TO DO LIST | Prague
Public Transport |
If you have read my other travel blogs you must have noticed my love for exploring and becoming one of the locals while travelling. I love a good challenge and adventure so I never go for the easy option of getting a cab from the airport to our hotel. Yes I research how we are going to get from A to B using public transport. The good thing about it is that its dirt cheap! Unlike Britain where they like to charge ridiculous amounts for train fares etc which in my opinion kinda does the opposite and discourages people not to use the public transport (Another argument another day) but in places like Czech Republic the transport is so cheap. We bought a 3 day pass that covered all transport so bus, tram, & metro for 310 czk which works out about £9. YES I did just say £9 for three days, unlimited travel. Bammmm we were sorted. These yellow ticket machines are located pretty much everywhere so you can purchase you ticket from there and happy travelling. The machines also have a option for English which is perfff so no confusion. One big TIP would be to make sure your validate your ticket the first time you use it, so whatever mode of transport you are using for the first time with that ticket you have to scan it then its fine for the rest of the journey. You can also buy 30 minute, 90 minute and 24 hour passes. Once you get the hang of using public transport in other countries it becomes easier each time. I always plan our journey etc and Luke just follows, if it was his way he would 'wing it'. No thanks, haha.
Tram Ride |
Tired of walking but want to explore more of the city? Hopping on a tram and letting it take you around the city is the best way to see loads of the city without tiring those legs out. Most of the trams do loops around the city and if you get on the right ones they will circle the main areas you want to see. Or do a lucky dip and hop on one and see where it takes you, you might find some hidden places that aren't tourist traps or you might end up in the middle of know where. Who cares? It would be an adventure. Quite often when walking to place to place you eye line is straight ahead looking where you are going so you miss a lot especially the things that are well above eye line and up. Sitting on a tram and letting your eyes wander as you pass along the winding streets of Prague is magical. The best surprise was that they were heated and so warm! In the winter it can be very cold, even when walking around all day. A nice and cosey tram ride back to our hotel every evening was so welcoming and some what therapeutic.
Old Town Square |
Most places have the old side of town and the newer side to visit. Both are always worth visiting especially in Prague. The Old town square is traditional Prague. It's the place that is on every tourist leaflet and pinterest board. Also where all the tourist flock to. Your see countless tours happening and big groups of people huddling together listening to the history of Prague delivered from there tour guide. If you stand closest enough to hear them (English speaking of course) you may just learn a fair bit. Growing numbers are now visiting places like Prague slowly turning the traditional into tourist traps and rip off century but some advice I got was yes visit the traditional stuff like the Old Town square but don't stay to long, get your fix and photo to show your mum and the rest of Facebook then have a wander down side alleys and cobbled streets. That will show you the true Prague and away from avoiding getting hit with a selfie stick. Also the square is where you can find the biggest market of them all and the famous humongous dazzling Christmas tree. It's truly breath taking and defiantly worth a visit! That's when you can join the rest of the tourists taking selfies with the tree and posing with friends and family.
Christmas Markets |
Obviously this section will only apply to you if you are going in the winter months. I believe the markets are open from end of November right through to the new year so you have plenty of time to see them if visiting. When people ask me what were they like and how do they compare to others (So Berlin markets last year) they both are set out completely different. I found the ones in Berlin tend to smaller and they were a lot more spread out around the city, some too far to walk. Whereas in Prague there was the big main one in the Old town square then about 3/4 dotted around the square but sold the same stuff anyway. Berlin markets tend to have different things each time, something new to look at whereas the Prague ones were more set and the same toot and food stalls. One night in Prague Luke and I worked our way round the main market and made sure we ate and tasted everything from each food stall. We had tonnes of money left and empty bellies to fill and didn't fancy eating in a restaurant so we was let loose on the markets. Sausage in a bun, chicken in a bun, cookies, cheese on toast, crisps on a stick, donuts, hot cider , you name it we had eaten it. It was time to roll back to the hotel.
Traditional Czech Food |
As you know Luke and I are big foodies and will try anything (in reason of course) we love visiting different countries and having their local dishes and foods. Going back to tourist traps if your not an idiot you clearly know not to eat on the main square and pay over double for food and drink. Its just common sense. Go and explore those cobbled back streets and find some local places to eat. In Prague they liked to do a set menu that always included a drink, normally beer, and you wouldn't pay a lot for it either. The first day we found this tiny, place behind the main square and cathedral called 'U Budovce' where we both had the most amazing homemade thick tomato soup followed by this mouth watering lasagna. My mouth is actually watering me thinking back to it. This defiantly hit the spot and we had a long walk round town afterwards. The second day we visited 'Restaurace Cerny Orel' which was on the other side of the river and near 'Vojanovy Sady' which is a a beautiful hidden park in Lesser Town. The people were so welcoming and gave us recommendations on what to try and order. Luke ordered steak and potatoes which just looked incredible and I tried the beef in a creamy sauce with fluffy bread dumplings. Mmm Mmmm and double Mmmmm. The flavours were just something else! That's must to try when visiting. 'Goulash Soup' served in a loaf of bread is next on your food list. Luke and I were gannets like always and had the soup then a main course. But to be honest we could of easily been full up on the thick soup then ate the bread afterwards. Go and find ya self some soup.
Go for Walkies |
Walk all that food off you have just stuffed your face with at the markets and get some fresh air by walking up Petrin Hill. I do warn you it is a climb but its all path right up to the top but my god do you get a view. There is a tram that will take you up so far but it seemed to be closed when we was visiting, maybe due to the time of year. But once you start to climb you will notice the tower that looks like an Eiffel Tower, head towards that and take a climb to the top to get the highest view possible of Prague. It wasn't expensive to get to the top either so its worth the view, trust me. Then you can enjoy the decent down from Petrin hill, going for walkies keeps you nice and warm too in the winter!
Tourist lark |
As I said before cities like these are becoming popular to visit as ever going numbers are visiting as we speak. I like to travel and explore which classes me as a tourist, but when I do go I like to avoid touristy sections or spend minimal time as possible. Of course we saw the famous Astronomical Clock in Old Town Square, walked along the Charles Bridge, walked up to Prague Castle but didn't want to pay the high prices to get in and finally the National Museum which was actually really good. Seeing all those sites adding them to my bucket list but when they are swarmed with flocks of people taking billions of photos of them it kinda takes away the beauty and brings you back to reality. So if you aren't a people person and hates crowds avoid tourist attractions at peak times, a maybe see them after hours and maybe consider what time of year you are going. I have heard its much busier in the summer months therefore that's another reason why we chose to go in the winter months. Sorry Luke, he was pretty cold most of the trip!
So if you are planning on going away and fancy a city break, give Prague a try. The beauty of the city will blow you away and remain with you. From the UK it was so cheap to book and fly and while we was out there everything was so cheap. If you are a beer drinker you would be glad to know the prices of beer are ridiculously cheap. We was having huge dinners for under £25 for the both of us including drinks and coffee too. So yeh we ended up coming home with a fair bit of money too. So my advice would be not to take as much as you think and draw it out in needs be when out there. I hope this has given you enough information about my Prague trip and what we got up in the three days we was there. Thank your for all your support with my blog.
Hotel: 'My Hotel Apollon'
(10-15 min tram ride from center of Prague)
Flight: Stansted Airport, London. Ryanair.
Prague YouTube Video
(Just click the button)
