Our Experience With Hiring a Travel Photographer

Our Experience With Hiring a Travel Photographer

On our last trip to Europe, we’ve done something that I recently only discovered was a “thing” thanks to some family travel Facebook groups I’m in: we hired a travel photographer to take some family photos. And you know what? I don’t regret our decision one bit! I also now know what celebrities feel like with paparazzi following them!

Read More

8 Day Itinerary for the Czech Republic

8 Day Itinerary for the Czech Republic

I like to think of the czech Republic as the gateway to Eastern Europe. It borders Germany, Austria, Poland, and Slovakia, and is the western-most of the former Eastern Bloc countries (well, with the exception of parts of Germany that were under USSR control). The small country has a unique blend of eastern and western European influences and makes for a perfect place to visit, especially if you want to get your feet wet in eastern Europe for the first time! They don't use the Euro and their currency has a very favorable exchange rate. That could change soon as they are bound to join the Eurozone and switch over to the Euro, so head there before that happens for the best deals! Anywho, here is a great itinerary for a week in beautiful Czech!

Read More

Off Beat Prague: The Wastewater Treatment Plant Tour

Off Beat Prague: The Wastewater Treatment Plant Tour

It was cold. Damp. Musty. The air had a unique odor to it, familiar yet still slightly repungent. For most people, visiting a former waste water treatment plant isn't their idea of a vacation, but here we found ourselves, in the dark, walking through what used to be Prague's main facility for processing waste. Gross? A little. But, for two engineers who love industrial history, this was a pretty cool place to see. And since it's not in use any more, it smells quite a bit more pleasant than it's modern, still in use, counterparts. But still, that odor, it lingers.

Read More

Travel Review: Sandeman's Walking Tours of Prague

Travel Review: Sandeman's Walking Tours of Prague

May in Germany is chock full of holidays. Most of them are religious in nature, but it doesn't matter much because it means we get time off of work! The weekend after Evelyn and I got back from Norway was another long weekend thanks to yet another holiday. Not wanting to lose out on a free 4 day weekend, we headed to a place that had been on our list for a long time: Prague. It was one of those places that was close enough to drive to, but far enough that we really needed a longer weekend to do it. And when we had longer weekends, we found we wanted to fly somewhere, you know, to maximize our time. So despite it being near the top of our bucket list, it took us nearly two years to actually go. But, I am so glad that we did!

Read More

A Food Diary of Prague

A Food Diary of Prague

Eastern European food is good old fashioned comfort food. Meat and potatoes, in one form or another, make up the majority of the cuisine. Dumplings, goulash, and sauerkraut are among the staples found on every traditional Czech menu. You really can't go wrong with any restaurant in Prague, as long as you pick one that is not on a main square (if you go on a walking tour, ask your guide for a recommendation of where he or she goes!), and has some people already eating. Of course, when we travel, we play the tourist and take pictures of our food - usually before we dig in, but sometimes it looks too good, so we dig in, and THEN remember to take the picture. So, without any further ado, here's what we ate in Prague!

Read More

5 Things You Must Do in Prague

5 Things You Must Do in Prague

Prague is at the top of a lot of people's travel bucket lists, and for good reason! It's relatively cheap, easy to get to, the city is beautiful, and the people are some of the friendliest you'll meet. There is a ton to do in the Bohemian city, but here are 5 that you shouldn't miss out on!

Read More

The Bone Chapel of Kutná Hora, Czech Republic

The Bone Chapel of Kutná Hora, Czech Republic

Back in May when we visited Prague, we wanted to do something a little out of the ordinary. Months earlier, IFLS, a science blog I follow via Facebook, ran an article about a chapel that had a chandelier made completely out of bones. Well, it's not just a chandelier, the entire place is decorated and line with bones. In any case, I filed it away in the back of my head for "later." When we planned Prague, I remembered that this place existed and we made it a point to visit. And I'm so glad we did.

Read More