PRAGUE: Jewel of Eastern Europe
When
thinking of Prague you could be forgiven for thinking of communism and
civil unrest. Prague has a deep rooted history in many of Europe’s key
events.
Founded over 1100 years ago 'Praha' as it is known to the Czech people, began as the seat of the Holy Roman Empire until the protestant reformation (The Thirty Years War) and was later a valued city of the Hapsburg Monarchy and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. After World War I Prague became the capital of Czechoslovakia and entered into a communist era.
So, you may think, what makes Prague such a fantastic holiday destination?
Founded over 1100 years ago 'Praha' as it is known to the Czech people, began as the seat of the Holy Roman Empire until the protestant reformation (The Thirty Years War) and was later a valued city of the Hapsburg Monarchy and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. After World War I Prague became the capital of Czechoslovakia and entered into a communist era.
So, you may think, what makes Prague such a fantastic holiday destination?
Due to its hefty cultural
background and presence in the 'Gothic' and 'Renaissance' periods Prague has
a wealth of splendid architecture and a magnificence of must see
locations for visitors. Even the hotels are enchanting with a
Poirot-esque feel of old world luxury.
My hotel is the five star Radisson Blu Alcron Hotel, located just off Wenceslas Square at the heart of the city. The rooms are in the
Art Nouveau style and merge the
elegance of a bygone era with modern features and amenities.
These include
flat screen TV, state of the art entertainment system Villeroy and Boch
china set for coffee and tea, an en suite marble bathroom with
L’Occitane toiletries, 24 hour laundry and room service, mini bar and
safety deposit box and the hotel also boasts 3 award winning restaurants
and an elegant cocktail bar.My hotel is the five star Radisson Blu Alcron Hotel, located just off Wenceslas Square at the heart of the city. The rooms are in the
Art Nouveau style and merge the
elegance of a bygone era with modern features and amenities. Wenceslas Square
Prague is a compact city so while public transport is safe and available it isn’t really needed as walking around the city is a more than attainable feat.
The Astronomical Clock is one of Prague’s most famous attractions, located in Old Town it is mounted on the wall of city hall and draws in thousands of visitors per year. The clock dates back to 1410 when it was made by Mikuláš of Kadaň and Jan Šindel professors of mathematics and astronomy at Charles University. While the clock itself is awe inspiring the surroundings of old town square are enough to take your breath away, with architectural styles such as the Gothic Týn Church and a treasure trove of quaint shops and street side cafes.
Another must
see is the Charles Bridge, at 516 meters long spanning the Vltava River,
it is one of the most beautifully decorated architectural designs I
have ever seen and pays homage to much of the history of Prague.For a bird’s eye view of the city you can climb one of the bridges towers, prepare to be bewildered and encapsulated as it is definitely a treat for the eyes.
Charles Bridge
Prague has so many things to see, old and new that it feels like you just simply fall from one scene of magnificence to the next!
If you want to go further a-field you can take a taxi or a romantic horse and carriage ride to Prague Castle founded in 880 by Prince Bořivoj of the Premyslid Dynasty. Recently visited by President Obama, the castle is around 20 minutes away from the capitals centre, nestled at the top of a hill looking down on the city. Entrance to the castle is around 350 Czech Crown around £12.50.
Prague is a city that has an eclectic mix of old and new, due to its involvement in many important events almost every building tells a story. The atmosphere in this Eastern European capital is nothing short of enchanting and you would be hard pressed to find a break with such an abundance of choices. Prague is definitely a city everybody should experience at least once.
Old Town
Getting there:
Co-op Travel (http://www.cooptravel.co.uk/
/01922 700007) have 3 nights room only in Prague at the five star
Radisson Blu Alcron Hotel, Prague, based on two sharing not including
transfers and BMI Baby flights from Manchester.
For hotel information visit:
By Charlene Rosina Ramasedi
