The famously beautiful Prague in the Czech Republic has been growing in popularity day by day.  And as a reaction to this growth, many are weary of visiting Prague, worried they won’t be able to grasp the romanticism of the city.  But you need not worry anymore.  There may be large crowds of tourists throughout the city streets in the summer, but you will find Prague is much less crowded in the winter season.  The popular season in Prague is the summer months, mainly March, and the off-season is winter, mainly February.  If you travel here in February you will experience a crowd and tour-free, much more budget-friendly stay.  In the off-season you can avoid the crowds, and the high prices, as hotels are around 60 Euros less in February than in March.  Also, the weather in these months is very similar to the weather in places like New York, with daytime highs in February averaging 36 degrees, and lows averaging 27 degrees.

 In winter you can discover some of the city’s newest attractions before word gets out.  Such as the Meet Factory, which is an industrial building that is currently being turned into artist’ studios by Czech sculptor, David Cerny.  This public gallery, bar and performance space is opening in several stages this winter.  Also, the more historic and classic tourist spots in the town wont be congested as they are in the high seasons.  You can take a walk down historic Nerudova street in Mala Strana without running into tourist groups, or visit Prague Castle and it’s photogenic Novy Svel lane.  Also among popular spots are the Basilica of St. George and Archbishop’s Palace.

You can also go to the popular Gordon Ramsay’s Maze.  This restaurant, which opened in November, is growing very popular since its opening, but is fairly low-key in the off-season with many tables available.  Once here you can delight in their Central European menu that features dishes such as glazed pork belly and spiced lentils.  Also popular is the pan-Asian restaurant, Angel which is just a few steps from the Spanish Synagogue.  Or the pub U Kocoura, found at the bottom of Nerudova.  And a familiar sight for New Yorkers will be the Bars and Book’s Corner Bar and Bistro, which offers cocktails, single malts, fine cigars, snacks, sandwiches and salads.  This bar is found in the Vinohrady neighborhood, east of the city center.

Also throughout winter you can view many operas, ballets and orchestra programs that run in the winter time.  Some of which are:  Prague Winter, which features regular performances almost nightly throughout the season; State Opera, which celebrates its 120th anniversary with a gala concert of Camille Saint-Saens’s “Nuit Persane”; and many others at Prague’s National Theater.

 The hotels will also be less crowded, and will therefore have lower prices.  The new Icon Hotel features 31 stylish rooms and suites with high-tech touches such as Skype phones, iPod docks, and biometric safes that open with a fingerprint.  Also popular is the Mandarin Oriental, which has deals in the off-season such as getting a 3rd night free with a 2 night stay.

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