June 13th 2024.
As someone who lives just outside Edinburgh, I am well aware of the impact that tourism can have on popular cities. Sometimes, it can bring negative effects along with the positive ones. These thoughts are at the forefront of my mind as I make my way to one of the most beautiful and historically rich cities in the world - Prague.
Traveling is one of my passions, but I have recently become more conscious of the ways in which I can minimize my impact while exploring new places. Luckily, during my visit to Czechia, I found that it was easier than I had expected. The capital city and the surrounding Central Bohemia region are incredibly well-connected with public transportation options. From trams to the metro and buses, there are various ways to get around. I opted for a travel pass ticket, which only cost around £3.80 for a 24-hour period. However, if you're feeling more adventurous, you can also rent a bike or even a kayak to see the city from a different perspective.
One of the best ways to travel sustainably and truly immerse yourself in the local culture is by supporting small, local businesses. Prague is a hub of creative talent, and I had the opportunity to meet some of the passionate individuals behind these businesses. One highlight of my trip was visiting VOALA, a graphic design, book-binding, and paper-crafting studio in the heart of the city. The team here creates stunning, sustainably-made paper notebooks, which make for excellent and ethical souvenirs. Another must-visit spot is SLAVA!, a fashion concept store and creative hub near Old Town Square. Here, you can browse the work of local designers, participate in creative workshops, and even try your hand at screen printing a tote bag.
The next morning, I embarked on a guided bike ride through the lush parklands of Stromkova. This area was once a hunting park for Czechia's kings and their esteemed guests. Today, it's a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. We made our way to Troy Castle, a Baroque architectural gem surrounded by beautiful gardens. Inside, there was an exhibition of contemporary art, which provided a striking contrast to the castle's stunning frescos.
In the afternoon, I decided to take to the water and rented a kayak to explore the Vltava River. It was a peaceful and serene way to see some of the city's iconic landmarks, like Charles Bridge and Prague Castle, without getting caught up in the crowds. As I paddled along, I couldn't help but feel happily detached from the bustling bars and tourist boats that lined the riverbanks.
If you're like me and need a break from the city, I highly recommend taking a train to explore more of Central Bohemia. Our first stop was Klucov, a small town around 30km east of Prague. Here, we visited a family-owned winery, where Pavel showed us around and shared his passion for winemaking. This region is not known for its wine production, making this winery a hidden gem. The grapes are grown without the use of pesticides, and most of the 40,000 bottles produced are enjoyed by locals. Even the labels are designed by a local artist and family-friend. Our wine-tasting experience here was unforgettable, thanks to Pavel's warm hospitality and exceptional wine. For those who want to stay longer, there is accommodation available on-site.
Back on the train, we made our way to Podebrady, a spa town known for its thermal and mineral springs. As we wandered through the town's parks and green spaces, we sampled the water from the mineral springs that can be found throughout the streets. Our accommodation for the night was Hotel & Spa Chariclea, which has an impressive spa facility. We couldn't resist trying out the healing effects of a mineral spa bath. The treatment rooms attached to the spa were a treat, and I found myself relaxing in a stainless steel tub filled with murky, fizzing water.
The next morning, we hopped back on our bikes for a 9km ride along the river to Nymburk, where we indulged in the local delicacy - fried cheese in a bun. We also couldn't resist trying some delicious artisanal ice cream from the vast selection of flavors at Zmrzlinarna. Our next stop was the Botanicus Craft Centre in Ostra, where we took part in workshops in traditional crafts like basket-weaving, pottery, and wood carving. Alternatively, we could have simply relaxed in the glorious gardens, surrounded by the plants and herbs used to create natural skincare products.
Back in the city, we made sure to visit one of Prague's farmer's markets to sample some local produce before heading to The Rudolfinium, the home of the Czech Philharmonic orchestra. As luck would have it, our tour of the cultural landmark was accompanied by the orchestra rehearsing in the main concert hall, giving us all goosebumps. Our tour guide, Jan, was a wealth of knowledge and showed us the stunning building, including the bee hives on the roof with the best views of the city.
