I don’t speak a word of Czech, for starters. I’m fluent in English, and can get by in Spanish and French. After 20 years in The Netherlands, I can even converse in Dutch when the locals speak langzaam. But Czech? Nope. Not even sure where I’d begin. So, on my first visit to the city of Prague, I was a bit concerned on how to get around. Maps and metro lines were incomprehensible. I needn’t have worried though. The good news for visitors to this amazing city is that it didn’t matter if I could read or speak the language. Somehow, in spite of needing to maneuver the airport bus to the metro station and then figure out which station to get off at in the center of Prague, I managed without a hitch.
And once I arrived in the center, I was home free. Prague is a delight for the Western tourist looking for a truly unique experience, because it is extremely tourist friendly. I found my hotel online by sheer luck. The Hotel Rott (https://www.hotelrott.cz/en/) offered reasonable rates ($100 per night), and upon arrival, my friend and I discovered the location was around the corner from the main city square. The management put us on the top floor with a skylight, giving an amazing view of the city. From the front step, we were next door to the Hard Rock Cafe and walking distance to every major attraction.
Prague is a lovely city, seemingly frozen in time with its cobblestone streets and a charming fairy-tale ambiance that should appeal to everyone. The people are friendly and the service in shops and restaurants is efficient. Local cuisine is quite delicious, though can be a bit heavy (dumplings). There are a number of excellent restaurants I would recommend. Now that I’ve returned to the city on numerous occasions, I’d say my favorite is Kampa Park (http://kampapark.com/en/), which lies right on the river Vltava, with a lovely view of the Charles Bridge. Czech red wine is superb and I regret not loading up on it during my last visit.
Another very good meal can be found at the 3 Storks Hotel (https://www.hotelthreestorks.cz/), just over the bridge. We found this quite by accident during a rain storm. The local specialty of rabbi was excellent, as was the salmon with accompanying wines to die for.
Shopping in the city includes crystal stores selling delicate vases and paperweights in unique colors and forms (https://www.prague-stay.com/lifestyle/category/12-shopping-in-prague/74-glass-and-crystal-czech-glass-in-prague). Marionette shops line the quaint old town and provide an old world feel. The dolls come in a wide variety and are intricately designed, hand-crafted works of art. Most of the shops will also ship to international destinations. A few notable shops include: Czech Marionnetes (https://www.marionettes.cz/), Marionnettes (http://www.buymarionettes.com/), and Rici Marionnettes (https://www.marionettes-rici.com/en/.
Other sites to visit include the Prague castle and cathedral (https://www.hrad.cz/), Letná park with its Petrin Lookout Tower (http://www.muzeumprahy.cz/198-petrinska-rozhledna/) – inspired by the Eiffel Tower, offering a spectacular aerial perspective of the city – the famous astronomical clock (https://www.prague.eu/cs/objekt/mista/188/staromestska-radnice-s-orlojem) and it’s tower which offers a dizzying view of the square, and the Jewish quarter and cemetery (https://www.jewishmuseum.cz/en/info/visit/). The city is ideal for a weekend visit or a longer stay to explore all it has to offer.
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