https://prague.eu/en/ Archives - Jim Murty’s TravelTravelTravel

It’s the downside of an island and the upside of a continent. a variety of accessible countries, but here are our friends to show us where to go and get there rail slow with Super Escapes Travel.

Because from Portugal to Poland we’re cutting out the stress of even more regulated travel through airports, preferring to let the train take the strain.

And addressing the heightened awareness of environmental impact, rising flight costs, and a desire to travel with greater purpose.

Increasingly, mature travellers, and don’t you know this pup of a 60-year-old has been pitched into that category, are choosing curated European
itineraries.

The ones that combine two or three destinations in a single trip.

By linking destinations seamlessly, travellers are also finding better value for money and making smarter use of their time abroad.

Still on the right track

The train in the plains: The Jungfraujoch in Switzerland

Back in our day it was EuroRail and Transalpino to the French Riviera (ask your Mums and Dads).

These days companies like Super Escapes Travel have stepped in and stepped up.

With an expanded product offering a new collection of multi-stop European itineraries.

Tailored specifically for those older travellers who train-hopped back in their salad days but have lost the habit since.

These trips prioritise comfort, convenience, and cultural depth and centrally located hotels.

Clock this: The Astronomical Clock in Prague

The focus is on balance, pairing contrasting destinations such as coastal retreats and historic capitals.

Or vibrant cultural hubs and quieter scenic regions, all while minimising unnecessary travel stress.

It’s no surprise then that the poster twin-centre city breaks for Super Escapes Travel are two of our favourites.

The Central European gems of Prague and Budapest.

Central casting

Culture vulture: With the locals in Budapest

You will look out from the Wenceslas Square Hotel in the Czech capital, no, not on the Feast of St Stephen but on selected dates in March.

And enjoy the charms of the Bohem Art Hotel in Budapest.

Super Escapes Travel will fly you from London into Prague and back from Budapest.

With rail travel between the two cities included.

Your four-day trip, from a choice of March 1, 3, 8, 11 and 15, from £179pp and your hotel stays will be room only.

Countries, Europe

Czech out just why Wenceslas was good

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The snow isn’t lying about deep and crisp and even today in Prague but still let’s Czech out just why Wenceslas was good anyway.

And why we celebrate him this day, St Stephen’s Day, or Boxing Day, if you will.

Well, quite simply that’ll be down to his good deeds and December 26 traditionally being a giving day.

Most carol singers don’t get past the first verse but the gist is that he helps the poor man gath’ring winter fuel.

It was his USP and it’s why the Czechs, especially, love him.

As big as you get

Quite simply Wenceslas is as big as you get in Prague, alongside King Charles V of course, he of the King Charles V Bridge.

The story goes that if Prague is ever in danger the statue of King Wenceslas will come to life.

He will then raise a sleeping army and reveal a legendary sword to bring peace to the land.

Wenceslas, you see, is sleeping on a grudge, an injustice, a thousand years after being killed by his brother Boleslaus The Cruel.

So you see it’s not just your family, or mine, which has squabbles.

You can find Wenceslas these days in the mammoth St Vitus Cathedral where his remains lie and are venerated.

And, of course his statue in Wenceslas Square, the beating heart of Prague.

Velvet Revolution

You might wonder why he did not rise with his sword when the Nazis wrought carnage on the city.

Or when the Communists moved in and then in 1968 reappeared with their tanks to quell the Rising.

Wenceslaus was looking out though and not just on St Stephen’s Day but every day.

And sharpest between November 17 and 28, 1989, when Wenceslas Square became the cradle of the Velvet Revolution.

The Velvet Revolution

Writing on the wall: At the John Lennon wall

Now if you find yourself in Wenceslas Square today then lucky you.

But despite the carol, written by an Englishman, it is in fact just another day in the Czech calendar.

Although they are like the good king very giving.

There is, of course, a special day for Czechs, St Wenceslas’s Day, the country’s national day when he is celebrated, September 28.

Now, any time to visit Prague is a good time, but their national day, their Wenceslas Day could be a chance to renew my Czech connections.

And a further opportunity to Czech out just why Wenceslas was good… and toast their patron saint of beer with Pilsner Urquell.

And Ryanair with flights from Edinburgh, and likely your city, from €24.99.

Countries, Deals, Europe

Keep the stag party revelry in Prague

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They stand out, as the likely lads wearing ‘I turned Philip Schofield’ did, so we want to keep the stag party revelry in Prague.

I’m one of those Brits, though not in that Pip tribute band, who has rolled down the Castle hill from Pilsener.

