by Anagha Mahesh
This past week, my family came to visit me in Prague. I really wanted this trip to be a unique experience for them and for them to not simply feel like tourists in this city I have come to call home.
Here are some tips I have collected over the last week to hopefully guide you on planning your family’s trip here!
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This probably goes without saying, but definitely be sure to take your family to key attractions such as the St. Nicholas Church in Mala Strana, John Lennon Wall, Prague Castle, and Kafka museum. Get yourselves a Trdelnik to try together, as this is the one time you as a “local” can justify submitting to this tourist trap. This is a great way to explore these places yourself and an opportunity to act as a tour guide if you know additional information about these places.
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Get started on time-bound attractions such as museums early in the day and plan Petrin Tower, Charles Bridge Tower, or any other scenic points around sunset for the greatest views of the city.
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If you have the time for it, take them to visit other often overlooked areas of Prague such as Vysehrad, or the neighborhoods of Vinohrady and Zizkov.
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If they are here when you have a busy day of class/schoolwork, send them on a day trip to another Czech city such as Cesky Krumlov, Brno, or Karlovy Vary. It is a great opportunity for them to get a more holistic experience of the Czech Republic and see the natural beauty of the countryside. You could alternatively spend one of your free full days on this if you have not yet visited these places.
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There is so much that you know from living in Prague which you can share to enhance your family’s experience. It is incredibly helpful for your family to know the meaning of general Czech terms in order to get around, how the public transport works, or the dangers of forgetting to validate your tram ticket or using the wrong ATM. Help them understand the cultural context of the Czech Republic so they understand the interactions they have with people around them. My family was here for the 30th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution, so this was especially important for them to appreciate the celebrations around the city!
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Your family is likely curious about your life in Prague, so show them Prague as you know it! Take a walk around the Old Town Square and point out NYU Prague’s campus and other familiar landmarks. Chances are, you have been to a few places around Prague that are a little bit more off the beaten path, whether that be through orientation week, field trips in classes, or even your own dorm neighborhood in Prague. Showing them places that have meaning to you will help them see Prague through your eyes and gain a special appreciation for it.