recovering since Yaya & Baboo left Tuesday morning. Everyday, just when we think we're back in our groove, Ella asks "Baboo sleeping?"..."Yaya awake?" :( They may not believe us after their two-month European tour and Prague visit, but we really miss them and Ella misses them even more.

In happier news, Dylan's parents, Ali & Paul, are getting married tomorrow. This afternoon we're flying to Cornwall, UK for the wedding, returning Sunday.

But, the best news of all is that our dear friends, Catharine & Dave, were blessed with a new baby boy, Owen William. We're reluctant to post pictures here without asking first, so perhaps later.

That's it for now, we'll write soon after we get back from Cornwall.
love, us

About Me
- by Ella K. Parker

It's been a very long time since I wrote to all of you. I think the last time was when I had to endure that horrible trip to the bank. Yikes! Mummy, Daddy, YaYa, and Baboo are in the kitchen finishing up supper. I think they're happy that I am "playing" quietly in the living room. Hah! They wouldn't like it if they knew I was on the computer! I'll have to drop some toys on the floor now and then to keep them from becoming suspicious. Since Mom says I'm too young to have a page on "MySpace" or "Facebook" I decided to get on the computer and make a blog entry about me instead. Because, frankly, I don't think I get enough airtime on this blog of theirs!

1) I like to sing. Here's a video of me singing "Twinkle Twinkle". (Notice how Mummy and Daddy cut me off - typical! No respect for the singing baby!)



2) I like to dance. Here's a video of me dancing with my doggie, aka UT Girl.



3) I like to color. Here's a photo of me coloring with Daddy. We're using the crayons and paper that Grammy and Grampy sent me. Thank you! (I really like presents and packages, too.)

4) I like to dress up (sometimes). Auntie Michelle and Uncle Jeff gave me this ensemble. I'm on my way to music class.

5) I like to go to the playground. Right now I'm really into the swing. This is at Children's Island.

6) I like to eat. I really like fruit. This is a BIG ORANGE that one of Dad's coworkers sent home for me. YUMMY!

7) I like animals. Here I am with a penguin at the zoo.

8) I like to figure out how things work. It's even more fun when friends can help me! Here, Linnea and I are trying to figure out how this swimming pool works. We've discovered that sometimes you have to break something to really understand it.

9) I REALLY like sticks. (Just look at the last two photos!) Every time I go outside I collect sticks...and rocks...and, if I'm having a banner day, FEATHERS!

10) I LOVE YaYa and Baboo. Here we are in the Wallenstein Gardens before they left for their trip to Spain. I'm so happy they're back! Sounds like Mom and Dad have to take me to Barcelona someday soon!

- ella xo

Like a Fairytale....

That's how Český Krumlov had been described to us and it certainly lived up to the description.

Mom, Dad, Jeff, Ella and I took advantage of the Easter holiday weekend to do some travelling. We left Prague Friday and travelled via train to this beautiful UNESCO town. Actually, via TWO trains. We switched in České Budéjovice. Ever heard of it? It is the home of the original and superior (sorry, Adams family!) Budweiser, aka Budvar. Unfortunately no time to take the brewery tour. We'll have to go back for that. České Budéjovice is a mere 28 km (17 miles) from our destination...or ONE HOUR by train. This was the slowest, littlest train I've ever ridden. (Only 3 cars!) The entire trip was through beautiful country and Ella handled the traveling very well.

Although we had heard and read lots about the beauty and charm of Český Krumlov, seeing is believing. It truly is enchanting! We spent Friday evening through Monday noon there and I am already looking forward to returning. We rented an apartment for our stay, Horni 147. It seems every building in this historic town has a story to tell.

While there, we visited the castle (second largest in the Czech Republic, which boasts over 2,000 castles!). We even climbed the 162 steps to the top of the tower with Ella in tow! Ella particularly liked the bears in the moat that guard the castle. Other than that, we explored the town, breathed the fresh air, ate good food, played at the topnotch playground, and generally enjoyed ourselves. The weather, by the way, has been fantastic. And the forecast (here in Farenheit) looks awesome! (Feeling sorry for all you shoveling snow back home!)

As for Easter...they have some interesting traditions in the Czech Republic and we got to experience a bit of it. Ella, Mom and I had our legs whipped with pomlázka for good luck! Unfortunately we didn't have any eggs to give the boys in return. We also saw people making their own pomlázka, which is quite a skill!

Ella was visited by the Easter Bunny and had lots of fun Sunday morning finding the hidden presents and Easter "rocks". (For those who don't know, Ella LOVES rocks (maybe a budding geologist?) and so called the eggs, "rocks".)

Now we're all back in Prague for the week. Mom and Dad are looking forward to their next trip. They leave for Spain on Saturday!

Adiós!
Maylia

PS Ella's boyfriend, Dylan, is back and she is HAPPY!