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VISITING PRAGUE SHORT BREAK FROM DUBAI

Visiting Prague short break from Dubai

Get an INSIDER’S VIEW to visiting PRAGUE

Scroll down to these headings:

  • Why bother visiting Prague
  • Where to stay in Prague – plus video
  • What you MUST do in Prague – My top picks – plus video
  • Top Tips to visiting Prague

Gothic_City_Pix

Why bother visiting Prague?

Prague is just under 6 hours flying time from Dubai. Both Emirates and Fly Dubai have direct flights at sensible times. Prague is a historical city with the most incredible architecture I have ever seen. The people in Prague are some of the most friendly I have ever met and English is very widely spoken.

It is a city rich in culture and tradition. Prague is designed to walk around or take the tram so you can get fit and be educated at the same time! So maybe avoid the middle of summer when I think it would be too crowded to enjoy properly. We visited during Easter holidays.

Where to stay in Prague?

Stay at the Mandarin Oriental in the Mala Strana area of Prague, known as the Lesser Quarter, if you can. The hotel has been expertly converted from an 11th century Franciscan monastery and is steeped in history itself. The location is perfect as it’s just 5 minutes walk to the iconic Charles Bridge.

The area is tranquil; it’s less chaotic and noisy than across the bridge. The atmosphere in Mala Strana is genteel and almost has a fairy tale like quality to it. You may hear classical music being rehearsed as you walk past a window, see fresh apple strudel and coffee being made in one of the independent cafes.

You may also see people like me stopping to admire the detail in the doors of the grand buildings that now house ambassadors and embassies. It feels a completely safe area too; we were glad to come back here after our sightseeing trips.

Apple Strudel in Prague

If you have time, do try the Spa at the Mandarin Oriental in Prague, I had a geranium and rose facial using Aromatherapy Associates products but I would have agreed with anything my therapist Jana suggested if I could get a complexion like hers!  I tried some yoga in the spa but this time on the glass floor so I could see the relics from centuries gone by; a very unique setting to salute the sun.

The hotel runs free tours that last about an hour and provide a fascinating insight into the history of it’s construction. At the moment these are only run on a Saturday but this may change. They are free of charge and you’ll learn about a style of design called Monastic Chic!

Service at the Mandarin Oriental in Prague is exceptionally high. I have never before seen a concierge so delighted at the idea that at last someone (my husband) had use for his special sim card adaptors that fit all smart phones! Neither have I ever come across a magazine article carefully bookmarked for me when all I did was throw it carelessly open at the page I was reading in the bathroom!

What you MUST DO while visiting PRAGUE : A FREE Itinerary tried and tested

Strahov Church Prague Gorgeous

  •  See the Prague Castle complex
  • See the terrace (and have lunch or a coffee) at the Lobkowicz collection in the Prague castle grounds
  • Walk down the street with symbols on the way back from Prague castle towards the Old Town
  • Wander around Prague’s Old Town Square with no objective in mind other than to ramble
  • Walk across the Charles Bridge a few times in fact at different times of the day
  • Walk across a bridge one along from the Charles Bridge to see the swans and get a different view
  • Look at some of Prague’s Churches in the Old Town Square – St Nicolas, The Tyn and the Infant Jesus are really well worth a look
  • Walk around Prague’s open air food market by the Vtava river on a Saturday morning

Additional options in Prague may include:

Prague_Saturday_market

  • Taking in a Microbrewery or 2
  • Eating  some Fresh apple strudel and coffee
  • Experiencing a Prague tram (Take the number 22 to the Castle!)
  • Seeing the gorgeous library at Strahov
  • Experiencing a bit of the Art Deco Prague if you can

TOP TIPS for Visiting Prague

Take a couple of pairs of very comfortable walking shoes and use the time difference if you’re coming from Dubai to get up early one day and walk across the Charles Bridge without all the crowds!

If you don’t plan to go out into the countryside then 3 nights is fine for this perfect short break destination from Dubai. Do take all your camera equipment as well !

