PRAGUE: OPEN 24 HOURS

          Early  in the  morning, the minute  you get off  the plane  you find yourself  in a miraculous  dream called  Prague…

   “ Ahoy’  is the  first  word you hear when  arriving  in the  Czech  Republic.  Whenever  you hear “Ahoy”  be sure that they are welcoming you and offering a closer acquaintance  with their wonderful  country.  Thousands  of people  visit  Czech  to just  stroll  along  the ancient the inimitable  architecture.

    The city,  with a population of 1,21  million,  is astounding  with the fusion  of Czech,  German and Jewish  cultures.  The variety  of architectural  styles, the ancient  monuments  and the   well-preserved  Old town  make  Prague  one of the most  beautiful  cities in Europe.

 An  ancient legend  goes that the legendary Princess Libuse,  who had visionary  powers,  exclaimed in her  dream:  “I see an  enormous  city and its fame will reach the stars and  its name will be  Prague!  Thus ,  in the  seventh  century  the Princess predicted the future glory  of the city. 

  Why  is Prague  so enthralling  and what is the secret of its attraction?  Maybe it’s the romantic  evenings  when the city  turns  into an illuminated  scene, or maybe it’s the enchantment  of the hundreds of cozy  pubs inducing  beer-lovers.  Maybe it is the indescribable  thrill  to be in the homeland of Franz  Kafka or the  exhilarating  moment of walking with  someone  close to  your  heart along the Carl’s  Bridge. Maybe…  By  the way,  about Carl’s  Bridge or the Karlov Most as  the  citizens  call it…

  This  structure  is  one  of  the most  famous  historic  monuments  of  Prague.  It was  built  according to the  designs  of Petr  Parlor  .  The  exact  date and time  the  cornerstone  was  laid  was July 9,  1357  at 15:31.  If  you  regard  this  date closely,  you will  see  that  it consists  of odd  numbers  in an  increasing  and  decreasing  order: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 5, 3, 1.  The  date  was specifically  chosen  by  mathematicians and astrologers  as the most  favorable  time for construction.

   Each  of the 30 statues  located along  Carl’s Bridge has  a peculiar  history,  but the most incredible is the story of  Jan  Nepomuck or St. John Nepomucene. In his fully  developed legend he was the confessor of the Queen  of  Bohemia.   Her husband,  Wenceslas  4  King  of Bohemia  and emperor  of  Germany  was  very jealous   and suspicious  of the Empress,  who  used to spend  hours  in the Church  praying.  The king  called St. John Nepomucene  and  ordered  him to reveal  what his  wife had  told him in confession,  but the confessor  refused  to  divulge the secrets of the confessional,  for which he  was tied up and thrown  into the Vltava  River  from  Carl’s  Bridge.  When  peasants found  his drowned  body in the river,  golden stars were  shining above his head.  Since then,  sculptors  have been  depicting  St. John Nepomucene with five  stars circling  his head.

  People still believe  that if they touch the bas-relief  beneath the sculpture with a dream in their mind, it will certainly come true.

 Strolling along the streets in Prague is  sheer delight.  It  helps explore this wonderful  city more thoroughly  and  intently.  One of the most  magnificent structures in the Old Town is the Casle,  presently the Presidential  Residence. The Prague Castle is the largest  medieval castle  complex in Europe and the ancient seat of Czech kings  throughout the ages. A little charming  passageway leads into the famous Golden  Lane,  yet another interesting part of the Prague Castle  complex. The tiny colorful  houses that were once inhabited by the castle servants, perhaps  goldsmiths and castle marksmen, take you back to a childhood fairy tale. Dating from the 15^th  century,  this small street is lined by 11 historic houses,  which exhibit medieval armory and textiles,  as well as selling tourist  souvenirs.  From 1916 to 1917  house  No.22  was inhabited by the writer Franz Kafka.

  Throughout centuries , one of Prague’s most notable and popular  attractions was the

Prague Astronomical Clock or the Prague  Orloj  mounted on the southern wall of the Old Town  City Hall in the old Town  Square in 1338 and  featuring the procession of the Twelve Apostles.

    The nearby Jewish Quarter with its historic buildings and monuments is an  important part of the  history of  Prague.

  On the opposite bank of the Vltava  River rises the world-class Dancing House (Tancini Dum),  a  masterpiece of contemporary architecture and a most daring experiment.  Built between 1992-1996, by  Yugoslav-born Vlado Milunic and the renowned American architect Frank  Gehry, the Dancing House forms a strikingly modern contrast  to  Prague’s historic attractions.  At first the citizens  of  Prague were too reluctant to accept the “gigantic  Monster” covered in glass and iron in their beloved fairy-tale city.  But in a short time span they reconciled  themselves to its existence and even  named it the “Ginger & Fred Building”, after the legendary dance  duo. In  fact,  amidst the daring, curvy outlines of the building there is a fine love melody as if the famous dancers are giving their best performance in front of the audience.  Dancing House is home to one of the city’s leading restaurants, La Perle de Prague Restaurant that offers magnificent views over Prague.  Prague is the political and cultural  center of the Czech Republic. More than 2000 cultural events take  place every month in this wonderful city. Aside from aesthetic pleasure,  Prague offers a large variety of entertainments.

