So, you have seen all the main sites and beauties or Prague, you have drink beer at the pubs and you have walked through the cobblestoned streets. Now you want something different. So, why not go green and spend one day out among nature. Prague is a big city, but it has its green zones. The first one that will be mentioned here is the bike path near Vltava river, which cuts the city into two from north to the south direction. The bike path starts from Roztoky area and goes to Vltava River and the southern outskirts of the city. You can head to the south however and you can start at the railroad bridge that is set near Vyton. The sidewalk you will find at first will turn into a bike path and you will be able to ride your bike under the Vysehrad cliff and on the Branik slopes, and be far from the city traffic. Then you will have the chance to ride your bike among greenery for quite some time and you will pass through a golf course as well. Well, as you will get thirsty, do not worry as you will find places that sell beer along your way. When you reach  the Zbraslav bridge, the bike path will end and we do not recommend for you to go further. You can go to Cernosice and Karlstejn though.

Another great place to spend part of your day is at the Planetarium Praha, which is located on Kralovska Obora Street. There you can watch the Night Sky show and enjoy the view of the stars. You will see many families with children there, who love to spend their time in a different way and teach their kids something.  The Planetarium is placed in Stromovka Park and its dome is one of the biggest in the world. You should note that you need to come at least fifteen minutes before the presentation starts. In case that you need translations, you can ask for headphones and you will pay more.  Besides “The Night Sky” show, you can also watch the presentations “Astrology and Alchemy in the court of Rudolph II” or the more inspiring “Wanderers through space and time”. This is a great way to have some relaxing time in the city of Prague and do something different.

Now that we are talking about different, you can also go to Kino Aero in Prague, which will also give you that feeling of relaxation. Kino Aero is situated in Praha 3 district and works every day from 4 p.m. until midnight. It is specialized in art films, in different festivals and special projects. The cinema is set near a bar, so you can enjoy some really nice movies in a friendly atmosphere and get several beers. As you see, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the city of Prague, so you just have to pick the one that most suits you at that very moment.

For some people going on a safari is their idea of a dream holiday and it really is one of the most exciting experiences in the world. There are numerous exotic locations from which to choose and a whole host of options for accommodation and type of activities available.

Locations

Africa is naturally one of the most common choices and there are numerous safari locations in this vast continent. Those listed below are considered some of the best depending on the type of animals you want to see:

•       Masai Mara – Kenya (big cats, elephants)
•       Serengeti National Park and Mount Kilimanjaro – Tanzania (elephants, wildebeest, zebra)
•       Okavango Delta – Botswana (elephants)
•       Kruger National Park – South Africa (big five)
•       Victoria Falls – Zimbabwe (lions, elephants)
•       Etosha National Park – Namibia (rhinos, antelopes)
•       Murchison Falls National Park – Uganda (gorillas)
•       Volcanoes National Park – Rwanda (gorillas)
•       Mount Mulanji – Malawi (elephants, crocodiles, hippos)
•       South Luangwa National Park – Zambia (lions, elephants, giraffe)

Tourists

As well as the ultimate thrill of a real-life safari expedition, visitors to Africa are able to enjoy numerous other experiences including personal challenges like climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, flying a microlight over Victoria Falls or learning how to track animals. Opportunities are endless but do vary by area and climatic conditions.

For those not quite so energetic there are luxury spa resorts, city breaks or perhaps a relaxed sightseeing tour that could take in several of Africa’s best known beauty spots over a number of days.

Gap Year Students

There are a number of schemes available for gap year students aged 17 or older to spend one to four months in a variety of African locations on an educational/working break, most with accommodation and food included.

As well as being able to experience a safari during their stay, they can opt for a number of different placements that give them both practical experiences in their chosen subject as well as a certificate of competence in that field.

Popular choices of project placement include: forestry, safari, conservation, construction, teaching assistance, sports, wildlife sanctuary and primate rescue.

Volunteers

Another way to access the great African continent is to register as a volunteer abroad with an official organisation. Volunteers are usually offered a choice of placements or projects to be involved in depending on their chosen preferences when registering.

A volunteer is usually provided with food and accommodation free of charge in return for the work they do but will be required to fund their own travel arrangements. Placements are usually for a minimum of two weeks, but many are for considerably longer.

