{"id":3354,"date":"2015-10-06T13:21:30","date_gmt":"2015-10-06T18:21:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/students.com.miami.edu\/~travelwriting\/?page_id=3354"},"modified":"2015-10-07T05:14:39","modified_gmt":"2015-10-07T10:14:39","slug":"going-beyond-typical-prague-tourist-stops-reveals-culture-traditions-history","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/students.com.miami.edu\/travelwriting\/?page_id=3354","title":{"rendered":"Going beyond typical Prague tourist stops reveals culture, traditions, history"},"content":{"rendered":"

Posted October 6, 2015<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

By EMILY EIDELMAN<\/p>\n

PRAGUE — You\u2019ve been in Prague for a few days now. Surely you\u2019ve seen Old Town Square and the Prague Castle. You may have taken a walking tour through the city, or perhaps a river cruise on the Danube. You have hopefully tried the delicious (and quite pricey) Prague ham. So what\u2019s next? There is so much more to Prague than tourism has to offer. Spend your last day in the city as the local Czech people do. Immerse yourself in the culture and traditions, and appreciate the history and beauty of Praha<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\"Swans<\/a>

Swans and birds fly along the Danube in the early afternoon. The river is a popular hangout spot for locals before dinnertime.<\/p><\/div>\n

Your full day as a local will be busy. Be sure to get a good night\u2019s sleep because you\u2019ll be waking up early for your first activity. You\u2019ll need to set aside around 1,000 Czech crowns (about $40). Prague is relatively inexpensive, especially when you are not visiting the tourist traps. Wear comfortable shoes for walking. Wear sunscreen and drink a lot of water, as it can get very hot on a summer day. Pack the essentials and hold on to your bag. You\u2019ll be getting around by Metro, and pickpockets are common. Now, you are ready to go!<\/p>\n

5 a.m.<\/strong><\/p>\n

You have probably already walked across the Charles Bridge. During the day, it is nearly impossible to walk across due to all the people.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt my math class in university, we did a study about foot traffic over the Charles Bridge,\u201d said Libor Jordan, a student at Charles University who grew up in Prague. \u201cWe found that 10,000 people, mostly tourists of course, are crossing the Charles Bridge at one time during the summer months. It\u2019s much better to go early in the morning or late at night.\u201d<\/p>\n

Take the advice from a local who\u2019s been in Prague for his entire his life. Go to the bridge early and watch the sunrise above the Prague Castle. It is absolutely stunning. The bridge will be almost empty, besides any visitors who had the same idea as you.<\/p>\n

After the sun rises, walk off the bridge towards Old Town Square. As you make your way towards the street, stop and look left. You will see a black fence, with the numbers 1-3-5-7-9-7-5-3-1. Most people will walk by it, as it\u2019s not even on the bridge. Take a second to appreciate it, and don\u2019t forget to get a photo.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo one really knows what those numbers mean, sometimes even Czech people,\u201d said, Gail Vassogne, a historian in Prague. \u201cCharles IV, who the bridge was named after, purposely chose to start construction in 1357, on the ninth day of the seventh month (July) at 5:31 a.m. He must have been pretty superstitious.\u201d<\/p>\n

9 a.m.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hop on the Metro and head to Pet\u0159\u00edn, the small mountains on the outskirts of the city. This is why you needed your walking shoes \u2013 it\u2019s not a strenuous hike, but definitely more than a relaxing walk.<\/p>\n

\u201cUsing the city has been my favorite way to exercise,\u201d explained Mary Kate Mixan, an American student at Anglo-American University. \u201cHiking up the mountains give you the best view of the city, plus it\u2019s free!\u201d<\/p>\n

Your hike isn\u2019t over at the top of the mountains, for you can continue by climbing up the Pet\u0159\u00edn Tower. This tower is also known as Little Eiffel, because it resembles the Eiffel Tower. It\u2019s 299 steps to reach the top, and for only 30 crowns (just over $1), it\u2019s an unmatched view of Prague.<\/p>\n

Noon<\/strong><\/p>\n

By this point, you\u2019ve earned a reward. Head over to Lokal for a traditional Czech lunch. Everyone\u2019s drinking a beer. That\u2019s pretty standard for Czech people. At most restaurants, beer is cheaper than bottled water. Order a pint of Staropramen or Pilsner Urquell, the two major beers brewed in Prague, and peruse the menu.<\/p>\n

\u201cLokal is a favorite restaurant of mine and my friends,\u201d Jordan said. \u201cThe fried cheese is a classic Czech dish that they do right. The tartar sauce is homemade. It\u2019s just delicious.\u201d<\/p>\n

1 p.m.<\/strong><\/p>\n

After a busy morning and a filling lunch, it\u2019s time to relax. Czech people love to enjoy the warm months outside. Hop back on the tram and head towards Divok\u00e1 \u0160\u00e1rka Park and swimming pools. The winding roads are so narrow, you won\u2019t find a single car. The trees tower 40 feet above your head, giving you shade from the afternoon sun. Walk 20 minutes into the park, and you will find the swimming pool.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe pools offer me the relaxation I need after a long week of work,\u201d Lenka Vystr\u010dilova, who visits the park often, said. \u201cIt\u2019s so beautiful here, how could you not love a place like this?\u201d<\/p>\n

Admission to the pool is required, but it is less than 50 crowns ($2) per person. You will have access to two pools with a slide, a swing set, trampoline, sand volleyball courts and ping-pong tables. It is the perfect place to spend the afternoon with friends or family.<\/p>\n

5 p.m.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Locals<\/a>

Locals flock to the Danube to enjoy a drink and watch the sunset. Hundreds of people come together along the river every night.<\/p><\/div>\n

Along with almost everything else in Prague, alcohol is very cheap. Stop in one of the corner stores and buy a bottle of wine or a six-pack. Prague does not have any open container laws, so enjoy as you walk around the city. Head down to the river. Sit and drink with the locals. Enjoy the band, even if you don\u2019t understand the lyrics. Czech people love to hang out with friends and unwind, making the river a popular spot every day of the week.<\/p>\n

7 p.m.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Czech people do not eat as late as some other European citizens do. If you go to a restaurant around this time, you will find it to be very busy. For more Czech food, visit UKroka. Located in Prague II, UKroka is a bit of a walk towards the outskirts of the city, but well worth it for all the food that you will eat. When you eat here, locals will surround you. There is a high possibility that your waiter or waitress does not speak English. If that\u2019s the case, let them order for you. Your trust won\u2019t be misplaced.<\/p>\n

\u201cUKroka is the best Czech food I\u2019ve had since living in Prague,\u201d said Zoe Georgouses, an ex-pat who moved to Prague two years ago. \u201cThey know I\u2019m not from the Czech Republic, but they are always so hospitable and provide me with some of the most delicious food I\u2019ve ever had.\u201d<\/p>\n

For a group of four, UKroka is a great option. You will all be able to eat and drink for less than 800 crowns ($32). Between the beer and the food, you will be stuffed. Walk it off, all while taking in the beautiful views that Prague offers.<\/p>\n

Prague is a magical city. The beauty and the history combine perfectly with the loving people, who only want to show you the best time possible while you visit. Take advantage of the people. Ask them questions. Immerse yourself fully into their culture. You won\u2019t regret it.<\/p>\n

If You Go<\/strong><\/p>\n

Where to stay:<\/p>\n