YOGA UNDER THE CASTLE
Prague Retreat Guide - June 2024
B&B Contact info
Dum U Velké Boty / House at the Big Boot
Address: Vlašská 30, Praha 1
Phone: +420 257 532 088
Check in
12 noon - will try to accommodate early arrival, luggage storage available
Check out
1 1 AM
Accommodation includes
breakfast, wi-fi, coffee and tea available all day,
other beverages for purchase
Lucie’s Contact
Whatsapp and Text +1 413-210-9078
Veronika’s Contact
Whatsapp +54 911 3023 6977
US Embassy Prague
Address: Tržište 15, Praha 1
Phone: +420 272 101 800
Mon-Fri by appt only
Transport (airport and city)
Uber, Bolt, Taxi Blue Angel / Taxi Modrý Andel) - English speaking operators. Download apps Uber, Bolt and connect your credit card to it
Time zone
Prague is 6 hours ahead of standard ET -
bring melatonin tablets
PACKING LIST
Pack extra clothes in your carry-on
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Good walking shoes
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Clothes for walking and yoga
(check local weather forecast)
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Toiletries
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If your luggage is delayed - window to report it is right next to the luggage carousels.
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Documents
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Passport
(expiration more than 6 months of return date)
Copy of passport
Another form of ID
(i.e. drivers license)
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Clothing
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Street clothes
(layers for warmer or cooler weather)
One warmer layer
Good walking shoes
Second pair of shoes
Sandals
Yoga clothes
Clothes for an evening cultural event
(dress code smart casual)
Load of laundry at B&B $16
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Props
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Yoga mat and yoga strap (HuggerMugger Travel mat is inexpensive, foldable)
Blanket or one yoga block for sitting (optional)
(thin wool blanket or small fleece can be
very practical and versatile, for light yak wool blankets check out Tibetan stores)
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Electronics
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European plug adapter
Phone charger
Money
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Debit card
Credit card(s)
second credit card as a back-up
Cash
in $20 bills to exchange, $250-300
(Czech crown currency, approx $1=22/23 Kc)
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ATM throughout the city, know your debit card PIN, test it at your bank at home.
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Avoid airport ATMs if possible (the minimum amount to exchange is often large).
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Avoid independent ATMs such as Travelex, Euronext, Cashzone, or YourCash.
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Use bank-run ATM. When withdrawing money - refuse conversion, choose the local currency.
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Report your travel dates/places to your bank.
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Contactless options, ApplePay.
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Many places accept credit cards but some take only cash.
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Miscellaneous
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Good day pack
(pick pocket proof)
Fold-up tote bag
Rain gear - small umbrella or rain jacket
Water bottle
Melatonin (3-5 mg)
(first dose taken at dinner time on your departure day if flying overnight)
Arnica gel - for sore feet and legs, bruises
Earplugs
Medications, Covid test, face masks
Sun screen, sun hat
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Small notebook, pen
Face wipes, hand sanitizer (optional)
Nutritious snacks, nuts, protein bars
(apples will be available at B&B)
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ITINERARY
Wednesday, June 5
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5:00 - 5:45 PM
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Gathering, Opening Circle, Program announcements - common space downstairs - bring yoga mat + something to sit on (blanket, towel or block)
5:45 - 6:15 PM
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Welcome drink, mingling
6:15 PM
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Welcome dinner together - dining room (ground level)
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Thursday, June 6
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8:00-9:00 AM
Individual yoga in common space downstairs (optional) or extra sleep time
9:00 AM
Breakfast
10:00 AM
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Old Town Tour - Staromestské Námestí, Tyn Church, Old Town Hall, Astronomical Clock, Ungelt Courtyard, Municipal House (3 hours)
Lunch on your own
4:30 - 5:30 PM
Gentle yoga (Lucie) terrace or common space / weather dependent
Dinner on your own
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Friday, June 7
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8:00-9:00 AM
Yin yoga (Veronika) terrace or common space / weather dependent)
9:00 AM
Breakfast
10 :00 AM
New Town - Mucha Museum, Wenceslas Sq, Franciscan Garden, Klementinum Library and Observatory Tour (2.5-3 hours)
Lunch on your own
4:00 PM
hike (optional) - Prokopské Údolí, train to Žvahov (walk by Lucie’s childhood home)
6:30 PM
Dinner together - Prokopský Pivovar (brewery), people w/o hiking will take Uber and meet us for dinner at the brewery at 630
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Saturday, June 8
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8:00-9:00 AM
Yoga Flow (Lucie) terrace or common space / weather dependent
9:00 AM
Breakfast
10:00 AM
Lennon Wall, Wallenstein Palace Garden tour (optional, 1 hour)
Free day - sightseeing on your own, shopping, lunch on your own
Dinner on your own
8:00 PM
Concert (classical music), Municipal House / Old Town
Sunday, June 9
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8:00-9:00 AM
Yin yoga (Veronika) terrace or common space / weather dependent
9:00 AM
Breakfast
Free time - coffee, Sunday leisure time
10:30 AM
Garden Tour - Vrtbovská Zahrada (1 hour)
Lunch on your own
2 PM
Vyšehrad Walk (2-2.5 hours)
Optional Riverbank walk back to Malá Strana (Náplavka), Dancing House, National Theater, the islands - Strelecký Ostrov and Kampa or take the public transport back to the B&B
Dinner on your own
Monday, June 10
Please see the early time for breakfast and departure
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7:00-8:00 AM
Individual yoga in common space downstairs (optional)
8:00 AM
Breakfast early!
