Prague is full of the usual tourist highlights – Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, beer spas and Astronomical Clock (which has now reopened after being closed for renovation). But is that all there is to see and experience in Prague? No. There is more.
Over my years of travel to this delightful city in Europe, I have learnt to see beyond the obvious – a side of Prague that regular visitors are unaware of – or have no time to visit. I might add here that I was surprised and amazed to see and experience all this this and in doing so, I stopped feeling like a regular tourist and felt, briefly, that I had immersed myself in the real Czech Experience.
Please note that the following experiences are family friendly (yes, I mentioned family – beat that). I am certain that little kids would find a tank ride more fascinating than pushing through the tightly packed crowds on Charles Bridge – there, I said it again.
Botanicus historical craft village in Ostrá
I wasn’t sure what to find here – agreed, I am huge fan of Botanicus products but to actually visit a Botanicus historical craft village in Ostrá was another thing. I was told that it was like a window to the Middle-Ages – and I could learn a trick or two of certain crafts. Who can so NO to learning something new, right? Especially to soap-making! Not me. Plus, I was told, they traded in an entirely different currency.
Interesting indeed!
Arriving at the gates of this village and setting off immediately to explore it was a good idea. But no sooner you enter the gates of this village you get the feeling of having stepped back in time. Once inside, visitors have a unique opportunity to see what a medieval hamlet was like. Tables, benches and the shops (booths) itself were made up of large slabs of wood. Just like in the past. With good reason, smoking inside the craft village is banned!
Here is a tip: Retain the services of a guide to translate for you to because English is hardly spoken here, which might be a dampener on your lessons, if you are keen to pursue them.
Lining two sides of a steep, stony path are potters, candlemakers, soapmakers, ropemakers, tinkers, papermakers and trinket makers. As you go from booth to booth, you get an insight of how life existed in the ancient times. You can try your own hand at many of the crafts, like making a candle or a ball of soap or paper. It is great for the kids, I tell you. In fact, there were two groups of school kids right there, excitedly getting their hands muddy (and waxy if you will), and learning to trade with Groschen!
On a brighter side, you cannot use Czech crown for purchase! This make-believe medieval hamlet has its own currency called Groschen! (10 Czech crowns = 1 Groschen and can be exchanged at the admission counter)
The village is designed to look like a hamlet set in 1499 and all the employees and craftsmen are dressed in period costume.
But, as a reality check, you will see a tiny prison cell with a rack and an odd stone ball, a grim reminder of the severity of legally sanctioned punishment in the 15th century.
Right next to this village is the Botanicus garden where all the ingredients are grown. If you like strolling through gardens, do so. You might just scratch the surface of understanding exotic plant life.
How to reach: Trains run between Masarykovo (Prague) to Ostra.
Make a day of it at Troja
Take a trip beyond the Prague historical centre. Just so that you know, Prague has an excellent transport system, so get on it and explore outside the city centre. Hop on public transport system and head to Troja – a luxurious Baroque chateau surrounded by beautiful gardens and vineyards, the famous Prague Zoo and a set of botanical gardens packed with exotic plant life.
A useful tip: Get yourself a special Troja Card, available from any ticket office at attractions in the suburb, to enjoy reduced admission fee.
It is said that the idea of building the chateau was to recreate a piece of Italy, the eternal city – a chateau packed with art, surrounded by gardens and vineyards and of course, a river gurgling by. I suppose the original intention is there to see and enjoy, although sadly the chateau was closed so the works of art remained unappreciated, but you might be luckier than me!
The chateau itself is very impressive. The orange and white monumental structure begins at the end of a grand stairway lined with statues featuring titans and gods! The gardens and the fountains are worth lingering over.
Prague Zoo
Head to the zoo – if you are anything like me, you might not only be skeptical about visiting a zoo but might find it downright amusing. A zoo in Prague – indeed. But what do you know, it was such a surprise! I mean, I have spent long months in savannahs and tropical forests – but to actually find all of that in a zoo in Europe was quite exciting! The natural cliffs, jungles, butterflies, flat areas and slopes representing different habitats for a huge animal species are very impressive. I didn’t come here expecting to find giraffe or zebras, let alone polar bears or elephants, orangutans, red pandas and Komodo dragon, but…what do you know. They were all there.
You can easily spend a day here – there are over 4000 species of animals and birds to see and study. The zoo is huge and like I said various sections have their own attractions (flat savannah-like areas for African animals), Indonesian jungles for the monkeys…and such like.
Website: www.zoopraha.cz/en
Mirakulum children’s amusement park
Warning: Prepare yourself and your children for a FULL day of adventure. And I don’t just mean, fun and games – I mean some serious stuff. Mirakulum Children’s Amusement Park is a world in itself. From wooden castles to rope walks, trampolines and swings and trampolines to nature trails and walking in underground corridors, you can expect your offspring to enjoy every bit of it.
Of course, a day of activity requires frequent refreshments – and that is easily available here too. If you need to recharge, head to the relaxation area or participate in the indoor space with art workshops (a great option when it starts to rain).
Technically, Mirakulum caters to every season and activity.
How to reach: By train from Prague to Milovice station and then bus no. 432 to the Mirakulum station.
Website: www.mirakulum.cz/en
Ride a tank at Tankodrome
So, riding the tank doesn’t seem like something you thought you would do, right? I mean, a tank? But whether you are a true military aficionados or not (it’s enough that you want to ride in one) you can actually ride in – yes, a TANK.
To reach this spot, you exit the Mirakulum Park at one end (there are sign boards leading you all the way), till you come to a railroad. Your journey to an actual Russian military base begins here. Ride the APC (on a narrow gauge like the military-field railroad) to reach the heart of a combat zone where you see different Russian tanks, a Russian MIG, a helicopter, hummers, and other forms of man-machines. Of course, on the journey itself, you will see a variety of animals roaming free and if you are lucky a boar might cross the track in the front of you.
You will return to base in a tank – not on the train. I can tell you this – tank rides are not the most comfortable but seriously, if I had the chance to do it again, I would. The drivers love what they do and try to make every ride more extreme than the last, driving through mud, bumps, and dip you in a water in full speed.
Word of warning: Pay heed to the instructions given to you. And hold on tight – hold on for your life!
Website: www.tankodrommilovice.cz/
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