The A2 Prague bike path slices the city in half from north to south. Starting all the way up around Roztoky the path hugs the Vltava river, taking you to the southern outskirts in Zbraslav. But, that’s actually not the way I would recommend to go. The best way to use the A2 is to take it from the outer center of the city north or south and watch the city landscape turn to green countryside.

If you want to head south, which I highly recommend, start at the railroad bridge near Výtoň. This way, you avoid the tourist crowds moseying along the embankment. The sidewalk quickly turns to a proper paved bike path, once you go under the Vyšehrad cliff, and then at Branik slopes down towards the river away from the car traffic. After that you’re riding along practically uninterrupted greenery for about eight or so kilometers, passing along a golf course, a wonderful tree-lined lane and then riding near the river with plenty of grassy meadows for picnics and pit stops. And since it’s the Czech Republic, there is always a beer stand close by serving refreshing beverages.

Once you reach the bridge to Zbraslav, though, the A2 official ends and you are doomed to riding along a narrow undivided local road, which can be dangerous. If you don’t want to go back, you can cross over to Zbraslav. We recently even kept going to Černošice and then to Karlštejn, without having to ride along any big roads.

The swimming pool in Hotel Axa is always convenient and easily accessible. I got used to visiting it when I lived around the corner and I continued going there even after I moved quite far. Ok, it is quite small (25 x 12 m) and I am not saying to go there in case you are training for a national swimming competition, but listen to the pluses before searching for different one.

In Axa you pay per minute, so even if you decide to leave earlier, you pay just for time you really spent with swimming and drying you hair. In case you will get bored after 15 minutes, no need to feel ashamed to leave. Axa has one of the ‘hottest’ water in Prague – also my grandmother confirmed this quality has been stable since the sixties. Last but not least – music is played to keep you motivated and fast.

Other convenient services are the sauna, for men and women or strictly for women, available massages or the solarium. After swimming, cool down in the bar and get some snacks.

Just below the Prague Castle there is a so called “Deer-ditch” a beautiful green spot. This name derives from the deer hunts that used to take place there since the 16th century. Later, the ditch was split into two by a rock dam. However, in 2002 a very classy tunnel once again brought those parts together. From the 20′s until the 50′s, the ditch worked as place for bear-keeping. Later, it was made a military area, not open for public.

Not sooner than in the 90′s it was once again made accessible for the public. And that is definitely remarkable, since the place is unique and worth visiting. Although a ditch, there are also places such as a look-point favored already by president Masaryk .

A small creek “Brusnice” runs through the ditch plus there are some streams you can even drink from. I very much recommend visiting this place on a warm evening, it feels very relaxing. However, beware, the place closes at 18:00 and then becomes a military-secured area. From a personal experience I can’t recommend climbing over the fences…

And also important to know – Jelení příkop is entirely closed for visits during the winter!

Some thirteen years ago, the perhaps most famous Czech cartoonist died. His name was Jaroslav Foglar and he was famous for his comic books “Rychlé šípy”, about a group of honest and genuine boys. Their adventures took place in a city quarter which has never really existed. However, it is said that the so called “Stínadla” (“shadow-city”) were above all inspired by the narrow and dark lanes in the area between Národní třída and Národní divadlo.

Along with Újezd this is also an area where most of my favourite bars, pubs and Cafés are. One can imagine that some hundred years ago, there have been lots of passages through the backyards of the houses and such. Almost all of these (which used to be really popular all around Prague) have been closed until these days, though. Luckily, there is one really cool passage still open, at least most of the time.

It is a true shortcut, if you want to get to the tram stop “Lazarská” from inside this area. However, I walk there just about any time I have the chance. It leads from the lane “Opatovická”, to “Spálená” street. You will be walking through a backyard which will feel like as if time has stopped running there seventy years ago. Of course, it is a bit filthy and smelly place, but that helps building its character. If you have the chance, see for yourself! Just don’t get locked up inside.

Kampa is a very beautiful area in the downtown of Prague – just near Újezd. It mainly consists of a large park from where there is a nice view of the river and the other part of the city.

People go to hang out there, smoke a water-pipe, throw a frisbee… It is also a place of culture, though. There is a very nice museum there and most importantly a lot of outdoor exhibitions take place at Kampa (you can find the ‘babies‘ here for instance).

Not to be forgotten, Kampa offers also a great refreshing place. It is situated inside what used to be a water-mill and the interior has remained pretty much the same, I imagine. The atmosphere of Mlýnská kavárna is truly charming. Plus there is a pleasant backyard. When the weather is nice, I prefer to have a beer draught in a plastic cup and go outside to chat on the benches or sit on the grass.

Many interesting or famous people are spending their evenings in Mlýnská kavárna. For instance, David Černý, the author of Entropa, Miska republika and other original pieces of art. You can find him there virtually every day, usually he will have at least two women around himself…