August 2, 2020

Prague Castle

During our three day stay in the Czech Republic, we visited one of the most historic and architecturally diverse landmark in the city of Prague. Prague Castle was a very beautiful complex that shows different styles of designs and materials in buildings that dates back to centuries ago. We were not able to visit the museums inside but seeing it from a free pass across the complex is good enough to be amazed by this place of marvel, especially from a Filipino like me where castles don't exist in our country and culture.

Saint Vitus Cathedral from the Entrance

Built in the 9th century, Prague Castle is a castle complex that houses not just the historical seats of Bohemian Kings, Holy Roman Emperors, and former leaders of Czechoslovakia, but also the official office of the president of the Czech Republic or also known today as the country of Czechia. From the view of the photo I took above, there alone you can see the mix of styles on the buildings inside the Castle complex. It is simply amazing to enter such a place with different worlds living in it. 

Four Hour Tram Tickets

Just like most European cities, public transport is on a per-hour basis, unlike here in the Philippines and other Asian nations that goes by the per ride basis. We have four tickets one for each of our family members. After we crossed the bridge from our place we took a tram all the way to Pražský hrad tram station which is directly on the entrance to the castle complex. 

Entrance is free for the complex but if you wish to enter the museums that are inside, you need to pay separate entrance for each or purchase a day pass for all of it. Since our stay was limited, we thought to just see the complex area and it was a good experience. Next time though, if given a chance, I hope I can enter the museums. I would need at least a while day for it I guess.

Czech Castle Guard

I have always been amazed by national guards from different countries whenever I get to travel to different historical cities. They look very brave and still even after hours of just standing, plus I really admire their stance and with the uniforms that they wear, they look very strong and striking. Here are a few more guards from my trips who I had the chance to take a photo of.

Beijing, China                            Seoul, South Korea                         Manila, Philippines

Getting passed the guards, we then went on to a spacious courtyard fenced by multi-story buildings and centered by a beautiful fountain area. A lot of tourists were there taking pictures. I was very lucky to see new sets of guards marching over into the entrance, I guess they will change guards at that moment (You can watch it on the Video that I will share below).

At the west of the courtyard where we follow the other tourists, we were then greeted by this enormous cathedral that looks so beautiful and can be seen at the city center or at the Charles Bridge. The Saint Vitus Cathedral.

Saint Vitus Cathedral

Saint Vitus Cathedral is a very important landmark of Prague which features a very strong example of Gothic architecture. It is known as Saint Vitus Cathedral, which is it's official name until 1997 but now it is officially named as the Metropolitan Cathedral of Saints Vitus, Wenceslaus and Adalbert. It is a Roman Catholic cathedral dedicated in honor of the Bohemian saints. 

At the end of the walk that we did, since it was already dark at around 4 in the afternoon, we alighted at a different exit where you can see a gorgeous view of the city center from the top of the hill where the castle complex is located. It did snow a little bit more but again, just flurries, but still I'm grateful! Maybe it's not yet time for me to see the real thing just yet, maybe God is saving it for a more magical moment huh? That is if we can travel again amidst this pandemic. Keeping the faith.

Gorgeous winter view of Prague

Aside from these sights that I shared from my beautiful memory, I would also like to invite you to watch my VLOG entry about Prague Castle! This is my latest post on my YouTube Channel - Steven's Queue which I would like to invite you to watch and also, to subscribe to my Channel. It's easy! Just click on the link and when you're at my YouTube Channel Page, just click on the Subscribe button. See you there!

72 comments:

  1. Hi!Wow!Great post!What a travel!also like your your tube channel :))

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    1. Thank you very much dear Anita! For appreciating my trip to Prague and liking my YouTube Channel :) I hope someday I can also visit the beautiful Norway!

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  2. ...a beautiful place for one of your travels.