9:00 AM
Prague Castle Tour (3 hours) - 9 AM departure sharp!
Lunch on your own
4:30 PM
Yoga Flow (Lucie) terrace or common space / weather dependent
Dinner on your own
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Charles Bridge Evening Walk
Optional to continue to - Kampa Island
Tuesday, June 11
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8:00-9:00 AM
Yin yoga (Veronika) terrace or common space / weather dependent
9:00 AM
Breakfast
10:00 AM
Prague Castle Royal Garden, Royal Summer Palace, Letná view (2-2.5 hours)
Lunch on your own
6:30 PM
Dinner together - St. Martin Bistro
8:30 PM - optional Strahov Monastery + Petrín view of Prague (weather dependent)
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Wednesday, June 12
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8:00-9:00 AM
Yoga - Veronika and Lucie co-teaching
Closing Circle
9:00 AM
Breakfast
Departure after breakfast (or leave luggage in storage and tour the city some more)
RESTAURANT RECOMMENDATIONS
Please see the list of currently recommended restaurants by the B&B within a walking distance, in no particular order:
Closest
around the corner, good food and ambiance
around the corner, simpler but nice
Czech
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Michelin recommended, yet casual restaurants.
Top food made affordable.
Reservation must.
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International food:
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EATING IN PRAGUE BY NEIGHBORHOOD
Staré Mesto (Old Town)
Traditional Czech cuisine
good quality Czech classics (open until late, Dlouhá 33)
a fun little pub 2 blocks from the Old Town Sq, hearty salads, modern Czech plates (open daily, Kožná 14)
Vegetarian
wide-ranging menu of veggie takes on international cuisine, daily lunch specials are a good value (Boršov 2)
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extensive, creative menu, vegan-friendly, cheap lunch specials (Open Mon-Fri, Týnská 6)
food sold by weight (open daily, behind Týn Church Týnská 19)
International
modern take on traditional Italian cuisine, make their own bread and desserts (open daily, Havelská 29)
(Rybná 9)
Mexican (open daily, Sun from 2 PM, corner of Kozí and Bílkova)
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Malá Strana (Lesser Town)
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traditional Czech, vegetarian fare and fresh fish, 3 settings: ground floor restaurant, beer hall downstairs, cafe on the right, it’s ok to have only coffee or cake (Malostranské Námestí 21)
(open daily, Míšenská 12)
(open daily, Vlašská 7)
vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free (open daily until 5 PM, beautiful outdoor patio)
near the riverfront, freshly made pasta, small menu, includes fine fish and meat dishes, daily (Malostranské Nábreží 558)
has outdoor seating (Mostecká 45)
on Kampa Island, simple small dishes, outdoor patio, good beer
bistro serving sandwiches, soup, coffee (open Mon-Fri, closes at 4 PM, Tržište 371)
Hradcany (Castle Quarter)
views of the Lesser Town and Petrín Hill, imaginative menu, daily (hidden in the middle of a staircase between Loretánská and Úvoz streets, #15)
peaceful, low lit escape (cash only, closed Monday, Úvoz 46 between the castle and Strahov Monastery)
U Zavešenýho Kafe a Divadlo Pokracuje
(By the Hanging Coffee and the Show Goes On) - creative little pub/restaurant, you can “hang a coffee” by paying for an extra coffee (Open daily until late, Loretánská 13)
small terrace with great views, Czech classics with a modern twist (Open daily, Hradcanské Námestí 1)
Kavárna ve Šternberském Paláci
the locals’ get away from the tourist scene on Castle Square. Tucked behind the Archbishop’s Palace. Soup or goulash with bread and drinks in a quiet courtyard at unbeatable prices.
