Brewery and Restaurant U Fleku in Prague

U Fleku

Bohemian Rhapsody:
Prague's Iconic Watering Hole
(Dispatch #9)
Story and photos by Tom Weber

dark lager at U Fleku

s night comes calling on the "City of a Hundred Spires," my mates and I – 25 travel writers and photographers invited by Insight Vacations to sample a portion of its Bohemian Rhapsody journey through the Czech Republic, Austria and Hungary – climb aboard the luxury motor coach for a quick ride through Prague's Old Town district (c. 10th century) to the New Town district (c. 14th century).

Destination? U Fleků one of central Europe's oldest continuously brewing breweries at 500+ years and counting, and the Czech Republic's largest restaurant.

Dinner and suds are on our host's euro – one of many Insight "signature" moments – ensuring this intrepid "band of merry media" gets merrier and merrier as the night rolls on.

raditioinal Bohemian food at U Fleku

Blending water, hops, yeast and four kinds of barley malt, U Fleků has been brewing its distinctive dark lager beers since 1499. It also serves up mouth-watering, traditional Bohemian dishes from it's busy kitchen that can handle a capacity crowd of 1,200 foodies seated at long wooden tables spread around eight different, thematic halls – we laid claim to the Kaberet room – and an outside garden.

accordion and tuba players and mugs of lager at U Fleku

In between mugs of lager, hearty plates of goulash, speck dumplings and potato pancakes, apple strudel, and shots of Becherovka and Medovina, we lock arms and rock to and fro as brightly colored accordion and tuba players pop in and out all night long to serenade us with traditional beer hall tunes.

Prague at night

With the Czech Republic boasting the highest per capita consumption of beer annually – around 40 gallons or 160 liters per citizen – it's no wonder that U Fleků is this nation's iconic watering hole, for locals and tourists alike, and a fitting place to close out our two-night stay in Prague.

Insight Vacation's Bohemian Rhapsody brochure

For complete information on Insight Vacations' premium and luxury-escorted itineraries, including the Bohemian Rhapsody and 100 other journeys throughout Europe, just click HERE, or call toll free 1-888-680-1241, or contact your travel agent.

Cesky Krumlov

See you bright and early tomorrow morning when we place Prague in the rearview mirror and set the GPS for a fairytale town-slash-UNESCO World Heritage site: Cesky Krumlov.

Nighty-night.

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Feedback for Destination Bosnia: Inside Sarajevo's Tunnel of Hope

Spent time in Sarajevo in the fall of 1973…beer was excellent!

--- David

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Hi Tom,

I must say, you're photographs are always amazing. They are top notch. You bring so much class to Traveling Boy. It's photographs like yours that make me want to go out and do my own traveling. Please don't get tired of sending us your amazing adventures. It's such a delight for the soul.

--- Raoul, Whittier, CA

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Hi Tom:

I'm also an American living in Italy. I've read with interest your blog and articles. I'd like to speak with you regarding residency and citizenship for Americans in Italy as you do seem to have a great deal of knowledge on all of these subjects. Would it be possible to give you a call on the phone? If so, please let me know how to reach you. If not, I can ask my questions via email.

Thank you!

--- David

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Hey Tom – Wow! Love those photos – they are so super that they make me A) Want to start eating NOW. B) Go there myself. C) See all that pristine beauty that looks so restful and peaceful. Great story, superb pix!!! Bravo!!

--- John, Los Angeles, CA

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Feedback for Destination Southwestern France: Saint-Émilion

Good job, Tom, and timely info. St. Émilion is in the list of places Jim Hayes and I will visit in September 2014. If we get the chance, we will exploit your experience to enhance the trip!

--- Bobby Harper, Dameron, MD

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Feedback for Vicenza Walks – Monte Berico

I lived in Vicenza for 4 years in the U.S. ARMY from 1963 to 1967. A wonderful place to explore. Palladio’s works are amazing. Have been back twice since and find new places to visit. My favorite is MONTE BERICO where I have some wonderful photos of my family.

--- Dr. Albert Pizzi, Hanover, MA

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I liked the new TB particularly the Vicenza article that took me back as a youth when we lived in Naples and travelled up there for a baseball tourney (U.S. Military Bases dependent schools played each other.)

Took me back to the plaza.

--- Bill

Feedback for A Canterbury Trail (Sutri)

Very interesting note. I have wedroned which route the early pre-Christian and Christian pilgrims travelled to Rome from England. Is it still possible to travel the Francigena trail?

--- Pawel

You can find out more info on walking tours of Via Francigena at this site: http://www.compagniadeicammini.it/en/. Thanks for stopping by and commenting..

Tom

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Good article, enjoyed reading it. Saved your recommended sights for future use.

--- Dardenne Prairie, MO

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You're going to be great at this Tom. Congrats.

--- Donna Vissa -Montreal

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