Reading Around the World is a feature that combines my love of travelling with my love of reading. Each month I plan to spotlight either a city I have visited, or a city I plan to visit in the near future, and recommend some of my favourite books set there. After all even if you can’t visit these cities yourself the next best thing has to be reading about them and living the experience through the eyes of the characters.
Prague was a place I first discovered through reading, and it was because of the book in question that I travelled to this city. Split into the Old Town, New Town and Lesser Town; the Old Old Town has the castles and cathedrals, the New Town has the famous Dancing House, and the Lesser Town has the gardens and Charles Bridge. The city is full of winding, cobblestone streets that it’s easy to get lost among, but with something new to discover around every corner I don’t know whether you could call it getting lost as much as going on an unplanned adventure.
Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor is the only book I am aware of that is set in Prague, but it is the very best so this month it’s a case of quality over quantity.
When I first read Daughter of Smoke and Bone the thing that stayed with me was the way Laini Taylor wrote Prague. It sounded like a city full of magic, where anything could and would happen, where there was something fantastical to discover around every corner. I was enchanted, and once I finished Daughter of Smoke and Bone I knew I needed to go to Prague and experience it for myself.
Laini Taylor’s Night of Cake and Puppets novella is also set in Prague.
Have you ever been to Prague before; what was your favourite part of the city to see and explore? Also what are some of the amazing books you’ve read set in Prague, or the Czech Republic, that you’d recommend?
Let me know in the comments.
Loved Prague; the Charles bridge, Lennon wall; they clock…
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Yeah it’s a beautiful city, and there’s so many incredible sights as well. 😀
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Hi, I love Prague and its the place I live, thanks for your pictures and nice words.
And I wanted to add a little to your text: “ the Old Old Town has the castles and cathedrals, the New Town has the famous Dancing House, and the Lesser Town has the gardens and Charles Bridge.”
So: the Old Town doesn’t have any cathedral, but it has a lot of churches, it doesn’t even have any castles. Old Town has lot of Old buildings, Astronomical clock, monasteries, and Ok, even Jewish Town, even though Jewish Town is a quarter for itself. Old Town lies on the right bank of the river and what it has as well – in fact – is Charles Bridge :-). Yes, the bridge belongs to the Old Town, you can check what coat of arm is on the bridge on the Little Quarter side (I hate the Lesser Town translation, the literal translation of its name would be Small Side (of the river), in guide books unfortunatelly translated as Lesser Town, as something less important, which is not). Yes, it is Old Town’s coat of arm because the whole bridge belongs to the Old Town.
Little Town lies on the left bank of Vltava river, and it has Kampa island, gardens, palaces, Baby Infant Jesus and St Nicholas Churches, lot of embassies, …
Above the Little Town there is one more quarter of the city center, that is called Hradcany (Castle District). And this one has a castle, palaces, gardens, Petrin hill and much more and the only cathedral that is in Prague.
The second castle of Prague is called Vysehrad and it is back on the right bank and it is by itself, but more or less we can say it belongs to the New Town, as well as the Dancing House, National Theatre, Wenceslass Square and many other lovely places. Hope my comment will add more places for you Prague visit :-).
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That’s all right, and I’m glad you enjoyed my post. 🙂
Also wow thanks so much for writing all that. It will definitely add to my next visit to Prague (which I’m hoping will be next year, fingers crossed!) I always find the more I know about a city and what there is to see and do the more I enjoy my time there so again thanks so much! 😀 ❤
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PRAGUE 😍 I’m getting all sentimental now because my graduation trip was to Prague almost two years ago and it was one of my favorite vacations I went on so far! I absolutely want to go back! I loved the boat trip I took with my friend the most, because the weather was nice and we got to learn a bit more about the city 🙂 I also have Daughter of Smoke and Bone on my TBR & I’m so excited to start this Series 🙂
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That sounds amazing! 🙂 Prague is a brilliant way to discover and I guess you have even more happy memories of that holiday because of your graduation trip right? I thought the boat trip was a lot of fun, I just loved travelling along the river and seeing everything from there; the castle, Charles Bridge, it was better than seeing it from the ground. Daughter of Smoke and Bone is a brilliant book, I’m sure you’ll love it and it’ll probably make you want to travel to Prague ASAP as well. 😀
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Yes, it was amazing being together with my friends for this trip, before we moved away to different universities – so many nostlagic feelings 😮 Oh yes, it was amazing 😍 I’m considering reading it soon! 🙂
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I know the feeling, the trip I took with my friends after we all finished uni is the same for me. One big get together before our lives got taken up by jobs and families. 😀
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Such amazing photos!! Prague is a dreamland and no matter how many times you visit, it’s not enough. We want to go back again, but in winter this time.. Thanks for sharing your experience. 🙂
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Thanks so much, and yes definitely a dreamland. The first time I visited Prague it was in the summer so next time I go it will definitely be in the winter.
