Authentic Travel
Prague: The Only 3 Things You Should Do There
Avoiding tourist traps in Prague
“Prague is overrun with tourists! Prague was beautiful until it got popular! Prague is not what it used to be!”
Chances are you’ve heard someone say these phrases if you’ve expressed an interest in visiting Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic. But if you know where to look and how to look, you can get the best out of any ‘over-visited’ city. Look no further than this article for the only 3 experiences you’ll ever need in Prague.
Genuine local food
Yes, most of us know to avoid the restaurants which have ‘Authentic’ in its title. Yet there’s so many around in the touristy areas and everyone seems to be having a good time, ‘seems’ being the operative word. Before our trip, I got on to Google, used our hotel as the base and searched for restaurants near it. I only clicked on the ones closest to the hotel AND also which had at least 4 stars and over 1000 reviews. That’s how I found Restaurace Mincovna, a stellar traditional restaurant just steps away from Old Town Square. The service was impeccable, the menu was accessible and varied, and the portions were hearty and plentiful. Washed down with good Czech beer, we had dinner here on two nights, and everything was consistently great.
A place of unique interest
The Czech Republic is famous for its glassware and has lots of shops and stores selling top-tier merchandise, but for a factory visit, you’ll need to venture out of the city. There are many group tours advertised on TripAdvisor, but a careful online search will yield private companies which are not that expensive, yet will provide transportation and a guided tour to Nizbor, one of the towns with a famous glass factory. I searched high and low and found Lucy Tours, a family-run company who provided various kinds of tours in and out of Prague. For our needs, Lucy Tours was able to provide a custom private tour for 5 people to Nizbor in a comfortable van with a highly knowledgeable driver who was fluent in English. A four hour door-to-door guided tour from our hotel to picturesque Nizbor cost less than $320. Imagine if you were traveling with friends and you could split this cost. It was economical for the quality and comfort we received and is highly recommended for a special visit.
A cruise with a difference
Yes, the Czech Republic is famous for its beer. And for cruising on the Vltava river. And for getting drunk on beer on the Vltava, probably. There are a million places to drink Czech beer and just as many boats on the river, but I wanted a more mellow and classy experience. After a fair bit of Googling, I stumbled upon a company called Wine Boat. Imagine sitting in a classy pontoon boat with white leather chairs, cruising silently on the river while being served Czech wine and being told about the city’s history. Soft indie music in the background. Then just as the sun sets, the tour guide/sommelier plays Smetana’s ‘Vltava’ on the river while facing Prague Castle. You take the scene in as you sip a Czech red. What could be better? The cost of a private 1-hour cruise with 5 wine tastings and 5 people was just under $250. Considering the privacy, the luxury, the wine tastings, the number of people, and the uniqueness of this experience, it’s worth splashing out on, don’t you think?
Conclusion
So there you have it. If you have just two days in Prague, do the above 3 things to get a feel for the food, their strength in glassmaking, and their cultural landmarks. And remember, the search strategies that I have outlined can work in any location, not just Prague. Research extensively, read the reviews, look at the number of reviews and stars, and google ‘Unique experiences in
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