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    1. Thank you so much Tom! It truly was a great city to see, Prague :)

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  3. Architecture is a fascinating subject and seeing so many types next to each other must have been incredible. Great memories :)

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    1. You are very right on the Margaret! It's a very unusual scene for me especially how different they are even if closely built side by side but though that, it was still beautiful to look at collectively.

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  4. Dearest Stevenson,
    So good for seeing a bit back from Prague, one of our most favorite cities.
    The combination with their music composers makes it even more unique.
    Your vlog, made me dizzy... a few times! But for you certainly a great memory of your trip.
    Our foster-daughter Anita from Indonesia was luckier in seeing snow. After she graduated from University we had her come over in October till January and she got to experience real snow. Lucky because we even don't get it annually.
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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    1. Hi Dearest Mariette! OMG Mariette! That is also what my friends are always commenting on my episodes, some even say they get vertigo while watching it! Hahaha I am so so so sorry. I'm just so stubborn that even if I brought my stabilizer for the phone, it tends to be bulky so it stays at the apartment HAHA But super thanks for that comment, it will make me improve (and hopefully be less stubborn and use that stabilizer HAHA).

      Oh that is super cool! I am glad Anita got to see it even if it ws quite rare for your place to see snow consistently. It is a big blessing for her to experience it for herself while being with you guys :)

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    2. Stevenson, don't think it is the lack of a stabilizer but the turning way too fast of the person behind the lens... 😉

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    3. HAHAHA I'll take those pointers to improve dearest Mariette, thank you very much :)

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  5. Although I haven't visited any castles in my life, I am always amazed by the presence of the guards everytime I watch TV that broadcast a show about visiting a castle. I wonder how do they train a human to stand still, be focus and remain undistracted despite many unique and excited people around them. Definitely a challenging job, perhaps they learn the art of zen friom master Shifu lol.

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    1. Hahaha! I Love that! Master Shifu! Well I have to love Master Shifu, some of my students always tell me "Sir you are so cute you look like KungFu Panda". Not sure if they really think Im cute or they are making fun of me, I think the later HAHAHA

      You are very much correct my friend! That is what amazes me with castles and National Landmarks. I really hope someday I can also visit London and have a photo with those iconic British Royal Guard with their bearskin hats!

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  6. Dear Stevenson, you really, really should put Perth on your list!
    (Western Australia, I mean) - So much arty mixtures with old and new architecture, you´d melt away (might be the heat, too ;-)...)

    Public transport is easy there, too! No time limit. Tag on, tag off and always yell "Thank you!!!" to the driver If evening he might answer "nighty-night" :-)

    Oh, boy, is that a real guard?! What a boring job that must be!!!

    The cathedral is... oh, WOW.
    !!!! LOL. I hate snow. Deeply, and that comes in more than one... argh. We got stuck in it (car-wise etc), it gets brown and dirty quickly, sorry but... you have to know the truth, right? Maybe not...
    I truly, really hope you get a snow like we had in our garden back then. We even made a snow-easter-bunny :-) All white and fluffy!

    BIG WOW. You´re an artist, I LOVE your video!!! Wow. You made me smile so much, thank you, dear Stevenson!!
    Oh, the trees! And the guy with the flute waving good-bye, so sweet :-) Thank you, you made my day!

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    1. Dearest Iris! You made me super super happy with your comment just as always! Haha Oh yes, You, Grace, and Sami all inspire me to visit Perth someday! I do have a few former students who now lives in Perth and hopefully I can visit them someday :)

      Oh! That is super cool! I remember the time when I went to Amsterdam and the 48Hour Ticket I purchased at first seems to be not working, the kind driver was so nice to check it for me and said that it seems to be not working but he did not shoo me out and dropped me to where I should be dropped. Luckily on my next ride it was working already and the Tram Information inside the tram looks super cool on a spot that looks like an office inside the tram! They look like News Reporters with the office type and just like you I always said thank you to them, they don;t smile so much but they always respond with a nod or a welcome.

