Category Archives: Europe

Moving Along Iceland’s Ring Road

Leaving Reykjavik and heading south, we went along Iceland’s Ring Road, a national highway that connects towns and passes by fjords, mountains, farmland and plateaus. Also known as Route 1, this main road is about 830 miles and connects to picturesque sites including two major waterfalls, Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, and the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon.

For most of the Ring Road, it’s like any common interstate highway you may have driven on, with two split lanes going in different directions. Time wise, the route is well traveled during the summer months yet during winter it can be a different story. Certain parts of it are often closed due to bad weather or road conditions. So, if you happen to be there (from October through April), check ahead before driving out.

Seljalandsfoss

While en route, we made stops at these outdoor marvels. At Seljalandsfoss, there is a trail that leads you literally go behind these falls. Starting from the right, the trail winds around the back of the waterfall going underneath a cavern. Here, you can see and hear up close the continuing water. Then, you can head back out to the left to climb up a viewing area to check a different angle of Seljalandsfoss. Be careful, too, as these spots can be slippery.

Skógafoss

Equally if not more inspiring, Skógafoss is one of Iceland’s largest waterfalls. You can get quite close to the waterfall and the spray coming off is amazing to see and feel. Just remember, as you get towards the mist, to protect your camera lens! As you are able to walk along the base of the waterfalls, you can also get to different levels for more than one side view.

On the east side of Skógafoss, there is a long staircase in which you make the climb to get all the way to the top, or stop at side paths along the way that lead to lookout points. I tried to go up the entire staircase to reach the pinnacle, but due to having limited time — and me needing a lot more of time to get up and back down in one piece — I decided to go along one of the side trails and then back down to the base instead.

Solheimajökull glacier

In addition to waterfalls, Iceland’s glaciers are a beauty unto themselves. You can actually book tours to climb them, or simply walk near them. The day’s itinerary included a spot at the amazing Solheimajökull glacier, an outlet of an ice cap known as Mýrdalsjökull. You can walk up to this glacier, and get close enough to touch the ice and see the river next to it.

My time outdoors ended with a jaunt to Dyrholaey Nature Reserve, not too far from the town of Vik. Since 1978, this marine protected area consists of cliffs and a rock archway where puffins and other species of birds come to roost. Unfortunately, on this day, the weather suddenly changed and didn’t want to cooperate on giving us a clear view. However, it is neat to walk around here. And, of course, be careful near the edges.

Taking a Dip in Iceland’s Blue Lagoon

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One of Iceland’s well-visited attractions is the Blue Lagoon. A by-product of a nearby geothermal power plant called Svartsengi, the lagoon is a pool and spa complex that is worth taking a trip to and a dip in.

About a 40-minute drive from Reykjavik, this outdoor lagoon is in the middle of a lava field and recognized for its bluish and milky-white water. It is quite warm and contains minerals such as silica that are believed to help in treating certain skin ailments like psoriasis. Silica, which is white in color, is found in different sections of the lagoon, and you can dig it up with your hands and lather it on your face or body. Think of it as a mud mask.

Way before going in the water and even before heading to the changing room area, your visit to the Blue Lagoon starts by purchasing a towel and a special blue wristband that closes your locker. Robes can also be rented separately.

Once you’re set there, head to men or women’s changing room areas to get into your swimsuit and put your stuff in an available locker. On the ladies’ side, this area is quite big (there are lower and upper levels) and you might have to walk around a bit to find an empty locker. After three tries, I found one, slipped into my swimsuit and closed my locker by raising my wristband against a wall panel.

Going in or coming out, you will be passing by shower stalls and sharing open changing areas with countless other visitors, so don’t get nervous or uncomfortable if you see a lot of skin. It’s like being at the local gym. Once you’re ready, grab your towel and head down to the lagoon.

It’s a blissful scene here. Being in the warm water (maybe around 86 F/32 C in temperature) and looking out at the surrounding mountains and up at the clear blue sky is quite surreal. The lagoon’s waters are pretty clean as they get renewed every 40 hours. It’s not that deep either.

Areas close to the edge of the lagoon are quite shallow, so be a bit careful. I was in a hurry to get next to one of these spots so that a nice lady could take my picture and I smacked the side of my leg hard against a mound. Oh well. Just more time to spend in the water to help my sore muscles.

