Prague - For the Princess in All of Us

by Abigail Vint

Want to unleash the princess inside of you? Forget Disney--go to Prague. Gothic architecture is scattered across this medieval town and you're bound to find your knight in shining armor, even if you bring him with you.

Prague is one of the oldest cities in Europe--some believe civilization existed around 600,000 BC. It truly became a city of status, however, in the late 1300s under Charles IV, for whom the famous bridge is named.

Prague is said to be one of the few countries that came out of the World Wars fairly unscathed architecturally. Perhaps this is why its Gothic roots are still so evident in the city's buildings.

Less than 25 years ago, this was an oppressed and poor country. After the Velvet Revolution in 1989, the communists fell. The economy grew and Czech people--especially in Prague--capitalized on its authentic beauty by transforming the country into a hot tourist spot.

Today, the charm remains. You can walk around Prague for days and still find something new and intriguing.

The Prague Information Service is located at Na príkope 20. They can assist with accommodation, tickets for shows and general tourist information.

Traveler Type: Romance is definitely in the air so this is an ideal city for lovers. But groups of friends and families have been know to visit and return to the city, mostly for it's relaxing atmosphere and the locals' hospitality.

For Families: There are still places where you can take the kids. The Prague Zoo, U Trojskeho zamku 120/3, 171 000 Praha 7, is located just a couple of kilometers from the city center. It has reasonable entrance fees and is not always crowded, so can be a great getaway from the tourists in the city.

The Toy Museum, Jiøská ulice / George Lane 6, is located in the Prague Castle and showcases a variety of different toys from farm animals to "tin toy clockwork wonders."

Costs: Prague has the cheapest sightseeing a city can offer -- wandering. With so many old buildings you could spend days viewing art and architecture without paying a thing. The city boasts around 500 spires--you can't get more medieval than that.

Entrance fees to churches and museums--such as the Prague Castle--will not be more than five Euros per person. A must see museum is the Prague Jewish Museum (see my Top Five below).

Eating in Prague is quite reasonable. The beer is the cheapest in Europe -- sometimes as low as one Euro per pint--and among some of the best brew. A dinner for two at a nice restaurant with multiple courses can cost between 20 to 30 Euros.

Places to Stay: Accommodation will be your greatest expense in Prague.

Budget: Private rooms--look for signs that say "Zimmer frei"--are your best bet. Local travel agencies sometimes have a service or owners at the train station may approach you. If you would rather plan ahead, many private rooms have their own websites, where you can book and see pictures of the place ahead of time. An accommodation agency that may be helpful is TravelGuide

Hostels are another way to go. If you're looking to party, Clown & Bard hostel is the place to be. Expect to pay eight Euros for a dorm bed or 27 Euros for a double. A quieter, more central option is Hostel Sokol; nine Euros for a dorm bed, 40 Euros for a double

Mid Range: While there are no cheap hotels in Prague, you may find these pensions within your range. The Unitas Pension used to be a convent and has definite character. Czech and Prague Pensions, an online pension booking service, has a good list to choose from.

Expensive: With these you'll splurge and unleash the hidden princess personality in you or someone you love.

A well-known five-star situated a bit out of the center is the Hotel Praha, Susicka, Praha 6. For a more central location try Hotel Hoffmeister, Pod Bruskou 7, Praha 1

Best Time of Year to Go: For budget travelers, May, June and September are the best months to go as it is overrun with tourists during July and August. October and November are not too cold , but you will still need to bundle up. Of course, there are less tourists during this time as well. If you can bear the cold, go during the Christmas season. It becomes even more magical with snow and lights.

Top Five Must-Dos

1. The Prague Castle is something right out of a fairy tale. A fortress atop the city's highest mountain, it has evolved over the years with four different transformations to accommodate the changing needs of the city. It claims to be the largest ancient castle in the world, with construction beginning in the ninth century. It definitely has the best views of the city. A medieval market street--called the Golden Lane after goldsmiths that lived there--has unique shops built right into the walls of the castle. These days they are all tourist shops, but at one time these buildings were homes to people who lived within the castle walls. Don't miss St. Vitus Cathedral, where the remains of great former leaders, including "Good King" Wenceslas, are located.
2. Charles Bridge (Karluv Most). There is something hypnotic and addictive about this bridge, which links areas of the city over the Vltava River, that will keep you walking back and forth across it all day. Over 700 years old, Charles IV commissioned the construction on the bridge in 1357 by the architect Peter Parler. Parts of the bridge were destroyed in the 1600s during battles against the Swedes, but it survived any major destruction during the First and Second World Wars. It is most famous for the 30 statues that appear along the sides of the bridge, which were added beginning in the late 1600s. For good luck visitors rub one of the most famous statues, St. Christopher. Vendors selling works of art and handicraft pieces line either side of the bridge. You'll also have the most beautiful views of the castle from the bridge. With so much detail, you are bound to see something new each time you cross.
3. The Astrological Clock. The Clock dates back to 1410, built first by Nicolas of Kadan and then completed later by Hanus, a famous clock maker. It is located in the Old Town Hall. People gather around every hour to see the tiny figures--such as apostles and a bell-ringing skeleton--pop out of the clock. You have many times during the day to see this happen so make sure you don't miss out. Pull up a chair at one of the cafes facing the clock and enjoy the time change more than once.
4. Wandering. As previously mentioned, going for a long afternoon walk will make you feel as though you've been transported back into a time when kings and queens ruled the land. A popular gothic, medieval spot is Staré Mesto, also known as "Old Town." You will recognize the oft-photographed Tyn Church in the main square. It's known for its Gothic design and unique twin tower spikes rising from square structures at the base of the church. Little streets and underground pubs also litter this area. Czech beer is still the cheapest in all of Europe and is comparable to the quality of German or Belgian brews. Stop off for a pint or two--you'll be amazed at how little you pay. If you go during the colder months, you're going to need warming up. After you've explored the medieval streets and you're chilled to the bone, stop by a tea or coffee house for some warm apple strudel and a warm drink of your choice. It's a perfect way to regroup and reflect on all the beautiful sights you've seen.
5. Jewish Town Home to the oldest working synagogue in Europe and the oldest Jewish Cemetery in Europe, this area is rich in history. People still attend service at the Old-New synagogue, which was erected in 1270. The cemetery holds much history for the Jewish population of Prague. Built in the 13th century, it was the only cemetery for Jews until the late 1700s. The number of people buried there is not known but various historical opinions believe between 20,000 and 100,000 were put to rest 12 layers into the ground. Historic events in the last century have also affected this area. In 1942, many Jewish objects were brought to Prague. The Nazis planned to open up a "museum of an extinct race" once they completed their extermination program.

Resources
Lonely Planet
Interprague
Prague