My responsible travels in Prague and Czechia allowed me to discover hidden gems and immerse myself in the local culture. I met incredible people and saw the city from a whole new perspective, all without compromising on comfort or the joy of travel.
WHERE TO EAT:
If you're looking for a delicious meal in Prague, I highly recommend The Eatery. The city is full of amazing food options, but this spot stands out for its tasty dishes and friendly atmosphere.
Living just outside Edinburgh, I have learned that tourism can have both positive and negative effects on heavily visited cities. As I prepare to visit another beautiful and historic city, Prague, I am reminded of this fact. However, I have also become more conscious of how I can minimize my impact while traveling. Fortunately, I am pleasantly surprised to find that this is easily achievable in the Czech Republic's capital city and surrounding area of Central Bohemia.
One of the most convenient and sustainable ways to get around Prague is by using public transportation. The city offers an extensive network of trams, metro, and buses, which can be accessed with a 24-hour travel pass for around £3.80. But for those looking for a more unique experience, bikes and kayaks are also available to explore the city from a different perspective.
Supporting small local businesses is another great way to travel sustainably while also immersing oneself in the local culture. Prague is known for its creative talent, and I had the pleasure of meeting some of the owners of these businesses during my trip. It was a highlight for me to see their passion for their city and learn about the products they lovingly create. One such business is VOALA, a design and paper-crafting studio in the city center. They produce beautiful, sustainable paper notebooks that make for excellent and ethical souvenirs. Another must-visit is SLAVA!, a fashion concept store and creative hub near Old Town Square, where visitors can browse and purchase local designer jewelry and clothing, or even take part in creative workshops.
To explore beyond the city limits, I took a guided bike ride through the lush parklands of Stromkova, once a hunting park for Czechia's kings and their esteemed guests. The gentle cycle led me to the Baroque architecture and pristine gardens of Troy Castle, now an art gallery showcasing contemporary works. Afterward, I took to the water on a rented kayak, enjoying a serene and unique view of iconic landmarks such as Charles Bridge and Prague Castle.
For those looking to escape the bustle of the city, a short train ride to Klucov will lead to a family-owned winery run by the lovely Pavel. Unlike most of Czechia's wine, which is produced in the Moravia region, this winery boasts six hectares of organic vineyards. The hand-drawn labels on the bottles are designed by a local artist and family friend. My wine-tasting experience here was enhanced by Pavel's passion and hospitality, and for those who want to extend their stay, accommodation is also available on-site.
Another nearby destination is the spa town of Podebrady, known for its thermal and mineral springs used for various treatments. After exploring the town's historical buildings and sampling the mineral water, I relaxed at Hotel & Spa Chariclea, which offers saunas and a pool. But the highlight was trying out a mineral spa bath, believed to have healing properties. Energized by the experience, I then embarked on a 9km bike ride to Nymburk, where I indulged in Czech delicacies such as fried cheese and artisanal ice cream.
For a more hands-on cultural experience, I visited the Botanicus Craft Centre in Ostra, where I took part in workshops on traditional crafts like basket-weaving and pottery. Alternatively, one can simply stroll through the beautiful gardens filled with plants and herbs used to make natural skincare products.
Back in the city, I explored one of Prague's farmer's markets, sampling local produce before taking a tour of The Rudolfinium, home of the Czech Philharmonic orchestra. Our knowledgeable guide Jan showed us the stunning building, including the rooftop bee hives with an incredible view of the city. The highlight was hearing the orchestra rehearse in the main concert hall, giving me goosebumps.
My trip to Prague and Czechia not only allowed me to travel responsibly but also gave me a deeper understanding and appreciation of the country and its people. I was able to discover hidden gems and see familiar sights from a new perspective. And best of all, I did not have to compromise on comfort or the joy of travel.
For food recommendations, The Eatery in Prague is a must-visit.
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