Amsterdam to Prague: Art, Trains and Cobblestones

Yesterday, We had another full day in Amsterdam before catching the night train east. With some time to spare, we explored the Rijksmuseum, a world-class museum showcasing Dutch artists through the centuries. It was a highlight of our short time in Amsterdam.

One of the highlights was seeing The Night Watch, Rembrandt’s beloved 1642 masterpiece, currently undergoing restoration. Using AI, conservators have digitally recreated portions of the painting that were cut away in the 1700s to fit a smaller space.

Conservators are using q tips to painstaking remove a layer of varnish.

The Dutch hold this painting so dear that a trap door was built beneath the museum, allowing the massive canvas to be removed in under five minutes should disaster ever strike.

After a few stops for nourishment and hydration, we returned to our hotel to collect the bikes and headed to Amsterdam Centraal Station for the Good Night Train to Prague.

The sleeper train was more sparse than we expected (we may be a bit spoiled by Amtrak’s sleeper cars), but it was still a pleasant 12-hour ride. Pleasant… but not exactly restful.

Ready to hit the road in Prague!

Prague greeted us with a burst of energy. From the station, we navigated 30 minutes by bike over narrow cobblestone streets, thick traffic, and plenty of road signs that remain a mystery to us. It’s very clear that we’re still deep in tourist season here!

Our apartment is tucked inside a beautiful 500-year-old building—an incredible reminder of the city’s long history.

The apartment is in “Lesser Town”, a neighborhood built below the city’s castle. Rick Steves refers to it as Baroque time capsule. This little street has lots of charm - especially at night when the pub below our apartment gets going!

Dinner was a traditional Czech affair: meat, meat, and more meat, washed down with plenty of beer. Afterward, we made our way back for some much-needed rest.

Tomorrow, we’re off on a private tour to learn more about Prague’s history and charm. We’ll be here a few days before hauling our bikes onto another train (with 3 connections!) to the Elbe Cycle Route trailhead.

Dobrou noc from Prague!