The Romantic Side of Prague

In the summertime, romance is often an outdoor affair. This summer's day plan takes advantage of Prague's warm breezes and spectacular views. First, treat each other to one of the best breakfasts in the city at Café Savoy. The "American" and the "French," while a touch expensive, deliver on both quality and quantity. Be sure to make reservations, though, as Savoy's breakfast brilliance is no secret. After building up your energy in the bustling café, you have...read more

In the summertime, romance is often an outdoor affair. This summer’s day plan takes advantage of Prague’s warm breezes and spectacular views. First, treat each other to one of the best breakfasts in the city at Café Savoy. The “American” and the “French,” while a touch expensive, deliver on both quality and quantity. Be sure to make reservations, though, as Savoy's breakfast brilliance is no secret. After building up your energy in the bustling café, you have a choice: if you’re the “journey” type, go for Petrin Hill since you can choose to make your way to the top on foot. If you’re not up for the hike, the funicular railway runs every few minutes and costs as much as a regular tram ticket, however fresh air is highly recommended. You’ll find that the walk up is a mixture between a hike, a nature walk, and a stairmaster (the route begins on a big stone staircase before morphing into a wooded path). Although this may not seem like much of an aphrodisiac at first glance, think of it as a chance to spend quality time (about half an hour) with your partner while enjoying the great outdoors. If you’re not the athletic type, keep in mind that there are plenty of spots where you can take a break and engage in some old-fashioned PDA. Plus, the views get better and better as you work your way up. You’ll even pass through an apple orchard. When you get to the top, in addition to refreshments, you’ll find an observatory, a lovely Rose Garden, and a hall of mirrors (think: “Greece,” the film not the country). To top it off, just 299 more steps and you are at the pinnacle of the Observation Tower, where a simply breathtaking view of Prague awaits. If, however, you tend to prefer destinations, a visit to Letna Park might be the choice for you. Here, you can drink a leisurely beer and lounge in pretty much whatever position you’d like while soaking up the sun (or the shade) with your chosen companion. It’s built on a plateau above the Vltava River and provides some gorgeous views of the Old Town, particularly of Prague’s stunning bridges. When you’ve finished savoring the views, it’s time for dinner. All that sunshine works up an appetite. For a tasty and satisfying dinner, head to Ambiente Pasta Fresca. In the thick of things location-wise and offering a large selection of very fresh food, this dimly lit cellar is simultaneous relaxed and romantic, exactly what you need after a long day in the sun. Plus, there’s a pretty good wine selection to get you just the right amount of tipsy. When you’ve finished your meal, you know you can’t go straight back to the hotel. Doing this seems to be a bit of a waste when you’re in a new city, especially one as thrilling as this. At the same time, when you’re in the midst of an enchantingly romantic evening, you can’t imagine going to a pumping bar/club where alcohol levels and tension is running high as the unattached hunt for an evening attachment. The last thing you need is for that special someone to spend the night being eyed by not-so-special strangers. Try Blue Light. Although this bar is on the ground floor, when you step in side you get the sense you’re in a cellar (again) but this isn’t just any cellar, the walls are covered in classic jazz posters and not-so-classic carved “graffiti” (a perfect place for a 7th grade pledge: A.B. + C.D. 4EVER). The lights are soft, there’s an antique piano in the corner, and, you guessed it, jazz music provides a sultry background for low chatter. The place is small and generally pretty packed but it provides a sort of “alone in a crowd” feeling that offers it’s own brand of privacy. A decent cocktail menu and a great vibe make it a great spot for a bit of after-dinner seduction.  hide

While Prague's snowy winters do make for beautiful postcards, they also make for runny noses and chapped lips - notably un-romantic things. This winter's day combines a bit of indoor sightseeing with dim, cozy spots where warm drinks and soft seats await shivering couples. When it comes to choosing a cozy spot, you just have to pick your poison: coffee or tea? If coffee is your style, Cafe Louvre is your best option. Historically populated by thinkers from...read more

