Inflight Magazine of Brussels Airlines

Welcome to the Inflight Magazine of Brussels Airlines

Destination Guides

bthere! Destination guides

Previous issues for Prague

Whilst every effort is made to ensure accuracy,
please confirm event/venue details in advance.

Czech Republic : Prague - November 2009

Country Code: Dial 0 for Czech Republic

It’s a historic month for Europe’s glittering “golden city”. The holiday season officially begins with the opening of Prague’s famous Christmas markets on 28 November, but the Czechs are also commemorating the 20th anniversary of the fall of communism on 17 November, with a free public concert. Julie O’Shea gets excited

Getting around

Ruzyne International Airport

Bus: The number 119 bus runs between the airport and the Dejvicka metro station (which is on the A line) every 7 to 20 minutes. Tickets cost €1/CZK 28 and are valid for 60 minutes on weekdays and 90 minutes on weekends. They can be used on all buses, trams and metros.
Taxi: A taxi ride to the city centre from the airport will take about 30 minutes and cost approximately €25/ CZK 704, but always negotiate the price before you set off.
Tourist information: 46 Vinohradka, Prague 2 (tel. , www.czechtourism.cz).

STARE MESTO

Start your adventures here in the old town, where there’s plenty of action.

Sleep soundly – Tara Pension (15 Havelska, tel. , pensiontara.net, rooms from €30/CZK 800) is a budget traveller’s dream – cheap rates, friendly staff and a spectacular view from the top floors.

Must eat – Pivnice u Milosrdnych (12 U Milosrdnych, tel. ) serves up classic Czech dishes – fried cheese, goulash and bacon dumplings.

Must drink – Grab some bubbly at Cafe Wow (5 Kozi), which has wild pink decor and a lengthy international wine and champagne list.

Dance the night away – Dancing on the tables is widely encouraged at Double Trouble Bar & Club (17 Melantrichova), a popular cellar bar. DJs spin Monday to Saturday.

Shop til you drop – Pick your way through the Christmas market (Old Town Square), where you can choose from wooden toys, snow globes, tree ornaments and much more. The fun starts on 28 November.

NOVE MESTO

In the city centre – otherwise known as the new town – you’ll find some excellent shopping.

Sleep soundly – The classy, art deco Park Inn Prague (1 Svobodova, tel. , prague.parkinn.cz, rooms from €83/CZK 1,560) is within walking distance of Vysehrad Castle.

Culture vultures – The 20 Years Without the Curtain celebration on 17 November kicks off with a march through the city centre, starting on Albertov street at 3pm and ending at Narodni Trida, where there will be speeches and a free concert featuring home-grown band Monkey Business.

Must eat – Universal (6 V Jircharich, tel. ) has a fabulous and reasonably priced brunch menu of fresh juice, eggs, smoked meats and seasonal fruits.

Must drink – Novomestsky Pivovar (20 Vodickova) serves hearty Czech food and brews its own brand of light and dark beers on-site. Order one of each.

Shop til you drop – The small boutique shops lining Pasaz Lucerna (61 Stepanska) are full of unique Czech novelty items, like the hand-made decorative ceramic pieces and tie-dyed shirts at Amfora.

VINOHRADY

This neighbourhood is packed to the gills with fashionable restaurants.

Sleep soundly – Head for the cosy and affordable Hotel Lunik (50 Londynska, tel. , hotel-lunik.cz, rooms from €65/CZK 1,700).

Must eat – Try a plate of the spicy pork gyros and hot pitta bread at Kri-Kri Greek Taverna (48 Korunni, tel. ).

Must drink – Techtle Mechtle (47 Vinohradska), in a vaulted cellar, has a cool atmosphere, a loud soundtrack, and a long drinks menu.

Shop til you drop – The local Christmas market opens on 28 November on Namesti Miru. Keep warm with a cup of mulled wine – lots of the open-air stalls sell it.

MALA STRANA

This diminutive district sits just on the far side of Charles Bridge, in the shadow of Prague Castle.

Sleep soundly – Check in at the Kampa Garden Hotel (9 U Sovovych Mlynu, tel. , kampagarden.cz, rooms from €48/ CZK 1,248), which does a great breakfast buffet.

Culture vultures – Admire the baroque beauty of the Church of Saint Nicholas (16 Malostranske namesti), which often hosts classical concerts.

Must eat – Considered the city’s best steakhouse, Cowboys (40 Nerudova, tel. ) also serves excellent seafod and veggie burgers.

Must drink – Mlynska Kavarna (1 Ricni) is a great place to unwind with a Czech stout or cup of tea.

Dance the night away – Popo Cafe Petl (19 Ujezd) is popular with locals and tourists. It serves some of the best sangria in the city, along with live music.

Compiled by Julie O’Shea