NOT your usual summer destination, Prague is one of the most beautifully eclectic cities and is a complete departure from life in England. Whether it’s the amazing food, shop scouring or the historical scenery to absorb, Prague hits every spot without the overly touristy feel. Here are a few of Pillow’s favourite places to eat, see and fall ever so slightly in love with. EAT
Palác Akropolis Kubelíkova 1548/27, Žižkov 130 00 Prague 3 Perhaps one of Prague’s most soulful and sensational coffee houses. The Art Deco theatre turn coffee shop and resturant during the day, hosts an array of avant-guarde stage plays as well as indie, rock and world music. But this isn’t all, for afters the theatre welcomes nightly DJs and the occasional MC to spice up desert. Plzeňská Pivnice U Zlatého Tygra Husova 228/17 Old Town, 110 00 Prague-Praha
Hard to pronounce, easy to remember. Keeping Prague’s traditional roots, this restaurant offers the equivalent of Prague’s ‘pub-grub’ – the staples. What our fish and chips is to us, is Svíčková to them (beef in a lemon and cream dressing), this hearty restaurant doesn’t necessarily guarentee healthy, but it does guarentee true and proper Czech food. SEE The Old Town or ‘New Jerusalem’ 110 00 Prague-Prague 1, Czech Republic The old town, or as Emporer Charles IV called it ‘New Jeruslam’ is one definitely not to be missed. With the hustle and bustle of the daily life, tiny trinket shops down even tinier streets, there is a whole new world to be discovered. Not to mention the old Valstejn Palace and cathedrals tucked away at the heart, offering breathtaking scenery and a glittering history.
Pražský orloj (Or the Astronomical Clock) Old Town Square 1/3, 110 00 Prague 1-Old Town You can’t be in Prague and NOT see this! First installed in 1410, this is the oldest astronomical clock in the world, and one of the most incredible. With legend dictating that Prague will suffer if it is not maintained, it goes on to say that the clock was made by a man called Jan Růže (also called Hanuš), who was apparently blinded so that he could not repeat his work. It is definitely worth waiting for the hour to strike to watch this amazing piece of architecture and machinery get to work! VISIT Prague Zoo U Trojského zámku 3/120 171 00 Praha 7 Who doesn’t love the zoo?! Prague’s zoo offers polar bears, giraffes and all walks of life, a good way to spend a sunny day with some exciting friends.
Lobkowicz Palace Prague Castle, Prague 119 00, Praha 1 The only privately owned building in the Prague Castle Complex. The museum takes a walk down Europe’s history through the eye of one of Europe’s (and indeed Prague’s) oldest and most distinguished Bohemian families; The Lobkowicz’s, offering equisite art collections to quiant palace cafes. SHOP Houpací Kůň – Rocking Horse Toy Shop Loretanske namesti 3,Prague11800 For something a bit different to take some, something authientic and quaint, have a look in the beautiful Rocking Horse Toy Shop. Owned by a small family, this shop offers exclusively Czech and Central European toys (not just rocking horses!). They also speak English (always a bonus – particularly with this language!) and you couldn’t find anything more local and hand-made if you tried!
Globe Bookstore and Cafe Pstrossova 6, New Town/Nove Mesto, 110 00 Prague There’s nothing more relaxing that having a cup of coffee and a good book on holiday, and the Globe offers both! So whether that’s mapping out a route for the day on a map, or exploring local history books, or even just a copy of The Time Travellers Wife, there will always be a book ready and waiting for you!