See our TRAVELLING section Outside the UAE for more real trips you could take from Dubai or anywhere. If you fancy a trip a little nearer home, then stay subscribed for a post on Sir Baniyas Isand in Abu Dhabi!

Thank you

Monica



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TRY TURKEY FOR A TERRIFIC SHORT BREAK

 

A TRIP TO TURKEY

This is why we think you should try Turkey for a terrific short break, or stay longer if you can. Starts with a very reasonable flight only 4 hours away from Dubai or London, now with a new array of onward destinations with Turkish Airlines.

TRY TURKEY FOR A TERRIFIC SHORT BREAK DoinDubai What you could do Monica Kapila

Turkey is an extremely cool country to visit with:

  • high standards of accommodation
  • great shopping and
  • good food and sight seeing opportunities.

Such a large country, so much to see, so how best to plan your trip to Turkey to get the most out of it? That would depend on your interests and age of travellers, but here’s what a family with 2 teens from Dubai with a decent budget decided to do.

Relaxed eating at the Macakisi
Macakisi Dining Room

ITINERARY FOR A TRIP TO TURKEY

  • Dubai to Istanbul on Emirates or Turkish Airlines – 4 hours
  • Istanbul to Bodrum on Atlas Jet – 50 minutes
  • Bodrum to Alacati (near Izmir) Self drive about 3 hours
  • Izmir to Istanbul on Atlas Jet – 50 minutes
  • Istanbul back to Dubai on Emirates – 3.5 hours

BODRUM

Lobby Maca kisi
Lobby at the Macakisi

Where to stay in Bodrum

We spent 4 nights at the magical Macakizi hotel. It’s located in a village called Golturbuku in Bodrum.

The idea being to relax and destress immediately after a tense session of exams and waiting  for results.

We have image conscious and panicky members in our family so there is always some skepticism about what Mum has decided to book, but all doubts disappeared on arrival at the Macakizi.

It passed all tests and really is a STYLISH PLACE to unwind, relax, eat and sleep.

Click here to read more about the Accommodation, Food, Location and the Downside of the Macakizi.

If you have younger children then perhaps consider the Casa Del Arte in nearby Torba. They are completely equipped to deal with young families, have a large swimming pool, a gentle but small beach area, a gorgeous art set up for kids and young adults as well as a clay workshop area complete with an American potter!

Hotel Website here.

Owned by a Turkish family from Istanbul, this group of properties has an exquisite collection of art in one of its hotels that’s a  real treat to be around. It is a venue for openings and events on a regular basis.

Lobby at the MO
Orchids in the Mandarin Oriental lobby

But if money is no object and you really are more comfortable with Big Names, then look no further than the fabulous and newly opened Mandarin Oriental Bodrum. Located in Golturbuku, a few minutes drive from the Macakisi in a lush, green hillside with hidden beach areas reminiscent of Langkawi.

In fact there are 2 private beaches at the Mandarin Oriental, both of which looked very peaceful and have had soft sand transported from Northern Turkey. The lobby of the hotel is strewn with freshly potted orchids and exudes an air of luxury and tranquillity.

The rest of the hotel follows suit from it’s state of the art gym with pilates rooms and oversized indoor swimming pool, the many outdoor swimming areas and the gorgeous bar where we had drinks in the evening overlooking the Aegean watching speedboats make deliveries to larger yachts in the area.

Indoor pool
Indoor pool
Silent beach Mandarin Oriental
Silent beach Mandarin Oriental

The rooms are everything you’d expect from a hotel like this and a big plus for me was every room had it’s own yoga mat! Service was efficient and friendly and despite the hotel only being open 3 days, it was already 40% full and I think it will get busy very quickly.

This hotel has something for everyone, young and old, those who want to party and those who want some peace, the setting is unbeatable and the facilities very extensive so really you would have no reason to leave this place if you come on a short break or were part of a mixed age group that likes doing their own thing and getting together for meals.

The hotel website is here.

ALACATI

We then chose to stay at the Alavya  hotel in Alacati,  the windsurfing capital of Turkey. This boutique hotel has 20 rooms or so and is quite a contrast in size and style to the Macakisi and Mandarin Oriental. It has been designed by renowned Turkish architect Hakan Ezer who also designed the Nars hotels.

