Prague--A City so Beautiful it was Spared by Hitler - Review of Prague, Czech Republic - Tripadvisor

“Prague--A City so Beautiful it was Spared by Hitler”
Review of Prague

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canada
Level 1 Contributor
2 reviews
5 helpful votes
“Prague--A City so Beautiful it was Spared by Hitler”
Reviewed October 23, 2009

Hilter so loved Prague, he wanted to save it for himself. When I heard this little-known fact, I just had to see it.

It is incredible to think the black heart of an evil dictator holds space for such reflection, Is it possible in some still moment he allowed the city's mysterious beauty to pause his disdain for humanity?

Upon further research, I learned a long list of famous people adored the perfectly intact medieval wonder. Franz Kafka was born and wrote his famous works there. Einstein took a teaching position at Charles University, Mozart composed some of his best Opera's in Prague.

In 2008, I decided to reinvent Christmas. Ready to ditch frenetic shopping sprees, barely tolerable social obligations and plastic Santas.. “We're going to Prague this Christmas!” I told my 21 and 16 year-old children. “No gifts this year.” We would enjoy the company of each other while exploring a magnificent city, immersed in language, culture, food, history, and grand architecture.

Lovers of travel, my kids were “in.” We invited two of their friends. We often travel with my daughter's companions and nothing delights me more than hearing their spontaneous laughter while watching young eyes devour the great and small amazements revealed in distant lands.

I found an apartment on the Internet in the heart of Old Town. It was five minutes walk from Wenceslas Square, host of the Velvet Revolution and right next door to the Cafe Louvre, where Kafka and Einstein frequently sipped coffee and wrote. It was pure joy to sip espresso and imagine how they both must have filled the space. Their energetic imprint surely remains.

Hundreds of years old, the apartment with its eighteen foot ceilings, massive raspberry colored rooms and long halls complete with secret doors was the ideal vacation home for history hungry tourists.

We meandered Prague's four main quarters allowing the significant sites to sneak up on us, digesting each marvelous detail in slow and easy breaths. Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, the Jewish Cemetery, and National Theater, to name just a few.

Our favorite area was Old Town Square. Host to the Astronomical Clock and guarded by the haunting Tyn Cathedral. Gazing up at the church in the cold night air, you almost expect Dracula to swoop out of the Gothic upper windows.

Nothing compared to the experience of shopping the red- roofed Christmas markets with scents of fresh baked goods, sausages and hot mulled wine wafting by your nose. Christmas carols playing gently in the squares and every front door home to a small Christmas tree adorned in oranges, lemons, cinnamon and bows. This was a Dickens Christmas minus the Scrooge. Not a plastic snowman to be found.

Since our trip, Christmas has new meaning. This year, we will not exchange presents. We will enjoy the gift of food, family, friends and music while kicking back and relaxing, taking in the beauty of winter and remembering the glorious city of Prague.

You can follow my blog at: http://redroom.com/member/lslbradford
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Helpful?
5 Thank lslbradford
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
ireland
Level 3 Contributor
14 reviews
13 helpful votes
“Prague”
Reviewed October 22, 2009

Went There for 3 days Beautiful city but did non feel safe at night was approached by 2 friendly girls for a light for their cigarette and they tried to pick my pocket me even though I with 4 of my friends luckly I was warned beforehand about this conn I just told them to go and [--] off and off they went with their minder and once it gets about 10 pm in Wenceslas Square all these black people appear and try to get you into the red light district shows etc. and they are very intimidating but its a pity about the downsides its really a lovely city

Helpful?
Thank thedub101
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
London, United Kingdom
Level 3 Contributor
8 reviews
6 helpful votes
“Prague - a brilliant city”
Reviewed October 21, 2009

We stayed with friends almost in the city centre and had a great time... Visited the castle at night which was lovely, sat by the river and drank hot wine, walked down the cobbled lanes and looked at the markets.. had a horse and carriage ride, took a tram outside the city.. frequented the bagel cafe more than once with free refills of coffee... Wenceslas Square was huge and we found a nice Vegetarian restaurant in a little shopping mall.
Always something going on in the squares, a bit like Covent Garden in London.

I loved the jewellery shops.... either entirely devoted to garnets, amber or silver... so much to choose from and all so different.

Even had a Tesco's which was great to walk around and look at the food which I love to do. The architecture is amazing, it is called the city of steeples, you can find your way around by looking at the steeples.

We picked up a white taxi bus from the airport as recommended by friends, always wear your bag on your front because of pick pockets and also beware of black market currency guys on the street. All this advised by friends who live there...oh! and wear comfortable shoes because of the cobble pavements.

All in all we had a lovely 5 days

Helpful?
Thank snoozie21
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Taubate, SP
Level 1 Contributor
3 reviews
7 helpful votes
“My favorite attraction in Prague”
Reviewed October 17, 2009

Cultural life in Prague is very rich. Try an opera or ballet at the National theatre. The venue is amazingly beautiful, Dress smart as the Czech do. Prices range from 30 to 1000 kronas. It is easy to find cheap ticket on the day.
Be careful with the cheap seats though . . .ask if there is full visibility of the stage. Usually , there are subtitles in english.

Helpful?
Thank Priscila S
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
nyc
1 review
“Prague; a beautiful little city”
Reviewed October 15, 2009

I've heard from a number of my friends of the years what a nice place Prague is to visit, so when I headed to Israel this summer and I had the oppurtunity to stopover there for just a little bit extra, I jumped at it. I really enjoyed my stay there; although I was only there for 18 hours I still felt I got to see a lot of the city. The architecture is very nice I dont know what type it is but its all splendid, and coupled together with everything being laid with cobblestones gave the city a quaint feeling. The people there were all very friendly. There are a lot of nice shops to stop in and look around in, especially crystal glass stores, for which the czech are famous, and some of their creations are quite beautiful. If you're Jewish, there are a ton of interesting sites from the past; Prague is one of the few cities that Hitler didn't destroy their synogauges, as a result there are some magnificent old ones with one (alteneaushuel) dating back to the 1300's, as well Pragues old Jewish cemetery. Overall, I really enjoyed my stay there and would definitely recommend it to others.
AS aside note, czech air put me up for free at the marriot across the street from the airport (as they do for all stopovers >8hrs.) When they bumped me on my way to Israel they compensated me with a flight in the morning, a nights stay at the marriot, and 400 euros. All in all a positive experience flying with them.

Helpful?
Thank prague5767
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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