Showing posts with label winter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label winter. Show all posts
Friday, January 13, 2017
Top 10 Things to Do in Prague in Winter
Snow and ice everywhere, temperatures dropping to -15 °C and you don't even want to leave your apartment? Prague City Apartments gathered 10 awesome tips for winter days in Prague you will love. Get your warmest clothing and let's start!
1. GO FOR A MORNING WALK ON THE CHARLES BRIDGE
Every local knows that nothing compares to the morning Charles Bridge. No people, no noise, just you and one of the most beautiful bridges in the world (and maybe a couple of other people who read this article). Believe it or not, in winter it is even more stunning. Everything looks so clean and magical covered by fresh snow. But be careful, in January it can get really cold in the morning so don't forget your scarf, gloves and a hat. We recommend to get up before 6 A.M., it will be definitely worth it. :)
2. WALK ALONG THE FROZEN VLTAVA RIVER TO THE NATIONAL THEATRE
From the Charles Bridge take a walk along the Vltava river. If you're lucky enough, Vltava will be frozen and you'll get an unforgettable view of the Prague Castle and the Lesser Quarter with white roofs (not red this time). You'll pass a number of monuments and famous sights like Kranner's Fountain or Manes Exhibition Hall. You can have a coffee in Café Slavia or continue to the Dancing House.
3. GET A PORK KNEE FOR A LUNCH
In a cold winter there is nothing better than a proper Czech meal for a lunch. It warms you for the rest of the day. Our recommendation? Definitely a pork knee served with dumplings and cabbage or with sauerkraut and potatoes. You can get it in Mlejnice restaurant in the Jewish Quarter (Zatecka 14 street), only 4 minutes walking from the Residence Brehova or just 1 minute from our apartments Maiselova 5 and Maiselova 17!
4. VISIT A BALLET IN THE NATIONAL THEATRE
The National Theatre is one of the most important cultural sights in the Czech Republic. This majestic building overlooks Vltava river since its reopening after a fire in 1883 and Czechs can't be more proud of it. In winter you can see Romeo and Juliet, The Nutcracker and the Cuddly Mouse, La Bayadère or The Little Mermaid. Visit a theatre's website to see a detailed programme. The National Theatre is located just 3 minutes from our Residence Karolina!
5. GO SKIING TO THE CZECH MOUNTAINS
Well this is not exactly a thing to do in Prague but if you love skiing or snowboarding you can't miss this! Especially if you stay in Prague for more than a few days. You've never heard of the Czech mountains? They are not that high as the Alps but they are beutiful! Less than 2 hours drive and you can ski in Spindleruv Mlyn or Harrachov in Krkonose mountains, Klinovec or Bozi Dar in Krusne hory mountains or you can try even Moninec which is just an hour and half from the center of Prague! In every ski resort you can rent a ski set. A great one day trip!
6. GO TO THE KRIVOKLAT CASTLE
Just 40 minutes drive from Prague there is one of the most popular and most important castles in the Czech Republic, Krivoklat castle founded in the 12th century. Even though the castle's interiors are closed in January you should visit the sight because of its impressive exterior and surroundings. Krivoklatsko is an area with lovely nature, rolling hills and deep woods, great for a winter walk and a delicious lunch in one of the local pubs. If you really want to see the castle chambers and the museum, you can come every Saturday in February from 11 A.M. to 2 P.M.
7. WALK THROUGH THE LESSER TOWN AND GO TO THE PETRIN HILL
Lesser Town (Mala Strana in Czech) is a district that lies below the Prague Castle on the left bank of the Vltava River. It is connected to the Old Town by the Charles Bridge. There is a large number of notable buildings and interesting places – such as the baroque Church of St Nicholas. In winter you can just stroll around or go to the Petrin Hill - totally different experience in winter!
8. GO TO THE PRAGUE CASTLE
In the winter evening go to the Prague Castle. A walk from the Petrin Hill can be especially nice as you will see both the Lesser Town and the Old Town covered in snow! The Castle district has a magical atmosphere in the evening and when it's snowing it gets even better. There is not many tourists up there after 6 P.M. in winter which is a great plus!
9. GET A ROAST DUCK WITH CABBAGE AND DUMPLINGS
After a long winter day you will need another delicious Czech meal! It's time for dinner and the best idea is to find a good pub with even better roast duck and the best Czech beer. Not far from the Prague Castle you'll find a medieval-style traditional Czech restaurant "U Modre kachnicky" located in Nebovidska 6 street. They have another restaurant in Michalska 16 street, just 1 minute walk from the Old Town Square and not more than 10 minutes walking from all our apartments!
10. VISIT KAMPA ISLAND AT NIGHT
And finally after a good dinner a night walk comes in useful. You will love a quiet stroll through the romantic corners of the Kampa island. The northern part of the island, the Certovka stream is called the Prague Venice. Definitely visit also the Lennon's Wall or a famous water mill and don't forget to look around at all the beautiful historical buildings.
