Monday 6 July 2020

Czech Republic





Czech Republic is a very charming country to visit in the Central Europe. There are over 2,000 castles around the country. The world's largest complex is in the beautiful capital city Prague which has become one of the world's most popular tourists destinations. The romantic Charles Bridge is a popular place for taking wedding photos. Numerous movies were filmed in this beautiful city, such as Mission: Impossible, les Misérables, The Illusionist, etc. The whole Historic Center of Prague became UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992, which is very rare to see.


Must Do

1. Buy 72-hour Ticket (Children and Adult: 310 CZK, Child under 6 y.o. and Seniors over 70 are free) for Prague City Transit

2. Use your credit card to pay attraction tickets and supermarkets (cash mis-handling issues reported by tourists).

3. Search information and do your homework prior to your trip. Most local people don't speak English. 

4. Visit the beautiful small town Cesky Krumlov for a day trip from Prague by train or bus

5. Experience the subway system in Prague because that's the longest escalate I have ever seen. Subway is so deep underground which is undeliverable!

6. Visit the following two restaurants with best values in Europe: Krcma Satlava cave restaurant in Cesky Krumlov and Krcma Brabant in Prague. Both of them have large portion, unbeatable price, delicious dishes and excellent service.

7. Ask restaurants whether or not they will take credit cards, even though you see MasterCard and/or Visa stickers on the restaurants' front door.

8. Stay at Airbnb apartments which is much cheaper than hotels in Prague. Book Airbnb from the link below will save you $62 CAD/$43 USD/41 instantly for your first stay anywhere around the world      https://www.airbnb.ca/c/weic3807?currency=CAD


Avoid

1. Don't get currency exchange from local banks or currency exchange in Czech Republic. 

2. Don't buy handcraft Pinocchio in Cesky Krumlov. Instead, buy it in the outdoor market in Prague for much cheaper price.

3. Do not buy Prague Card (attractions): expensive and poor values considering most attraction admissions are inexpensive.

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Trip Highlights (2017)

We took direct train from Prague (leaves at 9:01 am) to Cesky Krumlov) arriving 11:52 am. The train ticket is 179 koruna (7). It is about 30 mins walk from train station to this beautiful castle on the hill. 


Impressive Cesky Krumlov Castle

Inside Cesky Krumlov Castle


View of the whole town from the Castle

View of the whole town from the Castle Garden

Cesky Krumlov Castle Garden Fountain

Cesky Krumlov Castle Garden

We had a nice walk in this beautiful small town - Cesky Krumlov

Fountain and Plague Column is a landmark in Cesky Krumlov

Krcma Satlava Cave Restaurant in Cesky Krumlov has super high rating on TripAdvisor.  We loved the atmosphere inside the cave. Roasted Pork Knuckle is a popular cuisine in Czech Republic. We also ordered delicious fish and steak. The price is incredible reasonable with big portion. We reserved online one month by email before our trip and received confirmation email. Strongly recommended!

Cesky Krumlov Castle View from the bridge. We caught the return train at 5 pm. Please note: the only direct train to Prague leaves Cesky Krumlov at 14:07 daily. You may only need half day to explore the whole town. Cesky Krumlov is so well-preserved without any damage during the Second World War. 

The subway station is amazing deep underground in Prague


Charles Bridge is a major attraction in Prague. It was packed by many tourists during our visit. Its construction started in 1357 and the bridge is 516 meters (1,693 feet) long and nearly 10 meters (33 feet) wide. It is also a popular place for wedding photos taken. Tip: plan your visit the first thing in the morning to avoid crowds on the bridge. 

Charles Bridge in Prague

There are 30, predominantly Baroque, Statues on the Charles Bridge from 17th to 18th centuries

Prague Castle is the largest castle in the world. Tip: buy a combo ticket  for CZK 350/person or CZK 700 per family includes four sites of Prague Castle and they take credit card in the ticket office

St. Vitus Cathedral (construction started in 1344) is the biggest and most important church in Czech Republic. This Roman Catholic church is part of Prague Castle

Highlight for St. Vitus Cathedral: Stained Glass Windows are well--known in Europe

The most beautiful stained glass Windows I have seen

St. George's Basilica (Part of Prague Castle)

 Golden Lane (Part of Prague Castle)

Old Royal Palace (Part of Prague Castle)

Strahov Monastery is a Premonstratensian abbey founded in 1143.  The highlights for this monastery are the two "World's Most Beautiful" libraries and Easter Asian Antique Collections. The entrance fee is 150 CZK/Adult or 300 CZK/family (cash only, no credit cards), Photo Permission (a yellow sticker) for 50 CZK. Staff frequently checking the yellow sticker for tourists taking photos on-site. 

The Philosophical Hall in Strahov Monastery

Beautiful Painting on the Ceiling at Philosophical Hall in Strahov Monastery

Strahov Monastery has very good collections of Eastern Asian antiques

Eastern Asian Antiques in Strahov Monastery

Beautiful Theological Hall with Stucco Decoration and Paintings in Strahov Monastery

Dancing House (Constructed in 1994)  in Prague 

Prague Astronomical Clock is a medieval astronomical clock which was first installed in 1410, making it the third-oldest astronomical clock in the world and the oldest clock still operating. 

Visited Prague Old Town Hall and Saw Twelve Apostles Inside the Prague Astronomical Clock

Prague Old Town Hall: ticket CZK 210/adult (take credit card): Strongly recommend tourists to visit Prague Old Town Hall, so you can take incredible photos to for Prague. 

View of Prague Old Town on the top of Old Town Hall 

Another View of Prague Old Town on the top of Old Town Hall 

City View on the top of Old Town Hall , Zoomed In to See Prague Castle

Jan Hus Monument at Prague Old Town Square

Church of Our Lady Before Tyn from Old Town Square. There are numerous shops and restaurants more than 10 blocks within in the radius. Old Town Square is the most popular attraction in Prague. 

All surrounding buildings look gorgeous at Prague Old Town Square

The Old-New Synagogue in Prague. It is Europe's Oldest active synagogue (Constructed in 1270) 

Prague Castle In the Evening

Prague Street In the Evening

Old Town Square in The Evening

The Powder Town in Prague: It is on the of original city gates. It separates the Old Town from the New Town. 
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Useful Maps 

Prague Attractions Map

Cesky Krumlov Attraction Map