Around the lagoon, there are also bridges and an outdoor bar where you can swim up to and order drinks. I didn’t get any but I heard for payment you just flash your wristband and your drink is put on your tab. Instead, I floated along and chatted with other visitors.

Back indoors, there are two dining options. A cafe has sandwiches, salads, chips and drinks and a restaurant offers more upscale choices. At the gift shop, you can buy skin care products made with minerals from the sea waters but they can be a bit pricey.

If you don’t have a car, you can get to the Blue Lagoon by bus from Keflavik International Airport, which is a 20-minute ride, and through tour operators. It’s nice option for those who have a layover that gives them enough time to head out the lagoon and back.

Interestingly, the lagoon is located where the Eurasian and American tectonic plates meet, so it’s actually set between two continents. Other than the lagoon though, there isn’t much else in this region to visit. However, the scenery is interesting. You will notice how the 2010 volcanic eruption has changed the look of this landscape and probably spot some Icelandic horses, too.

Exploring Iceland: First Stop, Reykjavik

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Visit Iceland during summer months is like being able to stay at the playground way after dark. Daylight runs a bit longer than probably what you’re used to. Yet, having the extra “time” to take in scenery is worth it.

Recently, I took a package tour through the country, first spending two days in Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital, and then heading along the southeast coast for six days before going back west. So let’s start with Reykjavik. It’s a small yet walkable city, particularly around the old town section. There is also a good public bus system and you can get what’s called a Welcome Card from Tourist Information Center by Ingólfstorg or from your hotel.

RI 13 The city center is where most attractions, eateries, and crowds are found. With restaurants and cafes, you can find choices that include traditional Icelandic meals such as cod, salmon, lamb, puffin and minke whale (commercial whale hunting exists). Other cuisine options include everything from American to Indian. Nightlife here consists of clubs and bars, such as a neat one dedicated to the film The Big Lebowski, and it’s possible to run into late-night partiers heading home as late as 8 a.m.

Just as exploring the city by foot or bus is a good way to learn more about Reykjavik, here are a couple of spots worth stopping at:

Tjörnin

Tjörnin is a lake near the city center, surrounded by a park graced with statues and pathways and comes to the edge of City Hall. It’s very serene. As you get closer to the street side of Tjörnin, you’ll see many birds flock here, including swans, geese and arctic terns.

Hallgrímskirkja

Hallgrímskirkja is a Lutheran church that offers some great panoramic views of Reykjavik with an observation tower. Pay a small fee to take a partial lift up and then walk up stairs to get to the top. The church also has an impressive organ.

Perlan

Speaking of scenery, Perlan has a viewing deck at the top of this building on the hill called Öskjuhlíð. For decades, the structure has held five hot water storage tanks used for geothermal heating, a major energy source in Iceland. There is also a restaurant here that is said to rotate (I’ve heard mixed reviews about the food) but the exterior views are really nice. You can get to Perlan by either walking up or taking a taxi or car.

Harpa Concert Hall

Down at the harbor, Harpa Concert Hall is a glass-based, geometrical wonder that is fairly new to the city. Opened in May 2011, this hall serves as an opera house and venue for theatrical and musical performances, conferences and lectures. Step inside to gaze around at this structure. The upper level reminds me of like a kaleidoscope and has nice lookout views of the city and the surrounding landscape.

Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur

Also near the harbor, Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur is a small hotdog stand that has been in existence since 1937. Just dogs and soft drinks are found on the menu. Condiments include universal favorites like ketchup and sweet mustard along with onions either fried or raw. Be adventurous and try remolaði, a mayonnaise-based sauce with sweet relish.

Before you go, remember that the weather can change often so pack clothes you can layer on and take off.

Exploring Krakow: Poland’s Living Legacy

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Who says summer days are lazy? Like many of you, I’ve been busy catching up on some projects and completing assignments. And, also like you, I am making plans for seeing family, friends, and places of course.

