The Best Prague Threatre's

Theatre has been a large part of the culture in Prague over the years, and below are some of the best theatres to enjoy performances in the city.

 Prague National Theatre 

This is the largest and arguably the grandest theatre in Prague which has a classical feel to it which is well suited to the high brow performances which are held here, performed by organisations from around the world, including the national opera. The design characteristics alone make it worth a visit here.

Metro Theatre 

This is one of the institutions which are referred to as black theatres. This name is a reflection of the nature of performances here which are carried out to a black background and use a mixture of colours and movements to thrill the crowds with a truly modern yet very Prague experience. 

Laterna Magika 

Puppetry has long been a celebrated art in Prague, and this theatre is dedicated to performances from people and organisations of all standards, whilst all are highly enjoyable and a must visit for those with kids. This is the original puppet theatre in Prague and is still going strong, with a reputation for top quality puppet costumes and highly engaging shows. 

Estates Theatre 

This is one of the most celebrated theatres in Europe which has a genuinely top draw history with many people such as Mozart having performed here over the years. There is a special feel to this place which is hard to recapture elsewhere.

Discovering Modern Prague

In a tourism context, the destination Prague is often thought of as a place to visit to enjoy the historical and cultural qualities. Despite this perception that Prague has a wealth of ancient heritage and attractions, there are in fact many modern attractions in the city, and below are some of the best.

Dancing House

This is an intriguing piece of modern architecture which was built during the 90’s in the place of the previous building which had been damaged during the bombing of Prague.
The wobbly design of the building really stands out amongst the historical architecture and can be enjoyed from the top floor restaurant.

Prague Zoo

This attraction was open during the early 20^th century and has evolved significantly since that time. Prague zoo is vast in size, approximately 111 acres, and is home to around a stunning 650 different species. It is regarded by some as one of the best zoos in the world.

Nový Smíchov

There are a host of fashionable and modern shopping areas in Prague, with one such example being the Nový Smíchov. This is a state of the art three storey shopping complex which also has a number of modern entertainment facilities.

Podoli Swimming Pool Complex

This is a swimmers paradise and is the largest complex of its type in the city. There is an Olympic size pool as well as a number of other pools suitable for different people, including people. All pools are outside which allows one to enjoy the often glorious weather.

Attractions for Classical Music Lovers in Prague

There are attractions in Prague to suit people of all tastes. Those who have an interest in classical music will be pleased to hear that spread around Prague are buildings and museums which have more than a slight association with classical music. Below are some of the places you might like to visit.

Czech Museum of Music - Generally, the sort of person who enjoys classical music will also appreciate fine architecture, so the fact that this museum is located in a 17th century baroque church creates an all around attraction. The museum boasts around 700,000 items which document the history of music and allow the music lover to appreciate the standard that we enjoy today.

Estates Theatre - This is considered to be one of the best historical theatres in the world. Some of the most famous pieces of music have been played here, and perhaps most significantly, Mozart himself once composed here. You can either take in a show here or just take in the atmosphere.

Lobkowicz Palace at Prague Castle - This is a glorious restaurant which is home to a range of historical and instruments which will be of huge interest to the classical music lover. Once you have discovered all of the musical artefacts you can move on to explore the wide range of paintings and decorative arts which are also held here. The glorious location in Prague Castle completes the experience.

Skiing in the Czech Republic

Along with beach holidays, city breaks and camping, skiing is one of the most popular holidays for people around the world. There are a number of locations around the world which enjoy healthy visitor numbers during the peak season, and many of these are cliché locations where hoards of people visit each year.
These countries include Italy, France, Canada, Switzerland and the USA. One of the more neglected, but no less quality locations is the Czech Republic. It is not widely known that there are over one hundred areas in the Czech Republic where there is enough snow to support a sustained season of skiing.

When it comes to skiing in the Czech Republic one of the best features is that the slopes are generally not as busy as in better known resorts, which means that there is more room for you to manoeuvre. A large number of these resorts are equipped with the modern facilities which you would expect to find at a ski resort, although there are still plenty with more retro facilities which certainly add a different edge to the experience. There are resorts which are suitable for skiers of all levels, from the novice to the professional, who can take advantage of the world class resources at Spindleruv Mlyn.

For those who enjoy skiing but also like to be within close proximity to a city, there are a number of resorts which are not too far away from Prague, the nation’s capital.

Ski Insurance for Czech

If heading to Prague for skiing, make sure you take our a European ski insurance policy and alsowhy not take advantage of your free EHIC card if you are European?

