Prague.
Long days, longer nights.
Prague (September 2023).
Lads' trip with Dave, JD and Tony. Long days, longer nights.
Charles Bridge.
Go early. First thing in the morning it's almost empty, the statues catch the low sun and the castle sits up on the hill across the river. Later in the day it's a different story.
The old town.
Arcades, cobbles and a pub on every corner. Czech beer is excellent and very reasonably priced, which is dangerous. We still found a Guinness, of course.
The river.
The Vltava is the best view in the city, especially at dusk.
Beautiful city. Go easy on the beer.
Getting there.
Wizz Air from Luton, about two hours.
Other options: Ryanair from Stansted, Wizz and easyJet from Gatwick, and BA from Heathrow. From the airport, the 119 bus and metro line A costs 60 CZK (about £2) and takes 35 to 50 minutes. A Bolt or Uber is 400 to 600 CZK. By rail, Eurostar to Brussels and the European Sleeper, about 21 hours.
Where to stay.
Two nights at U Medvídků, a 15th-century brewery pub with rooms, on the edge of the old town. They brew their own beer on site.
Budget: Sir Toby's Hostel in Holešovice, around £110 a night. Mid-range: U Medvídků, or Hotel Josef in the old town, around £280. Fancy: Four Seasons, on the river by Charles Bridge, around £680.
Worth doing.
Charles Bridge first thing, and a pint at U Medvídků.
With more time: Prague Castle and Malá Strana, the beer garden at Letná for the view, and Lokál for tank Pilsner.
