how to spend 24 hours in prague.

Every so often - usually when I get very bored during my lunch break and can't be bothered to fight the crowds to go to Pret in Westminster - I find myself looking for cheap holidays and then if I find one, even if I had no intention of booking, suddenly I'm clicking away and moving money around to just about afford it. It's a bit of a problem when the world is so big and there's so much to see, and an even bigger problem when cheap holidays exist and countries like the Czech Republic are cheap to get to and explore.

So me and a couple of friends made our way to Prague for a super short break to scratch another country off the scratch map and here's a few things we got up to.

Joined a walking tour

A lot of people think that going on a walking tour is a bit of a cheesy, crappy touristy way of seeing a city but it's something I pretty much always do when I first arrive in a new city. They're a great way to get your bearings in a new place and there were so many departing from the Old Town Square in Prague that we really had our pick of different tours at whatever time we fancied. Our guide was definitely an unusual woman, but she did take us to Prague's "creepiest church" where a dead man's arm is hanging from the wall. You can read the full story here, but I doubt it's something I would have found on my own, as I'm pretty bad at doing my research about a city before I go on one.  The great thing about these tours is that you can get free ones and pay what you think they're worth, meaning you never feel done in. 

Saw the Astronomical Clock

Yes, it was slightly underwhelming but it's also quite incredible that it's the oldest working clock of its type in existence. It's hard to work out, but once you do it's pretty awesome. I do recommend finding yourself nearby on the hour to watch it chime the hour, but you do have to pay attention to make sure you don't miss it - it's quite quick! 

Spent time in Old Town Square

Prague has two main squares: the Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square, the latter of which meant that I had the Christmas carol stuck in my head for most of the trip. I was not a big fan of Wenceslas Square, which is a bit of a stag do hotspot with pretty crap architecture but Old Town Square was completely the opposite. The architecture was incredible and you could stand on the Square and just soak in the history. Make sure you pay particular attention to the Church of Our Lady before Týn and Old Town Hall - incredible buildings that I couldn't get enough of. 

Visited the Jewish Quarter

The Jewish Quarter in Prague, known as Josefov, is located between the Old Town Square and the Vltava River. It's one of the most preserved Jewish areas in Europe, partly because Hitler wanted to preserve it as a "museum of an extinct race" which is, of course, bloody vile but a big part of the history of the area. Take a look inside in the Spanish Synagogue, the Pinkas Synagogue (including its Holocaust memorial) and walk through the Old Jewish Cemetery. Don't forget to pay a visit to the statue of one of the area's most famous residents, Franz Kafka, on Dusni Street which depicts a man riding on another man's shoulders and originally appeared in Kafka's "Description of a Struggle". 

Drank

It's really hard to avoid beer in Prague - it's pretty much the only thing that many bars seem to serve and it's ridiculously cheap. There are quite a few varieties of beer, all among the same light theme which can keep you going for some time. Of course, we tried most of the popular local varieties, like Pilsner Urquell, Staropramen and Budvar. And at around £1.50 for a pint, it's pretty hard to say no. 

Walked uphill to Prague Castle

We walked into the Malá Strana district and started the uphill walk to Prague Castle. If you're not a big fan of hills, then there's plenty of shops, bars and squares to take a rest on the way up. It's worth it! When you arrive, if you ignore the random Starbucks at the top, you get some of the best views of the city that Prague has to offer. Prague Castle itself is a little underwhelming if you're expecting a traditional castle, it looks more like an old-school town hall, but honestly, the views and the atmosphere are definitely worth it. 

Walked across the Charles Bridge

It's a ten-minute walk from Old Town Square and another place in Prague to capture those incredible views of the city. The statues along the way are great to stop and look at along the walk across the bridge. It's absolutely full of tourists, so get there early if you want to be able to get across, or do like we did and head across when there was some rain which seemed to put a lot of the other tourists off! Once you've reached the other side, head to the left and visit the John Lennon wall, which was once a wall full of graffiti where young Czech's would complain about the Communist regime and is now more of a mural to "peace and love". 

