We didn't manage to learn to say 'hello' or 'thank you', but we did manage to learn how to say 'cheers'! in Czech -- na zdraví! (sounds like nah-strah-vi). That pretty much sums up the trip :). Czech's are ferocious drinkers who love to party!
The city itself is rich in history and stories of espionage (i.e. Bourne Identity and Mission Impossible). Check out this photo of Joe, Caleb (hidden), and Eurie reenacting the scene from Mission Impossible where Tom Cruises boss pretends someone shot him and falls off the Charles Bridge. Heehee. There is also a Frank Gehry building built to fill an empty space left void by an inaccurate bombing during WWII by the Americans -- They were aiming for Germany and go the coordinates wrong :(.
It is also a place you'll find some strange and shockingly interesting things -- i.e. Sex Machine Museum. We peeked in because of the contraption they place out front to catch your attention. Then we had a good laugh :).
You'll see marionettes sold EVERYWHERE - although it would seem cute to see marionettes perform Don Giovanni, it was only amusing for the first 5 minutes so would not recommend going. Especially if you have never seen/heard Don Giovanni (it's an opera written by Mozart). We learned that Mozart had a special connection with the city of Prague, most likely because the people worships his work.
Another popular figure was the Jewish author Franz Kafka, who wrote Metamorphosis (next on the reading list for me). You'll see his name everywhere as well. Especially in the Jewish Quarter (which takes about 10 minutes to walk through if you don't go visit the cemetery and synagogues. Beware of the cappuccinos at Cafe Franz Kafka, they make it out of Nescafe (yuck). Would skip that cafe and go have a nice meal an Pravda instead (didn't go, but walked by and it looked really nice).
If you make it to the Old Town Square around the hour, check out the Old Town Hall Clock - It's cute to see the skeleton operating the coo coo clock. You'll be sure to notice because a crowd always gathers around waiting for the 1 minute show :).
The last bit of advice that you'll here from everyone is to beware of the taxi drivers out to take advantage of tourists. Some are so shady that they will even post prices on the door that are 2 times what they should be, but tourists are tricked into thinking they are legitimate. Price you are expected to pay should be around 40 KC per km. If you need a cab, ask the hotel or restaurant to call one for you! Na Zdraví!
//**Recommended List**//
Restaurants
Kampa Park - The fancy/romantic restaurant by the river with a view of Charles Bridge. Prague's version of the River Cafe NY with view of the Brooklyn Bridge. It's a bit difficult to find. Just remember that after you cross the Charles Bridge you have to go under the bridge and you'll find the restaurant to your right be the water. It's on the pricier side of restaurants in Prague, but the food is definitely memorable. Address: Na Kam pe 8b, Tel: 257 532685.
Bars
Solidni Nejistota - A local told us that the name of this club/bar translates into 'Solid Uncertainty' meaning you never know how the night will turn out when you come here! :) No cover, and friendly bouncers put you in a good mood right from the start. Place is spacious enough for you to site a table with your group of homies, and the table service staff are great and even understanding if anyone decides to drink too fast and get a little sick :P. The little stage set at the back of the bar is comfortable packed with booty shakers and still allow you some elbow room. Music is variable, but I remember rocking out pretty happily. Might have been the champagne and shot of slivovitz. This clear alcohol drunken by the shot is no joke and can be up to 70% proof. Address: Pštrossova 21, 110 00 Praha 1, Tel: + 420 605 000 500
Shopping
Blue -- You'll see these stores everywhere in Prague including the airport. A great place to pick up some glass souvenirs. I gave in and bought a pair of glass tropical fish colored blue and teal. They are sitting beautifully in my kitchen :). This is also a good place to pick up some vintage biscuit box or postcard designs by Alphonse Mucha (1860-1939).
The city itself is rich in history and stories of espionage (i.e. Bourne Identity and Mission Impossible). Check out this photo of Joe, Caleb (hidden), and Eurie reenacting the scene from Mission Impossible where Tom Cruises boss pretends someone shot him and falls off the Charles Bridge. Heehee. There is also a Frank Gehry building built to fill an empty space left void by an inaccurate bombing during WWII by the Americans -- They were aiming for Germany and go the coordinates wrong :(.
It is also a place you'll find some strange and shockingly interesting things -- i.e. Sex Machine Museum. We peeked in because of the contraption they place out front to catch your attention. Then we had a good laugh :).
You'll see marionettes sold EVERYWHERE - although it would seem cute to see marionettes perform Don Giovanni, it was only amusing for the first 5 minutes so would not recommend going. Especially if you have never seen/heard Don Giovanni (it's an opera written by Mozart). We learned that Mozart had a special connection with the city of Prague, most likely because the people worships his work.
