Shopping for antiques is very popular, considering the popularity of TV shows like Antique Roadshow, and today we visited the Vinohradska Gallerie in Prague 2. They had some really nice pieces for about the price we pay for IKEA back home. I'm sure the antique dealers were some of the first into Central and Eastern Europe when Communism ended. Because you have to remember that Eastern Europe was comparatively wealthy, there was the Polish aristocracy of course, and Budapest was a great trading city, so there are some great antiques still out there. Furniture was passed down through the generations, and usually kept in good condition.
I know what you are thinking - how much will it cost to ship back home? Well, I know you can ship a whole shipping container from Europe to Sydney for around $2,000, so it's going to be a lot less than that. I'm sure my grandad had chairs like these ones (above). Anyway if you like antique shopping then Prague is the place to be or even consider going further east to Poland and Slovakia, because you won't getting anywhere near the price and quality back home for what's on offer.
On another subject going to the cinema is a relative bargain for about 160 Crowns or $8. Due to declining attendance numbers the cinemas back home are pushing up the prices to maintain profits. Here you have a choice of seeing English films with Czech subtitles or Czech films with English subtitles etc, including on the big IMAX screens. I went to the films and saw Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, but of course the Apes communication was in Czech subtitles, which I didn't actually think of at the time (it's not everyday you get speaking apes). But, any other film that doesn't have speaking Apes you will be just fine!
Travel Info
Vinohradska Gallerie
5 Slavikova, Praha 2