If you ever get bored during one of your lunch breaks and find yourself looking for a quick and cheap city break to get away to, then you can't really go wrong with Prague. If you've got any ideas for any others, then do let me know!

that was the week that was: drie

This week I'm recovering from...driving lessons. I've found the whole process extremely stressful so far even though I already had a vague idea on how to drive from when I learnt when I was seventeen. Right at this moment I don't know how I'll ever be able to get myself to test standard but I'm just thanking God that I'm learning to drive somewhere quiet and not in London. I've been trying to take some of Rebecca's advice and ignore whether other drivers are getting pissed off with me. 

This week I'm looking forward to...getting out and about and exploring a little. I'm determined to make the most of the next two weeks that I have off work and actually go and see some things that have been on my list for a while. I doubt I'll get the chance to have this much time off work ever again (unless there's another general election this year - hope not) so I really need to do something vague productive with it. 

This week I'm feeling apprehensive about...going to a hen do. It's a good friend of mine from Uni getting married, and we lived together for a year and so I know mostly everything there is to know about her, but I barely know anyone else going and I'm always a bit apprehensive about things that might be considered "enforced fun". I'm sure it will be fun, but I'm just a bit nervous about the whole thing, especially as I haven't been to a hen do before (unless you count my Mums, which I don't think I do).

This week I'm loving...Bodyshop's Drops of Light Brightening Essence Lotion, which was a completely random purchase for me but seems to be working out quite well. I've only just started using it but I'm pretty sure I can already see a little bit of a difference in my complexion. I've been really enjoying re-discovering the Bodyshop lately.

This week I've been grateful for...not having to endure a heat wave in London. One of the great things about being back at home in the 'burbs is that when it's night you can actually open your windows and not have to listen to busy noises and whatever else. My flat in London is on a main road, next to what seems to be the most popular bar in Clapham (if you possibly exclude Infernos...) and a tube station and in the hot weather I just don't stand a chance. I'm absolutely crap with the heat anyway. 

This week I'm listening to...The Great British Breakfast playlist on Spotify. The whole thing reminds me of being at Uni, and is also the kind of music my Dad listens to when he's washing up which is a great nostalgic memory for me. 

What are you up to this week?

a little anti-haul.

I am loving everyone's anti-haul posts and I've been reading them avidly, so I knew I was gonna have to do one of my own. If you've not seen one - it's basically describing the things you wouldn't buy. In a blogging world where we always talk about the things you would buy, sometimes it's nice to hear the exact opposite. Don't get me wrong, I love seeing everyone else's recommendations, but occasionally it's nice to get a bit of relief. It all started with Kimberly Clarke on YouTube so full credit to her, but I first saw it on Rebecca's blog.

So without further ado, here are a few of the things I wouldn't be buying. 

Pixi Double Cleanse

This is a bit of a cheat as I've just finished a pot of it, so I have bought it, but I have to say I doubt I'd ever buy it again. I loved the idea of having a two in one - a cleansing balm and a cream cleanser - but in reality, it just wasn't that great. The balm was nowhere near as great as my favourite from Clinique, and the cream was no better than a vaguely cheap one I use. You get the same amounts of both, but you're expected to use only the balm at night but the cream in the morning and night, meaning you run out of one quicker than the other. The only time I've really liked this product was when I've travelled anywhere because it cut down on packaging and carrying two items rather than one. For me, it was just massively over hyped. 

Cold Shoulders

I don't know whether it's just because I'm getting on a bit or what, but I just don't get it. I spend half my life feeling cold and desperately trying to warm up, so why would I want to buy something that is literally described as cold? Also, I have broad shoulders - "swimmer's shoulders" - and I just can't see them working for me. Plus I swear I spend too much time internet window shopping and seeing cold shoulder tees and thinking: "oh if only I could sew up those shoulders..."

Chokers

Does anyone have those weird things that rationally they know make no sense? Like, I can't have a shower unless I've brushed my teeth, no exception. I'm the same with anything going near my neck, I feel like I'm choking even though of course, I'm not. I even feel suffocated if I see someone else with a neck tattoo, I think I'd probably conk out if I had to wear a choker. 

Holes

I mean holes in t-shirts especially. Jeans I can just about handle, but I don't understand why I would want to buy a t-shirt that looks like it's been attacked by moths in a wardrobe. Old? Me? Yep, probably. 

