As much as I love food , I do tend to struggle with eating when we travel. I have a fairly long list of can’t-eats and don’t-eats, I don’t eat red meat and frankly I am fussy .I wasn’t expecting great things for me, food wise, in the Czech Republic. But I sensed I might be onto a winner in Prague when the hotel breakfast buffet presented me with a range of traditional Czech cakes. Cake. At Breakfast. Czech Republic, I love you!
I’m going to be honest and say that if I’d been asked a few weeks ago about destinations that deliver on the sweet stuff, I’d have thought Paris, Vienna ….Prague wouldn’t have been high on the list, if at all. Ask me today and I’ll tell you, if you have a sweet tooth, Prague is going to be a treat for you. Not so much for the dieter, or those who extol the evils of sugar, though.
The most common sweet snack you’ll encounter in Prague is the Trdelnik, or chimney cake. Opinion is divided on the origins and history of this snack, but there is no denying its deliciousness. Sweet dough is dusted with vanilla sugar and cinnamon and rolled around a stick, to be cooked over an open flame., the end result can be eaten with various flavours or fillings; whipped cream, chocolate, caramel or fresh fruit seeming the popular choices. I opted for cream and fresh strawberries. Adding some fruit left me feeling a bit virtuous.
If you like a more creative approach to sweets or prefer a bit more spice, Czech gingerbread is not to be missed. We found the Old Czech Gingerbread shop to be an absolute delight. The shop, a family run enterprise , has such a cosy, welcoming ambience. The place smells glorious.You might catch a whiff before you see it. The cookies are truly things of beauty. From tiny hearts iced in pink and white, to large and intricate creations there is something for everyone here, and for every budget. The prices were surprisingly reasonable. I wish I’d picked up more, some of the smaller creations would make beautiful Christmas Tree decorations.
Having indulged so much already, it was really a case of in for a penny in for a pound when it came to dropping into the Chocolate Cafe. Tucked away down a fairly quiet street this place does what it says on the tin. Although there were a few savoury bites on the menu, I can’t say I saw anyone opting for them! The cakes were divine and the hot chocolate was exactly that. A cup of melted chocolate. The café is a literal and visual feast, decorated with a quirky vintage twist, full of cabinets of chocolate, cakes, macarons…..hungry yet? My children loved it. The idea of whole café devoted to chocolate seemed very Wonka-esque to them. Sadly they couldn’t finish their hot chocolates, being used to the offerings of Cadbury’s and Mars I think the ‘real chocolate’ hit was a bit rich for them.
From one kind of sweet to another, we all fell in love with the little mole who has become the mascot of the Czech republic. The little mole goes by the name of Krtek and was designed in the 1950s by Zdenek Miler.In a country where the Communist government frowned upon Disney and other Western animations, Krtek soon became adored. Originally a one-off animation,Krtek has now become the star of many cartoons, not to mention a whole range of franchising. You’ll find a giant version of the loveable chap at the Prague branch of Hamleys- perfect for a photo opportunity. Krtek’s appeal endures. In 2011 , a plush Krtek even went into space aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour. The Little Mole represents courage, determination, perseverance, the ability to adapt to change , move with the times and thrive. The same traits the people of the Czech Republic have shown across the years. I think when we fell in love with the Little Mole, we really lost our hearts to his Homeland.
I thank you a million times for reading. If you’ve a comment, question or suggestion please do hit me with it in the comments. If you liked reading please do like the post!
Until next time, Wifeofandtravels x
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