Prague, Czech Republic

After some flight delays and missed connection because of lightening in the US, one of my closest friends from college reunited with me in Prague. We were drawn to the city because of its bohemian allure and notorious nightlife. Prague is the capital city of the Czech Republic, divided into ten numbered districts. It is known for its historic core filled with colorful baroque buildings, Gothic churches, and the medieval Astronomical Clock. Prague has a temperate climate and is a very walkable city. I found it incredibly difficult to read signs and menus and pronounce the Czech language, but really enjoyed giving it a shot. Everybody speaks some English. FYSA, beer is cheaper than water.

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Accommodation:

• There are plenty of five star hotels in Prague for very reasonable prices. We chose the Alchymist Grand Hotel & Spa. When we arrived, we were greeted with hot towels, warm service, and cold Czech beer. There was a fabulous underground spa where the girls enjoyed hour long, full body "Alchymist" massages. I highly recommend. Taxis from the airport to the city center should cost 600-800 CZK.

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Tourist Attractions:

• Charles Bridge is teeming with tourists and artists of all kinds, so it can be overwhelming, but the statues are worth observing.

• Watch the Astronomical Clock show on the hour. We missed this because of construction.

• Walk up to the majestic 9th century Prague Castle and enjoy the splendid view.

 

Activities:

• We did a tour of Prague’s Underground and discovered what lies beneath the cobbled streets. I would suggest doing this if you want to learn a  bit of history about the city. In the 13th century, the city sat several meters lower than it does today. Due to flooding, Czech residents were forced to build up and abandon the first floor of their homes. Today, many places have converted these cold and dark spaces into a bar, restaurant, or in our hotel's case, a spa.

• Go for a run up Petrin Hill in Malá Strana.

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Food:

• Trdelník, vanilla ice cream in a sugar donut cone, is the street food to try. Trdelník is presented as a "traditional" Czech pastry, but in reality, this dessert is very recent addition to Czech gastronomy or a very old recipe recently revived as a symptom of mass tourism. Locals say the word "trdelník" is the only purely Czech thing about it, meaning the use of a wooden stick, mallet, or spindle. That fact, however, does not make it any less delicious!

• For one of our most elegant dinners, we ate at Hergatova Cihelna on the water, overlooking Old Town and Charles Bridge. Warmed by fire lamps and blankets, the outdoor patio remains open into the autumn.

• We dined at two Michelin recommended restaurants. Mlýnec is a stylish, contemporary Czech restaurant, centrally located. We also opted for V Zátiší, a Czech-Indian fusion. Reserve both in advance, or check with your hotel concierge.

• Lokál was a great spot to sit down in after our underground tour.

• As a vegetarian, I struggled to find nutritious and filling meals in Prague. The most popular dishes consist of meats such as pork, sausage and stewed meat. Vepřo Knedlo Zelo was a very popular dish.

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Nightlife:

• Thanks to a friend of a friend who lived in Prague, we had a reliable list of bars and clubs to check out. Our favourite bar became Hemingway's because of it's intimate atmosphere and unique cocktails, though I personally enjoyed Black Angels.

• We ended the night at U Bukanýra houseboat music bar - an intimidating crowd of locals drinking on a boat bar. We were basically kicked off for accidentally knocking someone's drink of the ledge, even after replacing it.

• A more friendly local place is the edgy Cross Club, a techno venue in industrial warehouse style.

• PSA: Ladies, walking in heels on the cobblestones for days on end will catch up with you.

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