Prague Parking

Parking in Prague has become a real problem since the fall of communism, as if this fall made the city similar to other European cities in everything including traffic!

The first and stressed recommendation I hear every time about getting around in Prague is “use the Prague public transportations, don’t drive!”. But at some point you may find yourself with a car stuck in the streets with no plan on how to find a parking space!

Here are some points that, if you take into consideration, could be of some help.

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2 markets in Prague

The most famous markets in Prague are related to 2 events which are Christmas and Easter. Yet, if you visit the city in a time other than the holidays you should know a bit about the fixed markets there.

There’s a market called Havelske Trziste (Havel’s Market). It is in the Prague center close to the Metro (using lines A and B) so it’s easy to go there. You can go there any day on the weak till 18:00, but you should know that the market starts at different times through the week, so that:

-         From Monday to Friday it starts at 06:00

-         On Saturday it starts at 07:00

-         On Sundays it starts at 08:00

It’s an open-air market, so take care of rainy days!

The other market is the Prazska Trznice (Prague market) which is also close to the Metro (more specifically line C). It is considered as the largest open-air market in the whole city. It consist of a long series of small shops and kiosks selling variable goods such as fruit, vegetables, handcrafts, and much more! You can even find some primary electronic devices their such as radios and portable stereos. Also, you can shop of cheap clothes! It is not considered as a tourists place because of its cheap prices and location outside the center of Prague, but it is a good place to study the locals’ shopping life closely!

CIJ, the new form of Czech press

We all know that Prague used to be a communist country in the past. But when things changed there were many things that needed to be upgraded. For the sake of developing journalism James L. Greenfield, who’s a member of The New York Times editorial board, and Donald M. Wilson, who’s the publisher of Business News – New Jersey, established Independent Journalism Foundation in 1991. They had the vision of introducing a new generation of journalists to the society and to abolish the communism ideology that has been there for a long time.

The Foundation’s first accomplishment was the inauguration of the Center for Independent Journalism (CIJ) in Prague followed by many other cities.

In Prague, this center offered training sessions for Czech journalists and reporters to develop their skills according to the field of their specialization, like news reporting and electronic media. The classes were in Czech or in English with Czech translation, and they divided into lectures, workshops, field works and discussion groups in order to increase the quality of learning. This quality was proven by the increasing number of young journalists requesting to join the center each year.

This had a great impact on the press in Prague. If you go through the newspapers there you’ll find some skilled journalists with interesting topics.

Czech colours in XX century

Czech colours

The polychrome windows are one of the last chapters of the book of Czech art history represented by Saint Vitus cathedral. These windows were made by Alfons Mucha, master of liberty style, who become famous designing posters for the Sarah Bernardt’s theatre performances. Started in 1353 and ended in the last century, the cathedral is a trove of masterpieces of the whole Bohemian period.

Charles Bridge, the bridge of triumphs and sorrows

Prague Charles Bridge

Place of performances and parades, negotiations and recoveries, the Charles Bridge tells the story and the magic atmosphere of the city of Prague.

Prague seasons

travel

Prague is a really enchanting city because, like few places in the world, this Czech capital can enrich all type of atmosphere: by day, by night, but also with misty weather, in winter when the air is crystal clear, in autumn when it’s rainy or in the hotness of summer times. It is real: Prague is a city for every season. And this is the reason why it’s worth a visit even “out of the season”. In a working day, in a casual month, for a business travel, to make ourselves a present.

Prague hotels

hotel

Prague is a hugely popular tourist venue. Some grand hotels have been restored and new ones have been built. Standard of service and upkeep have been improving, but can still be below the western levels. Yet many hotels have raised their room prices steeply, exploiting the city’s tourist potential. Restaurants however, even smart ones, remain modestly priced and good value, as they cater for local people too. A meal for two with wine may be only a quarter of the cost of a B&B, whereas in France it might be twice the B&B price.

