A trip to the Czech Republic wasn’t really on our radar at this particular time, but as Uncle Filip was visiting his family there—and later planned to visit us in Tarnów—the idea came up naturally. While chatting at our condo, he mentioned he’d soon be heading to Prague for a day once Ania and her nephew arrived. We immediately thought it would be a great opportunity to tag along, since we had no plans and had always heard wonderful things about the Czech capital.
The drive from Tarnów to Ostrava, where Filip’s family lives, takes about three hours and covers roughly 150 miles. By 1:30 p.m., we had crossed the border into the Czech Republic—a country known for its centuries-old castles, medieval towns, and world-class beer—and by 2:00, we were sitting down at a local restaurant with Filip’s mom, Ania, and her nephew. After a hearty traditional Czech meal, we took a short 15-minute walk to Filip’s mom’s house.
Filip’s brother stopped by with his two sons, who are close in age to our boys. Filip’s family turned out to be as warm and welcoming as he is, greeting us with open arms. It didn’t take long to see where Filip gets his calm, kind personality—his mom is a gentle, thoughtful woman and a wonderful host. After enjoying some homemade snacks and tea at her home, we headed over to Filip’s brother’s house, where we’d be spending the night before catching an early train to Prague the next morning. In an incredibly kind gesture, his brother stayed with his boys at their mom’s house for the night and generously gave us his entire place to ourselves. Once we got settled in, Filip, Ania, and I took a short evening drive to visit his sister at her condo and then stopped by the train station we’d be departing from in the morning so I could get a sense of the parking and layout—one less thing to worry about at sunrise.
We were up early the next morning, though Filip, Ania, and her nephew had already left during the night to make the most of their one-day visit to Prague. We, on the other hand, were staying for two nights, so there was no need to rush. Still, we were on the road by 7 a.m., heading to the Ostrava-Svinov train station, just a short drive away.
At first, it didn’t even seem like our train was delayed. When we arrived at the station, there was already a train sitting on the track listed for ours, and we panicked, thinking we were running late. We rushed aboard just as the doors were closing, relieved that we had made it—until a few minutes later, while looking for our seats, the conductor checked our tickets and immediately told us we were on the wrong train. He advised us to get off several stops later, where we could catch our actual train. We followed his advice, got off at the correct station, and that’s when the real waiting began.
After getting off, we realized our intended train was delayed—first by a few minutes, then by 15, 30, and soon 45. Just as frustration began to set in, another train was due to arrive on schedule. Sylwia ran to the ticket counter to see if we could switch, and after a tense exchange—and a bit of drama when the ticket clerk reluctantly refunded her a few coins by tossing them on the floor—she came back with the new tickets in hand, literally a minute before departure.
The train was packed. When we reached our assigned seats, we found them already occupied by passengers who refused to move. The train attendant, clearly used to such situations, was understanding and helped find us alternate seats—though only two instead of four. We didn’t complain. The kids are small, and we managed to squeeze in for the three-and-a-half-hour ride across the Czech countryside. Despite the rough start, the journey was smooth, comfortable, and scenic—rolling hills, red-roofed villages, and hints of the country’s medieval charm unfolding outside the window.
We arrived in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, just after noon—hungry and eager to stretch our legs. The city, founded in the 9th century, sits gracefully on the Vltava River and has long been called “the City of a Hundred Spires.” Its history spans from the medieval era of kings and castles to the vibrant heart of Central Europe it is today.
After meeting up with Filip and the rest of the group for lunch, we took a quick group photo and then made our way to the rental condo. The place was spacious—one bedroom, a big living room, and three large beds in all—more than enough for the four of us. It was also conveniently located near the center of town, just a short ten-minute walk from Old Town Square, making it the perfect home base for exploring Prague on foot.
The décor was quite interesting, to say the least—the kind of quirky interior that makes you grateful the kids are still too young to notice certain details.
Once settled, we set off to explore the city. Destination: Old Town Square, the heart of Prague’s historic center, home to colorful Baroque buildings and the world-famous Astronomical Clock, a marvel of medieval engineering dating back to 1410. We grabbed some street food, enjoyed a local beer, and strolled toward the Charles Bridge, the city’s iconic 14th-century stone arch bridge lined with statues of saints. As the sun set and the city lights came on, Prague took on a magical glow.
It’s easy to see why everyone raves about this city—its mix of history, architecture, and charm makes it feel timeless. After just a few hours, it was already climbing the list of our favorite cities we’ve ever visited—and we were only getting started.