   Cafes have always been  a favorite  venue  for   artists and intelligentsia  alike who can freely discuss  various political  and cultural  issues inspired  by the peaceful  coziness. Café “Medusa” ,  for  instance,  hosts a  diversity of exhibition sales by  modern  artists.  This is a popular  meeting point, as well as  a place for  round  table discussions and, of  course,  drinking.  You are sure to find something  amazing here. Majority of pubs and  cafes are open  until 1 o’clock  in the morning and even 04:00  or  05:00  a.m.  on weekends. Night  clubs are normally  working  until 05:00 a. m.,  but if you  are not contented you can attend  the so-called “ after-parties”, the  clubs that are open 24 hours. After sunset, Prague  divulges its  night  life. If you are a real  party animal,  then  this is just the place  for  you to go.  The  city has  numerous  top-scale  night clubs and you  are sure to  like at  least one of them. Night life in  Prague  opens endless  opportunities  to  meet  interesting  people and spend the night  in a friendly  environment.

  During the entire trip I could not  help  but recall  the saying that  “Prague  is like a woman:  tender and  persistent,  impulsive  and deep, like  a well  where you can  recognize  your  real  face.” Who  knows,  maybe  Yaroslav  Seyfert’s  words reveal  the  whole truth about  Prague…

  “Prague  is  like a woman: tender and  hard,  capricious and deep as a well  in which you can recognize your real  face.” 

DUBAI

District  guide

Set between Europe and  Asia,  Dubai  is the jewel  in the crown of the United Arab  Emirates It offers  visitors an  oasis from the surrounding  desert. At the  same time, it remains  mostly  sunny and  warm  throughout the year.  Dubai  is  the second largest  of the seven  Emirates (  Abu  Dhabi,  Dubai, Ajman,  al-Fujaira,  Ras al-Khaimah ,  Sharjah,  and Umm  al-Qaiwain)  and  is located on the south-western  shore of the Persian  Gulf.  Dubai’s  population in  2001 was approximately  1,029,000.  Visitors from the four  corners of the earth  make their way to Dubai by land, sea and air.  The  Dubai  International  Airport is a  vital  link for business,  commerce and  tourism.  Its  state of  the art  facilities and runways permit daily  take-offs and landings  whacking  visitors in and out of the emeriti. 

  City of contrasts  

   Tourists and business travelers will  find something to provoke their imagination in this busy and cosmopolitan  city.  The central city itself  is designed with ultra-modern offices,  hotels  and shopping malls all set alongside  the Creek. This natural  sea-water inlet cuts through the center of the  city.  But just around the  corner, you might  come upon an ancient  house or  other testament to  the rich  heritage  of this city.  Don’t  think the inhabitants  of Dubai  are  living  too  abundantly  with their  dwindling  oil supply though. They  were smart enough to plan ahead  economically  to soften  the blow,  and  tourism  is one of their main plans.  Dubai  is able to  boast an Arabian  experience in a protected, open- minded  city.  Even the  desert  itself  holds tourist  appeal.

   Dubai’s  central business  district  is  divided into two parts: Diera on the  north  side of the Creek  and Bur Dubai to the south. They are connected by a tunnel and two  dirges.  But no  matter which side  you find yourself on, a stroll along its banks  will remind you of the  city’s  centuries-old trading  traditions. And each side  has everything you might want, from  great hotels and stores to mosques  and  bustling  markets  (souks.)

 For a glimpse of Old Dubai,  head to the old Bastakiya  distrist.  The narrow streets  remind you of days  gone  by and the old wind towers  are the mark  of Dubai. Before  electricity, the wind towers brought  air into the homes to help cool them.  This district is  being restored to show tourists the true old Dubai. Just outside the central city to the  north is the neighboring  emirate of  Shariah. Andto the west and south are the neighborhoods of Satwa,  Jumeirah, and Umm Suqeim.

While  in Dubai, you may want to  visit the Duabi Museum which will introduce  you to the heritage and  culture of the emirate. Another  great  site is the Diving Village. The Duabi Zoo is the oldest zoo in the Arabian  peninsula. If  your interests  run to Archeology,  there are three  main excavations in that area. One  at Ghusais, another at al Sufooh  and another at  Jumeirah.  The first  two are 2,000  year old graveyards  and the third dates from the 7^th to 15^th  century and contains artifacts  and  more. Visitors  must obtain  a  permit from the Dubai  Museum.

