Monthly Archives: November 2013

Why You Should Go to the Czech Republic in 2014

Old Town Square in Prague, Czech Republic

Ever been to Prague? It’s most likely the first thing about the Czech Republic that comes to mind. Yet as this city is definitely a must-see destination, Czech Tourism officials wants to make sure potential visitors know that there is plenty to explore in this Eastern European country.

Last Thursday night, Czech Tourism North America and Prague City Tourism co-hosted a reception to unveil the launch of a re-branding campaign called “Land of Stories,” which promotes Czech Republic’s heritage and offerings. The campaign is shaped to encourage travelers and tourists to create their own stories from their experiences they have there.

Back in New York City’s Greenwich Village, at the Czech-inspired Doma na rohu restaurant, board representatives greeted us with appetizers and a wine tasting by Vino z Czech of brands from Moravia, a wine-growing region.

While Prague is a top reason to visit the Czech Republic, as I did in 2012, Czech Tourism also is promoting other equally appealing attractions. Here are the campaign’s key themes:

1) Modern Prague

Admirers of modern marvels should check out Cubist architecture found in The House at the Black Madonna, Trade Fair Palace and Muller House. Significant buildings also extend to historic houses of worship. Prague has a strong Jewish heritage, with a number of synagogues, a unique cemetery, and folkloric legends like the figure Golem in its Jewish Quarter, a former ghetto called Josefov.

2) Southern Moravia

In the Southwestern part of the Czech Republic, this region is famous for its wine, and also contains Palava, a nature reserve, and Lednice-Vaitice region, a cultural landscape of Baroque estates that has also been declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

3) Pizen

Of course, the Czech Republic is known for beer, and Pizen is touted as the capital of beer culture. I also learned that there is a Chodovar Beer Spa that centers on “beer wellness.” (Mental note: Look into making an appointment.)

4) Český Krumlov

Another UNESCO World Heritage site, this town is famous for its historic castle and is home to the oldest Baroque theater in Europe.

5) Medical Tourism

As the concept of medical tourism (going outside your home country for medical treatments, often at a lower cost) has been gaining more press, Czech Tourism is pitching Czech Republic’s emergence as a European destination to obtain affordable yet still topnotch medicine. One suggested place to perhaps head to is Karlovy Vary, a “spa town” in western Bohemia.

Learn more at Czech Tourism’s website.

What’s New in Toronto? Wahlburgers and Other Attractions

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Although Toronto has been getting attention from a completely different matter, Canada’s largest city has new and long-time attractions that make this destination great for exploring. Last Tuesday, Tourism Toronto came to Manhattan’s Midtown district to host a special dinner at Rustico Cooking to celebrate a newcomer to the city. A restaurant.

In early 2014, Wahlburgers Canada will open inside the SoHo Metropolitan Hotel on Blue Jays Way in Toronto’s entertainment district. Yes, for those of you are pop culture savvy, NKOTB performer turned actor Donnie Wahlberg and his fellow acting brother Mark Wahlberg have family ties to this establishment. Their brother, Paul, is the restaurant’s executive chef.

Already having a location in their home state of Massachusetts, Wahlburgers’ menu was designed to bridge the family’s memories with their fondness for comfort food. Meal options include takes on traditional American dishes such as the patty melt and macaroni salad (taken from their mother’s recipe) to more customary choices based on what the Wahlberg brothers like to eat.

So why choose a Canadian location? Here’s the reason: work schedules. The brothers have often spent much time in Toronto due to movie shoots, and got to know the city’s culinary scene.

For our dinner, Paul presented a Thanksgiving-themed menu. Our main dish was Mark’s Choice, a signature turkey burger packed with roasted butternut squash, an orange and cranberry sauce, stovetop stuffing and mayo on a potato bun. The burger was paired with the restaurant’s macaroni salad along with a fall salad with cranberry vinaigrette made with mesclun greens, romaine hearts and butternut squash.

With dessert, a signature chocolate cupcake by Cupcake Mojo had an extra bite to it with the added ingredient of Sriracha, a hot sauce. And an adult frappe was all about S’mores, thanks to chocolate ice cream, Smirnoff marshmallow, chocolate syrup and graham cracker crumble.

Food aside, Toronto offers a mixture of historical, cultural, and family-friendly offerings. The city recently welcomed in a Ripley’s Aquarium, and still has long-time favorites such as the Ontario Science Centre, Toronto Zoo, the CN Tower, and Canada’s Wonderful Land. NHL fans must make a visit to the Hockey Fall of Fame and winter sports fans should also head to Toronto Ski and Snowboard Centres. With the arts, The Art Gallery of Ontario is presenting “David Bowie Is,” a collection of more than 300 objects from the performer’s personal archives now through November 27.

And with the holiday season pretty much here, Toronto Tourism’s website seetorontonow.com is serving as a one-stop shop for booking hotel reservations to enjoy this festive time in the city. More information on events like Lowe’s Toronto Christmas Market (November 29-December 15) and Cavalcade of Lights (November 30) is available on the site as well.