Prague. Think music because no matter where you walk around the capital of the Czech Republic, you will see a concert notice or hear classical chamber or orchestral music.
Or think Central European history because it was the capital of Bohemia and home to Charles IV.
Whatever your interest, however, you won’t have enough time to see and do everything. So, first, sign up for a tour of the city and secondly, plan to come back.
Here are just a few places to put on the itinerary. BTW, the city has an excellent public transportation system of subways and buses. Cabs can be expensive so if taking one ask how much before you get in.
Your best place to stay is in the historic area because it’s colorful, fun to stroll and easy to find an outdoor café for a needed break. It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This is where you’ll see a crowd gather in the Old Town Square (Stare Mesto) by the Prague Orloj, an astronomical clock on the Old Town Hall’s south wall.
If there near the hour, pull out the camera because the 12 apostles can be seen strolling past the clock’s windows. Alert: the clock is undergoing repair so is not expected to be back in place until sometime August, 2018.
A great place to do dinner in the Square is at the White Horse, a protected UNESCO structure with a 12th century cave.
Although located near the astronomical clock, it is not a well-known touristy restaurant.
The dishes lean toward traditional local cuisine but also include an excellent salmon. Yes, you eat in the cave if not outside on the Square.
Before dinner get your exercise walking the Charles Bridge which is near the Square.
Spanning the Vltava River, it is a way to go from Old Town to Prague Castle. Charles IV started construction on the bridge (replaced an earlier one) in the mid 14th century but it wasn’t completed until early 15th century.
See its Gothic Old Town Bridge Tower and photograph the statues even though they are replicas of the original ones from about 1700.
Definitely visit the castle during your stay. It really is a huge complex of nearly 750,000 square feet that includes palaces, garden a cathedral, basilica, monastery, museums and the President of the Czech Republic’s official office.
While in the castle district area visit the Strahov Monastery with its gorgeous ceilings. The monastery has a noted brewery.
If looking for a restaurant that is noted for its beer and its local cuisine, check out Budvarka where Budweiser is rumored to have started. Its in the Devjice area and has a great duck confit and is a place where locals go.
Before leaving Prague, go see the Jewish synagogues. They are spectacular.
Surrounded by Old Town, the Jewish Quarter known as Josefov, contains a famous cemetery, the Jewish Museum, a Franz Kafka monument and five synagogues worth visiting.
They are the Old-New Synagogue considered Europe’s oldest active one (1270), the Spanish Synagogue (1868), the Pinkas Synagogue (1535, the Klausen Synagogue (largest one, 1694) and the Maise Synagogue (1592).
Oops, we haven’t even talked about the other museums, the city’s many galleries or its festivals.
Looking forward to next visit.
Jodie Jacobs
