Monthly Archives: August 2013

Prague – Arrival

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Arrival at the airport in Prague was anti-climactic.. If you are looking for stories of long lines, disgruntled passengers and lost luggage, this is not the place.  Everything was wonderful. From luggage retrieval to speedy processing through customs, it could not have gone better..  Maybe because it was Thursday …

I placed an order for an airport transfer from PAT (Prague Airport Transfers) when I first booked the trip so as I entered the greeting area, I was searching for the orange card with my name on it.  Ok.. my driver might have been colorblind because the card was yellow..But he was there.. took my bag and led me to the E-Class Mercedes to take me to my hotel.

City View

City View

During the 1/2 hour trip from the airport. Pavel pointed out the various areas of town and sights that I had to see while I was there.  Monasteries, churches, museums, bridges, statues, parks –  it seemed he knew more sights in Prague than the guide books. I highly recommend their service. It was wonderful and personal and cost less than the average taxi fare with less chance of getting ripped off because you’re a “tourist”.

I chose the Charles Bridge Palace  hotel near the river and the Charles Bridge because of the central location. It was a wonderful choice. The service and front desk were friendly and helpful. The room was heavenly and the breakfast was the best I have had in Europe..Let me clarify that..the best I have had at a hotel in Europe.. The biggest problem was the wifi.. it did not work everywhere in the hotel as promised. I wound up in the hotel lobby to post photos on Facebook.  Of course, I used Booking.com  (the link can be found on my website  Travel with Steve  ) to reserve my room and save a little money off their standard rates.. Follow the link and so can you

Across the River

Across the River

After I unpacked, I got the camera gear and merged into the massive throng of tourists headed to the Charles Bridge.  The Charles Bridge is a landmark historic bridge that crosses the Vltava river in Prague, Czech Republic. Its construction started in 1357 under during the reign of King Charles IV. It is over 600 m long and almost 10 m wide. It is guarded by 30 statues (15 to a side) and 3 guard towers.

Charles Bridge Statues

Exploring the west side of the river tomorrow..Stay tuned..

Getting Lost in Prague

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I am headed to Prague in the Czech Republic. It is only short adventure of 4 days which limits luggage to a carry-on, camera bag and tripod. I have heard about the extraordinary beauty of this city and am excited that I will experience first hand.

Boryspil airport is the starting point, as it has been for most of the trips into Europe. Security and passport control cleared… boarding pass in hand and off to the plane. It is a little strange riding a bus across the tarmac instead of walking from the terminal into the plane. but that’s the way it’s done here, so, as the saying goes, “When in Rome…”

Prague is 2 hours and 10 minutes in the air from Kiev. Enough time to relax, have a nice lunch and look into the exploration of a new city. I usually have a plan and can do my “lightning tour” in 3 days.  Hop-on / Hop-off buses are one of the great ways to take in all the touristy places…the must see stops in a new city.  Of course, they don’t allow you to mix and mingle with locals in the little hidden gems that are often overlooked.

The second and third days and nights are spent wandering, exploring and photographing – Alleyways, side streets and other places off the beaten path in a search for the perfect panoramic city view or nighttime shot. Unusual buildings, windows and doors (my personal favs), and other shots to join my growing Weird Art and Travel Photos collections are mostly found during this time.

There is an excitement in exploration.. in getting lost in a new place… I’m excited so come…

Let’s get lost in Prague.

Travel with Steve

Arles ..

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To be perfectly honest, I love Southern France..  This was my second trip here and the 3rd will be next May for a new photography exhibition in Arles.

Transfers from the airport to the center (or St. Charles Station) are extremely easy and inexpensive.  There is a bus that runs about every 15 – 20 minutes and costs 9 Euros..  There is also a shuttle to the train that is free but you must have a train ticket to board.  The biggest problem I encountered was that the ticket booth for the train did not take cash. Again, it needed a credit card with the microchip. Common in Europe…not so much from the USA.  

St. Charles - The main station in Marseille

St. Charles – The main station in Marseille

Since Arles was my first stop on this leg of the journey, I needed a train ticket from the airport to Arles. I was told that you can buy a ticket from the attendant on the train as he comes to check tickets. This actually proved to be the case and I was able to purchase my ticket as the train pulled into Gare de Arles.. That’s right..I did not have a ticket TO Arles but I was able to buy one as I left the train IN Arles.. 

Gare de Arles - Train Station

Gare de Arles – Train Station

Arles is a quiet little town on the Rhone in southern France. It has a long history and was very important in the days of the Roamn empire, as both a seat of government and a supply point for the Roman armies. The Arles Coliseium, second only to the Colisieum in Rome, is a major attraction.

Inside the Coliseum

Inside the Coliseum

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Empty Morning Streets

I, personally, like it more for the quiet side streets and cafes.. the open markets on the weekends and the laid back artist commune atmosphere.

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Avoiding the Crowds

                                                                                                                       

 

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Weekend Market

Since this trip was planned late and Arles is busy during the first week of July, I wound up staying across the river in the town of Forques. A nice little 20 minute walk along the river, past rice fields and cottages, and you will find yourself looking across the river to Arles.  The veiw of the left bank of the Rhone is especially dramatic in the evening as the sun sets and paints the town in red and gold.

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