Prague, One of the Most Beautiful Cities in the World

Prague, the capital city of Czech Republic, is dubbed as one of the world's most beautiful cities. It is located in the central part of the country in the heart of Europe. It is one city which I can consider a visual treat.

My visit to Prague is doubly special because it is where the patron saint of San Beda College, my alma mater, can be found. I really made it a point to visit the Church of Sto. Nino de Praga, one of the churches that abound Prague.

Despite having been under communist rule, Prague, and the whole Czech Republic as well, has never ceased to follow the Catholic faith as evidenced by the way people show their religiosity. The beautiful churches that can be found in the city very well shows how Czechs value catholicism.

The Old Town Square is a convergence area of tourists. Stores and restaurants are all over. Old and new establishments share with tourist markets of various items to shop. One good thing in Prague as well as in other European cities, is that the facade of their buildings are well-preserved. Businesses strictly follow rules in maintaining the sanctity of architecture which date back to the medieval times.

The Astronomical Clock is one spot that is always awaited by tourists. Every hour, the clock bells ring and icons of the 12 apostles come out of the tiny windows near the clock. Our host told us to pray and make a wish while the bells are ringing.

A must-see when in Prague is the Charles Bridge. It crosses the Vitava River which is its main waterway. The said bridge is lined with different statues of saints on both sides. You can also see different activities on it...from selling of souvenir items and artistic gimmicks that attract tourists all the more.

Baroque architecture is what tourists can see in Prague. Of course, there are also areas where modern buildings have been built. It was even surprising to see a Filipino store in the city. I suppose that the population of our kababayans is slowly increasing that part of Europe.

Prague, which is also know as the City of a Hundred Spires, had me in awe. Its jaw-dropping sceneries and beautiful architecture will leave an imprint in one's mind. For everything that it offers, it is a place worth traveling to.

Many thanks goes to our host, Mrs. Angelita Santos, for making this trip to Prague possible. It was one trip that made my bucket list shorter.

With the many beautiful things the I saw in Prague, it truly is one of the most beautiful cities in the world!

There's More to Sausages and the Boys Choir in Vienna

Vienna in Austria is listed as the most livable city in the world. That's according to a survey made early this year. I would not wonder why. This peaceful city really feels warm despite the cold weather. It is a place worth visiting and deserving of the accolade.

Vienna is typical of any other European city. It is a mixture of the old and the new. Old architectural buildings have been maintained despite the proliferation of modern structures.

Part of the maintenance done by the government is having stores use the facade of building in their original state. Even the big-named houses of fashion and other business establishments make do with the buildings where they stores/businesses are located. I call it respect for legacy.

Vienna has a United Nations headquarters which decentralizes the activities of the world organization which has a Swiss office. Several offices are housed to cater to the needs of certain advocacies. Of course, there are castles upon castles since Austria was once ruled by the monarchy.

As in any other city in Europe, Vienna has many churches. Almost every corner we go to, we saw churches. One particular church that caught my attention was the St. Stephan Cathedral. The interiors of the said church can be considered baroque and modern. Austrians have a way of incorporating religion and art.

Despite the modern times, one can see artistry at its best. There is a certain aura of elegance which is very evident most especially in a modern city like Vienna.

Nearby Parndorf is a place where people who love shopping can go around to their hearts delight. Different brands, both known and start-ups, sell their wares at discounted prices. It is an outlet area which is visited by almost all tourists who go to Vienna. Never miss Parndorf!

Looking at Vienna from the mountain top, you will see a city that is serene yet it exudes a certain appeal of a place which is moving forward with the times. It is indeed deserving of its title as the World's Most Livable City.

Special thanks go to our host, Mrs. Angelita Santos, for taking care of us during our stay in Vienna. Her kindness and hospitality and that of her family and relatives truly made our trip to Austria a very memorable one. Thank you also to Elmer and Ellen Blanco for the valuable time they shared.

I would not mind going back to Vienna, if given another chance. After this trip, I realized that there is really more to Vienna than sausages and the boys' choir. It surely has a lot to offer.