Beautiful Prague

Prague is a tourist hot spot that never seems to go out of fashion, and after many years of “threatening” to visit, 2017 has finally seen me tick it off my bucket-list. My husband and I visited with my cousins from Up-North; as we never seem to be able to sync calendars in this country, they suggested it would actually be easier to catch up on my travels! This amazingly-preserved medieval city coupled with a rich history, expansive parks, lively nightlife, and a hint of romance seemed to tick all the boxes from our combined “must-have” list so Prague it was! You could actually lose yourself for hours wandering the beautiful cobblestone streets and taking in all the quaint medieval houses and stunning architecture. The city has incredible charm and you can’t possibly tire if looking upwards to take in the marvel of all the stonework, until you get neck ache that is! The Old Town Square has numerous attractions from the Astrological Clock (installed in 1410, making it the third-oldest astronomical clock in the world), the beautiful St. Nicholas church, the underground catacombs, and my personal favourite building in Prague - the stunning Týn Church. Legend has it that the Tyn Church towers gave Walt Disney the inspiration for the Sleeping Beauty Castle. True or not, it is absolutely spectacular and you must see it by day and night to appreciate just how beautiful it is. Alternatively just sit and people watch and enjoy the numerous street artists from one of the many outdoor restaurants/cafes. Apart from the famous Prague Castle, there are a few pieces of outstanding architecture I personally think you should see: 1) The Powder Tower, or Powder Gate as it is also known, is an impressive Gothic tower and is one of the original 13 city gates. It separates the Old Town from the New Town. 2) The stunning Charles Bridge is lined with 30 baroque-style statues and statuaries, and is a perfect photo opportunity (if you can get close enough to one of them). Don’t miss the impressive 3 protecting bridge towers - two of them on the Lesser Quarter side and the third one on the Old Town side. 3) Vyšehrad, said to be the original first settlement point of Prague, is a historic fort containing the Basilica of St Peter and St Paul, as well as the Vyšehrad Cemetery where many of Prague’s famous are laid to rest. The Rotunda of St Martin from the 11th century is the oldest surviving building in Prague and there's much more to be seen here! 4) The Scouse in me was of course desperate to see the John Lennon Wall. Towards the end of Communism in the 1980s, students started writing John Lennon lyrics on this wall as a way to air their grievances. Today, the wall represents love and peace. Tourists can write or paint on. Head over to the Kampa area below the Charles Bridge to see it, a beautiful little haven amongst the hustle and bustle of the city. 5) Amongst the beautiful historical Prague, there are a few modern wonders, none more seemingly out of place than the Žižkov Television Tower. This ugly but intriguing structure is located around 3.5km from the Charles Bridge and is actually a member of the World Federation of Great Towers. It is also home to a restaurant, café bar, one room hotel and boasts panoramic views of Prague and the surrounding areas! As well as these, you must visit The Jewish Quarter dating back to the 12 th century - it's steeped in its own mystical history. Known as Josefov, the former Jewish Ghetto is home to the oldest still existing synagogue in Europe. If you like a good walk, then Petrín Park is definitely one to go on your list of things to visit; the city’s biggest and most beautiful park, it has sweeping views of Prague that are well worth the uphill walk to reach it. You’ll find beautifully manicured gardens, a maze, museums, a Monastery, a brewery and a lookout tower that was built as a mini version of Paris's Eiffel Tower in 1891 for the Jubilee Exhibition. On the way down stop in the quirky Peklo restaurant which is built inside the caverns of the monastery for a bowl of traditional goulash soup (served in an edible bread bowl) and a glass of Blueberry Beer, brewed on-site. If you don’t feel like making the trek, there is a funicular that can take you down (and up) the hill! So to sum up, “the City of a Hundred Spires” really was worth the wait to visit and absolutely did not disappoint. I absolutely loved spending four days “getting lost” exploring the centuries old history, taking in the stunning architecture, beautiful views and of course sampling the local delicacies with a few cocktails thrown in for good measure!