city breaks

Sara Harding from Students in Europe tells us why Prague is the place to go for good music, food and beer. Everyone loves Prague. It's one of those places that people who have been lucky enough to visit will tell you is a must-see before you die, and almost anyone who goes there has a great time. Under Communist rule for nearly 40 years, the city has retained much of its historic architecture (unlike much of the rest of Eastern Europe), making a Prague city break perfect for those who want to wander the streets for hours at a time. Pronounced Praha by locals, Prague is the place to go for good music, food and of course, beer. The people are friendly and welcoming, and no one will get annoyed at you when you can't speak a word of Czech or realize you have no idea how to calculate the exchange rate between the Czeck Crown and the US Dollar or Euro. Since the end of Communism, the city has blossomed. When I went there for the first time just two weeks ago, I was impressed at how it had embraced modernity while still holding on to the wonderful Czech culture. Yet one of the downsides of the new, modern Prague is that it's becoming more and more difficult to find classic, cheap Czech prices. Most of the restaurants these days cater to tourists and offer costs comparable to standard European prices. But if you stick with the local places and get off the beaten path, you can save a bundle of money and get to know the Czech culture better as well. To do: While the typical sights in Prague can be extremely expensive, there are plenty of things to see and do without breaking the bank. The city itself is like one big museum, and walking until your feet hurt will get you a better sense of the city than spending all day in actual museums will. Unless you have a lot of time (more than three days), I would focus your excursions on Prague's main sections – the Old Town, New Town, Castle Quarter, Little Quarter and Jewish Quarter. In the Old Town: The Charles Bridge is a famous, historic bridge just off the Old Town crossing the Vltava River. There you'll find street musicians, arts and crafts, and lots of interesting people watching. Don't forget to check out the Astronomical Clock, right in Old Town Square (also worth visiting), where every hour on the hour crowds gather to see the complex 500-year old clock. In the Jewish Quarter: While most of the sights in the Jewish Quarter will cost you (around €50 to see all the synagogues and other highlights), you'll still get a sense of the area by walking around it. And while many of the free viewpoints that used to cater to people who didn't want to pay are now closed, some still remain (hint: for a peek at the Old Jewish Cemetery, climb the steps of the Ceremonial Hall and look to your left). In the Castle Quarter: Even if you don't want to pay to go inside, walking up the hill to Prague's Castle Quarter is one thing that should definitely not be missed on any visit to Prague. Take a look at the architecture of the famous area and keep a look out for some of the more famous buildings and monuments while you’re there. And don't forget to look out over the hill - the views of the city are phenomenal. Other things to do in Prague include the city's many annual festivals and its inexpensive music and theatre scene. Check out the English-language Prague Post for upcoming events. To eat: Typical Czech food is pretty basic - think meat, potatoes and hearty stews. But Prague also offers a plentitude of international and healthy fare, and I had fantastic meals when I was there (and I'm a vegetarian!). The biggest trick to not spending a fortune on dinner is to avoid the touristy places, where you'll spend two to three times more on a meal than you would at a classic Czech restaurant or cafe. While you're there, try the Czech dumplings (knedliky), a traditional side dish made from wheat or potato flour with pork or beef inside, boiled in water then sliced and served hot. Goulash (Guláš) is another popular dish made from chicken, duck, turkey, fish, rabbit or lamb. If you're not into large quantities of meat, you can still try the Czech soups -- usually very tasty -- and salads (I found the produce surprisingly fresh, and was always happy with my salad selection). And don't miss out on the desserts - the cakes and pastries are amazingly delicious. Of course, the main thing you should try while you're in Prague is the beer, known as some of the very best in Europe. The same rule that applies to restaurants also holds true for drinking in Prague: stay off the tourist path and you'll pay around €1 for a pint, go somewhere touristy and pay two to three times that. Cafe Montmartre is a good choice for Czech prices, offering fantastic, cheap beer and classic Czech ambiance. And Hostinec u Cerneho Vola (By the Black Ox) is a fun but dingy place to go for Kozel beer and light meals at very reasonable prices. What to buy: Puppets, glass and ceramics fill most of the tourist shops in Prague, and can be a little overwhelming (and pricey) at times. For local crafts at slightly more reasonable prices, check out the Havelska Market, just a couple of blocks from Old Town Square's Astronomical Clock. To sleep: Prague is notorious for being an expensive place to stay, and many people make the mistake of staying 20-30 minutes outside of the city to save a few bucks. Don't bother - it's a hassle and you'll have to pay to take public transportation to reach the center of Prague. Instead, consider staying in one of Prague's many hostels, a great choice for saving money while getting to meet other students and young people along the way. Old Prague Hostel: Right by the Powder Tower, the Old Prague Hostel is a friendly, comfortable place to stay that won't cost you your life savings. From about €10 a bed, you'll get access to their TV lounge/breakfast room, plus free breakfast, sheets, towels, lockers and Internet access. Beds fill up fast in the summer so its best to book one month ahead. Old Prague Hostel: Benedikska 2, Prague. Hostel Tyn: Hidden in a courtyard just two blocks from Old Town Square, you can't really get a better location than this. The downside is that the staff isn't as friendly as could be, and breakfast isn't included in the price. Basic refreshment is included, along with access to their luggage room, safe box, internet room, common kitchen and breakfast room with TV. Prague offers a wide range of budget accommodation, from hostels to cheap hotels that can easily be found throughout the city. Don't forget to book well in advance, as the sooner you book, the more money you save for all that food and beer!