november-2010

†PER COUNTRY PER CAPITA
*PRICES QUOTED ARE FOR A RETURN TICKET IN B.LIGHT ECONOMY FROM OR TO BRUSSELS, ALL TAXES AND FEES INCLUDED, IF BOOKED ON BRUSSELSAIRLINES.COM. TICKETS ARE NOT CHANGEABLE, NOR REFUNDABLE. PRICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE
CZECH REPUBLIC Population 10,201,707 Currency Czech Koruna (CZK) GDP
PRAGUE
† €17,955 Dialling code +420
Airport code PRG Flight frequency Three times daily Average temp (Nov) 1°C
Christmas comes early
in Prague – the Czech
capital’s famed outdoor
holiday markets are up
and running from 27
November. It’s time to
explore an early winter
wonderland. Julie O’Shea
is our city guide
STARÉ MESTO
Wind your way through the city’s
breathtaking Old Town, the perfect
place to begin your journey.
SLEEP A modern design from celebrated
Czech architect Eva Jiricna, Hotel Josef
(20 Rybná, tel. 221 700111, hoteljosef.
com, rooms from €119/ CZK 2,930)
doesn’t just boast a prime location but
also serves one of the best breakfast
buffets in town.
CULTURE For classical music lovers, an
evening concert at the Rudolfinum (12
Alšovo nábreží), home of the Czech
Philharmonic Orchestra, is a must.
EAT U Knihovny (10 Veleslavinova, tel.
732 835876) serves traditional Czech
cuisine at prices normally only found in
the outer districts. You can’t go wrong,
whether you’re trying the goulash, potato
soup or mushroom-stuffed chicken. This
place fills up fast at weekends.
SHOP Beneath the spires of the Tyn
Church on Old Town Square, the city’s
largest Christmas market opens for
business on 27 November. Local
merchants hawk seasonal specialities,
from straw tree ornaments and wooden
toys to Bohemian crystal and ceramic
mugs – perfect stocking fillers.
LATER Grab a nightcap at Café
Montmartre (7 Retezová), a uniquely
decorated spot hidden down a quiet
alley. Order a glass of wine and toast
the Czech writer Franz Kafka, a frequent
patron here in the early 20th century.
TIP Free Prague Tours (freepraguetours.
eu) set off seven days a week at 11am
and 2pm from the Old Town Square on
Grand designs: the Hotel
Josef, ideally located in
Prague’s Old Town
INFO
Ruzyne
International
Airport is 10km
from the centre.
Bus The no. 119
runs between
the airport and
Dejvicka metro
station (line A)
every 7-20
minutes, taking
about 25 minutes.
Tickets cost €1/
CZK 26 and are
valid for 75
minutes on all
buses, trams
and metros.
Taxi A taxi to
the city centre
takes about 30
minutes and
costs around €24/
CZK 600 – but
always negotiate
before you set off .
Tourist offi ce
The main offi ce is
at 46 Vinohradská
(tel. 221 580111,
czechtourism.com).
the corner of Parížská street. They
provide a great introduction to all the
main attractions, plus a few behind-thescenes
scoops. Best of all, the licensed
guides work for tips and lavish praise.
NOVÉ MESTO
The city centre, or New Town, is
packed with hot nightspots and
fabulous one-of-a-kind restaurants.
SLEEP Pamper yourself with a Roman
spa treatment at the upscale Boscolo
Carlo IV Prague (13 Senovazne namesti,
tel. 224 593111, boscolohotels.com,
rooms from €119/CZK 2,930).
CULTURE A heavyweight trio of Carmen,
Aida and Tosca will take turns on centre
stage this month at Prague’s stately
National Theatre (2 Narodni divadlo).
You can also enjoy a special night of
Christmas music on 28 November.
EAT Moravský Archiv Vin (11
Navrátilova, tel. 296 325019) offers
typical Czech meat-and-potato-based
fare. What’s special is its extensive
Moravian wine selection, which the
staff will help you pair with the food.
Stop in for lunch and take advantage
of the reduced-rate daily specials.
, g
SHOP Decorated Christmas market
huts crowd the south end of Wenceslas
Square, where you can pick up woolly
hats, scarves and gloves, scented candles
and handmade jewellery, while staying
warm with Svarák (hot wine).
LATER Each table at the Beer Factory
(58 Václavské namesti) comes equipped
with its own tap, so you can keep the
Pilsner Urquell coming all night long.
VINOHRADY
This trendy, expat-friendly district
has a vibrant nightlife.
SLEEP Check out the Czech Inn (76
Francouzská, tel. 267 267612, czech-inn.
com, private rooms from €38/CZK 932).
Choose from dorm bunks, private rooms
or apartments and then take advantage
of the daily happy hour in the ground
floor café, which also hosts trivia nights
every Monday from 8pm.
EAT Mirellie (23 Korunni, tel. 222
521814) has the Mediterranean market
covered. The menu is a mix-and-match
of true perfection, from the grilled
octopus and tuna tartare to the long
list of risotto and linguine. It’s hard to
know where to start.
SHOP Popular with locals, the small
neighbourhood Christmas market on
Namesti Miru has fewer people and
a low-key vibe. Take your time browsing
the holiday gift offerings and make
sure you try a trdelník: a pastry made
from rolled dough and coated with
cinnamon and lots of sugar.
LATER Start the evening off relaxing
with a cocktail in one of the comfy
green-hued chairs or sofas in Radost
FX’s back lounge (120 Belehradska),
before heading to the dance floor
downstairs, where local DJs spin tunes
until the early morning hours. The club
has weekly theme nights and monthly
events to choose from.
€119 *
FROM JUST
RETURN ALL-IN
Fly to Prague from
just €119* return all-in.
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Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine November 2010 121