Standards outside Prague can still erratic. But I have been told of very few good hotels in Czech countryside or in the famous Bohemian spas. And where are the farm guest houses pleasant country inns?

Some hotels I have visited have no conception of creating an inviting ambiance, despite possessing an attractive building and having spent money on new facilities. Outside Prague, the general quality of food was very poor, but the service was usually friendly and bathrooms were spotlessly clean. I stayed at a large classic hotel in Karlovy Vary with a romantic garden and elegant bedrooms. But its restaurant had no menu: I was offered”meat, fish pr eggs”. I declined and finally dined at the Embassy hotel restaurant, where outdoors on a tiny bridge over the river I enjoyed pheasant with honey sauce.

Vrthouska Gardens

Vrthouska Garden

If you are planning to spend some time in Prague’s Lesser Town district, then you should consider stopping in at the Vrthouska Gardens to see some of its lovely and relaxing scenery. Vrthouska garden is approximately 3,000 square meters, which is not a very large space; however, this garden, designed by F.H. Kanka, is meticulously planned to make the best use of this small space, and is a perfect example of how to create a beautiful garden environment with a smaller plan. The Vrthouska Gardens are designed in the traditional Italian style and features terraced flowerbeds along it gently sloping hillsides. Large-scale and distinctively ornamental staircases provide walking access amid the terraces, and many of the walkways are decorated with statuary depicting the Gods of Roman mythology. There is also an observation area at the top of the terraced area of the garden where you can get some beautiful views of Lesser Town. While Lesser Town is a bit out of the way from the main sightseeing areas of Prague, it has a number of nearby hotels and it is a nice area to spend some of your vacation time.

The Jewish Quarter

Prague’s Jewish quarter is absolutely fascinating. Josefov is completely surrounded by the Old Town. It used to be a Jewish ghetto and was also planned as an “exotic museum of an extinct race”. The Jewish quarter has only six remaining synagogues and all of are beautiful structures and have incredible historical significance. There is the Old New Synagogue, the Moorish designed Spanish Synagogue, the Pinkas Synagogue, the now museum Maisel Synagogue, and the baroque Klaus Synagogue.

The Jewish cemetery is especially interesting. The number of graves is unknown. Since the Jews were restricted to their ghettos they had no space to expand their already full cemetery. Their solution was to merely build on top of the cemetery. Layers and layers of graves and tombstones are built on top of each other. The tombstones sprout out of the ground every which way: side by side, crooked, and on top of each other. Bushes and trees are everywhere covering the little sunlight that does peeks through. The whole place has tinge of grey and gives off an somber, melancholy vibe. You can enter the cemetery and walk through the designated paths and see for yourself the astonishing number of graves that exist in such a cramped area. There are also astounding memorials remembering all the Jews that have died, with their names written all over the walls. It is truly a sentimental moment for people of any race.

To discover more about Prague head on over to suzytraveler.blogspot.com

Gardens of Prague

Wenceslas Square

Prague’s intrigue doesn’t wear off with the seasons. The city is a travelers dream, for you can visit the historical place any time of the year. European summers aren’t too bad. Although the heat may become too much to handle, it’s almost always perfect weather to take a meditative stroll through one of the many lush and decorated parks or gardens. While doing so you will definitely see first hand the clash between the Communist influence of eastern Europe to the modernization and capitalism of western Europe. Statues of communist leaders as well as old Kings or aristocrats can be found in any one of the parks.
My favorite gardens are the ones surrounding the awesome Prague Castel. A nice long walk, the gardens beauty surrounds you as you walk into lush greenery, beautiful plants, and a rose garden that will surely please your olfactory senses. The major parks and gardens you’ll want to visit are Franciscan Garden, in the heart of the New Town, Havlíčkovy Sady, Prague’s second biggest park and where you can visit the gorgeous Villa Gröbe, Letná Hill, a park with paths built for anything on wheels: skateboards, rollerblades, and bicycles, Vrtba Garden, a Baroque garden in Lesser Town decorated with flower beds and statues of ancient Roman gods.

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