The City of a thousand spires is simply breathtaking. Prague, and the whole Czech Republic has seen many changes since the Velvet Revolution and subsequent collapse of Communism. For history buffs, the very idea of travelling beyond the old iron curtain into Eastern Europe is a thrill, and to see the buildings and bridges made famous in the first Mission:Impossible film was an added bonus!
A comfortable two hour flight from Cardiff Airport found us in the heart of the Czech Republic, admiring the abundant history and architecture. Quite how Prague attained it’s reputation as a Stag party venue is a puzzle. Although the beer is considerably cheaper than in the UK, there isn’t a seedy, party-going atmosphere which you would associate with, for example, Amsterdam and Bratislava.
There is so much culture to absorb, as the centre has been carefully preserved. The former Czechoslavakia decided not to fight against the invading German army in 1939, and thus avoided any bloodshed or destruction of property. The city is now protected by UNESCO, and there is much to admire.
The city is over 800 years old, dating back to the time of Prague’s celebrated King, Charles IV. In fact, the town is so old that it is often used as a “stand-in” for movies which are supposedly set in Victorian London. Many of the original buildings still exist, including the Astronomical clock tower, Powder tower, the beautiful church of St Nicholas, St Vitus’ Cathedral and the magnificent Prague Castle, which sits on the hillside watching over the inhabitants of it's bustling capital.
The Old Town Square is the central tourist spot and the many restaurants which line the perimeter are the perfect place to sit back, soak up the culture and watch the world go by. There are many guided tours which don’t cost much and these are the best way to get your bearings amongst the narrow, cobbled streets.
There is so much to see and do that we felt disappointed that we only had the 2 nights. The broad expanse of Wenceslas Square, the site from which Vaclav Havel gave the first free speech to half a million jubilant people in 1989, is filled with bars and shops, overlooked by the gothic National Museum.
As the old trams rattled past, carrying their passengers along the cobbled streets, it inevitably evoked images of 1960's spy thrillers and John Le Carre novels. Fittingly, the icy temperatures saw the need for hats, scarves and gloves to add authenticity to the Cold war romance.
The food and drink is very good value, and the people are very friendly. We were warned in advance to be wary of pick-pockets, but the situation is no worse than around Oxford Circus around 12pm on a Saturday. As long as you’re careful, you’ll be fine.
The flight, with BMI Baby cost around £50 in total for 2 people and the hotel cost £100 for two nights. We bought 2 tickets for the incredible Prague Symphony Orchestra which cost £17 each and took £100 spending money between us which was ample.
It’s surprisingly close to the UK, and is a hidden gem in the centre of Europe. It’s just waiting to be explored.