Another popular figure was the Jewish author Franz Kafka, who wrote Metamorphosis (next on the reading list for me). You'll see his name everywhere as well. Especially in the Jewish Quarter (which takes about 10 minutes to walk through if you don't go visit the cemetery and synagogues. Beware of the cappuccinos at Cafe Franz Kafka, they make it out of Nescafe (yuck). Would skip that cafe and go have a nice meal an Pravda instead (didn't go, but walked by and it looked really nice).
If you make it to the Old Town Square around the hour, check out the Old Town Hall Clock - It's cute to see the skeleton operating the coo coo clock. You'll be sure to notice because a crowd always gathers around waiting for the 1 minute show :).
The last bit of advice that you'll here from everyone is to beware of the taxi drivers out to take advantage of tourists. Some are so shady that they will even post prices on the door that are 2 times what they should be, but tourists are tricked into thinking they are legitimate. Price you are expected to pay should be around 40 KC per km. If you need a cab, ask the hotel or restaurant to call one for you! Na Zdraví!
//**Recommended List**//
Restaurants
Kampa Park - The fancy/romantic restaurant by the river with a view of Charles Bridge. Prague's version of the River Cafe NY with view of the Brooklyn Bridge. It's a bit difficult to find. Just remember that after you cross the Charles Bridge you have to go under the bridge and you'll find the restaurant to your right be the water. It's on the pricier side of restaurants in Prague, but the food is definitely memorable. Address: Na Kam pe 8b, Tel: 257 532685.
Bars
Solidni Nejistota - A local told us that the name of this club/bar translates into 'Solid Uncertainty' meaning you never know how the night will turn out when you come here! :) No cover, and friendly bouncers put you in a good mood right from the start. Place is spacious enough for you to site a table with your group of homies, and the table service staff are great and even understanding if anyone decides to drink too fast and get a little sick :P. The little stage set at the back of the bar is comfortable packed with booty shakers and still allow you some elbow room. Music is variable, but I remember rocking out pretty happily. Might have been the champagne and shot of slivovitz. This clear alcohol drunken by the shot is no joke and can be up to 70% proof. Address: Pštrossova 21, 110 00 Praha 1, Tel: + 420 605 000 500
Shopping
Blue -- You'll see these stores everywhere in Prague including the airport. A great place to pick up some glass souvenirs. I gave in and bought a pair of glass tropical fish colored blue and teal. They are sitting beautifully in my kitchen :). This is also a good place to pick up some vintage biscuit box or postcard designs by Alphonse Mucha (1860-1939).
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4 comments:
ah man... i *heart* prague. one of my favorite cities in europe.
Prague is affectionately known as the Pearl of Europe for it's beauty.The Czech name is Praha and since the fall of the Iron curtain the city is invaded by thousands of tourists. I am sure like myself they will not leave disappointed.
It is a mix of old and new and the two work well together.We booked a room in Prague hotel right in the centre of the Old Town - wanting to be close to everything. In my opinion if you are traveling to Prague for the first time try and go in December when there are the Christmas markets.You might be lucky enough to have snow like we did. I have just returned from my third visit and can't wait to go back.
An epic history has made Prague one of the most beautiful cities in the world and today tourism is a major force. Except main touristic places I really liked Kampa Park at Kampa Island (or better it is a peninsula) there is a big park; several Prague restaurants and cafes; shops and a big square (Na Kampe). There is also an ancient watermill there. Kampa Restaurant in Prague is one of the cities finest restaurants. Set in an exclusive location beside the river on Kampa Island, and next to Charles Bridge, Kampa Park offers flamboyantly presented international fare, including a superb selection of fresh seafood, classic Czech wild game dishes and innovative meat selections. We hadn’t planned our visit in advance, in fact we had set out a little aimlessly, trying to find somewhere to eat – sometimes too much choice is harder than too little! However the lights of the Kampa Park, together with the restaurants on either side tempted us across the Bridge one final time – and I am so glad that they did.
Hello
If you didn’t learn I can tell you thank you is: dekuju and hello is: ahoj
I have been in Prague for 2 weeks, I absolutely loved. I was there with my friends. During the day we went to visit what the guide told us to: ) but the evening we spent them in bars. I will leave you here a list of some nice Prague music clubs you can go or if any of your fiends want to go there.
I found the city beautiful, like a fairytale land, the towers, the castles, the cathedrals….
I also found the city safe as you can see in this article from the government pages. We could always be out till late that we never had problems or ever saw any incident.
In the end it was too sad to leave.
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