Have a Picnic in Prague

In 1889 the world was introduced to the Eiffel Tower at the Paris World Fair. Some said it was an abomination and ruined the landscape of Paris, but a group of Czechs belonging to the Club of Czech Tourists were jaw-dropped—they wanted one. When they returned to Prague, they worked the levers and persuaded all the right people. Four short months later, a tower resembling the Eiffel Tower was erected on the top of Petřín Hill.

At only 64 meters high, it is much smaller than its Paris inspiration, but as every proud Czech points out—because it is on the top of a hill, it is higher than the Eiffel Tower.

Besides raising the Petřín Tower above the Eiffel Tower, Petřín Hill is also a nice place for a picnic. The hill is on the left side of the river. To find it, go to an area free from buildings blocking your view (the river is a good place) and look for the Eiffel Tower. Follow the river until you get to the base of the hill.

At the base, you have two options: walk or ride.

If by chance the date is May 1st and you are with your sexual partner and one of you is female, then you need to walk up the hill. The paved path meanders gently back and forth up the hill through a scattered forest of blossoming cherry trees. These trees exploding with the colors of spring have magical powers. On May 1st, and only on May 1st, the cherry tree has the power to pass on its fertility to female humans. To harness this rare power, the female must stand under the tree and receive a passionate kiss from a willing lover. As soon as their lips meet, if the love it true, fertility will rain down from the tree into the woman. Of course, the magical powers have limits; if the female is on the Pill, the potency of the magic is drastically reduced.

If you are not in the mood for romance or walking up a steep 330 meters, you can ride the funicular. Running since 1891, this subway has the rare distinction of being aboveground and traveling uphill. It runs frequently, and as far as I know, nobody got pregnant on it.

The top of the hill is a park with a commanding view of the city. The river cuts through the city with the bridges holding the two sides together like stitches. Prague is said to be the city of a hundred spires; from this perch you can see most of them.

With trees for shade and grass for a bed, go to Petřín for an afternoon picnic and to sneak a snooze. If you did not bring a picnic basket, there are stands selling hand foods like sausages and ‘braboraky’ (fried mashed potatoes). And, of course, no picnic is complete without beer in plastic cups.

Enjoying the scent of the trees as you lie on your side in the grass, scanning the rooftops of Prague, you are officially on vacation.