Vacation Packages

Posts Tagged ‘Prague’

Prague has become one of the most popular places to visit in Europe. The combination of great sights and low prices makes it a very great place for a vacation. You can find cheap hotels, cheap gourmet food and large beers.

The first historical building in Prague was the castle Prazsky Hrad. It was built in the 9th century. The castle sits on a hill high above the Vltava River.

A monastery, three churches and a palace is located behind the castle walls. In 1320 the city Hradcany was founded in one part of the castle’s outer courtyard.

The president seat has been located in the castle since 1918. There is changing of the Guard every hour in front of the castle. At noon it even includes fanfare.

The old part of Prague is called Stare Mesto. Centrally located in the area is Staromestske namesti (in English Old Town Square). A lot of historical buildings surround the square; a sight that can be compared with almost any other European city.

The first settlements started in the 10th century around the castle. From here it spread to the other side of the Vltava River. The main building point was around the square in the old town.

The Old Town Hall was built in 1338 and in 1490 the unusual astronomical clock was added. Today large groups crowd to watch the show with odd performers like a rooster, a turkey, apostles, the Death, the Greed and the Vanity.

The famous Charles Bridge is 520 meters long and built of sandstone blocks, which is said to be reinforced with a mixture of mortar and eggs. The bridge was built in 1357 and until 1741 was Charles Bridge is the only way to cross the Vltava.

Until 1683 the bridge was only decorated with a simple cross. Then the first statues were set up, and since a lot of other statues have followed; statues that gives the bridge its characteristic look.

The bridge is a popular place for tourists; and for artists and merchants who offer the wares to the tourists.

Even though Prague is more expensive than it used to be, it is still a great place for shopping. And it is not just wares from former East European countries that are for sale.

Since the Velvet Revolution in 1989 a lot has happened in Prague; both in terms of foreign and Czech products. Today all major American and Western European brands are represented in Prague. And you can easily spend a full day shopping in department stores and specialty shops in downtown Prague.

Morten Elm is writing about city breaks in Prague on Miniferie Prag. Read more about the sights in Sevaerdigheder in Prag.

Technorati Tags: brands, Charles Bridge, cheap, europe, history, holiday, old town, Prague, shopping, travel, vacation, vacation destinations

Did you know that Europe has 50 different countries? And did you plan to visit all of them on your next Europe-trip. Well, unless you have several months, you should instead focus on a few large cities. Below I will suggest 4 cities in 4 countries, which all have great sights, delicious food and/or superb nightlife.

Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Are you looking for a city with a very liberal minded look at hashish and sex? Then Amsterdam is the place for you. In the so-called coffeeshops you can buy hash and around the corner in the Red Light District you find women in all nationalities and sizes.

But Amsterdam is much more than that. You can also see great art by Van Gogh and Rembrandt. Or visit the Anne Frank House ” known from the Anne Frank’s Diary.

Barcelona, Spain. The capital of Spain is Madrid ” but the most interesting city is without doubt Barcelona. The city has everything: great food, interesting sights and a very fine nightlife. And then there is FC Barcelona ” the famous football club with the amazing stadium Camp Nou.

On a visit to Barcelona you also have to see Sagrada Famlia ” the unfinished cathedral by Antoni Gaud. Finish your day by a stroll down the La Ramla to the great harbor area, and eat tapas in Barceloneta.

Budapest, Hungary. The Danube (known from the famous The Blue Danube waltz by Johan Strauss) divides Budapest in two: the hilly Buda on the left and the flat Pest on the right. The sightseeing should be focused on the Castle Hill in Buda and the central part of Pest, where the greatest sights are found.

Must see sights are the Royal Palace and the National Gallery. The large parks on Margaret Island are a pleasant place to relax and wander in the afternoon. The best shops are found in Vci Street and in Westend City Center ” the largest shopping centre in Central Europe.

Prague, the Czech Republic. Even though prices have gone up since the end of the Cold War, Prague is still the place for a cheap vacation. Here you can find both very reasonably priced accommodation and restaurants.

In Prague there are also many great sights. You can start your visit by the amazing Astronomical Clock in the old part of the city (called Star Mesto). Then you can pass the Vltava River on the Charles Bridge (remember to look at the painters and souvenir sellers) to left side of Prague. On the hills you can visit the biggest ancient castle in the world, the Prague Castle. If you have more time, also visit the Kafka Museum, the Jewish Museum and the Josefov ” the historical Jewish ghetto.

Morten Elm is writing about storbyrejser (city breaks). Read more about miniferie i Budapest, Amsterdam, Barcelona and Prague there.

Technorati Tags: Amsterdam, Barcelona, Budapest, city break, city weekends, destinations, europe, holiday, long weekend, Prague, short holiday, sights, travel, vacation destinations, weekend holiday