We hope you liked our 10 tips and don't forget to add some more in comments below! What do you like to do in Prague in winter?
Friday, February 5, 2016
What to do in February in Prague
Farmer's Markets at Náplavka - 6.2. - 31.12.Popular markets are starting this week, hooray! Every Saturday from 8AM - 2PM you have a chance to buy local vegetables, fruits, homemade pastry or sausages or just a bouquet or tulips. Markets are very popular among Czech who take their own wicker baskets and head here to buy grocery for the whole week.
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| Image: www.praha3.cz |
Annual awards regularly help to draw the attention to both professionals and the public to exceptional individuals and events in a specific field. They also enable us to appreciate and bring fame to works of specific creators. From February 23 you can visit the National Technical Museum to see finalists of CGD and their creations.
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| Image: www.earch.cz |
Fascinating exhibition which will introduce you the destiny of Titanic and its story as well. Exhibition is full of the ship's equipment, the furniture, costumes or even the luggage of the passengers. The whole exhibition is very rare and unique, all artefacts are priceless. Therefore, it is forbidden to use flash in your camera or mobile phone. Tickets are still available.
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| Image: www.vystavatitanic.cz |
Festival of Nordic Movies - 15.2. - 15.3.
Nordic Film Club brings to people Nordic cinematography which might not be well known in Czech. You can look forward to almost 20 films, famous or not, all of them provided with Czech/English subtitles. Tickets and programm is available here.
St. Matthew's Fair - 20.2. - 17.4.
One of the traditions in Prague. Would you like some candy floss, riding on carousel or have fun with your children. Take them to the Exhibition area in Holešovice and spent a day here.
Sunday, January 3, 2016
How to spend January in Prague
A proper winter just started but crowds who spent Christmas and New Year's Eve left the city. Now it might be the perfect time for exploring Prague. However, don't forget to bring gloves and scarf with you.Here is our list of 10 events happening in January which are worth to visit:
Czech Press Photo - until January 31st
The competition and the subsequent exhibition yield an independent and authenic visual testimony about life at home and abroad as seen by professional photojournalists living in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Czech Press photo supports the interest in photojournalism as a tool of interpersonal understanding and recognition.
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| Image: informuji.cz |
Three Kings will visit the Prague ZOO this day with little gifts for children visitors and blessing for the animals. Singing carols is also welcomed. The top of the day is meeting with camels - animals which Three Kings used for their journey to Bethlehem.
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| Image: zoopraha.cz |
In several places in Prague is possible to rent ice skated and perform some serious figures on the ice rink. Please don't hesitate to ask our staff for directions.
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| Image: kaldendarakci.atlasceska.cz |
The Festival Carnevale is not just a colourful show of historical allergorical festivities, but also a event full of brilliant ideas, unique skills and splendid creativity. After last successfull years you can look forward to a wide programm in museums, theatres, galleries and schools or restaurants. Programm will be published here.
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| Image: prague.eu |
The best and most inspirative short films from the whole world are here for 11th time. The audience will have the opportunity to watch dozens of films in traditional sections - the international competition, the overview program of Czech cinema, the experimental films section Labo and the late night Brutal Relax Show. Tickets will be available from Januray 15 here - entrance fee is 90 CZK.
Out of Limits - until 28.2.
If you want to visit the famous Dancing House with combination of art - it is your chance. Czech artist and designer Bořek Šípek presents his own retrospective exhibition on second floor of the Dancing House. Almost 200 artistic pieces is presented - from glass art to designer pieces - all collected during his life.
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| Image: nymbursky.denik.cz |
Festival Spectaculare is created for all fans of modern art. The main part is music in combination with theatre, ballet, videoart, videomapping of photo art. You can enjoy seven concerts, several workshops, film projections and on top of that three exhibitions. Tickets are still available.
Galadegustace Žofín - 28.1.
International exhibtion of wines and liquors where you can buy whatever your mouth will like. All wines will be introduced directly by vine-growers themselves. Entrance fee - 590 CZK/person. Contact us for any help with buying tickets (website is only in Czech language).
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| Image: jenproholky.cz |
I see for it is night represents the internally focused art of Toyen in several main sections. Carefully selected paintings were provided by many significant state and private Czech and Parisian collections.
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| Image: ostrava.idnes.cz |
Want to find out something new about Czech cubism? About Czech cubistic architects? This exhibtion is right for you. Held in beautiful House at the Black Madonna, not far from the Old Town Square.
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| Image: czechtourism.com |
Thursday, December 24, 2015
Christmas in the Czech Republic
December 24 - "Štědrý Den" (in English: Generous Day)One of the most important thing for Christmas is baking cookies and sweets. We do start in advance, usually when the Advent starts. We bake gingerbreads, vanilla rolls, wasp nests or Linz cookies with marmelade. Then you have to have a new year's resolution to lose some weight. :)
We celebrate Christmas on December 24 and open the present this evening as well. The programm is simple - watching fairy tales on TV all day long.
