Vaguely reminiscent of a French countryside living-room, with its blue and white décor and lavender stems in glass vases, Prádelna is all nouveau Žižkov. With mismatched quaint furniture, white walls and black-board menu, this non-smoking café seems to be made for a lazy afternoon of conversation and light snacking.

Prádelna, or laundry room in translation, is home-made through and through. Aside from the furnishing, the cakes, panini, soups and even the paté, which is a staple on the menu, are also all made with love by the café staff and associates. Although service can be a bit on the slow side – all the times I’ve been there, there was only one young lady serving the whole place – it is very pleasant and laid-back.

This café is definitely a great stop on your way from Riegrovy Sady (check the article) or a late-morning coffee after doing your shopping at the farmers’ market (check the article) at Jiřího z Poděbrad. I prefer the latter. The only downside to this place is that it closes at 20:00.

Sitting by the river in a restaurant named after that same river – what else do we need. I officially confirm that Saturday February 25th 2012 was the first spring-like day this year and I had a beer outside of the Restaurant Vltava and I did not freeze. Between the Hamburk boat and the Nautilus boat, directly on the riverside, is a simple wooden building that was built there shortly after the Second World War. Until now, it serves its original purpose and after restitution belongs to the family which built it.

I love to ride my bike along the river and to stop there for one beer or two. During spring and summer, the riverside is very popular for walks and cycling. In the afternoon, when the sun shines directly on this side of the river and the time is slowing down, enjoy the light dancing on the water level. Restaurant Vltava offers also some nice Czech meals, usually average quality. I would recommend small meals going along with beer. The restaurant is located in the centre and you can afterwards continue your walk almost anywhere.

As you enter the front space of Dobra Trafika on Korunni you find yourself in a normal cafe combined with a trafika – or a newspaper and tobacco shop. But when you enter the main room in the back, you actual feel like you’re in someone’s living room. And it has to be noted, that this someone collects random old furniture, likes to play boardgames and used to smoke.

The backroom is filled with random chairs, a big comfy couch, an old armchair that you have to fall into at least once, and similarly haphazard objects on the walls. One of my favorite things about Dobra Trafika has always been the backyard, which, although small, is quiet and peaceful for great summer-time conversations and real Vinohrady courtyard feel. Recently, they made a kind of wooden shed extension of the cafe, taking up half of the yard, so you can sit there even if it’s raining or not so warm out.

The cafe has an absurdly long list of exotic teas and coffees (they even have a shop selling them separately two doors down) and serves up small and curious snacks like half a pita bread filled with apple and cinnamon or banana. There are also books sold at the front.

This place is great to come and just relax, feeling slightly cut off from the world in the quiet back room or the yard. The service is usually not that speedy, but in a place like this, it really doesn’t have to be.

It is a place you will probably find in all regular city-guides. However, as it is not directly in the center, many people (even the locals) just miss the opportunity to visit it, which is definitely a shame. Vyšehrad is an important place in Czech history, appearing in many national myths and legends (most of which appear in this book).

There are basically two ways to get there. Either you can take the Metro “C” and get out at the stop “Vyšehrad” – it is still a small walk, but that shouldn’t bother you. Or – and I prefer that one – you can take the tram to the stop “Podolská vodárna” and walk up the hill. Up there, there is not only the majestic and huge church and an ancient rotunda, but most importantly a spacious and calm park.

Vyšehrad is not just a summer place. Thanks to all the trees, it is very beautiful in the fall. And when its freezing and the city rests under a pillow of snow, Vyšehrad is a place for a nice silent walk. The great view of the city (from different places at Vyšehrad, you can see different parts of the city and get a complete picture) makes it a relaxing spot.

Up on the hill, there is also a cemetery called “Slavín” at which the Czech heroes and heroins of the past two centuries rest. Surely worth seeing!

There are many places in Prague where I would like to live. One of my dream locations is the district Vinohrady (something like NYC´s Upper East – check this great comparative article . There is one place that I really like – the park called Riegrovy sady alias „Riegráče”. I have to make a confession – I really envy the park not only to all inhabitants of the neighbourhood but also to the employees of an unnamed advertising agency which is located there .

When I was studying at the university, I often went to Riegráče to prepare myself for the exams. I brought lecture notes and within learning (or at least an attempt at learning) observed people walking their dogs.

I like the park not only for its location but also for the variety of pubs. On warm days, there is a quite large open-air self-service beer garden (where you can watch a sports game or play a table soccer) and a couple of other pubs including one which is situated in the local sport centre.

But there is one thing, that I like the most about Riegrovy sady – the amazing view of the city. I could sit on the bench for hours contemplating my beloved city. Try it yourself, but be careful: it can be addictive !