Page 64 - Ath Airport Profile
P. 64
5dina.y..s The National Library Hall
Η Εθνική Βιβλιοθήκη
A riveting blend of stunning architecture and otherworldly elegance,
Prague is one of the few European cities that was undamaged by
the Second World War. Today, more than 20 years after the fall of
communism, Prague reveals itself as a cosmopolitan city disguised as a living
museum, with surprises awaiting you at every turn.
DAY ONE
A fter a pleasant 30 minute taxi ride from Prague International Airport,
I reach the Mandarin Oriental Prague (+4 20 233 088 888) housed in
a former 14th Century monastery in the historic Mala Strana (Lesser
Town). For my first close encounter with the city I decide to take a dinner cruise
along the River Vltava (myczechrepublic.com/river-cruises). As I gaze at the
city’s architectural treasures and marvel at the celebrated Prague Castle reflected
in the serene river waters, I begin to understand why Goethe referred to the city
as the prettiest gem in the stone crown of the world. This unusual perspective
haunts me back to the hotel; with such a jam-packed schedule ahead, I have a
feeling I will need all the rest I can get.
DAY TWOhis day is dedicated to discovering the Prague Castle (hrad.cz), perched
regally on a hilltop. Exploring Prague’s most visited attraction can
T easily take a day or more, but I manage to see the top sights –St.Vitus
Cathedral, the Royal Palace, St. George’s Basilica and the Powder Tower– in
the morning. I take the Royal Route back down to Mala Strana where I stop by
another Prague institution, Bohemia Bagels, for a speedy lunch (+4 20 257 218
192). Determined to get the most out of my day, I swing by Kampa Island, the
‘Venice of Prague’, where I visit the Museum Kampa, which features modern
European and Czech artworks. Indulging in the gourmet selections of Kampa
Park Restaurant provides the perfect epilogue to my day (+420 296 826 112).
DAY THREE
T earing myself away from the warmth of my bed, I brave the city’s
bitter cold to admire the sunrise from Charles Bridge; I am told early
morning, when the crowds are thinner, is the best time to visit. Dating
from the 14th century, Prague’s most celebrated structure is brimming with
activity, with portrait artists and street musicians lining the bridge. Crossing
the river I arrive at Stare Mesto (Old Town) and head straight to the Old Town
Square. The chimes of the famed Astrological Clock, which dates from the 15th
Century, remind me that it is lunchtime and I proceed to the Grand Cafe Slavia,
which exudes a 1930s Art Deco grace (cafeslavia.cz). Later in the evening and
after a classical music concert at the impressive Municipal House (obecni-dum.
cz), I follow the trendy crowd to Siddharta Cafe, located at the Buddha Bar
Hotel, where I enjoy the innovative “Eatmosphere” (+420 221 776 404).
DAY FOUR
T he past days have been demanding enough to warrant a day trip trip
to one of the Czech Republic’s most famous spa towns –Carlsbad
(karlovy-vary.cz). Several personalities have benefited from its
curative mineral waters, including Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Franz Kafka
and Ludwig Van Beethoven. I was encouraged to drink the local water as part
of the famed “drinking cure”, while other spa treatments, such as massages
and heat therapy, melt my fatigue away. Refreshed and invigorated, I walk
around the town, stock up on hand-made Moser glass and crystal items
before taking the funicular to the top of the Diana Observation Tower, where
a majestic view of Carlsbad unfolds right before my eyes. Back in Prague,
I decide to have a gourmet dinner at Le Grill Restaurant, at the Kempinski
Hotel (+420 226 226 126).
64
Η Εθνική Βιβλιοθήκη
A riveting blend of stunning architecture and otherworldly elegance,
Prague is one of the few European cities that was undamaged by
the Second World War. Today, more than 20 years after the fall of
communism, Prague reveals itself as a cosmopolitan city disguised as a living
museum, with surprises awaiting you at every turn.
DAY ONE
A fter a pleasant 30 minute taxi ride from Prague International Airport,
I reach the Mandarin Oriental Prague (+4 20 233 088 888) housed in
a former 14th Century monastery in the historic Mala Strana (Lesser
Town). For my first close encounter with the city I decide to take a dinner cruise
along the River Vltava (myczechrepublic.com/river-cruises). As I gaze at the
city’s architectural treasures and marvel at the celebrated Prague Castle reflected
in the serene river waters, I begin to understand why Goethe referred to the city
as the prettiest gem in the stone crown of the world. This unusual perspective
haunts me back to the hotel; with such a jam-packed schedule ahead, I have a
feeling I will need all the rest I can get.
DAY TWOhis day is dedicated to discovering the Prague Castle (hrad.cz), perched
regally on a hilltop. Exploring Prague’s most visited attraction can
T easily take a day or more, but I manage to see the top sights –St.Vitus
Cathedral, the Royal Palace, St. George’s Basilica and the Powder Tower– in
the morning. I take the Royal Route back down to Mala Strana where I stop by
another Prague institution, Bohemia Bagels, for a speedy lunch (+4 20 257 218
192). Determined to get the most out of my day, I swing by Kampa Island, the
‘Venice of Prague’, where I visit the Museum Kampa, which features modern
European and Czech artworks. Indulging in the gourmet selections of Kampa
Park Restaurant provides the perfect epilogue to my day (+420 296 826 112).
DAY THREE
T earing myself away from the warmth of my bed, I brave the city’s
bitter cold to admire the sunrise from Charles Bridge; I am told early
morning, when the crowds are thinner, is the best time to visit. Dating
from the 14th century, Prague’s most celebrated structure is brimming with
activity, with portrait artists and street musicians lining the bridge. Crossing
the river I arrive at Stare Mesto (Old Town) and head straight to the Old Town
Square. The chimes of the famed Astrological Clock, which dates from the 15th
Century, remind me that it is lunchtime and I proceed to the Grand Cafe Slavia,
which exudes a 1930s Art Deco grace (cafeslavia.cz). Later in the evening and
after a classical music concert at the impressive Municipal House (obecni-dum.
cz), I follow the trendy crowd to Siddharta Cafe, located at the Buddha Bar
Hotel, where I enjoy the innovative “Eatmosphere” (+420 221 776 404).
DAY FOUR
T he past days have been demanding enough to warrant a day trip trip
to one of the Czech Republic’s most famous spa towns –Carlsbad
(karlovy-vary.cz). Several personalities have benefited from its
curative mineral waters, including Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Franz Kafka
and Ludwig Van Beethoven. I was encouraged to drink the local water as part
of the famed “drinking cure”, while other spa treatments, such as massages
and heat therapy, melt my fatigue away. Refreshed and invigorated, I walk
around the town, stock up on hand-made Moser glass and crystal items
before taking the funicular to the top of the Diana Observation Tower, where
a majestic view of Carlsbad unfolds right before my eyes. Back in Prague,
I decide to have a gourmet dinner at Le Grill Restaurant, at the Kempinski
Hotel (+420 226 226 126).
64