In thinking about summer vacations, I wanted to share a new post about a trip to Eastern Europe last year. Among three cities and countries I jaunted to with my cousin, Krakow, Poland really stood out for me. From its medieval days as a major trading stop to sections impacted by events leading up to World War II, Krakow maintains a thriving link to the past while being in the present. Here is what to see and do:

Walk Around Krakow’s Old Town Section

The focal point of Krakow’s Old Town section is Rynek Glówny, which also carries the distinction of being Europe’s largest medieval square. There is also a neat mixture of neighboring architecture found here. Town Hall Tower, the remnant of a 14-century town hall, has a 100-step staircase for climbing up, or browse among the wares offered by vendors inside Sukiennice, also known as Cloth Hall. This venue was once where merchants cut fabrics and nowadays more touristy but it’s a good source for finding souvenirs and handcrafted items.

Around Rynek Glówny, meal options are plenty with restaurants and cafes. Pretzel carts sell nice-sized ones in plain or seeded versions. I paid about maybe a Euro and some change for one, and they can be filling. Another neat find around Rynek Glówny is St. Mary’s Basilica, which is worth going inside to view its ornate alter and ceiling. If you happen to be around outside this church on the hour, look up at its tall tower to catch a trumpeter playing four calls.

Stay in Rynek Glówny a bit more, or buy in advance your timed admission entrance, to see Rynek Underground, a fascinating museum that literally takes visitors underneath street levels to seeing reconstructed displays on how medieval Krakow looked.

Exhibits are based on real archeological findings, as relics are paired alongside touchscreens and short videos that provide details on everything from daily living to trade routes. Another wing gets even more visual with history films on various chapters of Krakow’s background. An impressive, 3D chronology on key figures throughout Krakow’s past is aired as a 360-degree presentation. Definitely get your tickets to Rynek Underground beforehand. Waits can get long.

Glimpse Into Royal Living

At Wawel, a hillside area near the Vistual River, kings were crowned and later buried and also lived out their reign for centuries. I recommend getting an early start here because there are limited daily tickets for going inside Wawel Castle and Wawel Cathedral.

You can walk around the grounds of this complex but seeing the interior of both these places provides more insight on Krakow’s royalty.

Wawel Cathedral is the resting place for national heroes and political leaders as well as late kings whose legacies live on in embellished tombs and sarcophagi. About three years, the late Polish President Lech Kaczynski and his wife were interned in a crypt. The cathedral has a number of small chapels named for saints or key figures. You can choose to climb up the Dzwon Zygmunta, a bell tower, where it’s said that if you touch the clapper of the massive Zygmunt bell (the largest of the five bells) with your left hand, you will have good luck.

Graced with an Italian Renaissance courtyard, Wawel Castle has staterooms and private apartments with lavish furnishings such as tapestries and paintings along with Crown Treasury and Armory and other national wonders. Carefully climb up the narrow Sandomierska Tower, once used to hold firearms and artillery. Once you leave Wawel, journey down toward the Vistual River to follow a path route along the water and get a different look at the hill.

See the Strength of Jewish Community

As the Nazi invasion of Poland led to the beginning of World War II, Krakow’s Jewish population was forced to leave the long-thriving district of Kazimierz and pushed into a wartime ghetto called Podgórze.

Today, Kazimierz has been reinvigorated as a place for kosher dining and a happening night scene, and also has a marketplace called Plac Nowy. Steven Spielberg filmed Schindler’s List here, and there are significant houses of worship such as the Remuh Synagogue & Cemetery, dating back to 1553, and Popper Synagogue, now an arts center.

Podgórze contains standing reminders of the onslaughts that happened there. Plac Botherów Getta is a memorial of 70 chairs in remembrance of the ghetto’s occupants who were rounded up in this public space to be sent on to concentration camps.

Next to the memorial, Pharmacy Under the Eagle was once a working pharmacy that doubled as a secret meeting place for residents. Now it’s a museum. Along a section called Lwowska, catch two remaining segments that made up Remnants of the Ghetto Wall, built for what it’s called.

Other sites in Krakow worth a visit include:

Oskar Schindler Enamelled Goods Factory

Discover the story behind Schindler’s List by visiting the Oskar Schindler Enamelled Goods Factory (or simply called Schindler’s Factory), whose owner saved the lives of more than 1,000 factory workers.

Archdiocese Museum

Before becoming Pope John Paul II, the late Karol Wojtyla attended university in Krakow and was an archbishop here. The Archdiocese Museum showcases his life, interests and travels.

The Planty

A public park that stands on a once-fortified circle, The Planty has statues, monuments and plaques along with sites including the Barbican, a fort/drawbridge dating back to the 1400s, and Bunkier Sztuky, a pretty cool art museum.