Here’s the hotel website.

Relax after breakfast
Relax after breakfast

Everywhere you look is perfect from a simple window ledge to garden bench, there is no detail that’s been overlooked here so you really feel you are in an interiors magazine photo shoot.

The hotel’s restaurant Mitu opens out onto the main street of Alacati’s old town so you literally are on the doorstep of lots of cafes, bars, restaurants and shops.

This is fabulous to have so close to home but it did get quite noisy late into the night as it was high season so perhaps come out of season to really enjoy this area.

Similarly reputed restaurants were booked out for dinner for 2 weeks solid! But we ate once at the hotel restaurant and loved the bar Foryu which felt a bit like a tropical Zuma !

Don’t leave Alacati without trying to windsurf as the fabulously flat sea in a sheltered bay with just the right about of wind  make ideal conditions for this sport even if you are a complete beginner.

TRY TURKEY FOR A TERRIFIC SHORT BREAK Windsurfing in Alacati DoinDubai Monica Kapila

The hotel is connected to the Bubi Surf school and the instructors are highly trained and friendly. The Classic rooms at the Alavya can be a bit on the small side. That’s because the hotel is a converted Greek house that has been extended. So Dubai guests will feel more comfortable in the superior rooms.

ISTANBUL

Three Nights in Istanbul  could make a story all on their own! We decided to do a little bit of sight seeing, explore some different neighbourhoods and shop. Good eating and drinking along the way was easy!  

We stayed in the Nisantasi area of Istanbul similar to Knightsbridge in London. It’s very well located for shops, cafes and restaurants as well as European style buildings and architecture.

We took the metro from Osmanbey to Sishane and explored artisanal Galata a couple of times. I highly recommend having lunch or even staying at the very French influenced Georges Hotel near Galata Tower.

Le Fumoir at the Georges Galata, Istanbul

This boutique hotel has a large and relaxing roof top terrace restaurant Le Fumoir. It serves excellent, high quality French food in a relaxed setting with a breathtaking view. We had a very late and leisurely lunch here. We noticed people just came in to have drinks or coffee and relax on the terrace later in the day.  The seaview rooms with parquet floors are very atmospheric in this hotel.

There is no shortage of monuments and museums to see in Istanbul. Do remember mosques, even the Blue mosque while free to enter have specific opening and closing times during the day. Some of the well known museums are around Euros 30 to enter and do have long queues in high season.

TRY TURKEY FOR A TERRIFIC SHORT BREAK Grand Bazaar Istanbul DoinDubai Monica Kapila

I loved shopping in Istanbul from Turkish designers to the Grand Bazaar where bargaining is de rigeur.

Taxi Istanbul
Taxi Istanbul

Share this article using the buttons below, that really helps the blog. Thank you!

MONICA

NOTE there are NO RESTRICTIONS ON EATING AND DRINKING during daylight hours in the month of Ramadan in Turkey.

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EID BREAK OR ANY BREAK…TRY TUSCANY

SOUTHERN TUSCANY IS A PERFECT SHORT BREAK DESTINATION

U P D A T E D February 9th 2014 

La Bandita Townhouse has kindly offered DoinDubai Subscribers a 5% discount on published rates as well as a complimentary bottle of Prosecco as a Thank You for our write up of a fabulous stay at their property. DoinDubai Subscribers only complete the contact form below.

I don’t know what the oldest building is in Dubai but I’m guessing some of the traditional houses in the Bastakiya area would qualify as being “old”, and although no one lives in these houses anymore, it’s great that the area still has a vibrancy about it with the cafes, shops and art exhibitions that occur from time to time.

