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[Asian Nicole]

Hello Gentlemen,

"I see a vast city, whose glory will touch the stars." - Princess Libuše, founder of 9th century of Prague.

Prague, capital city of the Czech Republic, is bisected by the Vltava River. Nicknamed “the City of a Hundred Spires,” it's known for its Old Town Square, the heart of its historic core, with colorful baroque buildings, Gothic churches and the medieval Astronomical Clock, which gives an animated hourly show. Completed in 1402, pedestrian Charles Bridge is lined with statues of Catholic saints. The city has a temperate oceanic climate, with relatively warm summers and chilly winters.

It's Asian Nicole. Two years ago, my first visit to Prague was like stepping into a fairy tale, a Disney Land for grownups almost. I was a bit lost at first, and drawn towards only the most touristic parts of the city. There truly is a ton of things to see and to do in Prague’s center, especially when you are new.

 

[Asian Nicole]

Hello Gentlemen,

Prague is a political, cultural and economic centre of central Europe complete with a rich history. Founded during the Romanesque and flourishing by the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque eras, Prague was the capital of the Kingdom of Bohemia and the main residence of several Holy Roman Emperors, most notably of Charles IV (r. 1346–1378). It was an important city to the Habsburg Monarchy and its Austro-Hungarian Empire. The city played major roles in the Bohemian and Protestant Reformation, the 30 Years' War and in 20th-century history as the capital of Czechoslovakia between the World Wars and the post-war Communist era.

I took a fantastic 2.5 hours cruise along the Vltava River which is flowing into Prague from southern Bohemia, offers some of the best views of the historic centre of Prague. I sat upstairs and had an awesome view of both sides of the river. Loved the commentary which was informative and very knowledgeable.

This is the famous Charles Bridge.

 

[Asian Nicole]

Hello Gentlemen,

Prague is home to a number of well-known cultural attractions, many of which survived the violence and destruction of 20th-century Europe. Main attractions include Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, Old Town Square with the Prague astronomical clock, the Jewish Quarter, Petřín hill and Vyšehrad. Since 1992, the extensive historic centre of Prague has been included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.

The city has more than ten major museums, along with numerous theatres, galleries, cinemas and other historical exhibits. An extensive modern public transportation system connects the city. It is home to a wide range of public and private schools, including Charles University in Prague, the oldest university in Central Europe.

 

[Asian Nicole]

Hello Gentlemen,

Prague is a magical, golden city of cobbled streets and a hundred spires, however, most importantly, a city that is always amazing and original. Aside from the poetic attributes, its comparison to a European textbook of architectural styles most describes the singularity of Prague.

Prague is ranked sixth in the Tripadvisor world list of best destinations in 2016. In 2019, the PISCA Index ranked the city as the 13th most liveable city in the world. Its rich history makes it a popular tourist destination and as of 2017, the city receives more than 8.5 million international visitors annually. In 2017 Prague was listed as the fifth most visited European city after London, Paris, Rome and Istanbul.

 

[Asian Nicole]

Hello Gentlemen,

When I think of things to do in Prague one of the first activities that comes to mind is taking in the views from the Charles Bridge. This is an unforgettable experience that will doubtlessly stay with you for years to come. Walking across the Charles Bridge is an absolute must for first time visitors of the city.

Charles Bridge is a historic bridge that crosses the Vltava river in Prague. Its construction started in 1357 under the auspices of King Charles IV, and finished in the beginning of the 15th century. The bridge replaced the old Judith Bridge built 1158–1172 that had been badly damaged by a flood in 1342. This new bridge was originally called Stone Bridge but has been "Charles Bridge" since 1870. As the only means of crossing the river Vltava until 1841, Charles Bridge was the most important connection between Prague Castle and the city's Old Town and adjacent areas. This "solid-land" connection made Prague important as a trade route between Eastern and Western Europe.

The bridge is protected by three imposing Gothic towers and is home to 30 Baroque-style fine statues. Among the most important are those of Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV and John of Nepomuk, the country's most revered saint, unveiled in 1683 (a more recent superstition involves rubbing the plaque at the base of the statue for the granting of a wish).

Think about that as you walk over its storied cobblestones.

The Lesser Town Bridge Tower

Statue of Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV and Statue of John of Nepomuk

The Holy Crucifix and Calvary Statue

 

[Asian Nicole]

Hello Gentlemen,

Prague Castle is the largest ancient castle in the world. It is also the most renown of all of the city’s many landmarks. Set atop a hilly vantage point overlooking the Vltava River, the castle is a staggering work of architectural design. Within the castle walls are a number of Prague's most popular tourist sites, including St. Vitus Cathedral, St. George's Basilica, the Powder Tower, the Old Royal Palace, and the Golden Lane. St. Vitus Cathedral is especially impressive!