Umbria Tourism Goes Tech with MultiMedia App Launch

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Known as the “green heart of Italy,” Umbria is symbolized by food, wine, ceramics, history and culture. It’s also quite picturesque, as this central and landlocked region is noted for its scenic character with rolling green hills and historical towns like Assisi.

To better market its visual appeal, Umbria’s tourism board has taken a tech savvy approach that connects old-world traditions with modern-day applications. At a June 3 reception at Eataly in New York City, representatives unveiled English versions of UmbriaApp, a collection of roughly 20 apps using a multimedia storytelling approach to showcase the region’s offerings.

During the reception, officials described the process of creating the UmbriaApp line as a “imaginary bridge” between Umbria’s past and future innovation, in terms of shaping the direction in which tourism hopes to go.

As of this writing, the English apps will be released first for iPad, with versions for iPhone and Android to follow shortly. Italian versions are currently available. Developed by Sesinet Snc, an Italian company, all apps are free and can be downloaded through iTunes.

Varying by subject, apps cover art and history museums, festivals, bike tours and particularly food and wine.

One of the new apps that is quite appetizing is “Umbria Enogastronomia.” This culinary app is a virtual cookbook on Umbria’s authentic wines and cuisine, covering the region’s meats, cheeses, fruits and vegetables. Users can also replicate a taste of this region in their kitchen by browsing through the app’s range of recipes, complete with photos, ingredients, and preparation notes.

The unveiling at Eataly kicked off “Umbria Week 2013,” a week-long roster of activities in Manhattan from June 3 through June 8 that serves as a precursor to a “Sensational Umbria,” a month-long celebration scheduled for November.

In highlighting Umbrian cuisine, samplings of traditional dishes such as lentil soup (with its recipe included in the culinary app) and pesce crudo were offered. Tastings provided by Goretti Winery in Perugia, Umbria’s capital, complimented the evening.

Exploring Vienna through Sights, Sounds and Tastes

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For me, Vienna is magical. Please don’t mind that I use this cliche, but this Austrian capital brings visitors back in time. Baroque castles and gardens lining the Ringstrasse are strong reminders of the city’s royal past, as the central point of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. And a musical legacy inspired by Mozart, Brahms and other composers can still be heard today. During my visit last July, I explored Viennese attractions that I could see, taste and even listen to.

Learn about Royal Living

Austria was once ruled by a dual monarchy, which lasted from 1867 until the end of World War I in 1918. Two grand palaces that housed many rulers belonging to the Habsburg dynasty still stand, and are worth visiting.

The Hofburg has housed members of the power Habsburg dynasty.

The Hofburg has housed members of the powerful Habsburg dynasty.

At the Hofburg, a winter residence, get a glimpse into the Imperial Family’s daily royal living. The Imperial Apartments were home to Emperor Franz Joseph and his wife, Empress Elisabeth, their children and the entire royal household.

The Sisi Museum focuses on the life of the beautiful Empress Elisabeth, also known as “Sisi.” Her story is unique. She was big on beauty and fitness. A free spirit, she apparently shied away from decorum. Her life ended tragically with her 1898 assassination in Geneva. Artifacts range from dresses to portraits, and jewelry.

On the grounds of the Hofburg, horse lovers will enjoy the Spanish Riding School, where they can view Lipizzans, a special breed that is trained to perform haute école, a classic style of equestrian skills. Guided tours include visits to their stables. I got to catch glimpses of these lovely horses when they came out to graze for their afternoon lunch.

During the summer months, the Habsburgs ventured from the city center to Schönnbrunn Palace, an elaborate 1,441-room getaway. First built as a hunting lodge, this UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site was transformed into a marvel of Baroque architecture during the reign of Maria Theresa, the mother of Marie Antoinette. Its landscape is graced with formal gardens, sculptures, a zoo and a labyrinth. If you plan to visit, it’s best to get here in the morning before the crowds arrive.

Concerts and Composers

Catch a performance inside the opera house, Staatsoper.

Catch a performance inside the legendary opera house, Staatsoper.

In Vienna, music plays on. A great way to experience its culture is by attending a performance in a concert hall or opera house. The 200-year-old Musikverein is a concert hall known for having great acoustics and is the residence for the Vienna Philharmonic orchestra. Works by legendary classical composers from Brahms to Tchaikovsky were introduced here. About 800 concerts take place annually.