Liz Earle Products

I once had some samples of Liz Earle stuff and nothing has ever broken me out quite like them. If I bought them I'd go back to looking like the massively spotty teen I was ten years ago. I can think of much more enjoyable ways to get spots (a ridiculous amount of chocolate, pizza and alcohol for example) rather than spending God knows how much on a cleanser. 

Sliders

For some reason, my ASOS recommendations are full of sliders and I feel like they're desperately trying to push them on to me. They just look like the middle aged man version of flip flops to me, I just don't geddit.

Anything you agree with? What wouldn't you buy?

drinking at the rumpus room | the southbank.

 

I'm not the biggest fan of living in London - something I've mentioned on this blog many times before. However, there is always an exception to the rule, and my exception is that the one absolutely brilliant thing about London is that there is always somewhere new to find somewhere amazing to have a cocktail in. I'm a big fan of cocktails - I think it's the variety of choice, I'm like a kid in a sweet shop.

Also, if I'm being kind to London, it would be hard to ignore how brilliant the city can be when the sun is shining and you find yourself on a roof terrace overlooking the brilliant buildings the city has to offer. 

that was the week that was: zwei

This week I'm reading...well, this week I've just finished two books which is pretty unusual for me as I never find the time to read, but having just got back from a trip to Ibiza where all I did was flop down on a beach all day I can cross two off my list. I finished off Jess Philips' book Everywoman, which I'm 100% 50/50 about. I really can't decide whether I hated it or loved it. I also read Their Finest Hour and a Half by Lissa Evans which I know I hated. It's just been turned into a film - "Their Finest" - which I think I might like, but the book was incredibly dull and I couldn't wait for it to be over. 

This week I'm researching...things to do in London for when I finally move back there. If anyone has any ideas then please throw them my way, I'm all ears. 

This week I'm nursing....a bad case of sunburn. I've been so careful in the sun for the past ten years I've barely suffered with sun burn at all but I massively fucked up on holiday and only took factor 20 with me. It's safe to say I could have done with factor 50 at least. Now I have to spend most of my time with a peeling nose and an itchy back, all of which is completely my own fault.

This week I'm drinking...quite a few cocktails to be honest. Look out for a few more bar reviews from recent places I've visited in London, even if the pictures will be a little dodgy. Here's to bringing back iPhone photography on blogs, that's my only excuse. 

This week I'm looking forward to...spending some time with my Granny before she goes on holiday to see her brother in Devon. She's honestly one of the best people in the world, and since my Grandad died last year nothing has been the same. I want to spend as much time as possible with her because she means the absolute world to me. 

This week I'm worrying about...starting driving lessons. I mentioned last week that I'd be starting, and I've managed to find an instructor that will give me some pretty intensive courses over a week's period. It's been nearly nine years since I was last attempting to be behind the wheel of a car and when I told my Dad that I'd be doing some lessons, he spent a lot of time laughing. My Mum, bless her, has also insured me on her brand new car that she possibly loves more than she loves me, so that could quite easily end in tears. 

This week I'm loving...a few new Body Shop products which I've got hold of. I've really started to like their skincare range and I'm a big fan of their cream cleansers, so I've decided I'm going to branch out and give a couple of their serums a try too. 

This week I'm watching...all of the soaps I missed last week when I was on holiday. I'm one episode down on A Murder in the Family on Channel 4 and I'm already hooked, and my Mum keeps nagging me to watch Three Girls too, so there's a lot to get round to!

What are you up to this week?

a coffee at scooter caffe | london.

Weirdly, one of the things I miss about living in Holland is that there always seemed to be cats in bars. Two of my regular haunts in Leiden both had resident cats that would ignore you no matter how much you tried to give them some love. This doesn't seem to happen as much in London, which is a real shame when you live on a busy road that can't justify having a cat and have a landlord that won't allow cats but you still realllllly want one. So when you do find a place in London that has not one, but three resident cats you know it's probably going to be a pretty special place. 

Scooter Cafe on Waterloo's Lower Marsh is that place. It's one of those places that doesn't have a website, that you only find by randomly walking past one day when you're already in search of a coffee. A happy coincidence. 

The decor of this place means it almost feels a little odd hidden away on a street in Waterloo. It seems like it would make more sense to be somewhere which is too cool for me, like Shoreditch. But Scooter has a history which means it makes sense - it used to be a scooter workshop where Vespa owners over time have grabbed a coffee whilst they waited for their scooter to be fixed. Now the workshop has moved to Bermondsey and just the coffee remains. 

