House of travel Northern, Central & Eastern Europe Brochure 2017 | Page 25

Prague
Where else would you find a “New Town” that was founded in the 14th century, a
“Square” that’s more of a rectangular boulevard and a castle that stretches almost
half a kilometre and incorporates a cathedral, a monastery, palaces, museums and
acres of gardens. Prague is a compact city, and one that was made for walking.
The Charles Bridge is one of those attractions to which everyone gravitates, which
means during the day you’ll be sharing it with a lot of people. But if you set your
alarm for an early start to beat the crowds, your reward will be the castle, river and
statue-lined bridge all emerging from the mist in the soft pink dawn light – a sight
that’s guaranteed to give you goosebumps. From there you’ll be one step ahead of
the crowds all day.
Our favourite things to see and do
Prague Castle – The largest medieval castle in the world
and the jewel of the Czech capital. The castle also contains an
exhibition of Czech history and a collection of Bohemian art.
Prague Castle Palace Gardens – First they were
vineyards, then Italian-style Renaissance gardens, and
after the 1648 Swedish incursions, Prague Castle’s Palace
Gardens changed again to take on a Baroque air, complete
with terraces, sculptures, impressive steps and fountains. An
unmissable place for a summer stroll.
The Jewish Quarter – The oldest Jewish settlement in
Europe, consists of beautiful historic buildings comprising six
synagogues. Discover the tragic part of Jewish history at the
Jewish Museum.
Charles Bridge – Dating back to 1357 this statue-bedecked
bridge is one of the popular tourist spots in Prague, vibrant
by day or night, scattered with vendors and entertainers. It
offers some magnificent views especially early in the morning
and around sunset.
Municipal House – This Art Nouveau building is lovely and
houses the biggest concert hall in town.
Day Trips – If time allows, a day trip to Ceský Krumlov,
Kutná Hora or Karlovy Vary is well worth it.
Enjoy a Puppet Show – The art of puppetry has a strong
history in the Czech Republic and is not just for children.
Catch a show or for a real work of art buy a puppet from
Truhlár Marionety in Prague.
Our favourite places to stay:
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Hotel Elysee
Mamaison Residence Belgická
Mamaison Hotel Riverside
Augustine, A Luxury Collection
Hotel
Old Town Square and the Astronomical Clock – In
the heart of the Old Town surrounded by charming Baroque,
Gothic and Rococo architecture, the Old Town Square is a great
place to hang around, have lunch at one of its many cafés,
browse at the market stalls or just wait for the Astronomical
Clock to do its thing.
Image
©Czech Tourism
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