So I’m looking at the Praguers’ decision to place tramlines on the booze boys and girls in their city with a clear head.

Because let’s be straight which is something some boozed-up Brits aren’t.

Because while Czech cops will be out in force to disrupt pub crawls between 10pm and 6am.

With organisers violating it facing fines of up to 100,000 koruna (€3,983).

Fourteen hours should be long enough to give you that happy feeling.

Monks of the Castle

Such is the strength of the Czech beer too that you’ll not need nearly that long to gain the desired effect.

Now knowing to my cost from my own stag do back in Aberdeen 30 years ago it is advisory to line your tummy.

And that is exactly what Czechs do with their meaty hearty soups and stews.

Now if you want refuge from the Pip tribute band and their ilk then our advice would be to stay away from the centre.

And head uphill to the Castle.

And share your time with the monks of Strahov Monastery.

A beer habit

Founded in 1140, it has at its heart the church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

And the rare Strahov Library with a number of medieval manuscripts, maps and globes.

The Baroque Theological Hall, the Classical Philosophy Hall decorated with frescoes, and the Strahov Gallery.

Probably not on the bucket list for your stag party organiser.

Strahov’s best kept secret is of course its bar/restaurant.

Where I was fortunate enough to get the guided tour of the in-house brewery.

And I assure you I was on my best behaviour, smiling and nodding vacantly.

Because I’d drunk through three courses of Amber, Dark and IPA.

Food with that

With the food in this country where more people drink per head of population merely there to soak up the food.

That food being fine beer onion soup, dark lager beef goulash dumplings or pork ribs in beer marinade.

And even for dessert with Strahov listing…

‘Beer or classic ice cream according to a daily offer – made by Angelato from our beer’.

Oh Brother!

Now because stag parties aren’t exactly known for their monastic abstinence you’ll be free to enjoy your fare here in peace.

And good spirits with the monks, plain-clothed, who for all their disciplines draw the line at drink.

And they know better than any its strength and the volume they can consume (a lot)!

The interior of the medieval wine cellar is also available all year round.

While in the summer you can use the outdoor garden V Ráji with a view of the monastery vineyard.

The quest for solitude

They advise too a stay at the Questenberg Hotel with a standard room/double bed for €107.46.

So that’s us sorted while you keep the stag party revelry in Prague.

By sticking to the new drinking hours and avoiding those bank-busting bills.

Ryanair flies to Prague from Britain and Ireland from €67.28.

Countries, Deals, Europe, Halloween

Scary Prague and Paris below our feet

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They’re two of Europe’s great cities and for the month that’s in it, let’s look at scary Prague and Paris below our feet.

Because our friends Cassideeeeh Trrrrravel (soz) have flagged up what’s under the flagstones in the Czech and French capitals for frighteningly good prices.

And while most will look up in wonder, and rightfully so, at the Astronomical Clock and Charles Bridge and Eiffel Tower and Montmartre in those cities.

For horror fans the fun is going underground.

Only here for the beer and the Fear

In Prague, the city of 1,000 spires the aspiring ghost lives down under the floorboards of Prague Fear House.

This being the country where more people drink beer per head of population than any other in the world your tour naturally revolves around a bar.

We’re told it is lit with dark, gothic interiors shades and gooey candy eyeballs garnishing tiki cocktail mugs.

Our grisly associates at Europehaunts tell us that there are a choice of hardcore and regular tours where you interact with actors.

Czech it out: Strahov Monastery Brewery in Czechia

All guaranteed to make you go shriek in the night and retailing from £5854pp.

As much as any nuclear bunker, the likes of which we saw on our dip down.

To that post-apocalyptic world on our Prague Communist Tour.

You’ll travel out on January 10, 2025 for two nights staying at the 4* Hotel St George. Prices from €249pps.

The fear of Dieu

Now, if Prague can be scarily good then mais oui Paris would put the fear of Dieu into you.

Particularly if you’re paying homage to Oscar Wilde or Edith Piaf at the Pere-Lachaise Cemetery in Paris at closing time.

And the Monsieur comes a-ringing his bell to get you out.

Paris is we know haunted by hunchbacks and horrifying hommes et madames from the other world.

Skulls and crosses: In the Catacombs in Paris

And boasts the largest underground ossuary in the world, the Catacombes of Paris.

A 1500m-long route 20 metres deep, for an extraordinary visit.

You’ll fly on January 17 for two nights.

And stay at the 4* The Originals, Maison Montmartre. Prices from €229pps.

Tag: https://prague.eu/en/

Where to go and getting there rail slow with Super Escapes Travel