 |
|
 |
General Description of Prague
This romantic city is divided by the River Vltava: the hilly left bank contains Hradcany – with a castle and the imposing St Vitus Cathedral – and Mala Strana (Lesser Town), full of elegant 18th-century mansions, baroque gardens and narrow cobbled streets. The right bank houses Josefov (Jewish Quarter) and Stare Mesto (Old Town), the complex web of streets which fan out from the graceful Staromestske Namesti (Old Town Square) with its famous town-hall clock and Jan Hus monument. Further south is Nove Mesto (New Town), which borders the somewhat commercially orientated Wenceslas Square. Although the city spans an area of 6 mls by 4 mls, most of tourist interest lies within a 1-ml radius of Charles Bridge – where visitors will also find the best views of Prague's almost completely unspoilt skyline; the castle is another good vantage point for viewing the terracotta, copper green and gold cupolas and spires of the city. Its architectural legacy remains intact: medieval, baroque and rococo. Its squares and riverfront streets have many lively Parisian-style cafes, street performers and, since the Velvet Revolution, tiny markets selling anything from fresh produce to jewellery. The city abounds in book shops, galleries and classical concert venues, especially chamber music.
Market/Suitability
Something for everyone, mainly middle- and upmarket. Particularly suits those with a special interest in music or architecture. Also popular with young British stag and hen parties taking advantage of the cheaper beer.
Location/Contact
Location: In the west-central part of the country, in the heart of the western province of Bohemia. 130 mls northwest of Brno. 95 mls southeast of Dresden (Germany). 10 mls southeast of Ruzyne international airport.
Position: Surrounded by woodland and vineyards to the north; castles and chateaux in the Sazava Valley to the south; rolling hills to the west.
Accommodation
Range of hotels in the centre and on the periphery to suit all budgets; some self-catering apartments; burgeoning network of B&B accommodation. Two-tier pricing means foreigners sometimes pay more. The millennium gave rise to a dramatic increase in flights from western Europe to the city, which has resulted in many old buildings and palaces being renovated and turned into tastefully designed, boutique-style hotels.
Shopping
Main international areas in Wenceslas Square and nearby Na Prikope; handicraft shops in Mala Strana. Good buys include Bohemian crystal, gems, porcelain, wooden toys, puppets and masks, cheap CDs and cassettes, and musical instruments.
Entertainment
Daytime: exploring the city including the castle complex, St Vitus Cathedral, National Museum, Jewish Cemetery, Strahov Monastery, People's Observatory, Mirror Maze, a reduced-size Eiffel Tower, Charles Bridge, Franz Kafka Museum, Old Town Hall, Celetna and St Agnes Convent; numerous art galleries including National Gallery; countless palaces and gardens; river trips; regular classical music concerts in churches in the afternoon and early evening; string of festivals through year devoted to music, mime, puppetry and film.
Nightlife: many night clubs (including many in hotels) and music venues offering Czech and foreign touring bands; jazz clubs; numerous all-night "non-stop" bars catering for the many hen and stag parties; strip joints; cabaret venues; plenty of theatres (some performances in English), but also mime and puppets; concerts.
Eating Out
At least one example of every type of cuisine – most reasonably cheap, especially outside the centre. Czech food tends to be centred on meat, particularly pork, duck and dumplings; not much in the way of fresh vegetables and fruit, although this is gradually changing. A few health-food options. Ample number of fast-food options in all the main tourist areas. Splendid beer; cheap wine and champagne.
Public Transport
A very pedestrianised city so easy for walking despite the cobbles, but a fast and regular network of trams traverse the city, day and night. The Metro is clean, cheap, efficient and, with only 3 lines, easy to use although it closes down at midnight.
Local Excursions
Half/full day: trips to outlying vineyards, breweries and castles; boat trips along River Vltava. Full day: medieval mining town of Kutna Hora; spa town of Podebrady; medieval castle of Karlstejn. Larger hotels organise excursions; otherwise details can be obtained from Cedok offices and on their website.
Serving Airports
Prague Ruzyne (PRG)
Flight time from the UK: 2 hrs
|
|
 |
|
|
|
 ALBUFEIRA, ALGARVE | | BAVENO, ITALY | | BENALMADENA, COSTA DEL SOL | | BENIDORM, COSTA BLANCA | | CALPE, COSTA BLANCA | | COSTA TEGUISE, LANZAROTE | | DUBLIN, IRELAND | | FUENGIROLA, COSTA DEL SOL | | FUNCHAL, MADEIRA | | FURNAS, AZORES | | HAMMAMET, TUNISIA | | IXIA, RHODES | | KALATHOS, RHODES | | KILLARNEY, SOUTH WEST IRELAND | | LA GOMERA, CANARY ISLANDS | | LAGOS, ALGARVE | | LIMASSOL, CYPRUS | | LLORET, COSTA BRAVA | | LOS GIGANTES, TENERIFE | | MACHICO, MADEIRA | | MAGALLUF, MAJORCA | | MARIA ALM, SALZBURGERLAND, AUSTRIA | | PAPHOS, CYPRUS | | PLATJA DE ARO, COSTA BRAVA | | PLAYA BLANCA, LANZAROTE | | PLAYA DE LAS AMERICAS, TENERIFE | | PORT EL KANTAOUI, TUNISIA | | PORT ERIN, ISLE OF MAN | | PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC | | › 4* Crowne Plaza | | PRAIA DA ROCHA. ALGARVE | | PUERTO DE LA CRUZ, TENERIFE | | PUERTO RICO, GRAN CANARIA | | QAWRA, MALTA | | RIVA DEL GARDA, ITALY | | SALINA BAY, MALTA | | SCHLADMING, AUSTRIA | | SEEFELD, AUSTRIA | | SELVA, ITALY | | SOLL, AUSTRIA | | SOUSSE, TUNISIA | | STRESA, ITALY | | TAVIRA, ALGARVE | | TORREMOLINOS, COSTA DEL SOL |
|
