Guest Blogger: Al Hermansen
Other Trip Members: Mary Strand and Travel Beyond Consultant Jenny Strand.
I can honestly say, I never thought I would travel to 
Prague. Though I have visited other European cities and countries, the Czech Republic was a destination that was a little too “foreign” to me. I had so many concerns and questions. Wouldn’t it be too far and difficult to travel to? “What would their food be like?” “Would anyone speak English?” Would I be able to get to my destinations without a major hassle?” But, I did go, and I am happy to report that it was one of the best trips of my life. The food was outstanding, the city of Prague was easy to get to and a breeze to visit – just about everyone speaks English and they are so welcoming to tourists! Not only were my original fears not realized, but we also found that Prague may be the most beautiful city in Europe, a town of a thousand spires! That statement encompasses the city itself, the history, the buildings, the architecture, and the people. This is a city to be enjoyed over several days, with at least one day trip during that time. After surviving Nazi occupation in WWII and communist rule until 1989, Prague is now showing its true beauty and openly welcomes visitors.
Because Prague was not damaged during WWII it provides a view of historical buildings that have been wonderfully maintained. Praguers will state this was both a blessing and a sore spot in their history. By ceding to Germany they saved their city but lost a little of their own pride by not trying to defend their country from invasion. We found this to be an interesting view.
Prague is such a easy city to visit because many of its important sights are centered in the Old Town Square which dates back to the 11th century. This pedestrian only square is ringed with beautiful examples of Baroque, Gothic and Art Nouveau architecture. The famous Astronomical clock, which strikes on the hour, is also situated here. This 500 year old clock is a delight to watch as the statues zip around, acknowledging the crowd of onlookers and then ringing the bells. There are many outdoor cafes located here so one can have a coffee and soak up the ambience.
While the Castle District was certainly fun to visit with a lot of historical significance, we fell in love with the Charles Bridge, the Jewish Quarter and the Kampa area. We also discovered the best possible time to enjoy the Charles Bridge was early morning. If you go before 8:00 AM, you will have the bridge to yourself with very few pedestrians and mostly locals going to work. Another nice time would be in the evening. When you can look up at the Castle District with all the lights and enjoy a very beautiful sight indeed. The Old Town is so enjoyable to visit, with lots of good places to eat (outdoor cafes), plenty of history, architecture and, of course, the Astronomical Clock to view. The Kampa area is a nice little retreat from the crowded Old Town and Charles Bridge, we found a fun little Italian place to eat and went back a couple of more times. It is also the home of the Lennon Wall – as in John Lennon of the Beatles.
Our goal on this trip was to try alternate lodging by avoiding the standard hotels and to locate a guide who could introduce us to Prague and take us on a day trip. With the assistance of Travel Beyond we found a certified guide who also has an apartment for daily rates. What a great combination! From our lodging we walked everywhere with the main attractions being near the Charles Bridge and Old Town Square – all a downhill walk from the apartment. On most days we did, however, take the Tram back to our apartment at the end of the day – this was easy transportation made easier when our host had tram tickets for sale. We used our guide for an initial walk around the city, a morning trip to Charles Bridge, a tour of St. Vitus Cathedral and then a day trip to Terezin Concentration Camp. We spread out these events over our visit, allowing plenty of open time to explore on our own. Terezin Concentration Camp, which is about an hour drive north of the city, was not an extermination camp and, yet, it was a very moving experience. It was used manly as a transport hub and as a propaganda site for the American Red Cross. We have been drawn to WWII history sites in our travels and Terezin was a unique experience.
As I stated before, Prague has something to offer to most visitors. If one is looking for history, it has it. If beautiful architecture is your interest, Prague has numerous sites and buildings of interest, the people are friendly and very helpful and the food was fantastic. You should go!