That’s all right, I’m really glad you enjoyed this post. 😀
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Haven’t but soon…
Well written 👍
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Thanks so much. 🙂
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What a great idea for a feature – love it! Books can really inspire me to travel too. I’ll have to check this one out!
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Thanks so much. 🙂 Yep books are a great source of travel inspiration, and if you do check this one out I hope you love it! 😀
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Been to Prague 3 years ago, and will be going to Prague again tomorrow! 🙂
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Oh I’m a little jealous right now. I’d love to go back to Prague one day soon. I hope you have a great time there though! 😀
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Thank you! Do follow my blog, and I wish to share with you about my trip to Prague when I come back from my vacation. 🙂
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Amazing I really want to visit Prague 🙌🙌🙌👌💯
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Thanks, and in that case I hope you make it there one day then! 😀
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I’m from Warsaw (Poland) but I’m visiting prague regularly since few years. Apart from amazing city center, I recommend to move sometimes bit deeper into the city. For example in Prague is located my most favourite ever breakfast place, you can read about it on my side: https://itsmemagda.com/2017/11/19/cafe-jen-in-prague/ PRAGUE IS AMAZING! 🙂 ❤
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Ohh, I definitely keep that recommendation in mind. I really want to go back to Prague one day soon, just talking about it in this post made me want to hop on a plane ASAP and travel there immediately.
Definitely an amazing city! 😀
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From England is not so far away 😉
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Ha, nope it’s definitely now. 🙂
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Have you read Milan Kundera’s books? They are almost all set in Prague and if you can ignore is kind of strange views of relationships, they are awesome. Unbearable Lightness of Being is his most famous.
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I haven’t read his book no but knowing they’re set in Prague I’m definitely going to have to check them out. Thanks for the recommendation. 🙂
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Ugh, I love this feature so much! The moment I saw Prague in the title, I knew you’d be mentioning Daughter of Smoke and Bone. I’ve wanted to visit Prague ever since I watched Mission: Impossible for the first time, but DOSM kind of cemented my determination to get there one day. It’s such a beautiful city. And may I just say that your pictures are STUNNING. They look professional to me. You have a great skill there 😀 Thanks so much for sharing them with us!
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Thanks so so much Azia. 😀 ❤️ Yes when it comes to Prague I couldn’t not mention Daughter of Smoke and Bone because that series pretty much made Prague for me. I wouldn’t have visited the city if I hadn’t read the trilogy first. 🙂
Ohh, I haven’t seen Mission: Impossible, but now you’ve mentioned it made you want to visit Prague I need to see it. It’s a gorgeous city and thanks so so much Azia. I’m really glad you liked this pictures and it means a lot you think that about them. 🙂 ❤️
I’m really glad you loved this post, and I hope you make it Prague yourself one day. 🙂
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Mission: Impossible is great fun! If you decide to watch it, I hope you love it! And the scenery is on point 😀 And yay! I hope I make it there one day, as well. Thanks Beth ❤
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I’ve seen some trailers for the later films and it does look fun. Maybe one day, like I’ve said about everything else currently on my to-watch list! 😀
That’s all right. 🙂 ❤️
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Love this and your pictures are fantastic!
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Thanks so much! 😀
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This is such a fun series! It reminds me of some of my own travels and how much I’d love to go on a new trip! I really loved the Old Town Square and the Charles Bridge and just generally exploring the city. They have some great architecture in Prague.