Conclusion

Anyone who wants to arrange the holiday of a lifetime would certainly do well to consider an African safari vacation. There is a whole world of difference between seeing wild animals in a zoo environment and meeting them in their natural habitat. It is an unforgettable experience that everyone should have at least once in their lives.

Author Bio

Andrew Collins is based in South Africa but spends his time travelling all over Africa. He writes regularly on safari breaks and other adventure holidays for a range of websites and blogs that specialise in outdoor holidays. He is also involved in several schemes that aim to make Africa more accessible for students and others to volunteer abroad.

When you plan to visit a certain city for the first time, you are overwhelmed by the information that you find in Internet. This information, however, could be very useful so that you can make your flight reservations or book a holiday apartment in Prague near the tourist sites. It is also useful when you have to plan the sightseeing tour or when you want to get discounts when buying tickets for certain places of interest online. The internet also helps if you want to check the dining places in the destination that you are visiting, so that to avoid the tourist traps, which are so many. Below I am enumerating several such places that you can have tasty snacks in a pleasant atmosphere and not spending a fortune. All these places have been carefully selected and personally tried.

The first place that could be considered is called “Hot Dog at Mirak”, which could be found in Praha 2 district. Even if the fast food is not always considered a healthy option, sometimes you just want to eat a hot dog and not counting the calories or you do not have time… or money for a fancy lunch or dinner. That is why this place seems like a good option after a long day of sightseeing and shopping. The place works every day and offers tasty sandwich with sausage plus different mustards or ketchup. One can also buy a non-alcoholic drink here or water.

The second place that I like a lot in the city of Prague when it comes to snacks and coffee is called “Ovocny Svetozor” and it is located in Praha 1 district. This place works every day too and it offers different sweets and tasty treats. You can have cakes here and ice cream, and also sorbet. My favorite are the fruity cakes, but if you want to have something salty, you can always go for tapas that are locally known as chlebicky. They come in great variety thanks to the toppings. Another similar place that I like a lot, but which comes with a more chic atmosphere, is called “St. Tropez”, also placed in Praha 1 district and working every day. This café is set very close to Wenceslas square and has lovely interior, full of charm and coziness. You can have fresh croissants here, different tarts and cakes, chocolate pralines… everything that you can think about. There are even mini sweets that you can try in order to make a decision which to buy.

Another fine café in the city of Prague that you should consider is called “Leica Gallery” and it is set in Praha 1 District. This place is not just a coffee and tea house, it is also a spot for culture and art, for different events and festivals, also exhibitions and workshops. The atmosphere in this place is very relaxing and pleasant. You can enjoy a cup of coffee here or a glass of wine and you can go through the available magazines… what a great way to relax.

Prague is well known for its wealth of museums, galleries and famous historical sites, but breaks to Prague also offer a fantastic nightlife. Whether you’re a solo traveller looking to find a traditional pub, a couple wanting to find a romantic restaurant or a group of friends wanting to party the night away, you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for in Prague.

Restaurants in Prague

Prague’s quality of restaurants has dramatically improved in recent years, meaning there’s plenty of choice whether you’re looking for great value grub, traditional fare or elegant cuisine – or a bit of all three! Really spoil yourself with an evening meal at the Celeste. The prices are on the steep side but it’s worth it for the excellent food and service. The restaurant is on the 7^th floor and has stunning views of the river and Prague Castle. If you’re looking for something more low-key, try U Ferdinanda. This pub-come-restaurant is close to Wenceslas square, is popular with locals and serves Czech food and cheap beer.

Pubs in Prague

Old Town is packed with pubs serving well known Czech beers such as Pilsner and Staropramen. Plenty of pubs also sell specialised local brews, making Prague a haven for fans of real beer, or pivo. East of Old Town is the Pivovarsky Klub – this pub has a massive selection of bottled and draught beers including lots of local varieties as well as the best from the rest of the world.  Thought to be the oldest Pislner pub in Prague, U Pinkasu has a less touristy atmosphere and serves pints of unpasteurised Pilsner.

Bars in Prague

For a bit of urban-cool in Prague, head to the Cili bar in Old Town.  This bar has comfy armchairs and serves up cool cocktails; if you’re feeling brave try the rum shot laced with fresh chilli. Wine lovers should head to Bokovka bar which serves vintage Moravian wines as well as tasty nibbles.  For a friendly bar that plays good music and serves up cocktails, wine and beer, head to Bukowski’s to the east of Old Town. Many hotels in Prague have their own bars, perfect for starting off your evening.