(Open Tue-Sun until 6 PM, Hradcanské Námestí 15)
a tasty cake and coffee break from the tourist crowds, either in a cozy interior or a beautiful garden setting (Open Tue-Sun until 7 PM, Nový Svet 2)
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Nové Mesto (New Town)
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Traditional Czech
popular for solid, basic Czech grub. Sit inside, in front to watch the street action, or out back in a delightful garden (open daily, near the bottom of Wenceslas Square, Jungmannovo Námestí 16)
an elegant favorite from long ago, opened in 1902, classic atmosphere. Czech classics, vegetarian dishes, lunch specials at good prices. (Open daily, Národní 22)
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Craft Beer and Wine Bars
specializes in Czech microbrews from lagers to IPA to stouts. Vegan lunch. (open daily until late, Sat-Sun only, Skorepka 3)
Autentista Wine and Champagne Bar
curated list of organic Czech and international wines, selection of cheeses and cured hams (open daily from 5 PM, Retezová 10)
Tea Houses
peaceful, bamboo shaded world, a few steps off the bustle of Wenceslas Square. Light meals served. (Open daily, Václavské Námestí 14)
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U zlatého Kohouta (By the Golden Rooster)
corner of a picturesque and well hidden Old Town courtyard, indoor and outdoor seating (Mon–Fri 1 PM, Sat-Sun from 2 PM, from the end of the Havelská Market farthest from the church, take a sharp right and head down and narrow Havelská Street, looks for a small courtyard entry in the corner on the left at Michalská)
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Cafés
Malá Strana (Lesser Town)
(Zborovská 60)
(Maltézské Námestí 15)
(Újezd 37)
(Tržište 12)
(Míšenská 3)
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Staré Mesto (Old Town)
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located in the Cubist House of the Black Madonna, decorated with the Cubist flair. Traditionally round desserts are served square, great balcony seating (Ovocný Trh 19)
serves salads, sandwiches, and cakes (long hours daily, Rytírská 10)
on the quiet Retezová street, feels like a hidden meeting place for dissident poets from the 1950s (Retezová 7)
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a hidden gem next to the Astronomical clock, courtyard balconies on 3 floors (Staromestské Námestí 1, next to the Old Town Hall)
in the Jewish Quarter (Široká 12)
ice cream (Husova 12)
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Nové Mesto (New Town)
across from the National Theatre, with faded Art Deco interior and celebrity photos on the wall, one of the most famous Prague cafes in the Viennese coffee house tradition. A dissidents’ hangout during the communist regime. Notice the Drinker of Absinth painting on the wall and on the menu (long hours daily, Smetanovo Nábreží 2, sit as near the river as possible)
across from Kavárna Slavia, on the second floor of the Nová Scéna Theater, next to the National Theatre, with its fashionably retro design. (long hours daily, Národní 4)
listed under the New Town eateries
SHOPPING RECOMMENDATIONS
Art Nouveau Design Shops
Prague is Europe’s best Art Nouveau city and several shops sell Art Nouveau glassware, home, decor, linens, posters, and other items.
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thoughtfully curated, specializing in glass with Art Nouveau, Art Deco, and floral motives, good quality gifts, including jewelry by local designers (U Lužického Semináre 7)
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downstairs inside the Municipal House. fine selection of Art Nouveau and Art Deco jewelry, glassware, books, etc. (Námestí Republiky 5)
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Other Shops
a very special fashion shop with designs of young Czech fashion designers making one-of-a-kind, limited-edition clothes, accessories, and gifts, specializing in retro, streetwear, haute couture and pop art (Karlova 25)
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in the House of the Black Madonna. Selection of Czech Cubist dishes, jewelry, furniture, books, and more. (Closed Mon, Ovocný Trh 19)
Czech Puppets
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has a wide range of wood, antique, and plaster puppets (Malá Strana - U Luzickeho Seminare 7, another branch in the Old Town at Jilska 22)
excellent store where the puppets are displayed by artist. Options ranging from cheap plastic creations to professional wooden marionettes (Nerudova 51, more showrooms #45 and #47)