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Thanks so much Dani. 🙂 Oh other than reading travel is my major love in live so this was my way of combining the two. 😀
Prague is really a gorgeous city, I definitely want to go back there and explore more, I feel there’s still a lot left for me to discover! 🙂
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The first thing that came to my mind when I saw the title of this post was Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor, and I’m so happy you decided to highlight Laini Taylor’s books in this post! I found out about the existence of Prague through reading Daughter of Smoke and Bone a few years back, and you’re right, the way Taylor describes the city makes it sound like an otherworldly land of magic 😊 The pictures you have of Prague are so charming, and your description of how the city is divided was really helpful, as I don’t know much about Prague. I love this travel-book series of yours, and I can’t wait to read more! 😋✈️
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Yes when it comes to Prague there was only one book I could think of for this feature and it was the perfect book because, for me, Laini Taylor made Prague you know? I wasn’t really aware of its existence before picking up Daughter of Smoke and Bone either, but as soon as I finished reading I knew this was a place I needed to visit solely based on how Laini Taylor wrote it in her book.
Thanks so much, I’m really glad you enjoyed this post and oh I hope you make it to Prague one day, if you haven’t already been that is.
Thanks, I have plenty more of this series still to come. 🙂 ❤
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Goodness Beth! I read your post with a big smile on my face because I know how much you wanted to travel to Prague after reading DOSAB. Your photos are perfection & that clock! I can’t stop from scrolling up to get another look *heart eyes emoji* ahhhhh! I LOVE THIS FEATURE! ❤ ❤ ❤
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Oh that’s great to hear Lilly, and yes Prague was at the very top of my to-visit list after I finished that book, I was so glad when I got the opportunity to go there as well. 😀
Thanks so much, the clock was one of my favourite sights in Prague, it was just so gorgeous. 🙂 I have plenty more to come for this feature still, thanks so much Lilly. 🙂 ❤
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You’re so very welcome, you take phenomenal photos that leave me adding places to my bucket list <3! keep them coming 🙂
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Honestly doing these posts is just adding cities to my bucket list because I want to go back to them all over again! 😀
Thanks Lilly. 🙂 ❤
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LOL! I can see that happening 🙂
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Ah I love Prague so much- the old town is like a fairy tale! And my friend and I actually decided to go because we both loved Daughter of Smoke and Bone so much 😀 Great post!
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Oh, so we both had the same reasons for going to Prague then! 🙂 Ha, yes definitely like a fairytale, walking through some of the streets I could almost imagine Karou and Akiva walking them as well.
Thanks so much! 😀
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hehehe yes!! 😀 Ahh I know right!! I’m glad someone else gets it 😉
You’re welcome! 😀
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Oh yes, I remember reading DOSAB and loving that the setting was in Prague! I personally didn’t like that trilogy a lot, but I can definitely see how others do. (I REALLY want to read A Night of Cake and Puppets tho, because I loooove those two characters. 💖)
And WOW, your photos of Prague are absolutely GORGEOUS!! The ones that I think are most stunning are the ones showing the red roofs of all the buildings (especially that first one!). So pretty! 😍
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Oh that’s a shame about not enjoying the trilogy as much, but it sounds like you enjoyed the world-building at least which is something, and oh I may be a little biased because I loved the trilogy but Night of Cake and Puppets is a brilliant short story as well. If you love Mik and Zuzana I hope you enjoy it May. 🙂
Thanks so much May, I chose the best photos for this post and actually those are some of my favourites as well! 😀 ❤
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I’ve never been to Prague but your photos really make want to go there! They are absolutely beautiful Beth! 😀 Great post! 🙂
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Oh thanks so much Meghan, and if you do decide to go there I hope you love it as well. Honestly it’s even more beautiful in person if you can believe it. 😀
Thanks again. 🙂 ❤
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You’re welcome! Oh wow I hope to make it there one day! 🙂
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I’ll keep my fingers crossed you make it there one day soon then! 😀
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Prague is so lovely and I had no idea that those Laini Taylor books were set there?? Amazing post, I loved it!
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Oh yeah, as far as I’m aware Laini Taylor’s series is the only one set in Prague, but I wish there were more. Thanks so much, I’m glad you enjoyed this post. 🙂
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I love Prague so much. It looks like something out of a fairytale. The old town square was definitely my favourite part of the city. I think Laini Taylor did a fabulous job of bringing it to life. I still need to read Night of Cake and Puppets! Really wish there were more books set in Prague. Love this post!