 Nightclubs in Prague

One of Prague’s most popular nightclubs is Roxy Nightclub in Old Town. Roxy’s regularly hosts world-class DJs and is known for playing techno, jungle and drum and bass music.  The M1 Lounge is the most central dance club in Prague. It has funky dance floors and swanky booths where you can rest your feet and try a drink from the extensive cocktail menu.

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If you have already taken this decision you should know that you will be amazed by the Czech pubs simply because they are one of the best all over the world. Since I’m a regular visitor of Prague apartments I must tell you that most of the pubs have closed doors unfortunately. Of course if you are searching hard you will find some really good ones but it is not what it was a few years ago. One really nice website you can use when it comes to finding nice pubs in Prague is http://praguebeergarden.com/pubs/category/vysehrad. As you can see the site lists every major pub worth visiting in Prague and you should definitely pay attention to it. I’ve been to most of them but to tell you the truth everyone has different opinion so I’d recommend to read the reviews in link above since most of them are really objective. If you want to know, my favorite place for drinking is near Vietnam Train but if you don’t like it you can simply take a walk down the road – there you will find some other nice places. Talking about nice pubs I can’t help but notice the Beer museum. This place is a must see for every beer fan on this planet. There is a pub there and it offers more than 30 beers so feel free to try all of them if you want. When it comes to the food you should know that it is definitely not the best place in Prague to eat, but you won’t starve and after all you are there because of the beer not because of the food.

If you want to drink and eat I can recommend you Umedvidku– definitely one of our favorite places. When I’m hungry and want to drink a couple of nice beers I’d go there. Plus they have their private small brewery.

Basically these are the places I can think of and recommend because I’ve been there and can guarantee that you will have definitely a nice time. But as you probably know Prague is a really big city and the diversity of pubs is also big. So be careful while choosing where to go because there are a big amount of small pubs that are far away from the common understanding of Czech pubs. They rely on tourists who haven’t made a research on internet and don’t know where to go. This is why it is essential for you to plan your stay in Czech Republic, especially in Prague. But the pubs are definitely a must see and the beer is the best for sure. My last recommendation is if you have enough time to try all of the above mentioned places and beers and there is no way to dislike even one of them. Many tourists are visiting these pubs so try to make a reservation. It will be a pity if you miss to visit at least one.

Another destinations in Europe, famouse with the beer and the nightlife are Budapest and Vienna but you will have to rent a Budapest apartment or Vienna apartment to stay there.

Nancy is a small town that is situated in the Lorraine region of France and is a major center from the tourism point of view.

Reaching Nancy

Nancy is served by a small regional airport, Metz Lorraine Nancy airport which is shared by three cities of France. This airport is situated about 30 kilometers away from the main city center and almost all the regional and domestic flights operate from here. The city has been well connected by buses and taxis to this airport.

The city of Nancy is served by two railway stations namely, Gare de Nancy Ville and Gare Lorraine. The Gare de Nancy station is the historical station and is the major hub for the TGV and other regional trains. Gare Lorraine station is relatively newer station that was made during 2007 and is served by only high speed railway services by TGV. This station is situated about 20 kilometers away from the city and has a well-established connection of trains and taxis.

The Euroline bus service is also operational to this city. This bus service can help you reach Amsterdam, Berlin and other major parts of Europe.

Eurostar London to Paris train can be taken from London to reach Paris from where you can change to regional train services to reach Nancy. Eurostar ticket can be purchased online from their official website or from Trainline.

Attractions in Nancy

Nancy has a number of old and historical places where you can visit. Some of the places of interest in Nancy are:

Place Stanislas: This place is known for its statue of Stainlas which points towards the north direction of the city. Besides this, the place has a number of fountains and wrought iron gate that was installed here during the 18^th century. This place was built by the Duke of Lorraine for his beloved wife who was pretty fond of shopping.

The Old Part of the city can be another interesting place if you want to see and explore the past and heritage of the city.

Place de la Carriere and Place d’alliance is selected as the World Heritage site by UNESCO. The place is known for its fountains which are believed to have inspired from the Roman fountains.

Arc de Triomphe is another interesting place to visit. This place is situated in the northern side of the Place Stainlas and is a leading center of the Place de la Carriere.