Sporting an abundance of arches, gargoyles, and massive Gothic spires that soar into the sky. The cathedral IS what everyone pictures when they think of Prague castle. The park around the castle is peaceful, green, and magnificently landscaped. A walk amidst the leafy pathways while marveling upwards at the castle on a sunny day makes for an unforgettable experience.

 

[Asian Nicole]

Hello Gentlemen,

Situated within the grounds of Prague Castle, the Roman Catholic St. Vitus Cathedral is the Czech Republic's largest and most important Christian church. Seat of the Archbishop of Prague, it's also home to the tombs of numerous saints and three Bohemian kings. Founded on the site of a Romanesque rotunda built in AD 925, the cathedral was started in 1344 and took more than 525 years to complete, resulting in a mix of modern Neo-Gothic and 14th-century Gothic styles, along with Baroque and Renaissance influences (be sure to keep an eye out for the impressive gargoyles adorning the exterior of the cathedral).

The current cathedral is the third of a series of religious buildings at the site, all dedicated to St. Vitus.
St. Vitus Cathedral is stunning! You can see the distinctive towers in various parts of Prague.

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[Asian Nicole]

Hello Gentlemen,

The interior and stained glass windows inside are also gorgeous. The highlights include stunning stained glass windows depicting the Holy Trinity, a mosaic from 1370 (The Last Judgment), and the St. Wenceslas Chapel with its spectacular jewel-encrusted altar with more than 1,300 precious stones. Also of note, although rarely displayed, are the Czech crown jewels (on average, they're exhibited just once every eight years).

It is a must-see when you come to Prague. Be sure to make the climb up the cathedral's 97-meter main tower for splendid views over Prague! You can visit the castle and have food and drinks in many little restaurants around the cathedral.

 

[Asian Nicole]

The Back View of St. Vitus Cathedral

 

[Asian Nicole]

A walk amidst the leafy pathways while marveling upwards at the castle on a sunny day makes for an unforgettable experience. Wow...What a view! If it is your first time visiting Prague then you will, doubtlessly, be spending a lot of time in the vicinity of Prague Castle.

Walking down the hill

 

[Asian Nicole]

After visited the Prague Castle, we were heading to the St. Clement's Cathedral.

Municipal House is a perfect destination for fans of the Art Nouveau movement.

Here it is.

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[Asian Nicole]

Hello Gentlemen,

The St. Clement's Cathedral is the name given to a Catholic church of the Byzantine Rite located in Prague, and functions as the cathedral of the Ruthenian Catholic Apostolic Exarchate of Czech Republic. The church was erected as a cathedral with the Bull "Quo aptius" by Pope John Paul II of March 13, 1996, which established the Exarchate.

The church has a single nave Baroque style, was built by the Jesuits in the Clementinum area between 1711 and 1715, and it was built on the site of an older Gothic church, where the Dominicans in 1227 founded their monastery, which was destroyed by Hussite Protestants in 1420.

Inside the church a rich decoration is observed, with statues of the Fathers of the Church and the Evangelists placed in niches in the walls, the work of Matthias Braun. The main altar is decorated with a painting by Josef Kramolín. The original iconostasis was subsequently replaced by a new one in 1984.

 

[Asian Nicole]

Hello Gentlemen,

Prague’s Old Town Square is one of the most spectacular squares in Europe (it’s probably also one of the few that are actually shaped like a square). The square has seen centuries of history with some of its Gothic buildings dating back to the 14th century. This impressive square managed to survive World War II mostly unscathed, which is rare for European cities. Parts of it are so well preserved you might wonder if you took a step back in time.

During high season the Old Town Square is very crowded, and catering mostly to tourists. My advice is that don’t eat here as the restaurants are predictably over priced. Instead sip on a beverage purchased elsewhere, and take in the incredible architecture and ambiance of the city center.

 

[Asian Nicole]

Prague's astronomical clock is a popular tourist destination with a rich history. Installed on the front side of the Old Town Hall Tower in 1410, the clock consists of a number of different parts, including 12 apostles that appear on the hour from 9 a.m to 11 p.m.

 

[Asian Nicole]

Prague is one of those incredibly beautiful cities in Europe that’s perfect to explore. You see, it’s got something for everyone: history, tasty food, gorgeous cobbled streets and loads of stunning buildings. For me, the thing I loved most about Prague was how walkable the city centre is, and the whole time whilst you’re in the city and you can actually see most places with a little, leisurely, stroll.

Trdelnik: This delicious treat originates from Hungary actually, but it is a big tourist favorite. It is baked dough over coals with your choice of toppings. The classic one is cinnamon, but there are also nut ones too. You can have it filled with a nutshell spread or ice cream. Some shops sells it in black with charcoal ice cream.

