Bad Tourist in Prague

Bad Tourist

3 days in Prague…

There is so much to see: castles, bridges, museums… but I’m a Bad Tourist, and I always find an excuse to ditch sightseeing for something else (and if you’ve been following me on Instagram, this should be no surprise…). So, if you want to see pictures of Charles bridge or the Prague Castle, buy a guidebook. They have beautiful photos by much better photographers than me. Besides, 3 days is way too short a time to try and see everything, and that would leave no time (or energy) to do what I do best: walk around aimlessly, taking photos of anything not even remotely worthy of a serious tourist’s time…

Of course, there was some low-intensity sightseeing: Professor M and I had a nice dinner cruise on Vltava river. Lots of food, some wine, beautiful scenery. So, let’s get the touristy snaps out of the way:

river view

Prague

Vlaltava

Prague

Wait… Yellow penguins????

Just making sure you’re paying attention… No, seriously, they were there. I have the photo to prove it. How smart of me: otherwise I might have put it down to too much wine…

Bad Tourist

I may not like big museums, but do love small ones. And Alphonse Mucha museum was certainly worth a visit. As one of the artists / illustrators defining the Art Nouveau style, his more commercial work is probably familiar to most people, but he was also an accomplished, serious painter and a nationalist.

Prague Mucha museum

Speaking of art… One of the reasons why I don’t want to plan ahead what to see is that there should always be room for surprises. Such as taking the wrong underground exit and getting lost… only to find something really interesting, such as a small museum above a bar, exhibiting the work of a famous Czech comics illustrator and artist:

museum

While the style and themes of Saudek’s work are very similar to his western contemporaries, they were quite controversial  in a country that was still under the communist regime, and as a result suffered from censorship.

However, it is possible to look at his work from the purely aesthetic or cultural point of view, especially if you are interested in 1960’s and 70’s illustration.

Prague

museum

And our knowledgeable museum guide told us that one of Saudek’s influences was none other than Alphonse Mucha… Serendipity indeed, to see two such masters. What do you think, can you see the Mucha (left) influence in the pop art painting by Saudek (right)?

museum

Yes, Prague is an interesting place, and there is a lot I didn’t get a chance to see. But at this point my only regret is that we never got to the Chocolate Museum… I guess that means that we’ll have to go back, one day.

I hope you enjoyed the highlights of my very superficial and short visit to Prague.
I will, of course, prepare a post on my travel wardrobe a bit later…

Tiina

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20 Comments

  1. josep-maria badia
    19 May 2015 / 6:20 pm

    From Prague magnificent reportage, thanks. Beautiful jacket.

    • Tiina L
      20 May 2015 / 8:15 pm

      Thank you!

  2. Suzanne Carillo
    19 May 2015 / 9:49 pm

    My husband told me it is a very interesting city to visit. Maybe one day I'll get there. Great photos.bisousSuzanne

    • Tiina L
      20 May 2015 / 8:17 pm

      I certainly seemed like a very interesting place. And this was a very brief visit, barely scratching the surface.

  3. dan
    20 May 2015 / 11:40 am

    I didn't know there was a Chocolate Museum in Prague… and it sounds very interesting!! :-)Your idea of leaving room for surprises during a trip is very good! Never plan every moment, it would be boring!!Beautiful bluette colour of your jacket! ( and funny photo of the yellow penguins! )

    • Tiina L
      20 May 2015 / 8:18 pm

      Well, the guidebook I got listed a chocolate museum… I've only ever been to the one in Barcelona, so it might have been nice to compare…

  4. Tine Jensen
    20 May 2015 / 12:12 pm

    Another great trench! That just confirms it for me – I need to buy more coats 🙂 And as I learned from one of your replies to a comment – repeat it enough and it becomes an inevitable necessity!Praque is such a beautiful city, not only around that famous city center. It has lots of lovely cafes, some of them quite old, dating back to the Art Nouveau era. I never went to any museums when I visited the place, but instead visited artist's workshops and little galleries. There's certainly a resemblance to Mucha's work in Saudek's, and a great sense of humour 😀

    • Tiina L
      20 May 2015 / 8:22 pm

      Yes, absolutely! Living in a Nordic country means being at the mercy of unpredictable weather, and hardly having a chance to wear a summer dress… at least not until July. Having a closet full of nice coats helps… a bit. I'm thinking of getting a pretty rain coat next. It always rains in summer, doesn't it?

  5. Marea Dotz
    20 May 2015 / 2:03 pm

    Prague is so beautiful. I enjoyed my week there and went to many of the places you did. (even saw those yellow penguins) I agree 100%–getting lost is the best way to explore a new place! Enjoyed revisiting this city through your stylish eyes.

    • Tiina L
      20 May 2015 / 8:23 pm

      So, the yellow penguins have been there for a while, then? They're not just some sort of temporary thing? Great!

  6. Natalia Lialina
    20 May 2015 / 11:13 pm

    Prague is a long time dream of mine, and I would also like to just walk the streets and see where they take me… I think it all has its place, sometimes you get a great guide and learn something you can't learn from guidebooks, but nothing can be better than just experience a new city like you did, spontaneously. xxxx

    • Tiina L
      21 May 2015 / 9:41 am

      I'm really bad at reading guidebooks, too… Mainly I just want to walk around, hang out, enjoy the atmosphere… and go shopping, of course. But I always manage to find a nice, small museum that I love. Great, huh?

  7. Anna Shirley
    22 May 2015 / 1:58 am

    Thank you to remind me my amazing city. I am missing it. It seems that you enjoyed your trip. Btw. the color of your trench coat is beautiful.o)

    • Tiina L
      23 May 2015 / 11:33 am

      You're welcome. Yes, I enjoyed the brief visit very much. Thanks for stopping by!

  8. Jasmine Rabuñal Barrientos
    22 May 2015 / 5:15 am

    I love your photos of Prague. I must admit I love sightseeing too ;)Jasmine xx

    • Tiina L
      23 May 2015 / 11:33 am

      Thanks, Jasmine.

  9. Dawn Lucy
    23 May 2015 / 1:16 pm

    Great pics! Thanks for much for sharing with Fun Fashion Friday & here's to the weekend!OXOXDawn Lucyhttp://fashionshouldbefun.blogspot.com

    • Tiina L
      25 May 2015 / 5:52 pm

      Thanks, Dawn!

  10. Alice Warren
    23 May 2015 / 6:18 pm

    I would love to visit Prague one of these days. I love that you didn't really have any plans and got lost and finding a great museum. Thank you for joining TBT Fashion link up and hope to see you next week. Have a great weekend!Alicewww.happinessatmidlife.com

    • Tiina L
      25 May 2015 / 5:53 pm

      It was a nice visit. And I never make plans… I'm really not much of a tourist, I'm afraid… But I always find something interesting, so no regrets.

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