Velikonoce – this is how the Easter holiday is called in the Czech Republic. The Easter celebrations in this European country are associated with interesting traditions and different folk customs that date back from many years before but are still kept in all towns and villages in the Czech Republic. It will be true if we say that Easter is among the most important festivals that are celebrated in the city of Prague and all other settlements in the country. During the Holy Easter Week and especially on the Easter Sunday the churches organize special mass services that are attended by most of the people.

On the Easter day, families gather together around the table, where they try some especially produced foods, cakes and meals made following traditional recipes. Czech people love to eat interesting coffee bread that is called Babovka and also a cake with almonds and raisins that is called Mazanec. Amont he other cakes that are prepared are the Easter Ram Cake, the Judas Cake, the Easter gingerbread, etc. where all of them have great taste. On the Easter table are being placed beautifully decorated Easter eggs. These eggs are hand-made, arranged by using various materials such as straw and wax, stickers and different decorations. As a rule, the Easter eggs are made by the young girls in the family and in the neighborhood and then on Easter Monday are given by them to the boys and male figures in the family. There is also a special national Easter egg contest that is organized in the city of Prague around the Easter holidays.

The Easter Monday is also associated with a celebration known as Whipping Monday. On that day the boys are chasing the girls and are symbolically whipping them on the legs while singing Easter carols. It is believed that the girls who are whipped with young willow will be healthy. The girls that are whipped have to give the boys painted and decorated eggs. This nice tradition is still popular among the children in the Czech Republic.

Just like Christmas, Easter is among the most important Christian festivals. It celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ and at that time of the year are being organized different Easter parties. The Easter celebrations are associated with such Easter symbols such as the Easter eggs and the Easter bunny and both the children and the grown-ups feel the magic of the holiday. The homes are decorated with bright colors like yellow and orange and green, and will all those symbols of Easter. Kids often receive presents in the form of Easter baskets with decorated eggs, chocolates and cakes. Often, the children crack their eggs and choose a winner or play a game by guessing the number of the eggs that each of them has. Special meals are also prepared and they follow special Easter traditions. In the Czech Republic, like in all other European countries, Easter is time for special celebrations and family get together.

There is no doubt that Prague is a wonderful city with many places of interest, but sometimes the city’s main landmarks could be quite overwhelming with tourists and this is not something for everybody. If you happen to be one of those people who need to see more greenery and are looking for some solitude, you have several options, as Prague has many nice parks as well. Among the places that I like here is the park Chotkovy Sady, which is a great place for a stroll and for making a picnic. The park is located in Praha 6 District and could be easily reached, as it is set just one stop away from Prague Castle using tram 22 and from Metro Malostranska. Arranged as a park back in year 1833, Chotkovy Sady is open to public right from the start and it is actually the first park that was opened to all people in Prague. The garden features a lovely marble sculpture, which is a monument of a famous Czech writer and has a nice small pond. What captivates the visitors, however, is the great panorama over the beautiful city of Prague.

The other park that I find so beautiful is called Frantiskanska zahrada and it is located right in the center of the city, in Praha 1 District, close to Wenceslas Square and Jungmann Square.The area is secluded and peaceful, even if placed in the hearth of the Czech capital. It features many benches that one could sit and relax, as well as a nice playground area for the children. At lunch time the park is full of people, who love to sit and enjoy their sandwich in the open air. During the rest of the time, there are people who are here to read, study or just to catch the sun rays. Also in Praha 1 District could be found the park Smetanovo nabrezi, which is well-known to the tourists. The park is located on the bank of Vltava River and is ideal for walking and sunbathing, meeting friends and relaxing. Like in Frantiskanska zahrada, people come to Smetanovo Nabrezi Park to study and to read, to make beautiful photos and to eat their lunch. The area is very pleasant, while the views are incredible.

If you need to relax, but the walks in the park are not your thing but rather prefer to be among more people, you can always go to the Jirak Farmers’ Market, where you can find some fabulous vegetables and fruits. The market is located in Praha 3 District and works on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Besides the eco-friendly vegetables that are locally produced, one could find here tasty pastries and sausages, and everything is fresh and very delicious. There are also dairy products offered from several Czech farms and also fish stands, jams, wine, etc. If you ask, and sometimes even without asking, you will be told where the farms are located and you will even get an invitation to visit them and see the production growing there.

