We got back yesterday evening after a lovely few days. The weather was dry and sunny but very very cold, it was -7 at one stage on Sunday Our hotel was a pleasant 15 minute walk from the Old Town. We got there Friday afternoon, checked in, and set out for a mosey around. Prague is a lovely city, spacious with beautiful buildings. We headed for Old Town Square, which was so Christmassy with the most incredible tree. Lots of stalls, and I'm sure most of you saw the various pics on FB. New Years Eve we did more touristy wandering around, although it was very busy everywhere. In the afternoon, we went back to our room for a rest and then went to the New Years Eve buffet in the hotel, which was lovely.
Around 10.30pm, we went back to the Old Town but it got quite a bit scary because although there was no official fireworks display, people were setting them off anywhere and everywhere with drinking in the mix as well, and were going around carrying what looked like cases of beer but were actually cases of fireworks. We were standing near Charles Bridge when a biggish firework was thrown into an empty space beside us which then seemed to part malfunction, sending sparks and pieces sideways as well as up - we were ok, but people a bit nearer got bits into their trouser legs. At that stage we decided to go back to the hotel and got back about 11.45. Two minutes to midnight, the city virtually exploded with fireworks, the noise was incredible, like a war zone, and went on for about half an hour - we saw quite a lot from our window. There was an official display on Sunday at 6pm, much more civilised, and we found a good spot on one of the bridges to watch.
Sunday was more touristy stuff and we finished off with a (second) visit to a wonderful Art Deco cafe for hot chocolate and warm apple strudle. Yesterday all our travel went well and we got home here about 6pm - we were pretty tired, having done lots of walking over the few days. I would certainly go back if the opportunity arose.