A Prague Primer for DrupalCon

Founded in 885, the city of Prague is steeped in culture, history, and astounding architectural achievements. But in one week, the future of the Web design industry will descend on this venerable city for DrupalCon Prague.

Digital Echidna's own Drupal developer Scott Reeves will be in attendance. But to set the stage – and to give attendees a leg up on the festivities – we've turned to our development manager Yan Zhang for some tips and insight into getting the most out of your Czech experience.

This past August, I travelled to Prague to visit family. During my time there, I discovered a few things that might be useful to those Drupalers attending DrupalCon this year.

What to eat

While many visitors to new countries tend to stick to the familiar and patronize chain restaurants, they'd be doing themselves a disservice if they didn't get to sample Czech cuisine.

The city, like many in Central Europe, is known for the traditional goulash and dumplings. And I can say that this dish is one of my favourites in the area. But there are some other meals that I encourage you to try while you're there.

For example, smoked pork knee with sauerkraut was incredible. As shown here, it's a tourist favourite for good reason.

I was also fond of fried cheese and fruit dumplings. Both pairings sound odd, but they work. Fried cheese, known as "smazeny syr" is a slice of cheese (Edam or Hermelin) that's breaded and fried. Fruit dumplings (svestkove knedliky) are fruit wrapped in a dumpling dough, cooked in salted water, and sprinkled with melted butter and sugar.

What to drink

Needless to say, the Czech beer will be a hit with the DrupalCon attendees. Since beer tastes vary by the person, I've included this link to a site that offers ratings on the various beers available in the country.

In Europe, most people drink spring water, which can be a bit of a shock if you're accustomed to bottled water here in North America. Unless you're a fan of the Perrier-style of water, make sure you read the label of your bottle carefully when you're in Prague.

What to see

There are thousands of incredible sights to experience throughout Prague. It really is a city that's best experienced on vacation, as opposed to visiting in between conference programs. But if you can only see one thing, one of my favourite experiences in Prague was taking a stroll through the Stare Mesto (the Old Town), which brings you to the famous Astronomical Clock in the Old Town Square.

Try to arrive by noon, so you can see the clock display. From there, cross the Charles Bridge to the Prague Castle. Found in Hradcany – the Castle District -- you can experience spectacular views across the city.

Where to shop

While you will leave Prague with incredible memories, most of us also like to bring home a few souvenirs. In the Old Town, you can venture into many different little shops. You'll also likely find many people selling works made from the famous Czech crystal.

If you're looking for food, Havelska Market in the Stare Mesto sells the best local produce. It's an old farmer's market that also offers unique Czech gifts and souvenirs. But make sure to exchange your money before you go. In the Czech Republic they use Crowns, not the Euro, so you'll want to ensure that you have some of the local currency on hand.

More Info

I hope this has been a help. Whether you're attending DrupalCon or just looking for an amazing place to visit, Prague has it all. Visit the English-language Prague tourism site to learn more about this incredible and historic city.