      Oh that is what my best friend told me who now lives in Toronto. He is a big lover of cold weather just like me but he said that Toronto is too extreme and the snow can be a havoc whenever he goes to work. But yes I still wanna experience a nice snowfall just like in your garden! All white and fluffy.

      OMG IRIS! I am so so so happy with your comment about my VLOG! I am so sorry thought that most of it is in Tagalog (our Language) but I am super happy that you like it! And I am so happy you pointed out the man playing the flute because it is the local musicians are one of the reasons that amazes me on my trips. One of my favorites is on my Milan Video where there is a duo of musicians playing Medieval instruments! Oh that was such a delight! I hope you would enjoy my other videos too if you feel bored :)

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    2. Dear Stevenson, I must join, I guess, with your next Thursday. My Father was, my Brother is a musketeer. Well, once a year (maybe not this one, hello Corinna!).
      They have the Sehusafest in September and there are also Medieval artists (even a "dentist", huhhhhhh).
      It was interesting to hear your language!
      And, yes!!!!! Do visit Perth! In March they have sculpture by the sea (Cottesloe) - it´s that beautiful I have a label on my blog even, so if you are bored you can see it over the years ;-)

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    3. Iris I would very much stay tuned to that!!! I have seen a photo of your father as a cool musketeer but I did not know that your brother has continued the tradition! That is very nice of him not just for the family but also for the culture to be continued on. I looove everything Medieval! And ohhhhh I would love to read about Perth in your blog! Will definitely do that during leaner hours at work.

      I'm so happy you fo=ind our language interesting! It's close to a mix of Malay, Spanish, and English :)

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  7. Prague looks so beautiful SQ. It's more than likely I won't ever get there, my fear of flying is growing every day and the longer we can't fly doesn't help either 😉 So it's really nice to see it through your lens, here and on your Vlog, I didn't realise you had a vlog, now I'm a subscriber also ✨

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    1. Dearest Grace, I sincerely thank you so much for subscribing! Most of my videos are in Tagalog but as Filipinos, we speak a lot of English words in between HAHA Oh it is my pleasure to have shared you the sights of Prague and it's okay if you don't get to fly usually because you are already in such a beautiful place in the world! hugs to you dear Grace!

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  8. Ah yes.Steve. To complete the set you really need a picture of you in London with a Beefeater (not the fast food joint) and then a picture with a Buckingham Palace guard - the ones who wear a busby. I enjoyed the video with your family and of course all those Black-headed Gulls. Always birding, that's me.

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    1. My friend Phil! Thank you so much for that recommendation, I just found out from you what is a beefeater and their uniform is just super grand! I love it so much, I sure will have to get a photo with one of them, hope I can see a kind one who would agree to have a photo with him.

      And thank you so so so much for naming those birds for me! I actually got a couple of question what birds they are and all I can say is that they are seagulls haha now I know they are Black-headed Gulls! New learning from my birding friend :)

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  9. Thanx Ever So Much For The Vlog - I Have Always Wanted To Travel Through The Prague - So Much To Do And See - The Photos Are Remarkable And Well Captured - Will Begin To Watch More Of Your Video This Evening As The Day Wines Down - Keep On Keeping On Brother Man

    Cheers

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    1. That is very very nice of you my brother Padre. I hope you enjoy my videos even most of it are in Tagalog :) I hope you can also visit Prague, its a very classical and beautiful and cultural city :)

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    1. Muito Obrigado meu amigo! I hope you can visit Prague, it's a very remarkable place!

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  11. Prague is so beautiful viewing it through your lens. Such a wonderful visit you had. It's nice to look back at the memories you make with all the technology that is available these days. I subscribed to your vlog and will watch them at night during the week. Thanks for sharing your trip and videos, my friend and have a wonderful week!

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    1. My friend Bill, I am very happy and thrilled to hear that you subscribed! From my heart, thank you so so much! I hope you like the other videos I have there even if my voice can get a bit annoying I know HAHAHA And you are very right about technology, it just gives us more keepsakes and more reminders that we really have been to our dream destinations :)

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  12. Boa tarde meu querido amigo. Obrigado pela sua visita, se um dia você vier ao Rio te levo onde você desejar. Tens um grande amigo carioca.

