Author Archives: Michael

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The Prague Irish Connection

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Some readers may know that Karin and I lived in West Cork, Ireland for several years before moving to Paros, Greece.  While in Prague we hoped to renew the connection by going to one of the promoted “Irish pubs”.  Sadly we were consistently disappointed by either closed for remodeling signs or the only Irishness was bottled Guinness.

Irish dancing class in PragueRecently we were pleasantly surprised by a news article referring to a Prague school offering Irish dancing lessons.  Come to find out there are two such schools in Prague and many others throughout all of Europe.

The newest school, Luas Dancing School, is directed by Tereza Louzecka Bach.  Her first interest was American style clogging so she teaches that as well.

Participants are welcome for exercise and fun or they can train for competitions in Poland, Austria, Germany, Holland and eventually on to England and Ireland as well.

Prague also hosts a branch of the Delaney Academy of Irish Dance based in London.  I guess next time we will have to look deeper for a bit of shamrock.

Technorati Tags: Irish,dance,school,Guinness

Prague’s Golden Lane to Close for a Year

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Golden Lane at Prague CastleAccording to a report from Radio Prague Today:  Prague Castle’s famous Golden Lane is to be closed for at least one year for its most extensive restoration ever. The busy tourist destination will be closed from March and work will focus primarily on the obsolete sewer system.

Work will likely be slowed by the archaeological research that almost always accompanies excavating work in Prague’s historical areas. In this case, workers will be excavating some six meters and thereby giving archaeologists their first opportunity to carefully examine this part of Prague Castle.

Golden Lane preserves the last remnants of the small residential buildings that were home to soldiers and goldsmiths until the mid-19th century.

upper level within Golden Lane at Prague Castle

These photos are from our visit there in December 2008.  You can read more   Here

But better yet, get yourself to Prague soon.  Of course, if you can’t make it before the closure, don’t worry.  There is more to see and do in Prague than any one vacation can encompass.

 

Technorati Tags: Prague Castle,Golden Lane,Prague,excavation,archaeology

Site seeing in a book store

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On Paros I frequently tell guests to visit the Ekatontapyliani Church because there is Plexiglas in the floor through which you can see the ancient temple that the church is built over.

book store built on old ruinsNow in Prague I can tell people to visit the Palladium Palace book store because their is Plexiglas in the floor through which you can see parts of the ancient building that it is built over.

 

 

I discovered this by accident when I just popped into the store to see what was on special offer.  Karin and I love browsing book stores and we love studying old buildings and the life that evolved around them.  Now we can do both in one stop, not to mention it is across the aisle from a coffee shop!

 

The Palladium also demonstrates the Czech humour that we love so much.  This photo is the men’s urinals in the mall.Czech humor in the men's room

 

Technorati Tags: Ruins,book store,Plexiglas,urinals,Palladium

Art Deco Cafe’ Imperial

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Art Noveau doors to Imperial cafe' Prague

I should write a report of today’s activities because we did and saw many interesting things.  But I am going to cut it short with a quick plug for the Cafe’ Imperial.  We had decided to take our coffee break there due to the recommendation of Karen, blogger at Buying Retail in the Czech Republic.  Thanks Karen, it was great.

The decor was fantastic, the service exemplary, the food and drink very good and the prices reasonable.  What more can I say!  See for your self on their entertaining web site that includes many photos and the rest of the hotel.  Imperial Home Page

Technorati Tags: Prague,Czech,cafe,Imperial,art deco