About Prague
Prague is one of the oldest and most beautiful cities in the world. It is located in the very heart of Europe and its origin dates back to the 9th century. Prague boasts a well preserved historical centre incorporating all existing architectonic styles. The historical centre, together with the Prague Castle with its many palaces, temples, galleries and museums, is protected by UNESCO. The river Vltava, running through hills and valleys, enhances the beauty of the already rich landscape. Prague has eight islands, the most beautiful of which is Kampa, where you can also see how high the water reached during the floods in 2002. At Zofin, close to the National Theatre, you can take a romantic boat trip that will show you Prague from a different, untraditional angle.
Prague is an ideal place for those who like to discover the historical monuments of the old continent on foot. To walk through the historical centre of the town will take you half a day. There are numerous land marks (the Old Town Square, the river Vltava, the Prague Castle, different towers and the Prague Eiffel Tower – the Petrin Tower), so you can enjoy your holiday without being afraid of getting lost. Sightseeing boat tours on the Vltava and views from the many towers located in the centre offer a different and breathtaking perception of Prague, the city of a hundred towers. Prague has only a little over a million inhabitants, and most of the young population speaks English. In the centre there are tourist information bureaus that will gladly provide you with any information you require.
The cubistic architecture found in Prague is an absolute world rarity, the Jewish Quarter with its 6 synagogues and a cemetery is also quite unique. The Strahov Library is one of the most beautiful historical libraries in the world. If you would like to see the entire historical Prague in one room, visit the Prague Museum and have a look at Langweil’s model of the town, one of the most detailed models in the world showing Prague from the beginning of the 19th century, exactly as it was. The pinnacle of European secession is the Municipal House with its rich interior decoration. Do not hesitate to go in, visit an exhibition, have a cup of coffee in the great secession coffee place or lunch in the luxury French restaurant. Not far from the Municipal house you can also visit the first Alfons Mucha museum in the world. An interesting sacral construction is the Church of the Holy Heart of Christ in Vinohrady.
One of the best examples of blending the historical and modern architectonic styles are the towers of the Slovany Cloister, which were destroyed at the end of the Second World War. If you would like to enjoy the outstanding view of one of the thirteen Prague bridges, climb the Letna hill, where a monumental statue of Stalin stood under the previous regime, which offers a beautiful view of the entire town. On Letna hill you will find a popular garden restaurant and in its immediate vicinity the National Technical Museum with the first Czech automobile from 1897. Beer lovers should seize the opportunity and visit the pub U Fleku, where beer has been brewed and served non-stop from 1499.
Inquisitive visitors will undoubtedly want to visit the Museum of Communism, which, to a certain degree, explains our fettered past before the Velvet Revolution. It is quite paradoxical that the headquarters of the Czech and Moravian Communist Party is in the Politickych Veznu (Political Prisoners’ Street), which neighbors with the Wenceslas Square, the most important location of the revolution. It is, however, fortunate that such outstanding personalities as Jan Palach and Vaclav Havel played an important role in our history...Prague is a safe city with a highly efficient and integrated public transport network. Standard coffee houses and restaurants are still more affordable than those in Western Europe, the prices in luxury venues are comparable with their Western Europe counterparts, but if you visit a traditional Czech pub, you will still be able to get Czech beer for a Czech price.
Prague is a dog friendly city, so do not hesitate and take your fluffy darling with you. Almost all hotels, restaurants and coffee houses welcome dogs, and they are also allowed on trains and the public transport. Prague is full of parks and beautifully landscaped gardens. You will never forget your visit to the Prague Castle gardens, the baroque Vrtbovske gardens or many others. In the last decade, weather has been quite surprising in Prague. Last year brought us the longest winter on record during the last 200 years, this year’s winter was unusually short and mild … spring usually quickly changes into summer and it can get quite hot. It never rains for long, though. Curious visitors will be happy to hear that not far outside of Prague there are many castles, chateaux and smaller historical towns (e.g. Plzen, famous for its legendary Pilsner Urquell brewery) to be explored, not mentioning the beautiful countryside. Most of these places lie within an hour’s journey by train, less by car.
We recommend you give Prague, the Mother of Cities, at least 5 days of your vacation!