In the old days, this day used to be a fasting day. People would only eat a bit or nothing at all. These days, this tradition is still being kept or at least well known. Can you imagine not to eat all day and wait for dinner? According the tradition, if you fast all day, you will see "the golden piglet" on the wall. The main food which is served during the Christmas day is "Vánočka" for breakfast - a sweet coloured bread which is delicious with butter or jam or even without anything.
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| Vánočka/ Image: maskrtnica.cz |
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| Dinner on Christmas Eve/Image: radio.cz |
However, you can find people who don't like carp so they eat salmon instead. As the carp has own unique taste, which not everyone likes and it has a quite lot of bones (not good for children), Czechs have fried schnitzels on the table as well. We do believe that if you put one of the fish-scales into your wallet, it will bring you more money the next year. Traditional soup for the Christmas dinner is a fish soup. Dessert is also served, it can be ice-cream with cream or apple strudel.
During the dinner, it is a tradition which does not allow to stand up and leave the table as one the member sitting there will die. You can leave the table til you are all finished with your meal.
After dinner, families sing the carols or they listen them during the dinner. Czech children believe that presents are brought by "Ježíšek" (Baby Jesus) who comes to the room with Christmas tree through the window which you left open before the dinner. So as Santa Clause, even Ježíšek receives the wish letter from children few days before Christmas. Now, it is time to open your presents which are under the Christmas tree. You are eating sweets you baked and spend some time together. This tradition has couple of positives - you will look good on photos and you can sleep as long as you want on the next day. After, you opened all presents, it is about 7PM and the main fairy tales start on TV.
After having dinner and opening presents, it is time for other traditions. Girls can throw a shoe behind their back and if the front of the shoe is pointing out to the door, the girl will be married the next year.
You can also cut apples in half. If you find a star shape in the core, you will be healthy and happy. If not, you won't.
Favourite tradition is making ships from the walnut shells and small candles and putting them into water in the wash-basin. If the ships are swimming nicely all together, you will be all happy in the family. If one ships drowns, it means break-up or crisis.
Other popular tradition is pouring the heated lead into cold water. Then you take your lead from the water and try to find what this shape means for you.
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| Image: users.prf.jcu.cz |
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| Image: womanonly.topzine.cz |
Some people end Christmas Eve by attending the Christmas mass (Vánoční mše), which usually starts at midnight in churches.
December 25 & 26
During these days, meals are not that strict as on the Christmas Eve. Meals vary from families or regions. On St. Stephen's Day the tradition is to eat roasted turkey or goose with dumplings.
Families usually stay at home and relax or visit relatives such as grandparents to share with them this special time.
Saturday, December 5, 2015
How to spend December in Prague
Sport:Christmas Night Run - 19.12. Jan Palach Square
Running race for 5 km through the city centre of Prague. Registration is still possible: http://www.night-run.cz/registrace.html
Headlamp is necessity to avoid any injuries (you will be running at dark). Christmas hats or costumes are possible and welcome to wear.
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| Image: informuji.cz |
Festivals:
designSupermarket - 10. - 13.12. Kafka House
4 days full of young and professional design. You can visit exhibition, presentations, workshop, party or just buy something you like.
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| Image: kalendarakci.atlasceska.cz |
Handcrafts - open daily 9AM - 6PM
You have chance to see numerous craft workshops, for example wooworking, basket, ceramic, textiles, glass, metal, tailor, cobbler or bookbinding one.
Christmas markets all over Prague - til 3.1.2016
The biggest markets are easily found at the Old Town Square or the Wenceslas Square. You can also admire the biggest Christmas tree in Czech republic at the Old Town Square with hot wine in one hand and trdelnik in the other.
Christmas at the Old Town Square 24. - 27.12.
Enjoy the festive season this year at the Old Town Square. You can taste traditional Czech fish soup on December 24 from 1-3PM or the church mass from 9-10PM the same day. Other Christmas days you can listen other concert or watch fairy tales.
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| Image: prague.athome-network.com |
Children:
Night Zoo 4.12. - 19.12.
Do you love animals? Are you trying to entertain you kids while staying in Prague? Take them to the Night Zoo and see how the animals live after sunset. Tours are starting at 5PM or 5:30PM at the main entrance of the Zoo. The first of both tours is recommended for children.
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| Image: cz.marys.cz |
New Years Eve. How to spend this night in Prague? Here is the list of some of the many events happening in Prague. http://www.restaurant-guide.cz/en/restaurant-new-year.html.
The list presents all tasty restaurants in Prague with prices for this night.
As you can spend the Christmas at the Old Town Square, the New Years Eve programm is also ready for this place. Just be ready it will get crowded during the night. The programm starts at 1PM with a revue for families, magicians show and other attractions for children. Children programm ends at 6PM when the adults show is starting til midnight.
So how are you going to spend your December holidays in Prague?
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| Image: private-prague-guide.com |