Now imagine the same scenario but this time with whole villages and small towns at least 800 years old that are surrounded only by golden, green rolling valleys and gentle hills but still with people living in the dwellings as though nothing has changed.  Not a sky scraper in site but just greenery, more golden fields, acres of proud sunflowers and the tall Cypress trees said to represent the Eternal Flame…

You are in Val D’Orcia in Southern Tuscany

300by300 Tuscan garden

We visited this August, during a week that happened to be a culturally important time and we were lucky enough to see:

  • Re-enactments of archery tournaments at St Edigio’s church in Montalcino
  • Musical processions by citizens in full medieval dress in the Montepulciano’s streets
  • Firework displays in tiny village squares in Pienza
  • And the grand arrangements around the famous Palio horse race in Sienna. (won by the Snail Mermaids this year)

Southern Tuscany is full of gorgeous hill-top towns with unique examples of fine Renaissance architecture and each one is special in it’s own way.

We chose to stay in the heritage town of Pienza, a small but perfectly formed example of everything you’d expect and a bit more from a classic Italian hill-top town. It was built for Pope Pius the second by architect   Bernado Rossellini and is one of a group of towns that comprise the Valdorcia area of Southern Tuscany.

It is extraordinary how easily the modern world of our exceptionally crafted accommodation at La Bandita Townhouse co existed with historic town halls, regal churches, imposing cathedrals and miniature town squares. There even seemed to be a type of easy synergy between the old and the new, the historic and the modern that was difficult to define. One of the young Italian concierges lived in the UNESCO village, as many still do. During the day she efficiently made bookings for restaurants or winery visits and during the evening we waved to her with her family waiting for festivities to begin.

Deciding where to go on holiday, getting there and finding a hotel are just the beginning when seeking the requirements needed to “enjoy” yourself. But at La Bandita Townhouse all those difficult decisions about what to do every day are made for you by the ever smiling (really) and friendly concierges who never tire of sorting out your holiday dilemmas. They even got me a blanket  so I wouldn’t be cold at 11pm watching the fireworks in the village square and having some high quality anti sting ointment, again at an odd time, was an unexpected blessing.  Did I mention laundry was included in our room rates?

IMG_8771

We enjoyed swimming in hot springs at the Fosso Bianco pool, visiting the most modern winery in Italy, walking around Montepulciano and the Montalcino’s fortress, catching a concert in the spa town of Bagno Vignoni with it’s unusual flowing square,  eating dinner where the locals do and finding the best lavender and peach gelato a few minutes walk from hotel.

Be prepared to witness some of the most historic sites and the finest examples of Renaissance architecture in beautifully verdant and natural settings.

Be prepared to eat exquisite gelato, pasta and artesan breads and cheeses (Pecorino is famous here)

But also be prepared to walk. Hill top towns really are sometimes on top of hills, so parking is restricted, walking shoes are essential but worth it when you see the most incredible views from places like the Piazza San Francesco in Montepulciano. I recommend eating at the Locanda San Francesco, also known as the E Lucevan Le Stelle and fill up on good food, wine and views. Then gently walk back down the hill but stop to buy fabulous leather shoes, bags and gastronomic goodies from the area.

Stay at La Bandita Townhouse in Pienza for the comforts of home with an authentic Italian flavor with no fuss. Try Tuscany for a perfect break.

How to get there:

Nearest airports are  Rome  or Florence (both around 2 hours drive) or Perugia (about an hour’s drive away) Or you can get a train from Rome to Terme (about 40 minutes drive away). It was very easy from Perugia. Link direct to their website page ‘How to Find Us’

La Bandita Townhouse is run by John Voigtman who used to work in the music industry in New York but has run the Townhouse and the La Bandita Country house for nearly eight years.

Would you like a 5% Discount?

La Bandita Townhouse has kindly offered DoinDubai subscribers a 5% discount on published rates as well as a complimentary bottle of Prosecco.

To avail this discount simply follow through these TWO requirements :

  • Make sure you have SUBSCRIBED  to DoinDubai News (which you can do in the box at the end of this page )  and
  • write your enquiry in the contact form below, that’s it. 

Ciao Bellas ! 

To avail the 5% Discount you need to make contact through this contact form. Your response will be from La Bandita Townhouse themselves.