If like me, you’ve never had a night at the opera, consider buying tickets to a concert at Staatsoper, Vienna’s opera house which dates back to the 19th century. I attended a performance here, and had a great time. Dress up too!

Among composers, Mozart carries quite a reputation here. Out of his 14 addresses throughout the city, Mozarthaus Vienna is Mozart’s only surviving residence. Though he lived at this place for only three years, the composer seemed to have had a lot of ambition. One of them he penned was his opera, The Marriage of Figaro.

Satisfying Coffee and Sweets

Coffee drinkers and dessert lovers can indulge at Vienna’s legendary coffeehouses. It’s a fun, culinary activity.

Enjoy cake, coffee and streudel inside one of Vienna's coffeehouses such as Cafe Sacher.

Enjoy cake, coffee and struedel inside one of Vienna’s coffeehouses such as Cafe Sacher.

A piece of cultural heritage, Viennese coffeehouses date as far back as the late 1600s. Legend says when Turkish forces retreated from a surge in Vienna, they left behind bags of coffee beans. Fact or fiction, their start is associated to Jerzy Franciszek Kulczycki, a soldier who is said to have opened the first coffeehouse.

Best in the sense of the traditional style, Café Sperl has a plush setting. I enjoyed sitting at a marble table, with the waitress bringing over not just a menu but the day’s newspaper for me to glimpse through while enjoying my meal. The coffeehouse is also featured in the film “Before Sunrise.”

My cake cravings led me to check out another venue. Inside the Sacher Hotel, Café Sacher’s claim to fame is Sache Torte, a famous Austrian chocolate cake with an apricot jam filling invented here. Its recipe remains a well-kept secret, yet the cake is labeled with a trademark: a chocolate logo. The café’s red walls and cushioning made this café a relaxing place.

Can’t resist chocolate. Another good stop is at the legendary Demel, a confectionery that once provided sweets for the Imperial family. And to top off food finds in Vienna, go the popular Naschmarkt, an open-air marketplace with shops and food stands touting fruits, nuts, and spices from around the globe. Enjoy!

On Foot: A Walking Guide through Prague

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Last month, I headed to Eastern Europe, with J, my cousin and co-traveler to many places in Europe. For our 2012 meetup, we decided on a 10-day jaunt to Prague, Vienna and Krakow. It was nice to see Eastern Europe, a contrast to the glitz of its Western counterpart.

Each city maintains visual reminders of multifaceted histories: beginning with a royalty-led past up through two World Wars and followed by post-Communist era. Each city has its unique tale. First, I’ll start with Prague.

Like many European cities, Prague is best explored on foot. Much of this Czech city’s center has been declared as a UNESCO World Heritage site and many buildings from the 13th through 18th centuries preserve Prague’s rich legacy. Before you come here, get your best pair of comfortable shoes ready (think flat) and read up on this guide to walking around areas worth seeing.

Old Town (Staré Město)

Don’t worry if you happen to get lost while wandering around Old Town (we almost did). Old Town has winding alleys and cobblestone streets, and one landmark that lets you know you’re in the right place is the Old Town Powder Tower. Built as one of the walled city’s major gateways, the Powder Tower (once used to store gun powder) also marks the way the beginning of the ceremonial route that soon-to-be Bohemian kings would venture down their way toward Prague Castle.

Relax. Your path will eventually lead to Old Town Square, a colorful center location buzzing with shops, restaurants, cafes, and landmarks during the day and evening. The square’s key attraction is the Astronomical Clock gracing the Old Town Hall. On the top of each approaching hour, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., crowds gather in front of the 400-year-old clock to watch as two doors open to unveil a procession of rotating figurines.

If you would like to have a less-crowded look at the square, go up inside the building’s tower to reach the top for panoramic views of the city. There are two choices for going up: by elevator or stairs. With the latter, make sure you’re prepared for serious steep climbing. Purchase tickets for entry. Near the National Theater, find the Národní Memorial, a bronze plague graced with hands in a peace sign. It’s located on Národní Street No 16, marking the place where riot police beat college students holding a peaceful protest on a cold night in November 17, 1989.

