Czech Republic - Prague

Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava River, Prague is the capital and largest city in the Czech Republic and one of my favorite cities from all around the world. Like taking a trip with a time machine to a beautiful town filled with breathtaking old buildings, marvelous churches and cathedral in great weather and low prices, a short trip to Prague is an easy must do trip for everyone in all ages.

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My tips for a great week in Prague:

1. Hotel location: The thing that makes Prague so amazing is its old town and alleys, but that fact also makes it a bit difficult to communicate with a vehicle, my advice is to get an hotel near the old town square which will beside a beautiful location and hotel view will also offer you a strategic location In the heart of Prague in a walking distance from almost everything.

2. Plan your trip: Prague is a great place to have a spontaneous, not planned and easy trip but if you are short in time you should plan you trip and check locations of places before since many of them are really close to one another and can be visited together.

3.Shoes: pack with you a good pair of shoes that will be good for long city walks during the day.

4. Shopping: If you are into shopping Prague has amazing malls in the center near the Powder Gate that offers great prices.

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What to do?:

• The old Town Square: this historic square in the Old Town quarter of Prague includes various of architectural styles and fascinating churches; the Church of Our Lady in front of Tyn, The Old Town City Hall and the Baroque church St. Nicolas.

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Although this square hold countless of gems the one building that truly dominates the square is the Old Town City Hall that is the home of the famous Prague Orloj which is the third-oldest astronomical clock in the world and the oldest one still in operation.

• Prague Castle: This ancient and impressive castle is considered as one of the most important cultural institutions in the Czech Republic and the most significant Czech monument. Fun fact- According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Prague Castle is the largest coherent castle complex in the world.

• St. Vitus Cathedral: This is a Roman Catholic metropolitan cathedral and the seat of the Archbishop of Prague. This stunning cathedral is breathtaking either from the outside with its enormous size and beautiful Gothic architecture or from the inside with the well- kept amazing tombs of many Bohemian kings and Holy Roman Emperors.

• Charles Bridge: This lovely historic bridge crosses the Vltava River and is the perfect place for a nice afternoon walk while enjoying one of the traditional delicious Curtosh (Kürtőskalács) in the area. The 621 meters bridge is decorated by a continuous alley of 30 beautiful statues.

• Powder Gate: This Gothic tower that got its name from being a gun-powder storage place in the past is one of the original city gates and it separates the Old Town from the New Town.

• Municipal House: Next to the Powder Gate in the center of the city you will find this concert hall, with every detail of its design and decoration carefully considered, every painting and sculpture loaded with symbolism this a must see symbol of the city.

• John Lennon Wall: In Mala Strana, near the French Embassy, you’ll see the John Lennon Wall; once a normal wall, since the 1980s it has been filled with John Lennon-inspired graffiti and pieces of lyrics from Beatles' songs. The Lennon Wall represented not only a memorial to John Lennon and his ideas for peace, but also a monument to free speech and the non-violent rebellion of Czech youth against the regime.

• Petřín Lookout Tower: This tower is a 63.5 meter tall steel-framework tower in Prague, which in first look looks exactly like the Eiffel Tower. This attraction located in this beautiful green park will offer you an amazing lookout point over the whole city if you are willing to climb a bit.

• Karlovy Lazne‬: Prague's nightlife is as interesting as the day one. With countless of different type of bars and clubs in great affordable prices Prague's nightlife are one of the best one I enjoyed in around Europe. Although the city has countless of nightlife option, just near the Charles Bridge in the city center you will find the Karlovy Lazne, with five music clubs on five separate floors that are themed to their own character this club is also known to be the biggest one in Europe.

what to eat?

• Kurtosh (Kürtőskalács): You can't say that you have been to Prague without trying one of those bad boys. This desert is made from sweet, dough that wrapped around a truncated cone, rolled in sugar and filled with topping as you choose.

• James Dean: located in the center of Prague near the Old Town Square you will find this American diner that with jukeboxes, images of iconic figures, a staff dressed in retro clothes, waitresses on roller-blades, good food and music will take strait back to the 50s.

• Goulash Soup in Bread: Since my visit in San Francisco I never miss a chance to enjoy the 'soup in bread' dish, but in Prague they have this amazing goulash soup that is a meat soup served in this delicious bread boll that fits perfectly with this city's weather. highly recommended.

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I have been to many cities around the world that has beautiful "Old Town" parts but Prague was the first one that its historical part was so big and impressive that it made me feel like its "Old Town" part is a city of its own. I can truly say that with great weather, countless of amazing places to see in a walking distance, affordable prices, great nightlife and delicious restaurants Prague is my number one location for an easy short vacation that you won't regret going to.

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