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    1. Meu amigo Luiz, that is so so nice of you to say! I would definitely want to visit someday and will tell you when I have the chance to make that dream of seeing Brazil come true! Rio is a very big dream of mine :)

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  13. https://viagenspelobrasilerio.blogspot.com/2020/01/praia-vermelha-rio-de-janeiro-rj.html?m=1

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    1. Wow! That cable car looks super cool! I wish I can visit Rio someday!

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  14. Like you I was very impressed with the Hradschin when I visited Prague in the 1990's. We actually walked up there which is quite a climb, but so worth it. I didn't visit the museums either for lack of time, but I did enjoy St Vitus Cathedral. Prague is a wonderful place that I wouldn't mind visiting again.

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    1. Thank you so much dearest Carola! I am so happy that we did share the same experience of Prague's beauty even if our visits were times apart. It is super cool that you guys climbed by foot and I can see how hard it is because even the tram ride was steep! Just like you, I really hope I can visit again :)

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  15. Not only beautiful but Prague castle also has a long history of changing its use. Very interesting history of my friend Stevenson.

    It is also true that the guards always impress us with their appearance, both their uniform and discipline.

    You are cool, now you are active on YouTube.
    Good luck for your channel, my friend.

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    1. You said it perfectly my friend Himawan! You can see and feel its rich history just by being in front of the buildings.

      Thank you so much for your compliments on my video and my channel my friend! I hope I can share more of my memories and stories to more people :)

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  16. Wow, the Prague castle looks very majestic and amazing! Thank you for sharing this information.
    Greetings from Sri Lanka!

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    1. hello my new friend Janitha! Thank you for your visit and I am so happy to have a new friend from Sri Lanka, such a beautiful country! Hope to see you again soon here :)

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  17. Hello Stevenson,
    Very nice pictures.
    Great to see the towers of that castle. Very impressive!!

    Greetings, Marco

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    1. Thank you so much my friend Marco! I am happy you like those gothic spires of the castle :)

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  18. European cities have such wonderful monuments.
    I have never been to Prague, but it's a city I would love to visit.
    Keep safe Stevenson.

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    1. I very much agree dear Sami! Everything around Prague is just a marvel! Like I am walking on history books and travel magazines at the same time. Keep Safe Sami! We are placed back to stricter measures starting this midnight until the 18th of August, including Batangas which you daughter is at I think?

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  19. Hello,

    You are quite the traveler, Prague is a beautiful city. I love the cathedral, cool photos of the guard and their uniforms. Great tour, thanks for sharing. Have a great new week!

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    1. Thank you so much Eileen! I am so happy you had a great time with my visit to Prague! Thank you also for subscribing to my YouTube Channel :) Subscribed to yours as well :)

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  20. Oh Stevenson ~ elegant photography of Prague and what an adventure!

    Thanks so much for your loving support ~ I miss her terribly ~ hugs,

    Live each moment with love,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)


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    1. Big hugs dearest Carol. Thank you so much for your kind words to my adventure :)

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  21. I have not had the good fortune to visit Prague, but a good friend of mine who has spent the better part of his life travelling the world both professionally and recreationally, told me that it is the most beautiful city in Europe, in his opinion. I wonder to what extent any of us are going to travel the way we have been used to doing once Covid is under control. I wonder how many airlines will even survive.

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    1. That is so nice to hear David, thank you for sharing your friend's insights, it's like a good pat on the back for me since it was quite hard for me to narrow down a short list of which cities I will visit on my first trip to Europe last Winter.

      I am with you on those thoughts David. Though I'm hoping for the best, we can really see from now how big the effects are :(

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  22. Beautiful shots of Prague. I was supposed to travel there this summer. You have given me a taste for a future trip!