Prague is a wonderful tourist destination and a place for fine dining as well. The city has a great share of nice restaurants, fast food eateries, cafes and pubs, so the traveler would never be hungry no matter if one is on a luxury holiday or on a short budget trip. To start at the high-end, I would recommend the French gourmet coffee and tea spot La Caveau, which could be found in Praha 3 District. The place is also a wine shop, wherefrom one could make some really great selections. The place has a very pleasant interior and atmosphere and is quite cozy. Besides coffee and wine, the guest will have here a good choice of sandwiches, cheeses and little bites.

The other dining spot that I like in Praha is the vegan restaurant “Loving hut”, though it is not for everyone. The restaurant is situated on Praha 2 District and is open every day from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. but on Sundays, when it is closed. This is an Asian restaurant and namely Vietnamese one, however all the dishes are vegan and do not have meat. That is why I said that it is not for everyone…  So, the food is really healthy here. At lunch time the restaurant offers a buffet service and a choice of several warm dishes and many salads. Besides this restaurant, there are two more restaurants of this chain in the city of Prague. In all of them the atmosphere is just great and very, very relaxing.

My third choice is the Italian snack house “Italska cukrarna”, which is a place just for those people who love candies, sweets and ice-cream. This café is set near the Charles Square and the Wenceslas Square. The choice of ice cream here is absolutely spoiling and so are the flavors of the milk shake, not to mention the different cakes, cold and hot beverages and so on. Yes, there is something for every one here and the prices are normal. The candy store “Italska cukrarna” is part of Praha 1 district and works every day from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m.

For a great cup of coffee and something to eat for breakfast, I go to two places in Prague. The first one is the “Friends Coffee House”, which is placed in the center of the city. Spacious and quiet, this coffee house is a nice place to wake up. One could choose to sit in the winter garden, or in the zone with high chairs, but there are also some very comfortable armchairs that should not be missed too. I should also mention the library, which works on an exchange basis. Besides that, there is also a zone for the children, which is a great asset for the families that are travelling to Prague with their children. The place offers fresh-made lemonade, tea and coffee, as well as bagels and sandwiches, all made of fresh ingredients.

St. Valentine’s Day is next week and due to the interest towards the holiday and our article about the good and good and romantic restaurants for the holiday, we decided to give a few more restaurant options that the traveler could choose from. The first few dining places that we will present are all situated in the Lesser Town in Prague. The first one is the Kampa Park Restaurant, which is considered to be among the finest dining places in the city, placed near Charles Bridge, on the Kampa Island. The restaurant tempts with an interesting menu and has a great selection of fresh seafood and different meat specialties. Not far from here, in the same district of Leser Town is placed the restaurant “Terasa U Zlate Studne”, which is placed on a cobblestone street, on the roof and a nice hotel. From this restaurant one could enjoy a lovely panoramic view towards the Old Town in the city of Prague. Another interesting place in the Lesser Town is called “U Maliru Restaurant”, which is located in a very old building that is beautifully restored. This is among the finest French restaurants in Prague city and the visitor could choose from seafood meals, beef and duck, as well as game, while the selection of wines is truly amazing. A great St. Valentine’s dinner is also possible at the Coda Restaurant in Lesser Town, where one could try some modern dishes. This restaurant is very romantic not only because of the panoramic views that it reveals, but also because of the live piano that is played from Tuesday through Saturday evenings. A very romantic dining place is the Palffy Palace Restaurant, which serves an impressive selection of dishes and wines.

The Old Town of Prague also has its beautiful restaurants that should be considered. Among them is the Mlynec Restaurant. The place is famous with its main chef, who prepares fantastic meals and with its great views. It is located near the Old Town Bridge Tower and the Charles Bridge.  The other Old Town restaurant that deserves the traveler’s attention is the “V Zatisi Wine” Restaurant, placed near the Betlemska Square. The atmosphere in this restaurant is very pleasant and easy going, which makes the visitors feel as if at home. For some Asian fusion food and interesting music beats, the couple could go to the Buddha Bar restaurant. The place is quite spacious and well-arranged and features a huge statue of Buddha that makes the place more exotic. There are nice restaurants in the New Town as well. Our choice is for the “Celeste Restaurant”, located on the last floor of the Dancing House. This restaurant has a nice menu and a great view towards the city of Prague and especially at the Prague Castle and Charles Bridge. The other restaurant to be considered in the New Town is the “Triton Restaurant” on Wenceslas Square, which has nice interior and palatable meals.  The choice is up to you, however a reservation in advance is recommended.