Skiing on Medvedin

Try These Czech Delicacies

Prague is one of the most popular destinations for tourists in Eastern Europe. It is popular for people who enjoy culture as well as with those who seek a romantic setting for a break with a loved one. Below are some of the Czech delicacies which can be sampled by tourists on their visit to Prague:

Gypsy Sauce: The bizarre composition of this sauce makes it an ideal accompaniment for a whole range of different foods. It has a somewhat sweet taste whilst retaining the spicy edge which its ingredients would suggest. Full of peppers, onions and tomatoes, this sauce is guaranteed to awaken your taste buds.

Piskoty: These soft sweets will be a nice addition to your day time walk. They are extremely sweet and have the consistency of a biscuit. There is a large variety of these sweets, so perhaps you could sample a different one each day.

Game: The Czech population adores a good bit of game. The charismatic aroma which comes as a result of the bird’s diet is accompanied nicely by a variety of different sauces. It is the way in which this bird is cooked which provides its different taste and makes it a must taste delicacy.

Fidorka Dark Chocolate: This chocolate is the Czech answer to the luxury offerings of their European counterparts. Ideal after any meal or as a romantic gesture.

Parks and Gardens to Visit in Prague

Prague boasts a range of beautiful parks and gardens which provide the perfect setting for an escape from the concrete jungle in the middle of the city. The parks and gardens are varying in size but each have features which ensure that they really cannot be missed. Below are some of the parks which you should visit in Prague:

Franciscan Garden - Located between a number of busy streets and attractions, it is well worth taking a stroll through this garden oasis on the way to your next point of interest. One of the best features of the garden is that it is situated right next to the church of the Virgin Mary which affords you a gorgeous view of it. With plenty of benches and bushes, the garden provides a peaceful setting for a quick rest.

Vrtba Garden - Boasting a number of statues of roman gods and goddesses, this garden has a distinct baroque feel to it and is regarded by many as one of the most beautiful in Prague. The hoards of flowers which are carefully crafted onto the slopes in amongst the distinguished steps are enough to calm anyone’s mood.

Havlíčkovy Sady - This park is located just outside of central Prague and provides a welcome get away from the conventional tourist activity. Havlíčkovy Sady is the second largest park in Prague and the main attractions include glorious buildings and a vineyard. The sweeping views of the city can be enjoyed from the park whilst sampling some of the local wine produce. Why not also consider skiing whilst in  Czech?

Prague’s Top 3 Luxury Hotels

Since Prague is a luxury traveller’s paradise, you will find no dearth of luxury hotels in Prague. You can read several reviews of luxury hotels in Prague, check for availability of rooms and even do the booking online. I have stayed in five luxury hotels in Prague and would recommend the following three. All these three hotels have great concierge services that can help you acquire event tickets and organise tours for you.

1. Hotel Riverside - Hotel Riverside, which is located close to the city’s commercial centre and the River Vltava, features amazing Belle Epoque interiors, comfortable suites, modern facilities and lavish furnishing. Most of the hotel’s rooms overlook the picturesque turrets and towers of Prague. The rooms are equipped with free Internet, mini bar, bathrooms with heated floors and much more. Hotel Riverside is close to Prague’s architectural gems such as Charles Bridge and the National Theatre.

2. Hotel President - Hotel President, a five-star luxury hotel, is located right in Prague’s commercial centre and offers luxury travellers a wide choice of 130 tastefully furnished rooms, which includes a presidential suite, three senior suites and 32 junior suites well-equipped with all the facilities that you could desire. If you choose to book a stay at the Hotel President, you will enjoy a spectacular view of the entire city. In fact, this luxury hotel is set in such a location that its guests can view and admire all the attractive sites without having to leave the luxurious comforts of their rooms.

3. Kempinski Hybernska - The Kempinski is a recently renovated seventeenth-century residential palace with elegant interiors and modern architectural designs. The hotel has 75 luxurious, comfortable and spacious rooms. One of the most attractive features of the hotel is its private baroque garden, which sprawls over an area of 1800 square metres, giving its guests the chance to enjoy peace and privacy.

Prague Cafe Culture

Prague has historically been a city of thinkers and artists and it's strong cafe culture has grown from this. Inspiration, often shaping the politics and culture of the country as been achieved over a cafe latte or expresso. From small side-street cafes that are warm and intimate to grand Art-Nouveau spaces dressed to impress, Prague has it all. Below are some of my favourites.

