Private Prague: New York Times Journeys - Story of Prague: Remarkable Architecture & Food
Prague, Czech Republic
From EUR 249.00
Office phone number: +420 608 107 108
Private Prague: New York Times Journeys - Story of Prague: Remarkable Architecture & Food
Prague, Czech Republic
Culture shock rating
Worried we’re going to shock your senses? Relax! We believe part of the fun of travel is immersing yourself in the destination and its culture, meeting the people, and learning what makes the place tick. We’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The cultural shock rating ranks how different the experience is from most Western cultures. But no matter the level, don’t worry, you’ll have a local, in-the-know guide with you every step of the way.
Low
Consider these tours your 101 intro to a place. Transportation might be private or a very comfortable public option, and the activities are usually visits to iconic sites and locations that are familiar to most Western cultures – but that will still give you fantastic insight into a destination.
Medium
Expect to rough it for parts of this tour, whether that’s on a packed public bus or in a local market off the tourist trail. There might be a few language barriers or unfamiliar cultural customs, and you’ll get an experience different from what you're used to at home.
High
You're out there in the global community! We’re going to take you down streets you’d rarely explore on your own, introduce you to local customs and languages, and take you for a ride in whatever transport is available. Get ready to take it as it comes, whatever comes. There might be a shock, but oh man, it’s worth it.
Physical rating
Worried our tours are too tough? Relax! From leisurely strolls to muscle-burning treks, we’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The physical grading gives you an idea of how much huffing and puffing you can expect on the tour.
Low
Slow and steady is all you need here. These tours have very limited physical activity, such as walking relatively flat streets, sites, or markets, and climbing in and out of the transport provided.
Medium
Not too hard, not too soft, these tours are just right! You can expect a bit of physical activity, but nothing overly challenging – perhaps walking up and down hills, riding a bike for up to 30 kilometers along mostly flat terrain, or jumping in a kayak for a gentle paddle on flat water.
High
Get ready for a workout! These tours are our most challenging and involve intense walking, hiking, kayaking, swimming, or bike riding. You could be making steep climbs by foot or pedal, or working your core in the water. We recommend you have a good level of fitness to join this tour.
-
Tour snapshot
Explore the architecture and food of one of Europe’s most spectacular cities with a local guide by your side on a very special tour curated in partnership with The New York Times. Celebrate the mix of Gothic, Art Nouveau and Brutalist buildings in the city and go behind the scenes at the locals' favorite Italian restaurant and learn about the many international influences that have contributed to Czech gastronomy over the years. Then taste delicious local cuisine, craft beer and Moravian wine at a trendy bistro. Our adventure will continue as we cross the river to explore a pretty, lesser known neighborhood with hidden cafes, jazz clubs and wine bars. Our final stop will be at a 17th-century villa turned museum to talk architecture, cinema and cake!
-
Highlights
- Taste traditional, local food and discover the local and international influences that have combined over the years to make up what we know today as modern Czech cuisine
- Stroll narrow streets and modern boulevards, and see where Mozart conducted the debut of his opera “Don Giovanni.”
- Take a tram across the river to stroll the attractive neighborhoods of Lesser Town and Kampa Island
- Eat your way across one of Europe’s most vibrant cities.
- Learn the intriguing history of Prague's Astronomical Clock
New York Times Exclusives:
- Behind-the-Scenes Access: Take a behind-the-scenes kitchen tour with a chef at La Bottega Linka, the newest addition to the restaurant empire of Riccardo Lucque
- Hands-on Element: Write with a quill or have a go at printing books the old fashioned way like the nuns did at St. Agnes Monastery
- Local Interactions: Take a tour with an expert through the Werich Villa, the former home of a Czech actor that now houses a museum and arts venue
-
Schedule details
- Duration: 4 hours
- Meeting point:
On the benches in front of the Church of Saint Castullus (Kostel sv. Haštala), Haštalské nám. 790/1, 110 00, Prague.
- Starting time: 10.00 AM
- Ending point:
Kampa Island - Malá Strana, 118 00 Praha 1
Language: English
Inclusions: Food-loving, local English-speaking guide, tram ticket, 6 food tastings at different places (portion sizes vary but total amount of food equals a full meal, choices vary depending on daily/seasonal availability, vegetarian options available), 3 beverages (Czech beer, Moravian or Italian Wine, coffee, or soft drinks) entrance to Voskovec & Werich exhibition, a map with personalised food recommendations.
Exclusions: Items of personal nature, additional food or drink, tips/gratuities for your guide.
