The Czech Experience

A bit belated, but here is my summer-post-Erasmus-experience: Visiting new friends from all over Europe! 

Monday morning and around 30 degrees as we arrive in the beautiful city of Prague. Finally! Finally, because I wanted to visit this city for at least 8 years already. So here we were – it was really hot and (unfortunately) also very crowded. We enjoyed a nearly complete tourist-package for our trip to Prague included a free walking tour (always very good!), a walk through the town, a small paddling-boat trip and taking lots of pictures everywhere. 

Free walking tours in Prague start at the old market square and show you around most parts of the old town. After the tour we continued our stroll around the city: Of course, through the old town and over the famous Karlsbridge. It was nice to finally cross the river over this bridge, all though we were less than the only tourists.

If you turn leftish at the end of the bridge (and know where to go) you can find the John Lennon wall, full of graffiti tags and tourists in front – However, to me there are places in Prague that are worth seeing more than this. We continued our way up to the castle of the president and (after lots of stairs) enjoyed a great view from the plateau. 

For the afternoon we got even more touristy and hired a paddling boat on the river, which was the best decision ever. After the crowded and hot old town, we finally had some space around us and enjoyed a nice breeze on the water. Additionally, the view from the river to the Karlsbridge is perfect, too.

Our journey continued to Brno, a student-city and the capital of the Moravia region (Prague is the capital of the Bohemia region).

More hills and stairs to climb, more views to enjoy. Walking through the city one can imagine that living there is highly enjoyable. Especially because of the big variety of bars, pubs and clubs. Brno wins through its lifelines. There are nearly no tourists, so it was a great experience compared to overcrowded Prague. For nice views and general sightseeing, we went on Spielberg castle hill Petrov Park next to the cathedral of Peter and Paul. The Masaryk university also has some nice buildings in the city centre. If you are travelling around the town with the tram and want to act like a local, call it Šalina.  

Since I enjoyed a lot of restaurants and bars in Brno and feel like they belong to a good visit in the city, I’d like to recommend a few. 

dřevěný vlk / Wooden wolf: Very nice pub with decent Czech food. If you want to try something really local, you should order Tatarak there.

bar který neexistuje / Bar that doesn’t exist: This elegant bar has a flair of the 1920s. Very good and fancy Cocktails, maybe a bit more expensive. 

4 pokoje / 4 rooms: While I experienced a couple of rather less friendly waiters, the 4pokoje restaurant was a complete opposite. The waiters were attentive and spoke very good English. A modern atmosphere and menu opportunities complete this recommendable venue.

Výčep Na Stojáka / Standing bar: A bar without chairs, but fortunately with beer. In the summer you can spot this place from afar – because people will be standing in front of the bar on the square. A welcoming and warm atmosphere that seduces to stay and stand.

Beer stock exchange: Funny concept, where beer prices go up if a larger amount is bought – just like the normal stock exchange. Unfortunately, the atmosphere is not very cosy.

Panda circus: This very exclusive bar was a highlight experience to all of us. We nearly missed the entrance, since it does not have a sign – However, after ringing the bell we were guided inside and found ourselves in a circus-like setting, where the bar is the stage. For choosing your drinks the bartenders will turn a fortune wheel with you. The experience of the bar is unique, unfortunately this also means that the prices are a lot higher than in an average Czech bar. 

The list continues nearly endlessly, but those were my personal favourites.

A short busride from Brno is the town of Kromerirz. With its two UNESCO world heritage sites (parks and gardens) it might be worth a visit, too. Especially around the old market square you can find nice buildings and sights. Very near is the castle, which tower you can climb up and (again) enjoy a nice view and have a walk around its gardens. 

For a nice beer one should find the way to „Černý orel” at the old market square. The brewery offers a small range of their productions, its location in the historical building is nice, too. Later in the evening, you might want to go to the ‘hidden bar’ in the ‘hidden street’ (just at the end of the market square) to enjoy yet another Czech beer and good background music.

Dear friends from Czech Republic, thank you for guiding me around. I enjoyed a lot of historic buildings, Czech cuisine and beer. I might come back one day and find out about all those hills and castles I saw while riding the bus from town to town.