The Czech Republic is a stunning old-European city full of beautiful architecture and fun adventures. It is very quickly moving up my wish list of places to visit in real life once we are able. Thanks for tagging along on our virtual visit - Hope you enjoy!
Mapwork by @Slalice_Draws
TRAVEL & ACCOMODATIONS
The majority of the attractions we want to virtually visit this week are located in Prague, so that will be our home base. For the handful of places we want to visit outside of Prague, we can arrange day trips from there. We have some very cool options for accommodations in Prague. For this virtual visit, we will be staying at Hotel Lindner Prague Castle, which is located just minutes away from the Prague Castle in an historic monastery that has been converted to luxurious hotel. The hotel even offers a virtual tour! Check it out here. The hotel is currently offering beautiful rooms including breakfast, for less than 100 Euros per night.
From Berlin, Germany, travel is very easy. Many airlines can get us there, but we would probably choose a 4 hour train ride for less than 20 Euros each way.
ITINERARY
PRAGUE
We will begin our virtual visit at one of the world's most famous castles and the world's largest - Prague Castle.
Next, to get to our next destination, we will take a walk from the castle, through Old Town, past the famous Astronomical Clock (which we will take a closer look at in a moment) and across the beloved Charles Bridge. This walk will give us an amazing chance to check out this gorgeous city. Prague was the only major European city that was not extensively bombed during World War II, so that architectural charm here is extensive!
Charles Bridge is one of the most iconic sites in Prague and we definitely will want to check it out.
We will next take a closer look at how the third oldest astronomical clock in the world works.
Here's a cool video I found of an amazing and intoxicating art installation that honored the clock's 600th birthday.
On the topic of telling time, while we are exploring, we will likely come across this curious plague in the ground. The 'Prague Meridian' was used to mark midday for centuries!
In the 15th and 16th centuries, alchemists, hermeticists and occultists were being persecuted elsewhere in Europe but were welcomed in Prague. As a result, alchemists (which were pursuing a very early version of what eventually evolved into the science we know as chemistry today) who were searching for the elusive 'Philosopher's Stone' flocked to Prague. We can learn so much about this history along our virtual visit. Being married to a chemist myself, this type of history is especially interesting to our family.
Here's a short video about the discovery of an ancient secret underground alchemy lab after a flood in 2002.
From the more modern era, Charles University (the oldest University in Central Europe) is home to an impressive interactive periodic table of elements that displays samples of every element (with the exception of radioactive materials).
Prague is known for its historic architecture, but it has fascinating and beautiful architecture from all eras, including our current one. Here is an overview of the fascinating and beautiful modern Dancing House of Prague.
The National Museum is the largest museum installation in the Czech Republic. We can get wonderful insight into the local and national culture here, and some good ideas about what to explore next by spending some time poking around here.
Widely considered one of the most beautiful libraries in the world, we definitely don't want to miss a visit to the Klementinum.
Not to be outdone, the Municipal Library also calls to us with an impressive piece of public art called the Idiom Installation - a tower of books that appears to go on forever.
One thing I'm becoming extremely aware of is how impactful the threat of nuclear war and nuclear disaster was throughout Europe over the past century. Maybe you have also noticed that every country we have virtually visited so far have some structures we can visit dedicated to protection against such a threat. We can learn so much about the importance of avoiding marching humanity up to this brink, now and in the future.
Next, we can get in some virtual exercise, and a breathtaking view of the surrounding city, by climbing to the top of Petrin Tower, which many visitors suggest is very reminiscent of Paris's Eiffel Tower.
We will next head to City Hall for a ride in a cool engineering marvel - the Paternoster Lift! This is an elevator that never stops moving, and requires no button pressing and or waiting to step on or off. Check it out!
St. Vitus Cathedral is a very popular attraction in Prague and worth our exploration. Let's take this virtual tour.
Celebrated author Franz Kafka is a proud son of Prague. We won't want to miss a visit to the museum created in his honor.
In 1980, after John Lennon was tragically killed, an unknown artist painted a likeness of him on this wall along with some song lyrics. Over time, politically motivated (typically anti-communist) grafitti as well as more song lyrics were regularly added by visitors. It has become a bit of a mecca for those dreaming of a better world.
Ice Hockey is the most popular sport in the Czech Republic. Let's take in a game at the O2 Arena!
Getting hungry after all that adventure? (Thirsty, at least?) The people of the Czech Republic consume more beer per capita than any other country. Let's stop off at a Hospoda where we can grab one ourselves!
Mushroom foraging has become a national pasttime and even like a national sport for the people of the Czech Republic. If we are there during the Summertime, after a rain storm, and especially if we happen to be in the country on St. Wenceslas Day in September when it is particularly popular, we can join the fun.
DAY TRIPS
We are having so much fun in the city of Prague itself, but there are a few special attractions outside the city limits that may be worth our day trip efforts:
We can take a tour of the historic Pilsner Urquell brewery.
Czechia is full of castles, and this one, and its amazing gardens - a UNESCO World Heritage Site - is a gorgeous example and worth our visit.
This is a preserved historic village of South Bohemian Folk architecture - super cool!
We can visit a 440 year old stud farm for ceremonial carriage horses here. This is also a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Next, we will visit the arcitectural marvel - the Hotel Jested - in Liberec.
A visit to Lower Vitkovice in Ostrava is worth a spot on our list.
We won't want to miss a visit to the Holy Trinity Column in Olomouc.
For a night in the lap of luxury, we can book a room in a real castle at the Chateau Heralec (now known as the Chateau Heralec Boutique Hotel and Spa by L'Occitane), which has been upgraded to offer the most high end amenities in a truly historic atmosphere.
For a truly unique experience, let's head to the Dolni Morava Sky Walk.
There is a lot to see and do in the Krkonose Mountains, including the origin of the Elbe River. Here's a fun video overview of a visit to the area.
Phew! Such a full and busy virtual trip! What did you enjoy the most? Let me know in the comments below:
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