Wenceslas Square Terraces ★★★★

The historical capital of Bohemia, Prague is a picturesque city, with its tree-lined riverbank and spire-filled skyline, its ornate buildings and charming cafés. Boasting a wealth of treasures, over a thousand years of history are at your fingertips in this dynamic capital. We quickly discover there is no better place to stay in this city, than the Wenceslas Square Terraces, which are less than a mile’s walk through the quaint cobbled streets of Old Town to most of what the city has to offer.

Located in the city centre, with views of the castle from every balcony, the Wenceslas Square Terraces were a pleasantly surprising discovery. Only a five-minute walk from the Old Town Square, these apartments are perfectly situated to see all the sights. Despite their central location, the noise of the city disappears when you enter the apartments. The windows are double-paned to ensure silence and tranquillity, and we were pleased to find that the apartments are filled with details that make our stay truly blissful. The apartment is large and bright, with warm touches of colour that make the space feel welcoming. Spacious and very well equipped, the apartment has everything we need to make us feel at home during our stay. The stylish studios and apartments with their living area, flat-screen TV, and kitchenette truly feel like a home away from home. Yet, we were equally impressed by the very friendly and welcoming staff who greeted us warmly with a bottle of sparkling wine and made sure that we had everything we needed for the perfect vacation.

While the apartment tempted us to settle in, we were eager to get out and discover the charms of this capital city. We were pleased to find ourselves in a most convenient location for touring the city and headed straight to Old Town Square to begin our tour. There we immersed ourselves in the street culture of the city, and street performers and vendors rub shoulders with musicians and protesters, giving tourists a vibrant portrait of this dynamic city. The shop owners told us we ought to come back in the winter when the square sports a giant Christmas tree and markets selling handcrafted goods and delicious local foods. Our promise to return is an easy one to make, because I knew already that this city had stolen a piece of my heart.

We spent the days soaking up the rich history of Prague, visiting several of the local museums and getting to know its charming tapestry of different architectural styles. We love the mix of old and new and were equally seduced by each. Frank Gehry’s and Vlado Milunić’s Dancing Building showed us the new face of the city while the stately grand cafés gave us a peek into the Prague of yesteryear. The city’s long history as a Communist state has fallen, and in the twenty-five years since the Velvet Revolution, Prague has been reborn and continues to shift and grow revealing it to be a cosmopolitan city filled with chic cafés and trendy spots that will entice travellers of all types. Locals told us how new shops and restaurants are popping up all the time, but those who want to immerse themselves in Prague’s past won’t have to look far. Thanks to its building and its monuments, the city is a like a pop-up book of history.

The austerity of the Communist era seemed far away as the fairy tale facades of the city rose up before us. We crossed the Charles Bridge at sunset for a stunning view of the Vltava River and the castle beyond. We stopped and admired the thirty Baroque statues that line the bridge, each of which portray various religious figures. It would be nice to return at sunrise to avoid the crowds and have all sixteen arches to ourselves. We climbed the hill to Prague Castle, the largest ancient castle in the world. As we walked along its ramparts, I couldn’t help but think it also earned a second superlative as the most beautiful castle in Europe. Afterwards we wandered along the river, stumbling upon Czech artist David Cerny’s unusual sculptures, which made the landscape feel like an outdoor museum. The light began to wane, and we knew it was time to return to our beautiful apartment.

The sleek and contemporary space is a tranquil place to relax after a long day of seeing the city sights. With the separate bedroom, we had space to breathe and relax after our long day of sightseeing. It was a treat to have our own kitchen, as we were able to take advantage of the beautiful European markets with their bright displays of local produce and meats, a luxury we aren’t often able to enjoy when travelling. When we didn’t cook at home, we loved trying classic dishes at the best restaurants in town, and the memories we made during our time in Prague are tinged with the fragrant aromas of the rich local cuisine.

When it was finally time, we found it hard to leave this enchanting place, but at least I knew that it wouldn’t be long before we were standing in the cobbled streets again with a warm cup of mulled wine in hand and a view of the biggest tree in town.