Prague’s Funky Sculptures - Franz Kafka Sculpture

There are many interesting sculptures in Prague, such as the above 2003 Franz Karka statue by David Cerny. His works include giant faceless babies, a man riding an upside down horse, 2 naked men urinating on a map of the Czech Republic, along with notable work consisting of a ladder leading to a gaping anus which invites the viewer to stick their head inside. Now that’s a vacation photo everyone can enjoy.

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A Sculpture That Turns Heads: Czech artist David Cerny created a truly one-of-a-kind sculpture that can only be witnessed in Prague. The installation depicts the head of Franz Kafka, the famous 20th-century Czech writer. Its 42 moving pieces of stainless steel make up a head that weighs 45 tons but rotates fluidly. The movement of the sculpture is a nod to the personality disorder that Kafka wrestled with during certain times in his life, and that inspired some of his most vivid writing.

The notable work consisting of a ladder leading to a gaping anus which invites the viewer to stick their head inside.

2 naked men urinating on a map of the Czech Republic

a man riding an upside down horse​

 

[Asian Nicole]

Hello Gentlemen,

On picturesque Little Quarter Square in the Old Town area stands St. Nicholas Church, one of Prague's newer churches. Built by Jesuits in the 18th century, it's a fine example of High Baroque and is notable for its splendid interior with its unique 19th-century chandelier, as well as the large Baroque paintings by Czech artist Karel Skreta that adorn the huge cupola. Of particular note are the church's two historic organs, the oldest of which was built in 1745.

The church also features a bell tower, which visitors are permitted to climb, from the top of which are great views over the church's huge dome and the old city.

 

[Asian Nicole]

Wow...It is one of the MUST visit places in Prague. Brilliant architecture and sculptures.
It is a real piece of art!

 

[Asian Nicole]

Hello Gentlemen,

Before arriving in Prague, I had a few ideas about what Czech food would be like. When I thought of Czech cuisine, I pictured heavy meaty dishes that I’d wash down with plenty of cold beer. And while I certainly found the traditional meaty options, I found some surprises as well.

Sausage in Dark Beer: This is not just sausage boiled to death in beer and served up with a side of neon yellow mustard. These sausages are broiled and serviced with a skin that snaps slightly when you bite into it. The sauce is rich and brown and the mustard that it is paired with is slightly spicy without overpowering the flavor of the dish. Pair it with a nice Czech Pilsner and you will go home happy every time.

Dumplings are almost never eaten alone, but they deserve their own entry in this list. Czech dumplings can be either wheat or potato-based and are steamed or boiled rather than baked. At their best, they are so fluffy and delicate that they must be sliced with a thread. The resulting slices are sop-up-your-sauce perfection.

Beer (but not just Pilsner): You can’t mention food and drink in the Czech Republic with bringing up beer. For a pilsner, you’ll find the famous Pilsner Urquell in most bars and restaurants, and it’s definitely worth trying. But beyond the pilsner, there are local breweries and brew pubs that all have their own specialties, ranging from pale to dark beers, even unfiltered wheat beers and IPA’s.

I visited a lovely old pub in the old town in Prague, and they were highlighting over 70 different beers on tap. Can’t decide on a beer to try? Since the Czech Republic is the country with the highest beer consumption per capita in the world, you’re likely to find an expert opinion.

Then, I went to another restaurant for the delicious roasted pork knuckle.
pork knuckle (or pork knee), is a slow roasted pork joint typically served with cabbage, mustard, horseradish, and some pickles. It was on my Prague food radar as soon as I arrived. When I placed my order, the waiter made sure I understood that it the order was “for two people.” Ok, no worries.
Wow... it was fantastic!

The plate arrived with a huge piece of meat — definitely plenty for two, or more. The juicy pork meat was barely holding onto the bone, and was layered with fat which kept it moist during the roasting process. But the crispy, crunchy skin was the star.

Roasted Duck Leg: Simply Amazing!

 

[Asian Nicole]

After the ultimate amazing meal, I was wandering around the shopping streets in the old town in Prague.
Wow...I found this interesting toys store. Happy Halloween, everyone!

 

[Asian Nicole]

Hello Gentlemen,

Bohemian glass, chiefly referred to as Bohemia crystal, is glass produced in the regions of Bohemia and Silesia, now parts of the Czech Republic. It has a centuries long history of being internationally recognized for its high quality, craftsmanship, beauty and often innovative designs. Hand-cut, engraved, blown and painted decorative glassware ranging from champagne flutes to enormous chandeliers, ornaments, figurines and other glass items are among the best known Czech exports and immensely popular as tourist souvenirs. The Czech Republic is home to numerous glass studios and schools attended by local and foreign students.

When I walked inside the glass shops, I was amazed by those Bohemian crystal and glass. They looked absolute stunning!