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Link to La Bandita Townhouse  

A Related Article (not on DoinDubai ) Southern comfort in Tuscany (standard.co.uk)

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SALCHETO VINEYARD MONTEPULCIANO TUSCANY

Montepulciano, Southern Tuscany

Like many of you, DoinDubai has been travelling over the summer, to easy to get to destinations from Dubai. This is the first of a couple of posts from Southern Tuscany in Italy. Hopefully you’ll be inspired to visit at a later date.

The Salcheto vineyard is a seriously environmentally friendly vineyard that is only two years old and is supposedly Italy’s most sustainable wine estate.  The estate is located in typical wine country just outside Montepulciano’s medieval town in the Val D’Orcia region of Southern Tuscany. But apart from it’s location, nothing much else is typical or traditional about this winery.

The Salcheto Wine Estate
Montepulciano
ITALY

One of the first things that strikes you when you arrive are the strange space helmet type bubble domes all over the floor. These we found were an ingenious way to let natural light into the cellars below ground. The helmets are lined with a mirror that immediately sends a shaft of light (from the sun) down to illuminate the lower floor, so no electricity is used for light. The cement used as grout for the tiles between the helmet domes is a type that lets in more moisture than normal so when it rains or when water is poured over, the damp seeps below to help keep the cellar levels (there are three) cool,  completely naturally.

The vineyard boasts a vertical garden that was planted literally up the outside walls of the cellar and when watered helps keep the inside walls cool. Special gabion type cages filled with boulders are placed strategically around the base of the walled garden to limit any effects of erosion and stop the hillside being washed away.

The Salcheto estate grows six kinds of grapes, four red and two white and manages to produce around 10, 000 bottles of wine or just over 7000 litres per annum. (I noticed Selfridges in London was one of it’s customers) Broadly they make Rossato (Rose), Rosso which is a light red, Nobile and Nobile Reserva, the heaviest and most substantial of the wines in terms of colour and alcohol content. They also make a type of sweet wine that is not the typical vin santo but is made from Tresliano and Malbasia white grapes, it’s matured for around 18 months and smells of sophisticated honey and is much less alcoholic than Vin Santo. (I don’t like sweet wines but this was an exception)

Generally fermentation can take between 3 to 30 days depending on the wine being produced, and wine is left to ferment in hand made Slovenian/Croatian oak barrels that are made in Spain but wines are aged for much longer in their bottles.

Up in the modern tasting rooms they even have a geo thermal air conditioner. We visited the winery during a week in August that co incided with the Festival Val D’Orcia during which time the ancient Renaissance Medieval towns such as Montalcino (famous for it’s dark and brooding Brunello wine) and Montepulciano re enact events of by gone days:  archery contests, street processions in full traditional dress and huge communal meals down the narrowest of streets. A couple of gentle hillsides away sits the Salcheto winery; an excellent example of modern, state of the art technology, that embraces sustainability while exuding an easy charm in modern day surroundings that made us feel as though we were in a bar in New York. This bit of Italy seems to have got the juxtaposition of the modern and the old in perfect harmony. Go and visit all the old hill top towns but only try one winery, the Salcheto, do the full tasting and tour and then have lunch, then buy as much wine and olive oil as Ryanair will let you carry back (if you’re flying to London)  and take your clothes as hand luggage.  As usual do share the warm feeling of the post on Facebook and let me know if this sounds like a visit you would do if you visited this part of Italy by leaving a comment in the box below, thanks Monica.

(The comments really help the blog so thanks to all my regular commenters and if you haven’t as yet left a comment then I look forward to hearing from you !)

Click here to read about how to get to Salcheto Winery (2 hours drive from Rome) and learn how sensibly priced the tastings and lunch are. A big THANK YOU to John Voightman and his team at La Bandita Townhouse for organizing this trip for us.

Next week where to stay in the gorgeous Val D’Orcia region of Southern Tuscany. Do subscribe to the blog for free mails if you haven’t already done so, some great competitions coming up to win meals in Dubai and beyond !

We bought this book


as a guide, it also comes with a useful map.

Insight Guides: Tuscany (Insight Regional Guide)

And thanks to Sally of Mycustardpie whose post encouraged me to write this !

https://mycustardpie.com/2013/08/26/monthly-wine-writing-challenge-3/

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