Charles Bridge
Leaving Old Town, you MUST take a stroll along Prague’s famous landmark: Charles Bridge. Like-minded travelers will stop for picturing taking and posing, and people watching, near the about 40 statues gracing this 650-year-old promenade along the Vltava River. These statues represent various Catholic saints and martyrs placed here as a way to convert locals to Christianity.

Walk alongside fellow tourists, vendors and street performers and artists here. If you happen to notice various colored locks fastened to the bridge’s rails or even on statues, you’re seeing love notes.

Couples who want to symbolize their love will jointly place a lock upon this bridge, then throwing the key into the water. You may spot locks on other bridges around the city as well.
Charles Bridge does get crowded during the day, but you can get a different perspective at night. The other end of Charles Bridge leads you to Mala Strana (Lesser Town), a Baroque section of Prague originally settled by German merchants.

Malá Strana (Lesser Town)
Malá Strana has been a home for diplomats, merchants and those who served at Prague Castle. Red roof houses and prominent churches are found here. Serious shoppers can journey up Nerudova, a steep alley lined with stores from Lesser Town Square up to Prague Castle. For another look at lavish living, go by Wallenstein Palace, built by a duke in the mid-1600s. It’s now being used by the Czech Senate.

Situated in Kampa Neighborhood, John Lennon Wall, also known as Lennon Wall, is a colorful permanent fixture since the 1980s. This space has been decorated with peace-minded graffiti inspired by John Lennon and lyrics from Beatles songs.

Around 1988, the wall became a source of contention for the then-Communist regime. Students would write on their grievances over, and have clashes with, political leaders of that era.

When authorities would order for the wall to be repainted, it would almost shortly be graced with poems and pictures shortly after. The story goes neighboring French embassy asked officials to leave the wall alone, and this request still has been respected.

Hradčany (Castle District)
Whether you prefer to take Tram 22 or hike up this hilltop complex, Hradčany’s Prague Castle has remained the seat of power, first with the Czech royal family and now its government, and also religiously, since the ninth century. An hourly changing of the guard ceremony at the front gates occurs. A more formal presentation happens daily at noon inside the castle’s first courtyard.

Top sights include St. Vitus Cathedral, built in various phases starting in 1334; the Old Royal Palace, which is still used for special state occasions; the Powder Tower; the European masters branch of the National Gallery; and Golden Lane and Daliborka Tower, a street lane with tiny houses built into the castle fortifications.

There is no cost to enter and explore the courtyard of this complex, but paid admission is required for entry. On your way out, choose to walk back down the hill through Nerudova or venture through the Petrin Hill gardens.

Emerging over Lesser Town and across from Prague Castle, the park Petrin Hill has gardens and orchards and manmade attractions such as Petrin Tower, a miniature replica of the Eiffel Tower. Climb up the 194-foot tower to reach the top for another striking view of the city’s landscape. To venture up Petrin Hill, buy a ticket for a ride on the funicular.

Josefov (Jewish Quarter)
Within Josefov, this former Jewish ghetto once served as a thriving community for Jewish citizens for about five centuries until city authorities cleared the area to make way for luxury buildings. The Jewish Museum symbolizes the heritage of residents not as a single building, but a collection of four preserved synagogues, a ceremonial hall, and a historic cemetery.

Each synagogue holds different exhibits on Jewish customs and history. Tickets are required for entry into each site, with Old-New Synagogue requiring a separate ticket. The Old-New Synagogue is Europe’s oldest remaining house of Jewish worship. The Old Jewish Cemetery is one of the world’s most crowded. One block area holds many graves, with tombstones literally positioned on top of each other.

Between the Jewish Quarter and Old Town, Jan Palach Square is named for a 21- year-old college student who set himself on fire to protest the Soviet invasion in the late 1960s. Crowds gathered there for his funeral. Today, there is a memorial to him here.

New Town (Nové Město)
Established as a municipal development and founded by Charles IV in the 14th century, today’s New Town is a haven for hotels, restaurants and clothing stores. The historic, half-mile Wenceslas Square is Prague’s commercial focal point. Formerly a horse market, the square was site of significant moments during the Velvet Revolution in 1989, with organized mass demonstrations taking place.

Also in this neighborhood, Charles Square, once a cattle market, nowadays serves as both a park surrounded by buildings and a transport hub intersected with tramlines.

So, when in Prague, get walking!