Monday, February 22, 2016
Meet our Staff - Robert
Jak by ses popsal pěti slovy?
Přátelský, empatický, vstřícný, pracovitý...těžko říct...hodný?
How would you describe yourself in five words?
Friendly, emphatic, down to earth, hardworking....hard to say...kind?
Jaká je Tvá pozice u Prague City Apartments?
Pracuji jako noční recepční.
What's your position at Prague City Apartments?
I work as the night receptionist.
Jak obvykle probíhá Tvůj pracovní den?
Po příchodu do práce následuje více méně sled administrativních činností, případně ubytování "opozdilců". Většinu noci pak strávím odpovídáním na emaily a řeším krizové situace typu vypadlé pojistky, ztracené vstupní karty,...
How does your working day usually looks like?
After starting my shift, it is more or less about the administrative work, eventually checking-in "latecomers". Most of the night I spend answering email and solving crisis situations such as problems with safety fuse or lost entrance cards...
Dokáže Tě na práci něco překvapit? Vybavíš si nějakou veselou situaci z práce?
Nedá se říct, že by mě v práci něco překvapovalo. Spíš jsou věci, co mi zvednou náladu a věci, co mi ji zkazí.
Veselo jsem na recepci měl například tehdy, když se mi tu jeden "lehce" připitý kolemjdoucí rozhodl předvést umění jógy :-)
Is there something what can surprise you at work? Any funny moments?
I can't say that I get surprised at work. It's more about thing which makes me feel better or worse.
I remember one funny situation when one "slightly" drunk passer-by decided to show me the art of yoga. :-)
Co Tě baví ve volném čase?
Rád čtu, brouzdám po internetu, sem tam si i zacvičím.
What do you do in your free time?
I like reading, browsing the internet or doing some workout from time to time.
Jaké předměty Tě ve škole bavily a jaké ne?
Jak se říká: "Když nemůžeš o něčem říct nic dobrého, neříkej nic", alespoň pokud mluvíme o střední škole. Na vysoké mě baví historie, filozofie a nebaví třeba taková antropologie.
What were your favourite school subjects and what not?
There is one saying: "If you can't tell anything nice about something, don't say anything", this applies to my studies at high school. Now, at university I like history, philosophy and don't like anthropology.
Jaké je Tvé oblíbené místo v Praze? Co bys doporučil hostům Prague City Apartments doporučit?
Například Břevnov (Praha 6), kde bydlím, což je jedna z těch zelenějších částí Prahy.
Určitě bych doporučil Staroměstské náměstí a Karlův most. Ale ne odpoledne nebo večer, kdy je to tam hlava na hlavě. Přivstaňte si a vyražte za svítání, kdy většina města ještě spí. Ten pocit, že máte tato místa prakticky jen sami pro sebe, je k nezaplacení.
What's your favourite spot in Prague? Which place would you recommend to guests of Prague City Apartments?
For example, Břevnov (Prague 6), where I live, is one the greenest parts of Prague.
I would definitely recommend the Old Town Square and the Charle's Bridge. But not in the afternoon or evening, when these places are incredibly crowded. Get up early and leave the apartment during sunrise when the city still sleeps. That feeling, that you almost own these places, is priceless.
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.
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
Meet Our Staff - Jane
Jak by ses popsala pěti slovy?
Je dost náročné popisovat sebe sama. Myslím si, že jsem energická a cílevědomá. Snažím se být empatická, nápomocná a doufám, že jsem i pracovitá.
How would you describe yourself in five words?
It is very difficult to describe yourself. I think I'm energetic and ambitious. I try to be emphatic, helpful and hope I'm hardworking too.
Jaká je Tvá pozice u Prague City Apartments?
V Prague City Apartments pracuji na pozici recepční. Ovšem kromě klasických úkolů plním i jiné, například průvodce. Moc ráda hostům povím zajímavosti o lokalitě, místech, které stojí za to navštívit a hlavně kdy. Těší mě, když check-in a delegatura nejsou pouhým formálním úkonem.
What's your position at Prague City Apartments?
I work at Prague City Apartments as a receptionist. However, my job is not only about the classic receptionist duties but also about the additional service, f.e. guiding. I like telling our guests interesting facts about location or places which are worth to visit and when as well. I like the fact that check-in and delegation is not just a formal task.
Jak obvykle probíhá Tvůj pracovní den?
Jeden z důvodů, proč mám moji práci tak ráda, je to, že je opravdu různorodá. Nicméně mám vždy úkoly, které spadají do každodenních povinností. Na směnu nastupuji v 8 hodin ráno. Dopoledne je ta část dne, kdy se připravuji na příjezd nových hostů. V 11 hodin je check-out, takže se také s hosty loučím. Přibližně od dvanácté hodiny hosté začínají přijíždět na recepci, což znamená, že přichází hlavní úkol dne - check-in a delegace. Delegace je v případě, jakmile je apartmán připraven. V průběhu celého dne odpovídám na emaily hostů a plním jejich nejrůznější přání - nákup potravin, rezervace míst v restauracích, výletů či exkurze s průvodcem. V 8 hodin večer končí má směna. Tehdy si s nočním recepčním předáváme důležité informace a úkoly.
