Prague: Czeched Out!

We all know that Prague is a must-see place, a gorgeous, ancient, golden city of bridges, good beer and…well, sex tourism. However, you realize only upon your arrival, how mind-blowingly, spine-chillingly freezing the city can get around New Year’s Eve. Furthermore, to say that Prague is a tourist favourite, is actually an understatement. The city is crawling with them (that is to say, with us), and they all seem to be Italian, or at least all the loudest crowds are. “Prima si mangia”, they yell at each other vivaciously, and you can’t help but concede that ragazzi have cracked the meaning of life.

But when I set aside my whining and complaining, the city was there in all its splendour, waiting to be discovered, relished and admired. Cinderella castle which apparently inspired Walt Disney reigns the main square and threatens to overshadow the Astronomical Orloj clock’s full-hour spectacle.

The Charles Bridge is always equally spectacular, no matter how many times you cross it. Ginger and Fred building is truly an inspiring architectural marvel, and it does capture the dynamics of movement and the swish of tango.

The Municipal Building is an homage to the exciting, over the top Art Nouveau era and its artists. The restaurant in the basement is a bit on the pricey side, but well worth it, because it sells the intangible commodity of Bohemian atmosphere.

The absolute highlight of Prague has been a visit to Mucha Museum, a place that commemorates the life and work of Alfonso Mucha, one of the pioneers of Art Nouveau and the art of advertising. The man who had it all. Looks, talent, luck, love, family, success, adoration, fulfilment of his every desire. His illustrations are so famous that they are practically a part of our collective unconscious. They display sensuous Slavic beauties, with their cascades of luxuriant hair and seductive big eyes, clothed in flowers and delicate colours. They are rendered with precision, imagination and creativity that is fresh even nowadays.

In between these landmarks, make sure to try “trdelnik”, a local sweet delicacy that is being grilled on the spit over open fire on almost every street stall. It just seems to be something that you might not like, dry, doughy and empty in the middle. Once you dig in and bite the almond, sugar and vanilla embellished crust, you will be ready to sell your soul for another piece. It’s either one of the best sweets ever, or the proof of my theory that during winter we do not crave the actual street food, but its warmth.

If you can imagine a better way to usher in a New Year than to watch fireworks bathing with light the old towers and church spires of Prague, then you are a bigger person than me. I wouldn’t change a thing. At midnight, I made a wish, hugged the love of my life and lit a sparkler.