From first rate museums to chic boutiques, from sprawling castles to world class theaters Prague holds attractions for any traveler.
PRAGUE, October 16, 2015 – So you're thinking of vacationing in Europe? Maybe a few days shopping along the Champs Élysées? Gondola excursions in Venice? How about a bull fight in Madrid?
Wait! What about Prague??
It's a city that's steeped in a thousand year history of emperors, royalty, and even Communism.
But today's Prague, home to about two million people, offers so much more, from first rate museums to chic boutiques, from sprawling castles to world class theaters. And while the city (divided into Old Town and New Town) is literally slammed with tourists for most of the year, the majority come from Asia, Russia, and other spots in Europe.
There are few Americans visiting, and it's a mystery as to why. Aside from the culture, most locals can speak a bit of English (and are happy to help you even if they don't). The food is quite good, and the dollar goes a long, long way.
And oh yes, it's truly considered the beer capital of Europe.
Paris is romantic, and London might be proper, but Prague is fresh, edgy, and intellectual. You might want to get there before it's no longer Europe's best kept secret.
View of the City from the Prague Castle – Image R.S. KAYE all rights reserved Inside the quintessential Gothic St. Vitus Cathedral, located within the Prague Castle walls. Here one finds the most magnificent stained glass, tombs of several kings and emperors, and the Bohemian Crown Jewels.
Image R.S. KAYE all rights reserved Inside the quintessential Gothic St. Vitus Cathedral, located within the Prague Castle walls. Here one finds the most magnificent stained glass, tombs of several kings and emperors, and the Bohemian Crown Jewels.
Inside the opulent Spanish Synagogue. Refurbished in the 1990's, the building was used by the Nazis as a storehouse for valuable Jewish religious objects brought there from all corners of Europe. Today it is a part of the Jewish Museum of Prague, as well as a functioning temple.
Another view of the St. Vitus Cathedral, this time off in the distance, across the Vltava River. Image R.S. KAYE all rights reserved The Czeck people are renowned for their crystal work, intricately painted Easter eggs, and exceptional marionette puppets. Some are so real, you can easily imagine that person sat for the artist. There are several shops that sell both mass produced, and handmade, and so beloved is the art form, there is also the National Marionette Theater.
Czech Puppets – Image R.S. KAYE all rights reserved The evening view from the balcony at the Eurostars David Hotel, located about a ten minute walk from the Old Town. While a $250 a night price tag for five star digs in the center of Old Town may not seem too bad compared to two or three times that in other major European cities, places like the Eurostars can easily compete at about $80 a night.
Inside the opulent Spanish Synagogue – Image R.S. KAYE all rights reserved Refurbished in the 1990's, the Spanish Synagogue was used by the Nazis as a storehouse for valuable Jewish religious objects brought there from all corners of Europe. Today it is a part of the Jewish Museum of Prague, as well as a functioning temple.
Eurostars David Hotel – Image R.S. KAYE all rights reserved The evening view from the balcony at the Eurostars David Hotel, located about a ten minute walk from the Old Town. While a $250 a night price tag for five star digs in the center of Old Town may not seem too bad compared to two or three times that in other major European cities, places like the Eurostars can easily compete at about $80 a night.
Old Town square Image R.S. KAYE all rights reserved The center of Old Town, home to the third oldest astronomical clock in the world. People from all walks of life gather here to shop, have a beer, and watch dozens of street entertainers.
Fruit Market – Image R.S. KAYE all rights reserved For just under two dollars, an enormous serving of the freshest berries and grapes awaits you as you stroll through the open air markets.
Pastry stand – Image R.S. KAYE all rights reserved Or grab a Trdelník, a traditional Slovak and Czech pastry covered in cinnamon and often filled with a chocolate hazelnut cream.
Image R.S. KAYE all rights reserved Enjoy a chamber concert inside Klementinium, in the Mirror Chapel. Mozart once played the organ here, and it easy to get lost in the dramatic baroque marble and painted ceilings
Enjoy a chamber concert inside Klementinium, in the Mirror Chapel. Mozart once played the organ here, and it easy to get lost in the dramatic baroque marble and painted ceilings
Sunflowers – Image R.S. KAYE all rights reserved 
– Images by by R.S. Caye Wind up the day with a dark coffee at a place like La Petite Cafe located on Myslikova Street, where bakers like Elena will tempt you with hot, fresh baked butter croissants (yeah, the sign says 30 Koruna, which equals about a dollar!).
And don't forget to try a local brew. Bottles can be bought individually for about 50 cents in the market, and you'll find everything from wheat beers, to dark lagers, to the world famous Pilsner (originating in Plzen, a town in the Czech Republic).
R.S. Caye is a long time journalist and business consultant based on the west coast of Florida.
This article is the copyrighted property of the writer and Communities Digital News, LLC. Written permission must be obtained before reprint in online or print media. REPRINTING CONTENT WITHOUT PERMISSION AND/OR PAYMENT IS THEFT AND PUNISHABLE BY LAW.
Correspondingly, Communities Digital News, LLC uses its best efforts to operate in accordance with the Fair Use Doctrine under US Copyright Law and always tries to provide proper attribution. If you have reason to believe that any written material or image has been innocently infringed, please bring it to the immediate attention of CDN via the e-mail address or phone number listed on the Contact page so that it can be resolved expeditiously.
Source: Travel to Prague where every day is fresh, edgy and steeped in history
No comments:
Post a Comment