Meduza, Belgicka 17, Prague 2

Meduza is one of those places that feels intimate even when every seat is occupied. It's an eclectic mix of vintage furniture and prints, photos, and paintings, including exhibitions of contemporary art and photography. The atmosphere is cool and the staff are helpful. For an introduction to Meduza, go to www.meduza.cz.

Souterrain, Belehradska 82, Prague 2

Cool underground cafe/tearoom offering a bhuge list of teas, along with coffee and alcoholic beverages. The clientele is friendly and you'll get entertained by some of the Czech Republic’s wildest bar musicians. Souterrain’s drink list and schedule of upcoming events, as well as photographs from past events is available at www.souterrain.cz.

The Globe, Pstrossova 6, Prague 1

The Globe Bookstore and Cafe is the cornerstone of the expat cafe scene. You'll find a great selection of English-language books, magazines and papers, cheap Internet, a delicious assortment of inventive and healthy meals, and plenty of readings, lectures, and concerts. Find out more about the Globe at www.globebookstore.cz. (Note: the Globe cafe will be closed due to renovations until December 21, but the bookstore will remain open during this period).

Cafe Slavia, Narodni 1, Prague 1

Decent coffee and food and as a lively mix of crowd make up this cafe. The views are wonderful, whether along Narodni or facing the Vltava. This was also a popular hangout fir dissidents during the socialist regime so it's heavy with atmosphere. Menu, drink list, photo gallery and more can be seen at www.cafeslavia.cz.

Prague’s Christmas Markets

Prague at Christmas time attracts several tourists from all over the world who flock to its Christmas markets, to shop, sightsee, listen to carols and taste the exquisite wine and cuisine of the region. Last year, I decided to take a family holiday in Prague and celebrate Christmas there. We particularly enjoyed visiting the brightly lit Christmas markets, and despite the milling crowds of local people and tourists, we had the time of our lives.

A trip to the Prague Christmas markets will make you feel like you are at the North Pole visiting Santa Claus’ village. These markets are often described as magical and contribute to the Christmas spirit of fun and sharing in the most unique manner. The city literally dazzles with millions of brilliant Christmas lights and we felt as if we had stepped into a fairyland of lights and snow.

If you are interested in experiencing the Prague Christmas markets, you will naturally have to visit December. The larger markets are located at the Wenceslas Square and the Old Town square and when you are done with them, you can check out the smaller markets at Namesti Republiky and Havelske Trziste. You can easily walk from one market to the other.

We were simply thrilled with the beautifully adorned wooden huts, where Czech local products, beer, hot wine and traditional Czech food items were sold. The Prague Christmas markets are loaded with wooden toys, hand-made jewellery, scented candles, scarves, Christmas tree decorations, hats, ceramic products and loads of Christmas cakes, pies, tarts, sweets, candies and other delicious goodies. We took the children to the Old Town Square where they got to play with goats and sheep and enjoyed the delightful nativity scene.

The most impressive feature of Prague at Christmas time is the large Christmas tree in Old Town Square, adorned with colourful lights. We soon realised that the Prague Christmas markets offered not just shopping, but entertainment galore; as you wander from stall to stall sipping hot wine and tasting delicious snacks, choirs from home and abroad will sing and dance for you.

Boat tours in Prague

A river cruise on Vltava is one of the best ways to sightsee the region, and tourists will be able to choose from an assortment of cruise tours, depending on what they want to see and where they wish to go. A boat tour will allow you to view popular attractions and see the heart of the city from the deck of a boat; some boat tours also include dinner or lunch as part of the trip.

If you would like to have an evening tour, opt for a Prague Dinner River Cruise tour, where you will be able to enjoy a relaxing cruise experience complete with dinner and live music, while guides point out the attractions on the river banks and explain their significance to you. Most dinner cruise tours take as long as two to four hours and cost around 1000 czk or more.

For those of you who would prefer sightseeing during the day time, book a lunch cruise tour on the river and enjoy the sights as they go by. Top attractions that you will see along your tour include Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, National Theatre, Rudolfinum Concert Hall, Petřín Hill, the Dancing House and Vyšehrad Castle, in addition to several other places.

This tour costs between 400 and 700 czk depending on which company you book the tour with and if you have decided to have lunch on the boat. The tickets for children cost slightly lesser and usually differ by a value of 100. There is also the option of going on an afternoon cruise tour with high tea as the meal offered on board the boat. Music lovers can take up the jazz cruise tour which will feature a live jazz band aboard the craft playing for you.

Guests will find that the boats themselves are very comfortable and are well maintained, with meals being served below deck.