Our journey begins at the medieval Convent of Saint Agnes of Bohemia. In a city full of churches, this particular one is often overlooked by visitors. In-the-know locals on the other hand, flock here for tranquil walks alongside the convent’s dramatic Gothic architecture. We will discuss the construction of the building and see some of the precious artworks that it is home to and hear stories about its past, including the Bohemian Princess whose actions back in the 13th century still resonate today. You will be encouraged to channel your inner nun and have a go at writing a letter with an old quill like the nuns used to do in their printing workshop. It’s not as easy as it looks.
A scenic stroll through narrow streets that traverse the border between the Old Town and the New Town, will lead us to a large boulevard. Here, Communist-era Brutalist buildings cloak hidden architectural gems that are often ignored by the tourist hordes, who usually gravitate towards the more famous sites of the city.
Prague has been a cultural melting point for centuries, which is always a good sign for a city’s food scene. Italian gastronomy has a particularly strong influence here and we will experience this first-hand with a visit to observe the mini-empire of super chef Riccardo Lucque, the owner of several high-standard, trendsetting restaurants in central Prague. Together we will enjoy an exclusive tour with a chef of the kitchen of La Bottega Linka, a popular bistro and deli that boasts a charcoal-fuelled oven. You will see and taste for yourself why there is such a buzz around the delicious food that’s being created here everyday.
More architecture is next on our cultural adventure with a visit to Republic Square. Here we will admire the grandeur of the art nouveau Municipal House and see a jewel of Prague architecture, Old Town Square with its Astronomical Clock. Round the corner is the historic building of Charles University, founded in the 14th century and the beautiful classicist palace of the Theater of the Estates. Mozart conducted the world premiere of his opera 'Don Giovanni' here in 1787. Almost 200 years later, Milos Forman arrived with his crew to shoot the Oscar-winning movie 'Amadeus' here.
Time for another foodie break. The trendy Spejle Bistro takes its name from the skewer used to serve almost everything on the menu. Here you will try many bite-size Czech classics and sip a glass of Moravian wine or Czech craft beer.
Hop on a tram like the locals do and cross the river Vltava to the beautiful district of Lesser Town and its pulsing heart, Kampa Island. Here, we will discover the Werich Villa, a former tannery that was once the home of Czech actor and playwright Jan Werich. This 18th-century villa opened to the public in 2017 as a museum and cultural arts center, featuring exhibits on the building’s history as well as the story of Werich and his frequent collaborator, the actor Jiri Voskovec. We will take an exclusive tour of the Villa and you'll get a chance to meet a local expert guide. We'll finish the tour with a cup of coffee and a delicious slice of cake.
New York Times Reading List:
- Beguiled by Prague
- One of the World’s Oldest Clocks Stops Ticking, Briefly
- In Prague, Design Thrives in Intimate Shops
- Communism’s Answer to Mickey Mouse Is Thrust Into a Very Capitalistic Dispute
- How Czech Wine Got Its Terroir Back
A City Tour gift certificate is the perfect present for any occasion. Select a specific tour and date, or choose the value and let the lucky recipient decide how to redeem it.
-
Additional information
Inclusions: Food-loving, local English-speaking guide, tram ticket, 6 food tastings at different places (portion sizes vary but total amount of food equals a full meal, choices vary depending on daily/seasonal availability, vegetarian options available), 3 beverages (Czech beer, Moravian or Italian Wine, coffee, or soft drinks) entrance to Voskovec & Werich exhibition, a map with personalised food recommendations.
Exclusions: Items of personal nature, additional food or drink, tips/gratuities for your guide.
Confirmation of booking: If you have your voucher, your booking is confirmed. We'll see you at the start point. Get in touch if you have any concerns or require more information via the email address or phone number (business hours only) on your voucher.
Additional Information: Local currency is Czech koruna. Euro is accepted only exceptionally and not everywhere.
Closure of sites: We reserve the right to change the course of the tour and places visited in case one of the venues is closed. In the event of a change of menu, we will pick the best alternative, ensuring no loss in quality or quantity of inclusions.
Child Policy: Children between the ages of 6 and 11 inclusively are permitted on this tour at the rate listed above. Please select ‘child’ above when booking. Children below the age of 6 are not permitted on this tour.
-
Dietary Notes
We can accommodate vegetarians and other dietary restrictions. Please notify us in advance if you have any dietary requests. You can do so in the ‘Additional information’ box at checkout, or by emailing us at info@pragueurbanadventures.com.
-
Local contact
Office phone number: +420 608 107 108
Email address: info@pragueurbanadventures.com
BACK TO TOP