While Prague’s snowy winters do make for beautiful postcards, they also make for runny noses and chapped lips – notably un-romantic things. This winter's day combines a bit of indoor sightseeing with dim, cozy spots where warm drinks and soft seats await shivering couples. When it comes to choosing a cozy spot, you just have to pick your poison: coffee or tea? If coffee is your style, Cafe Louvre is your best option. Historically populated by thinkers from many disciplines, this café is not only historically significant but offers a beautiful setting for savoring sweet treats and sipping bitter coffee or spooning some of the thickest, richest hot chocolate there is onto your partner’s tempted tongue. If tea is more your taste, though, Čajovna Siva/Shiva Tearoom is the way to go. The air is intoxicating and the mismatched couches are snug in this dark cellar teahouse. Although the menu is quite extensive, offering a range of teas from all over the world, the drink best suited to our purposes, is a popular Arabic drink called a Sahleb, a creamy drink made with a powder of ground-up orchid roots, which is considered to be an aphrodisiac. As alluring as it may be to keep each other warm all day, part of taking a vacation with your loved one is sharing experiences. Taking in new knowledge and culture is a great way to form that connection but that doesn't mean your day needs to be serious. Try one of Prague's small, offbeat museums. If you’re don’t mind the obvious, the Sex Machines museum is a playfully stimulating choice. If you’re a bit more discreet, you can choose to laugh together at the Wax Museum on Melantrichova or enjoy beautiful things together at the Mucha Museum. When your stomachs begin to rumble, nothing will ignite the senses like delectable food savored in flickering candlelight. One option is Passepartout. A small restaurant in the French style, Passepartout offers fine French dining for lower prices, as it is outside of the city center. Dark wood and warm yellow walls give the petite restaurant a soft glow. Large windows and mirrors keep any stuffiness at bay. Like the space, the menu is small but thoughtful. Starters include Warm Goat Cheese Salad, Sweet Marinated Salmon, and Pan-fried Fois Gras. Mains aren’t overwhelmingly big but definitely filling and each one comes paired with a well-thought-out side. Nobody is going to rush you from your table here, so take some time to share a bottle of wine and gaze at each other in the flickering candlelight. If you’re looking for more classic Czech romance, try Triton Restaurant. Under the centrally located Adria Hotel, this art-nouveau restaurant can be found. One of a million cellar-restaurants in Prague, Triton has set itself apart by encrusting the interior with stalactites, making the fairly small restaurant resemble a mysterious cave. Add mythological Greek figures and a tropical fish tank and you end up with a truly enchanting atmosphere. The menu is comprised of a kind of “New Czech” cuisine, a combination of classic Czech and Internationally-inspired dishes. Service is warm and graceful, practically choreographed at times and, if you want to impress your date with the perfect wine choice, a sommelier will be there to help. Triton restaurant offers the complete package: an intimate, gorgeous meal delivered in true style. After whatever scrumptious meal you choose, it’ll be time for a drink, preferably in an intimate environment where two people can wind down (or rest up, depending on how you look at it) and enjoy each other over a couple of drinks. U Sudu fits the bill perfectly. This cavernous bar manages to maintain a romantic feeling, especially in the narrow candle-lit hallway on the second level and the packed yet cozy bottom floor. Pitchers of decent wine can be had quite cheaply and patrons are given complete freedom to play, chat, laugh, and get cozy. For something a bit quieter, there’s Vinohrady’s Sudicka. Creamy walls and rich wooden accents create an inviting environment for quiet contemplation or casual conversation. Drink in hand, partner by your side, this is a place that won’t allow stress to get in the way of romance.  hide

Finally, in both summer and winter, don't neglect to take a late-night stroll along the Vltava, where you can marvel at an ethereal image of Prague Castle, which seems to be floating in mid-air as it glows against the inky-blue night sky. Continue across Charles Bridge, where you can steal kisses in the shadows of the baroque statues that line the 14th-century bridge. Linger near the edge, gaze into the river where the glittering lights of the city play with...read more

Finally, in both summer and winter, don’t neglect to take a late-night stroll along the Vltava, where you can marvel at an ethereal image of Prague Castle, which seems to be floating in mid-air as it glows against the inky-blue night sky. Continue across Charles Bridge, where you can steal kisses in the shadows of the baroque statues that line the 14th-century bridge. Linger near the edge, gaze into the river where the glittering lights of the city play with the shadows it casts. But by now you might be losing your patience – it probably about time to head back to the hotel for… let’s call it a nightcap.  hide