{"id":33853,"date":"2014-07-17T09:22:29","date_gmt":"2014-07-16T23:22:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.lastminute.co.nz\/blog\/?p=33853"},"modified":"2015-01-29T09:47:52","modified_gmt":"2015-01-28T23:47:52","slug":"prague-in-winter-part-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.co.nz\/vc\/blog\/prague-in-winter-part-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Prague in winter, part 2"},"content":{"rendered":"

In my last post<\/a> I spilled the beans on the best things to see and places to stay in beautiful Prague<\/a>. Now it’s time to get into the serious business of eating, drinking and shopping…<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Where to eat and drink:<\/strong><\/p>\n

You could easily booze your way around this city.<\/p>\n

There are plenty of authentic Czech beer halls where you can sample what\u2019s widely regarded as the best AND cheapest beer in the world.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m not a beer drinker (I can\u2019t handle the unpleasant bloating and all that), but considering pilsner was invented right here in Prague I decide to give it a go. The pilsner at Pivnice U Rudolfina is regarded as the best in town – something to do with the way it\u2019s \u201ctapped\u201d. My glass of beer is actually bigger than my head. It\u2019s no wonder they refer to it as liquid bread.<\/p>\n

\"Prague<\/a>

Prague prides herself on having the highest number of beer consumers per capita in the world<\/p><\/div>\n

If you plan on going hard with the beer, you\u2019ll want something to line your stomach. A word of warning though \u2013 at the Rudolfina, there\u2019s no English menu so the waiter translates: \u201cBeef. Pork. Chicken. Fish. Vegetable\u201d.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s it. Menu translation complete.<\/p>\n

If the idea of eating a pig\u2019s knee<\/em> doesn\u2019t make your stomach turn, the Roast Pork Knuckle is one of the most traditional dishes you can try in this city.<\/p>\n

Something I didn\u2019t expect to find in Prague was a phenomenal tapas bar. La Bodeguita del Medio<\/a> is a little slice of Cuba tucked away in a side street just off the Old Town Square. Good food. Live Latin music. Super cute bartenders. And the best mojito in Prague. Yep \u2013 this will do quite nicely for a Friday night, thank you very much!<\/p>\n

They also serve buckets of cocktails here. And that\u2019s not an exaggeration. It\u2019s actually a cocktail in a BUCKET, designed to be shared by five people with enormous straws that could extend to the next table. You\u2019ll be well hydrated as you dance into the wee hours. The party atmosphere really gets going late on Friday and Saturday nights.<\/p>\n

\"Order<\/a>

Order a bucket of the XXL Mojito, the Strawberry Daiquiri or the Cuba Libre<\/p><\/div>\n

If you prefer your cocktails with a view, try the Hotel U Prince<\/a> in the Old Town Square. The terrace has been voted one of the top 15 rooftop bars in the world. It\u2019s a divine spot to take in the sunset.<\/p>\n

\"Drinks<\/a>

Drinks with a view at the Hotel U Prince<\/p><\/div>\n

Where to shop:<\/strong><\/p>\n

When it comes to shopping in Europe, you probably think Milan<\/a>, Paris<\/a> or London<\/a>. But if you\u2019re a shopaholic like me and you can\u2019t resist popping inside every single ZARA you walk past (just for a quick look, I promise!), you\u2019ll enjoy getting your spend on in Prague. The shopping is surprisingly good here, and the selection of well-known labels now rivals many Western European cities. Apparently the rent is cheaper in Prague, which means the prices are slightly lower. And the shopping is tax-free, so anyone carrying a passport from outside the EU can get some cash back through the VAT refund scheme.<\/p>\n

The area around Wenceslas Square is home to plenty of big retailers like ZARA, Mango and H&M. The wide, tree-lined street Parizska, which runs from the Old Town Square down to the Hotel InterContinental, is Prague\u2019s equivalent of Rodeo Drive. Here you’ll find all the super posh high-end luxury brands \u2013 Cartier, Hermes, LV, Prada – and some fancy-looking cafes where you can stop for an espresso and some people-watching.<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t know a single person who\u2019s been to Prague and hasn\u2019t come back raving about it. There\u2019s a very good reason for that.<\/p>\n

Have you been to Prague? Share your tips in the comments.<\/strong><\/p>\n