At the very heart of Europe, the Czech Republic
offers a remarkably rich travel experience. Historically part of a loose
alignment of Central European kingdoms, the modern Czech Republic
has emerged from 40 years of Communist rule with bright hopes for her future. Never
underestimate a people who acclaim a playwright as their president. Musicians,
artists and writers played a key role in bringing the communist government to
its knees, and Vaclav Havel, playwright to president, led his country, a modern
miracle of democracy and free enterprise from 1993 to 2003.
The Czech city of Prague is no
longer Europes best-kept secret, but it
rarely falls onto the A List of must-see European capitals. Savvy travelers
may want to rethink this, since the Czech
Republic is emerging as
one of the worlds most popular destinations.
After all, Prague
is a living fairy tale. The city rests on the sloping banks of the Vltava River,
the main artery of Bohemian waterways. The spires of Gothic cathedrals join the
parapets of baroque and Renaissance castles, like so many upheld lances
glinting in the sunlight. Cobblestone streets connected by arching and ancient
stone bridges blend with the cosmopolitan atmosphere of modern Prague.
At the center of Old
Town Square is the amazing Astronomical Clock,
which began ticking in 1490. Every hour wooden figurines representing Greed,
Vanity, and Death perform a morality play as the sun moves through the 12 signs
of the zodiac. This is a perfect symbol of Pragues medieval magical mystery tour. Every
great city in Europe is a spectacle, pulsating
with drama. Prague
is a lyric opera.
Old Town Square
originated as a marketplace in the 11th century. It is surrounded by a gallery
of churches, palaces and the Old
Town Hall, which has long
witnessed acts of high drama: processions of Bohemian kings, public beheadings,
Nazi shelling, Soviet tanks, Communist speeches.
In todays Prague,
first thing in the morning, blacksmiths, carpenters and potters set the square
clattering. Merchants fill booths with embroidery, gingerbread, wooden toys,
and Bohemian crystal to the accompaniment of a lively Czech jazz band cranking
out Basin Street Blues.
Rich in avant-garde art, literature, and music, flowering in
a landscape of Gothic and baroque, this part of the world gave birth to Dvorak,
Freud, Mendel, Rilke, and Kafka. Here originated soft contact lenses and Bata
shoes, as well as the polka and gourmet Pilsen beer!
Mozart and Liszt became famous in Prague. In fact, Mozarts first production of
Don Giovanni took place at the Estates Theatre. To see it performed there
supports Flauberts declaration that the three most beautiful things in this
world are the sea, Hamlet, and Mozarts Don Giovanni. One seldom sees an opera
in such perfect, jewel-like proportions, immediate and intimate.
In fact, it seems there must be a classical concert or opera
gala every half-hour in Prague.
From lunchtime quartets at the castle to pre-dinner Bach and Vivaldi at the National Museum, the informal offerings seem
inexhaustible.
Prague
is nicknamed City of a Hundred Towers because its skyline abounds with
historical monuments that have stood witness to hundreds of years of history. In
fact, the heart of the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
As if this cornucopia of diversity werent enough on its
own, a vacation in the Czech
Republic is reasonably
priced compared to other European countries. Most Czech Republic escorted tours that feature Prague will include Vienna and Budapest
in the mix as well, and off season prices average $1400 for a 7-night vacation package.
When youve done London, Paris, Amsterdam, and Rome for the umpteenth time, consider adding Prague and the Czech
Republic to your list. You
wont be disappointed!
