Insider tips for enjoying Prague during #NX14
On behalf of Sourcefabric, I’m very happy to be taking part in this year’s News Xchange, which will be taking place in Prague this week.
Sourcefabric participated in last year’s News Xchange Startup Alley, which showcases new companies offering products and services relevant to news organizations. It’s my pleasure to introduce this year’s startups.
News Xchange is a great opportunity to catch up on a wide spectrum of issues that news organizations face, and I’m looking forward to the high-quality conversations that are sure to come.
This year one of the things I’ll be talking about is Sourcefabric’s Superdesk initiative, which is building a completely new paradigm for managing newsrooms. As we just announced, Australian news agency AAP has joined our efforts to build this open source newsroom management system.
As part of the Superdesk initiative, I’ll also be happy to talk about our Citizen Desk platform for verifying user-generated content.
Getting around
Prague is a wonderful choice for hosting News Xchange, and the events lined up around News Xchange will be world-class. And because we’re headquartered in Prague, the Sourcefabric team and I thought it would be good to share with you some tips on things to see and do while you’re here.
Public transport
We recommend using Prague's excellent public transport, especially downtown. Remember: You must buy tickets and also stamp them in the yellow validation machines, which you will find at entrances to the metro and on board trams and buses. The same tickets are good for metros, buses and trams.
For single rides we suggest either a CZK 24 (EUR 0.86, $1.08) or CZK 32 ticket, valid for 30 or 90 minutes, respectively. You can also buy a three-day pass.
You can buy paper tickets from vending machines in the metro vestibules and from newsagents. Drivers will not sell you tickets.
You can buy electronic tickets with your phone by sending a text message to 90206. Text 'DPT24' for the CZK 24 ticket, 'DPT32' for CZK 32. You must have the SMS reply confirming your purchase before you get on the tram or bus or enter the controlled metro area (and phone reception underground is garbage).
Plainclothes transit inspectors can demand to see your valid ticket. If you're busted, you'll have to pay a fine of CZK 800 (plus your fare) on the spot in cash.
Taxi
Be careful with taxis, as there are a lot of cheats out there. We recommend that you ask your receptionist or concierge for help when you need a ride. They will be happy to order a car for you. I use AAA taxi service (+420 222 333 222) which has a pretty good app too.
Uber
Uber is locally available now, and we've tried it for only one ride. Price-wise, it's in line with taxi services. Prague has been part of Uber for about two months now. UberBLACK and uberPOP are currently available.
Walking
Prague is beautiful city for sightseeing, walking, and admiring architecture. Segway tours have become very popular recently, so be on the lookout for other tourists racing these things through pedestrian zones.
Food and drink
Prague has had a major upgrade when it comes to food and drink. Gone are the post-Communist days of grey mystery meats and lumpy dumplings. New restaurants are coming up all the time, and the fare is quite tasty. Combine that with an explosion in craft beers, and you’ve got the makings of a wonderful time.
The must-order items on any Czech menu include guláš (pronounced: GOO-lahsh), a rich beef stew usually served with dumplings or potato pancakes, svíčková (pronounced: SVEE-ch-kova), boiled sirloin served in a vegetable cream sauce, and smažený sýr (pronounced: SMAHzh-any-seer), a slab of breaded and deep-fried cheese served with tartar sauce and potatoes.
If you happen to go to any pub downtown, try something you can’t have anywhere else: Nakládaný hermelín (pickled camembert-style cheese) and Kofola, a popular soft drink. Kofola was communist Czechoslovakia's bitter response to western colas, and tastes like it.
Vytopná
The Vytopná on Wenceslas Square is always a hit with our visitors. A model train brings your drinks. What’s not to love?
Pepe Nero pizza
Just across from the InterContinental Hotel is one of Prague’s best pizza and Italian restaurants, Pepe Nero. I especially like their namesake pizza.
U Prince rooftop bar
We've had a couple of requests for a good bar with a view of the city. There are a few we can recommend, but especially the one atop the U Prince restaurant and hotel, across from the Astronomical Clock on the Old Town Square. It's not the easiest to find - you have to go inside the restaurant to their glass elevator, go up to the top, then up a set of stairs, then through a bar. But when you do that, you're rewarded with one of the most magical views that Prague can offer. It's heated, too. Highly recommended. https://www.hoteluprince.com/terrace
Vegetarian fare: Maitrea and Radost FX
Czech cuisine tends to be heavy on meat, and while Prague has seen an explosion of world-class restaurants in recent years, vegetarian and vegan fare can be hard to come by. We like Maitrea and Radost FX Cafe. Maitrea is within walking distance of the InterContinental, while Radost FX is near metro stations at naměstí Míru (Line A, green) and naměstí I.P. Pavlova (Line C, red).
Lokál
Some of the best Czech cuisine can be found at Lokál restaurants at several locations around town. Kitchens are open until midnight. The Pilsner Urquell they serve is some of the freshest you can get outside Pilsen. Lokál is very popular, so be sure to make reservations, especially for larger groups.
25 years since the Velvet Revolution
On November 17, Czechs will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution. There will be quite a few events leading up to the date as part of the Festival Svobody (Festival of Freedom). Info can be found in English here.
Souvenirs
Visit any Manufaktura store for hand-made cosmetics, home accessories, beautiful wooden toys and puzzles. For small children, buy a Krtek doll known in English as The Little Mole, or in German as Maulwurf, Zdeněk Miller’s creation is one of the country’s best cultural ambassadors. Here’s an example of one of his films, The Little Mole and the Green Star.
Karlovarske oplátky, wafer cookies the size of an LP, are also a good choice. They’re available in several different flavors, but I like the chocolate ones.
Useful words and phrases (and how to pronounce them)
Good morning, Good afternoon - Dobrý den [DOH-bree-den]
Goodbye - Nashledanou [NAH-SKLE-da-no]
Please - Prosím [PRO-seem]
Thank you - Děkuji [DYEH-koo-yee]
Pub - Hospoda [HO-spo-da]
May I order? - Mohu si objednat? [MOH-hu see OH-byed-naht]
I’ll have a beer - Dám si pivo [DAHM see PEE-vo]
One more beer, please! - Ještě jedno pivo, prosím! [YESHT-yeh YED-no PEE-vo, PRO-seem]
Shot - Panák [PAH-nahk]
Cheers - Na zdraví [NAH ZDRAH-vee]