It should be mentioned that they do have an antique coffee machine, which means that sometimes you might have to wait for the hot water to heat up (not a place if you're in a hurry) and that there aren't all that many seats. 

I ordered a mocha and was warned that it was served Italian style and that it would be thick. They weren't joking - this has to have been the thickest and the sweetest mocha I have ever had in my life. Definitely not an every day drink unless I want to end up the size of a house. A massive treat for a slow Saturday afternoon! They also have a small selection of cakes on offer, when I was there it was ginger cake for the day, but my mocha was already sweet enough. 

Scooter Caffe also doubles up as a bar, you can grab a wide selection of beers and a small selection of cocktails too. 

The only downside of Scooter is that it's probably not the cleanest place in the world. I'm sure it passes its hygiene tests otherwise it wouldn't be open, but it takes shabby chic to another level. Stick to the terrace outside if you're super bothered! 

Any recommendations for odd places to grab a coffee in London will always be welcome!

that was the week that was: een.

This week I'm reading...literally anything about the general election. This time two years ago I was working six days a week, twelve hour days for a political party and I was exhausted. This general election, I'm working for an MP and I'm not allowed to do any work. My work pass has been cut, my e-mail access suspended and I have five weeks off. I'm trying to get my politics fills in other ways - sticking close to any news that comes out and the following everything closely. I love little gossipy bits - for example, I loved this little tidbit about a press officer screaming in 2015. I'm waiting for the 2017 version!

This week I'm wasting my time by...playing a ridiculous amount of Roller Coaster Tycoon. With five weeks off work unplanned, I'm finding it hard to fill my time doing anything at the moment. I did search through my drawers and unbelievably found my old Roller Coaster Tycoon CD, which must be from when it came out in 1999! It's impossible not to waste a huge amount of time playing it. I'm 100% addicted. 

This week I'm loving...Clinique's Take The Day Off cleansing balm. It's sad but it's one of the only skincare products I have that I actually look forward to putting on and taking off. Nothing has ever taken my make up off with such ease before and I've only just finished my first pot that I got for Christmas. 

This week I'm eating...probably nothing as good as my friend Gemma who has just started her own blog about all the wonderful food she eats. You should probably check it out. 

This week I'm drinking...ludicrously thick mochas from a cafe near my boyfriend's house.  It was so sweet I had to go to the nearest pub afterwards for a g&t to wash it all down. Winning all round, to be honest.

This week I'm researching...the numbers of driving instructors back in my home time. As I have such a long time off work then I reckon I might have to try and so something vaguely productive with it! Learning to drive is on my list of things to do this year and I passed my theory test not too long ago, so now I just have to take the plunge and do the actual driving bit.

This week I'm listening to...Adventure Bar's Spotify playlist. I love that bar and now I can save money at home with a Malibu and Coke and pretend.

What are you up to this week?

i want my little blog back.

I keep losing my way when it comes to this blog - and I think I've worked out why. It's just not personal to me anymore, and I desperately want to reclaim it. 

I can't remember when I started this little part of the internet, but I do remember sitting in my halls of residence back in 2009 updating it every day. Of course, blogging was a little different then - there were no flatlays, photo editing, keywords and SEO. I just whacked whatever I felt like up, whenever I felt like. 

I know I'm not the only person who feels like this. I've seen a lot of blog posts recently about it all, but one of the main ones that has stuck in my head is Elizabeth at Rosalilium who wrote her post on "7 Things I Miss About The Good Ol’ Days Of Blogging". The days of any old photo and comments and no pressure to make it big, to make contacts with PR companies and whatever else. 

Now I've been blogging for a long long time, spent a hell of a lot of my life on the internet but I think it's safe to say I'm never going to be a massive blogger. So why do I get stuck on checking the stats? Why do I keep comparing myself to others? Why don't I let myself just enjoy it more?

So...a little pledge to myself. I'm going to reclaim this little part of the internet. I'm going to bring it back to the things I like, the things I enjoy. It'll be more about travel, little bits of London and the UK, but also a little bit more about me. I want to be able to look back each post and remember what I did. If others read it and enjoy it, then that'll be pretty great too.

Annie x