Holidays in Prague in winter!
On the eve of the next New Year holidays, I want to share my impressions about my trip to the Czech Republic during the last winter holidays.
It was not the first time I went to the Czech Republic, I saw the main sights of the country in the form of Karlovy Vary, etc. The goal was to walk around Prague in winter and visit several castles that I had not seen. On the recommendation of friends, I turned to the Zlata Prague tour operator, they did not have such a tour as I wanted, but the manager, according to my wishes, made me and my girlfriend an “individual option”. No complaints, everything is clear and exactly what I wanted.
Winter in Prague is also good. A little warmer than in St. Petersburg, most importantly, we had a rest from snowdrifts, since everything was cleared in Prague. We walked around Prague with pleasure, the result - look at the photos, they will say more than words.
We lived at the Royal Court Boutique hotel and Spa 4 * - it hardly reaches 4 *. But we didn’t count on much, the manager told us about him: rather 3+. The room had everything we needed, including underfloor heating in the bathroom and a DVD player, but the carpet was dirty and the high mattress single beds were not very comfortable. However, the price and location suited us completely - 15 minutes walk to Wenceslas Square.
On the first day we walked around the Old City. I conducted a kind of excursion for a friend who visited Prague for the first time. We walked along the popular tourist route through the streets of the Old City, looked into the Jewish Quarter, where there are many ancient and beautiful synagogues. Naturally, they made a wish on the Charles Bridge, looked at the island of Kampa. We dined at the Prague Bridge restaurant, where they brew their own very good beer, the food is tasty and cheaper than in other tourist places, and we had a discount coupon that we were given back in St. Petersburg from a tour operator that we used. I especially liked my favorite beef "Sví č ková ".
On the second day we reached Prague Castle (tram 22, cost from 18 to 26 kroons - depending on how long it takes, but I heard that transport prices in Prague have grown). Of course, this place is unforgettable and beautiful even in the winter season. Presidential Palace, Schwarzenberg Palace, Loretta, St. Vita. In a word - beauty! We wanted to walk to the Strahov Monastery, where, according to rumors, they offer very tasty beer, but we were so tired that we didn’t have enough strength to walk. We dined again in the Old Town, where we descended from Prague Castle. This time we chose the restaurant "At the Governor" - the cuisine is wonderful, fried cheese and the dessert "ladybug" - you lick your fingers, but very noisy. By the way, in almost all restaurants such bagels hang on the tables - they look very appetizing - be careful, this is a bait - they take 30 kroons for one such bagel, which is about 60 rubles.
On the third day we reached the famous Prague Zoo. To get to the zoo, just take the metro to the Nadrazi Holesovice station, bus 112 stops next to the metro, on which after 10-15 minutes we got to the Zoologicka zahrada stop, it’s hard to get lost - each stop is indicated on the bus on a special scoreboard, the bus runs along schedule. We spent the whole day at the zoo. They paid for the entrance either 100 kroons, or 150, I don’t remember exactly, and I understand that there are different prices, depending on the time of year. Near the entrance there are baskets where you can take pieces of fruit to feed the animals, which is very convenient. In the Prague Zoo, indeed, many animals can move almost freely. I was especially struck by the peacock slowly crossing the path along which we walked. We didn't have time to see everything in 5 hours! By the way, the zoo has several cafes and vending machines with chocolate chips and so on, so you can walk and refresh yourself periodically.
We devoted the next 2 days to castles, namely Karlš tejn, Kř ivoklá t, Sychrov and Melnik. I'll try to be brief.
Karlstein. It takes about 1.5 hours to drive from Prague, the sightseeing bus stops not at the castle itself, but about 20 minutes walk from it, but it is located on a hill, part of the way up the hill had to be overcome. But the castle outside is very colorful, "photogenic". Inside, the interiors are modest, since this is a medieval castle, then they didn’t do much decoration. Unfortunately, you can’t take pictures in the castle, they also don’t lead you to the main attraction - the chapel, trimmed with gold and precious stones. But the history of the castle itself is interesting, what is shown is worthy of attention. By the way, you can see an example of the decoration of that very chapel, as well as copies of the royal and imperial crowns, which were once kept in this castle, and now in Vienna.
Krivoklat. It took about 50 minutes from Karlstejn, then to Prague - about an hour. One of the oldest castles in the Czech Republic - inside the interiors are more interesting than in Karlstejn, I remember the story about the features of the "male" and "female" halves of the castle. I was impressed by the library, the torture chamber, the exposition of winter sleighs of different times - from the Middle Ages to the 19th century. It's a pity that, again, you can't take pictures.
Sykhrov. From Prague we drove 1.5 hours. Perhaps this is the most interesting castle in terms of interiors that I have seen on this trip. Around the castle there is a huge park - according to the time - covered in snow, but the picture with fog is impressive. I remember the beautiful interiors, carved wooden ceilings, stained-glass windows, a library, the story that the owners of this castle helped the Nazis during the Second World War, which did not allow them to return this castle to their possession, unlike the next Melnik castle, where the owners proved their innocence to the Nazis and received the rights to their castle. It is allowed to take pictures in the castle for an additional fee, I think 100 crowns.
Miller. From Prague - half an hour drive. It is located in an interesting place - the point where the Vltava River (flows in Prague) flows into the Elbe River. The castle is famous for its vineyards and wine. By the way, we participated in the tasting. Photography is not allowed in the castle. Excursions lead only to part of the castle, so there is a residential part, where the owner of the castle actually still lives. The interiors are more modest than in Sychrov, but somehow I liked it more - more comfortable, nicer, more charming.
On the last day, my friend and I climbed Petř í n Hill, the observation tower of the Petř í n Tower, which many call a copy of the Eiffel Tower. The views from the tower to Prague are amazing, even despite the fog. Well, we ended the trip, of course, with shopping, which was very fruitful.
The result of our trip: a friend again went to Prague in the fall and calls me for the next year!
