Day 3 Prague

We set off to the Little Town (Mali Strana), spending the morning exploring the small streets and ending up at the Strahov Monastery where there is a famous brewery, the oldest in Prague. The monks were making beer here from the 13th century and have certainly perfected the process. After a plate of thin beef soup which was less nutritious than the beer we walked across the river to join a Castle Tour with Callum from Discover Prague Tours. We had an entertaining tour through the castle complex with this lanky Aussie with a very dry sense of humour. The different architectural styles from different periods were well demonstrated in Prague Castle, the largest castle in the world, although it looks more like a palace. Marie Therese dolled the castle up to be more comfortable during the Hapsberg era. The Hapsbergs governed Bohemia for about 400 years. The most bizarre feature is the Baroque top story of the tower of the Gothic St Vitus Cathedral. This cathedral is massive - it took about 900 years to complete. There is a very impressive stained glass (actually painted glass) by Mucha, the most well known contemporary Czech artist.

From there we wandered back to the Old Town for supper at Lokal, a bustling food hall and beer house filled with locals making a lot of noise. The beer is cheaper than an expresso coffee or bottle of water. So we had our fill of the cheaper option, as well as pork neck and cabbage, goulash and potato dumplings. It felt like I'd swallowed a shot put by the time we left.

Then back up the hill to our apartment to pack the cycling kit - it's time to get moving. Paris is waiting.

Prague Castle from one of the many bridges.

Here's how the monks do it.

Prague from the Strahov Monastery.

Tower of St Vitus Cathedral with the Baroque top to a Gothic structure.

Glass window by Mucha.

Panoramic of Prague from the Castle.

Lokal beer house.