november-2012

u BCN BSL BRS HAJ MRS OSL PRG BMA TLV TRN
PRAGUE
Czech Republic
10,177,300 +420 2°C
Czech Koruna (CZK)
three times daily
julie o’shea
savour the cultural delights to be found in
the labyrinthine streets of Prague’s Old Town
STARE MESTO
The world-famous boulevard,
a kaleidoscope of colour and
characters, runs down past the
oldest part of town, where you’ll
find medieval palaces, charming
squares and stylish boutiques.
SLEEP The Savic Hotel (7 Jilska,
(0)224 248555, savic.eu, rooms from
€94/CZK2,342) has romantic beamed
rooms and a stellar breakfast buffet,
with pancakes cooked to order. Also
in the thick of the action is the Jewel
Hotel (3 Rytirska, (0)224 211699,
hoteljewelprague.com, rooms from
€101/CZK2,511), which offers goodvalue
winter discounts and special
holiday packages.
EAT Pasta Fresca (11 U Celetna,
(0)224 230244) is one of the capital’s
best Italian spots. The gnocchi is
exceptional, as is the extensive wine list.
For dessert, head up the street to the
Grand Café Orient (Ovocny trh 19,
(0)224 224240), which has a fabulous
Art Deco interior and delicious cakes
and coffees.
CULTURE The Afro-Bailar Prague
Festival, which runs from 1 to 4
November, celebrates different styles of
dance and music at the Latino Dance
Club in the Kotva department store (8
Namesti Republiky). The programme
includes live performances, dance
workshops and fashion shows.
SHOP Havelske Trziste (Havelska
INFO
Ruzyne International
Airport is 10km from
the city centre.
Bus
The no. 119 runs
between the airport
and Dejvicka metro
station (line A)
every seven to 20
minutes: the journey
takes around 25
minutes. Tickets
cost €1.39/CZK34
and are valid for 75
minutes on all
buses, trams and
the metro.
Taxi
A taxi to the city
centre takes 30
minutes and costs
around €24/CZK
600 – but always
negotiate before
you set off.
Tourist info
The main offi ce is
in the Old Town Hall
at Staromestske
namesti 1,
(0)221 714444,
praguewelcome.cz
For superb gnocchi,
head for Pasta Fresca
in the Old Town
street) is a good place to start your
Christmas shopping – a popular
outdoor market that sells everything
from fruits and vegetables to magnets,
wooden toys and other souvenirs.
LATER M1 Lounge (1 Masna) attracts
a young, twenty-something crowd with
DJs spinning house, indie, hip-hop,
dance and R&B.
NOVE MESTO
Wenceslas Square, the hub of the
city’s New Town, is a prime location
to scout out shops, entertainment
and eateries.
SLEEP Hotel Ambassador-Zlata
Husa (5-7 Vaclavske Namesti, (0)224
193876, ambassador.cz, rooms from
€108/CZK2,689) is a five-star fixture
on Wenceslas Square, with one of the
best locations in the city.
EAT Pivovarsky dum (28 Jecna,
(0)296 216666) serves Czech cuisine,
including the chef’s specialities of
stuffed potato dumplings and roast
pork. It’s also making a name for itself
as a microbrewery, whose creations
include coffee-, sour cherry- and
banana-infused beers. Tex-Mex
devotees will enjoy the spice of
Banditos (2 Melounova, (0)224
941096), serving classic tacos,
quesadillas, enchiladas and burritos,
and lunchtime burgers and wraps.
SHOP The Globe Bookstore & Cafe
(6 Pstrossova) is the city’s oldest
English-language bookshop, and
regularly hosts literary readings,
movie nights and live music.
TIP Prague’s historic main post office
(14 Jindrisska) is open daily from 2am
to midnight, for round-the-clock
postcard-sending.
SMICHOV
With easy access to the city
centre via tram or metro, this
up-and-coming borough has its
own vibrant nightlife scene and
plenty of restaurants and pubs.
SLEEP Hotel Julian (11 Elisky Peskove,
(0)257 311150, hoteljulian.com, rooms
from €89/CZK2,215) has reasonably
priced standard rooms, family suites
and cosy attic hideaways, a few blocks
from the Vltava River.
EAT Attracting a loyal local following,
Café Savoy (5 Vitezna, (0)257 311562)
has a lot of character and a great
breakfast menu. Potrefena husa
(23 Nadrazni, (0)257 941669) is
another reliable bet. Part of a chain run
by Staropramen, whose brewery is just
up the street, it serves traditional
Czech dishes.
LATER Perched on the waterfront, Jazz
Dock (2 Janackovo nabrezi) is the place
to catch live music from a selection of
international acts. The bar dispenses
some inventive cocktails, and there’s
a simple menu consisting of burgers,
steaks and the like.
88 november 2012
FLY TO prague three times daily. brusselsairlines.com