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Oh I definitely agree, it was as magical as I thought it would after reading Daughter of Smoke and Bone. I loved the Old Town Square as well, I think I spent most of my time there when I was in Prague.
Laini Taylor is one of my favourite writers for that reason alone. Night of Cake and Puppets is an incredible read and I’m sure you’ll love it as well. Thanks so much! 😀
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Your pictures are so stunning, Beth! ❤ Prague is on my bucket-list for sure, after seeing all of these pictures, I want to go even more now ahah. I haven't read that Laini Taylor book, but heard great things, both about her writing and the series as a whole. I need to read it someday 🙂 Great post! I'm loving this feature ❤
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Thanks so much Marie! 😀 ❤ Oh Prague is an incredible city, so gorgeous as well, I really hope you make it there one day. Also I feel like when you read Daughter of Smoke and Bone you'll just want to go there even more. It's that book that made me want to go. She's an incredible writer and her books are amazing so I'm sure you'll love them as well.
Thanks so much, I'm glad you enjoy these posts. 🙂 ❤
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Holy moly! Your pictures are gorgeous!! The focus your camera does is insane! I’ve definitely never been to Prague, but every Reading Around the World post you post makes me want to travel the world for the rest of my life! Thanks for sharing. 😀
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Thanks so much Lashaan. 🙂 I always take a load of photos when I go on holiday so I choose a small fraction of the very best for these posts. Oh I hope you make it there one day, Prague is a gorgeous city and somewhere I am definitely going to be going back to one day as well.
That’s all right, I’m glad you enjoy these posts. 😀
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Hi Beth 🙂
Those are amazing photos of Prague! Glad to hear that you loved the city. It is definitely on my list of places to visit 🙂
When I saw the title of your post, I thought of Daughter of Smoke and Bone right away as well!
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Hi Sophie. 🙂
Oh thanks so much. Prague is still one of my favourite cities I’ve visited so far, it’s just so beautiful and it more than met my expectations after reading Daughter of Smoke and Bone. Yeah it really is the only book I know of set in Prague, and even if it wasn’t it would definitely definitely need to be in this post. 😀
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Wow Prague looks soo beautiful! 😀 Daughter of Smoke and Bone is very high on my TBR since MY LOVE FOR STRANGE THE DREAMER HIHI
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Oh it really was. Even to this day Prague remains one of my favourite holidays so far! 🙂 Daughter of Smoke and Bone is also an incredible series, if you love Strange the Dreamer definitely read it one day Trang. 😀
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i never really considered going to prague, really because i didn’t know all to much about it until i read that series! it was just written out so beautifully that I fell in love with the place and now I want to go there so so badly! i mean look at those photos haha! ❤
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Ha, it was the same for me as well. Prague was never somewhere I wanted to visit but then I read Daughter of Smoke and Bone and it went to the top of my must-visit list. I went because of that book and it was as gorgeous as I’d hoped it would be.
I hope you make it there one day as well, and that you have an amazing time too. 😀
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prague is one of the cities i really really want to visit thanks to laini’s writing and description!
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Yeah Laini Taylor was the reason I wanted to visit Prague as well, and I’m so glad I did. It’s a beautiful city and still today it’s a favourite holiday of mine. 🙂
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that’s really great now i want to visit it even more!
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We went last October, the whole place was gorgeous but it was especially beautiful up Petren hill as all the trees were beautiful colours. They had the most amazing hot chocolate too! I’ve never read a book that’s been set in Prague but Daughter of Smoke and Bone is on my TBR list.
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That sounds gorgeous. Prague is just a beautiful city, I loved seeing it all when I went a few years ago. Yes I had some amazing hot chocolate while I was there too! 😀
Oh Daughter of Smoke and Bone was actually the book that made me want to visit Prague, I’d definitely recommend it if you’re interested. 🙂
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I think it’s on my kindle so I’ll give it a read! I love it when a book mentions places that I’ve been to 🙂
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That’s great to hear. And yeah I’m the same, it also never fails to make me want to go back to that place! 😀
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