Last week I visited Prague to attend the European Sociological Association 2015 conference with work. A big part of my job is helping to organise our busy conference schedule, so I was grateful for the opportunity to finally experience one first hand. The change of scenery was also very welcome, as I’d heard plenty of good things about Prague. I was perfectly happy to leave the office behind and swap a rainy business park for a sunny European capital!
As you might imagine, the majority of my time was spent inside the conference venue looking after the stand, selling books, interviewing authors, speaking to customers and ensuring everything ran smoothly. In the evenings though, I was free to socialise with colleagues and explore the city.
My accommodation was ideally situated between the conference venue and the city centre. 3 stops on the metro and I found myself walking around the Old Town. This part had a great buzz, and was packed with a blend of interesting architecture, cobbled streets and vibrant cafes and restaurants.
On the second day, we ventured further south for some alcohol based refreshments by the river in the warm evening sun.
For the penultimate evening before flying back to the UK, we tackled the steep ascent to Prague Castle from where you get a fantastic vantage point to gaze out over the city.
Overall I was thoroughly impressed with Prague. Rich in history, beautiful architecture, and a variety of museums, the city packs plenty of charm. It’s especially good if you’re trying to plan a holiday on a budget. Eating out was shockingly cheap – a large Pizza and a beer came to about £4.80. As such, it’s not hard to see why the city is so popular for stag parties. Whether you’re looking for nightlife or culture, Prague has something for everyone.
Tom Eden 