How does your working day usually look like?
One of the reasons why I like my job, is that it's really various. However I always have to complete tasks which belong to my daily duties. I start my shift at 8 o'clock in the morning. At 11 is our check-out time, therefore I have to say goodbye to our guests. Around noon the new guests are arriving which means the main task of the day is approaching - check-in and delegation. Delegation is possible as the apartment is cleaned and ready. During the whole day I'm replying to emails and fulfilling the wishes - like grocery shopping, making reservations at restaurants, trips or guided excursions. My shift ends at 8 o'clock when I pass all important information and tasks to the night receptionist.
Dokáže Tě na práci něco překvapit?
Jak jsem již říkala, práce recepční je velmi rozmanitá. Díky tomu se setkávám se spoustou zajímavých a veselých okamžiků.
Is there something what can surprise you at work?
As I already said, my job is very various. Thanks to it I'm experiencing loads of interesting and funny moments.
Co Tě baví ve volném čase?
Ve volném čase nejraději navštěvuji divadlo, výstavy nebo se také ráda procházím Prahou. Pokud je zrovna vhodná sezóna a dostatek času, ráda cestuji za památkami do zahraničí.
What do you do in your free time?
I like going to theatre, exhibitions or just walking through Prague. I like travelling abroad for sightseeing depending on the season and time.
Jaké předměty Tě ve školy bavily a jaké ne?
Mezi mé nejoblíbenější předměty ve škole patří literatura, dějepis, dějiny umění a ekonomie. Na vysoké škole mám zatím jen samé zajímavé a přínosné předměty. Největší potíže mi dělalo účetnictví na střední škole. Věřím, že na vysoké to půjde lépe...
What were your favourite school subjects and what not?
My favourite subject at school is literature, history, history of arts or economics. Now, at university, all my courses are interesting and a real pay off. My biggest trouble was accounting at college. I hope it will get better at university...
Jaké je Tvé oblíbené místo v Praze? Co bys doporučila hostům Prague City Apartments navštívit?
Jedním z mých oblíbených míst v Praze je čtvrť Hradčany. Doporučuji hostům vyjet tramvají č. 22 do zastávky Pohořelec a odtud sejít dolů až na Malostranské náměstí. Má to úžasnou atmosféru, jak ráno, tak večer. :)
What's your favourite spot in Prague? Which place would you recommend to guests of Prague City Apartments?
One of my favourite places in Prague is Hradčany quarter. I recommend to our guests to use a tram no.22 and go to Pohořelec stop and from there walk down til they reach Malostranské náměstí (Malá Strana Square). It has an amazing atmosphere no matter what day time it is :)
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 |
Tuesday, October 6, 2015
Top 10 Things in Prague in October
Colorful autumn is here so as our October list of events in Prague. You can still enjoy sightseeing, now without thousands of tourists but with your coat on. Today, we bring you our top 10 events which are worth to visit.Prague’s sights will be again lightened as in the previous years. This popular event is coming back with its video mappings and interactive and light installations.
Our tip: visit the festival during Thursday or Friday, weekend is usually very crowded.
Video from the last year:
Designblok/ Prague Design and Fashion Week 22. - 27.10.
Designblok is the international largest design event in Czech Republic focused on the latest trends!
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| Designblok / Image: ekonom.ihned.cz |
Prague Halloween Walk 30.10.
On Friday the people of Prague will unite in Halloween fashion and walk through the city centre in what is expect to be the largest to costume walk ever in the Czech Republic!
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| Image: wholelifechallenge.com |
Apple & Cider Festival 9. - 10.10.
The apple festival is being held at Jiřího z Poděbrad Square. Come and taste different finest ciders, apple pies or apple compotes while listening the live music. Also, theatre for children will be there.
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| Image: praha.eu |
Taste the traditional meals of Vietnam this Saturday! Restaurant will cook for you all day. Entrance fee: 50 CZK and we recommend to buy the tickets in advance online.
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| Image: kqed.org |
Prague Cake Festival 17.10.
First year of this unique sweet festival. Come and try cupcakes, muffins, cakes, pies and other sweet delicatessen. Entrance fee: 150 CZK and tickets are still available.
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| Image: facebook.com |
Goose & Cider festival 17.10.
October is all about food! Náplavka will be on 17th full of goose pate, goose burgers, baked goose and cider as well. Admission free.
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| Image: zesterdaily.com |
Richard Clayderman - Live with strings 20.10.
We are happy to welcome this famous French pianist in Prague. Do not hesitate and buy your ticket now!
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| Image: informuji.cz |
Event dedicated to all coffee maniacs and fans is finally happening again.
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| Image: prague.eu |
Prague Indian Film Festival 7. - 11.10.
Indian movies, documentaries and the Indian party, all in the city centre of Prague!
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| Image: bollywood.cz |
