Prague. It is described by Franz Kafka as “the Mother of cities, which will sink its claws into you and never let go”
This is quite true. Getting to know Prague isn’t unlike “love at first sight.” Your first breath of Prague is your last chance. Try to resist the storybook, pre 20th Century cobblestoned fairy tale city. Architectural styles span almost a thousand years worth of structural and design diversity. A European treasure with a real life Disney-land backdrop should be explored on foot. Walk through the horse drawn carriage-sized streets and occasionally find an old Gothic arch or Roman cave that encourages you to go a little further. Store windows plentiful with baroque garnet jewelry make a passerby imagine if this is how the riverbanks must appear after an onslaught of rain — overflowing. Cafes bursting with crowds demonstrate the vast tolerance alive within the social fabric here.
The place to stay is Augustine Hotel, a complex of multiple structures, some dating back to 1284. Still partly an operating monastery, monks can be seen on occasion, and until today they continue to carefully brew the famous St.Thomas Beer. Aptly named after its famous beverage namesake and once the original cellar of the St Thomas Brewery, the basement bar is one of the many fine points at Augustine and the perfect way to begin an evening spent on property.
Dine in — every night in Prague is not enough to grow tired of Chef Marek Fichtner’s menu. His impressive pedigree and resume come as no shock after experiencing his idea of gastronome. Something as simple as tomato soup is met with originality and artful expression through culinary precision. Rest your head “where no room looks like the other” and wake up only a short walk — more like a hop, skip and a jump, from the world famous gothic Charles Bridge. Dating back to 14th century construction, the bridge — along with the statues lining it, stands as a centerpiece highlighting the city’s skyline. Sweet fresh baked scents invasively waft through your path as you begin to cross over the Vltava River.
It’s easy to picture it as a backdrop for Sleeping Beauty or Dracula, and everything in between. Have an ice cream cone on the street or grab-and-go from a local bakery as you wander and feel the mythical side to this city take over your imagination. Embrace Prague’s energy.
By KATRINA WOOLVERTON
TheAugustine.com
ZinkMagazine.com