 Climate                                                         

   Temperatures  run from a mean  daily  maximum  of about 41 degrees Celsius  in July to a mean daily  maximum of 24 in January.  The climate in Dubai is classed as  sub-tropical,  arid. But if you’re  expecting predictable  weather,  guess again. Although Dubai is relatively regular, it does have its  share of rain, wind, and storms. Dubai is a truly international city and  it has an abundance of lodging options for the  business or leisure traveler. Depending on your circumtances you  may select from a number of fine hotels to meet your needs. For the ultimate Seven-Star Deluxe  comfort, spend your visit at the Burj Al  Arab Hotel. For Five-Star Luxury, there’s the Sheraton dubai creek hotel & Towers. A bit less luxe-plush, but still more than adequate, with all the amenities a world traveler should expect, include:  the  Fairmont Hotel; Crowne Plaza Hotel Dubai; Ritz- Carlton Dubai Hotel; and the Shangri-La Hotel.  The locally run hotels are also generally  excellent. Swimming pools, health center, and restaurants are not uncommon features to Dubai’s accommodations. But for the budget traveler, there are also self-catering apartments  and hostels. 

MUNICH: MADE FOR MEN

DAY: 3

  Tying  up loose ends

   Presuming  you have put off another drinking  binge  for a later time, it is on this day,  call it a day of “rest”,  that you should  do Munich  proud. Rest assured, you’ll  still try out some famous beverages,  but you can’t leave the city  without visiting more attractions.

 Top attractions

First on your list, after you’ve overcome your hangover,  should be  the Residenz and Koenigsplatz.  These two areas are dominated by several museums,  beautiful  buildings from the 1600’s and other famous landmarks. 

 
   Watch your watch at the  Residenz museum,  as it is easy to spend your  whole day looking at the Bavarian treasures housed here. Instead,  divide your time between here, the Egyptian  Art Museum and the Lenbach House, which holds several  masterpieces from Kandinsky,  among ohers.

   As you continue northwest from Residenz to Konigsplatz and beyond, it only makes sense to stop at the Schloss Nymphenburg. Don’t worry, it’s not  another  museum. The Schloss is a Baroque palace that defines  opulence and excessiveness- built by royals” the rooms  are all open to the public and give a peek into a rich world  of art and desing.  Not to be missed on the large grounds are the witch’s  cottage and Chinese teahouse.

   Beautiful   beemer  museum

A late lunch  might now do you good,  so head over to the Olympiazentrum,  the site of the 1972  Olympics  .  At  Caf   Oly,  you  can grab  a light but  hearty meal before exploring the park area.  Really,  though, this sports  complex  and relaxing spot is just a gateway to something much cooler.

   Across  the street, there is an impressive  building that will catch  your eye.  Shaped like the four cylinders of an engine, it is BMW’s   headquarters and you should  definitely make a pilgrimage.  Next to the unique  edifice is  the BMW  Museum;  a must-see  with over 400cars,  and tons of machinery  and facts  sure to get your  testosterone  pumping.  Tours are free  and there is only a small  entrance  fee  to pay.

   Quench your thirst

  Having  been  alcohol-free  for the whole day, you are  surely suffering  from withdrawal by now. As  night  creeps in on your  third day,  more partying is in order.  A wise  choice is to head to Kunstpark  Ost,  a revamped  industrial  complex  which features a wide  selection of bars,  nightclubs  and restaurants.  Have a late  dinner,  then make like the locals and club-hop to find a place you like.  Entrance  fees are between  5 and 7  euros at  the clubs, so decide on a spot fairly  quick  and save your money for drinks.

  Miss the Oktoberfest? You can always make your way there instead, as last  call for alcohol is usually  around  midnight. It it’s not the right  season,  party  it up at  Wien’s  world,  a  beer hall  and club that celebrates  Oktoberfest year round.

 More than beer paradise

    
   Even  a versatile  itinedrary  such as  this one cannot divert too far from Munich’s true beer-drinking  roots.  With this as a teaser,  millions  of tourists  have  flown to the Bavarian  city  and been impressed by more than just the drinks.  A proud people,  dozens of world-renowned  landmarks  and gastronomic  pleasures (sausage,   and  more sausage) make Munich  more than a dream for lager-lovers; it is a must-see for anyone who  can appreciate art and a rich culture. Visit Germany’s  fastest-rising tourist spot: you won’t regret it, though  your liver might

 Tips for the trip

a/  Forget taxis or driving yourself: Use Munich’s punctual public transportation  when needed,  especially when going to the busy Oktoberfest. The  metro (subway  is efficient and runs until at least 1 a. m. on weekends.

b/ Munich can get very expensive, so save up beforehand and keep  an eye out for tourist traps. The city has a wide selection of shops and restaurants, so don’t settle for something until you’ve looked at other places.

c/ Know the names of the beers before you drink: doppelbock is the strongest,  usually at over 7% alcohol. Wizen, a wheat beer,  packs a punch at over 6%. Enjoy!

Resources: http://www.askmen.com