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    1. Oh Lisa! That is so sad that it did not push through last Summer but you are right, you surely will visit it in the near future, I am praying that you would because it's a magical place!

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  23. Surely you liked Prague a lot, for me it is a fairytale city, very nice and cozy, the Charles Bridge, the clock tower, that impressive astronomical clock, the boat trips on the Vltava river, locks included, we were a few years and I assure you that I will always remember it, perhaps I will have the opportunity to return, I would like to.
    Happy week.
    Regards.

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    1. My friend José Antonio, while you tell me all those beautiful places, I can see vividly how beautiful they are in my memory as well! Thank you so much for sharing those memories of yours, I hope and pray that we both can have a chance to visit this beautiful city again :)

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  24. What a beautiful city, I must add it to my list! It looks stunning :-D

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    1. I highly recommend it Ananka! Such a beautiful city Prague is!

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  25. Prague is one of those places I have wanted to visit and when I look at your beautiful photos, I only want to visit more. It looks to be a most fascinating city. I'm so glad you've been able to visit so many wonderful places -- and share them with us!

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    1. That is so dear of you Jeanie, thank you so much for those kind words. It is very much a pleasure for me to share my adventures with you all. When the pandemic is over, I hope you and Rick can check out Prague too :)

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  26. Some beautiful photos in wonderful Praha! Bravo, S!

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    1. My dear friend Leif! I love hearing it as 'Praha"! Takes me back to those streets and shops! Thank you so much my friend!

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  27. You have been to so many places and thanks for sharing the photos you have taken with us. I always wondered how the national guards managed to be so still, like a statue.

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    1. All my pleasure Nancy and I am also very grateful that you guys appreciate my adventures :) You said it right! It requires a lot of patience and mental power I think.

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  28. Hello Stevenson and thank you for this tour of a city I have never visited and perhaps it will be on my buket list for one day, who knows when? The St Vitus cathedral looked so impressive and those guard photos were fun to see. I don't think it's a job most people would like, but then some folks do and sure meet a lot of people! A belated thanks for your recent visit and comment on one of my blog posts. I plan to watch your Vlog later today.

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    1. Hi Beatrice! You are very right! having such a job can be very tiring and at times boring for some people but I agree with you that they get to meet a lot of people which is a good thing. It's a bit sad though because they can;t talk to the people but also it can be an honor for them to serve their country in that way.

      You are so nice Beatirce, thank you so much and thank you for watching my Vlog :)

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  29. It looks an amazing castle. We don’t see buildings like that here in the US either really! Prague looks like a great travel destination.

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    1. It really is Sallie :) It's a different world and there is even an area in the city that is very much maintained as to how it looks during the Medieval period :)

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  30. Your Vlog is a feast for the eyes! I missed your Timeless Thursday this week but best wishes and stay safe!

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    1. Thank you very much my friend Kenneth! Oh you did not miss it Kenneth, I just wasn't able to post this week :( I'll be back next week and hope to see you again there. thank you so much for frequently joining, means a lot :)

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  31. This would be a trip of a lifetime...that castle is amazing.

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    1. It sure was Rose :) Thank you so much, praying for more travels for all of us soon.

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  32. Thank you so much my friend! It really made me so amazed to see it in front of me :)

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  33. Prague is really beautiful! It delights every season of the year :) I really like the movie you have prepared :)

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    1. That is very true Rodzina! I am so jealous that you are so near Prague, and also that you live in such a beautiful country! Our country is also beautiful but in a different way :)

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  34. Prague is one of the cities that I really want to visit, a dream for me. Did they take three days to go through it?

    Here the trips are also by destination and not by hour. I'm going to your YouTube to see the video, although Google Translate won't help me there haha ​​... greetings from Argentina!

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    1. Oh thank you so much my dear friend JLO! Yes, we were in Prague for three long days but it was so not enough because there is so so much to see in the beautiful city! I really hope someday you can visit Prague too because it is super beautiful!

      Thank you very much for also watching my VLOG and commenting in there :)

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