 | Prague Today Since the Velvet Revolution in 1989, Prague has opened its doors to international visitors and garnered the reputation of a crowded, touristy, party filled place. The city has devoted itself to cleaning up its act but some would argue that you don’t always get what you pay for. Taxis still over charge, pick pockets still operate and if you go out at night you could bump into a rambunctious stag party. Indeed the capital of sleaze, as the city has been called on occasion, does still hold onto its saucy vices. But Prague does try hard to make everyone happy: high class restaurants sit next to |
 | Prague History Like any major city, Prague’s origins are based on legends. According to the myth, the site of Prague was founded by Libuse, a daughter of an ancient Czech ruler, and the man she chose to be her husband, Premysl. Their decedents would later build Prague Castle. The city became the center of nobility and developed a flourishing slave trade as European merchants settled here. In 1257, Malá Strana was established by King Otakar II as the primary district of the German people, defended by fortifications. However Prague’s greatest era was under Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV |
 | Alchymist Residence Nosticova A classy 17th century villa, rooms come with fully equipped kitchens and bathrooms. Two of the rooms |  | Diplomat Hotel Praha Located a short ride outside of the city centre, this hotel is only 20 minutes from the airport by c |
 | Hotel Domus Henrici There are only eight rooms in this establishment but they are of a high-standard and only a four min |  | Hotel Savoy A peaceful place with first class service and modern rooms, the Savoy has hosted famous people such |
 | Pachtuv Palace The former residence of a count, this residence generates a lot of talk amongst the Prague elite. It |  | Hotel Certovka Named after the canal on which it sits, this hotel is near the Charles Bridge with views of that and |
 | Gate 21 Located in Old Town, this so-cool-it-hurts kind of clothes shop is definitely not for the person loo |  | Palladium Located right in the city center, this shopping mall opened in 2007 is the largest in the Czech Repu |
 | Slovansky Dum Right in the middle of Old Town, this shopping center is all about high-end class. Its shops stock d |  | Granat Turnov Prague is noted for its garnet jewelry but this store is the largest national manufacturer. From gen |
 | Hrzanska Pasaz A shopping passage ideal for tourists, this place offers Bohemian crystal, souvenir shops and specia |  | Metropole Admittedly 9 kilometers out of the centre of Prague, this shopping centre is worth the easy metro an |
 | Dance Prague Held in multiple theatres, this is an international festival of modern dance. |  | Khamoro Occurring in late May, this festival celebrates Roma culture with its traditional music, dance, art |
 | St Matthew Fair A funfair full of rollercoaster, rides and many food stalls in Vystaviste from February 24th to East |  | All Souls’ Day Held in Prague’s cemeteries, such as the eerie Vysehrad and Olsany, Czechs gather to light candles |
 | Prague International Marathon Prague’s cobblestone streets shut down as over 14,000 runners cross 42km. |  | Prague Spring Starting on May 12th, the Prague Spring celebrates the anniversary of composer Bedrich Smetana’s d |
 | Daily Fresh Address: Karlova Fresh food is made daily at this eatery which stays |  | Klub Architektu Don’t let the ‘club’ part of the name fool you; this place serves quality Czech food along in |
 | Cafe No. 1 A modern cafe that likes to play the latest techno music, Cafe No. 1 has 12 different types of hot c |  | Platyz Cafe-Bar Found in a little courtyard passage off Narodni, this place offers a variety of Italian cuisine incl |
 | Svata Klara For something completely different this restaurant has one defining feature other than its food: the |  | Dahab Restaurant Daham Restaurant is a fast food restaurant specializing in gyros, pizza, falafels and other sorts of |
 | Fast Facts Population: 1.19 million Language: Czech Time Zone: GMT/UTC + 1 Average January temperature: -1°C Average July temperature: 19°C Annual rainfall: 527mm Emergency telephone numbers General emergency number 112 Fire 150 Ambulance 155 Municipal police 156 - Police 158 Tourist Information Helpdesk + 420 221 714 444 (in English and German) Car Breakdown Service 1240 Highway Patrol - unknown Airport Enquiry (02) 2011 3314/21 Railway Enquiry +420 224 224 200 Telephone Directory Services (national/international) 1180/1181 First aid 141 23 - Pharmacy first aid 141 24 Dental first aid 141 22 Telephone enquiries Directory enquiries for the Czech Republic - 1180 Directory enquiries for International calls - 1181 National operator - 133 002 |
