Winter in Prague. A magical city in the heart of Europe.

By: Fabíola Musarra

Described by its admirers as the "city of a hundred towers," ancient Prague remains in the imagination of Franz Kafka's readers as one of the most enchanting metropolises in the world. It's an ideal city for strolling, walking through the streets and squares without a care in the world. And don't be surprised, when doing so, to find, every hour, hordes of tourists pointing their cameras at an elegant tower in Staré Mesto, Prague's old town. It is there that you'll find the astronomical clock, a complex geometric construction with moving figures of apostles and skulls that announce the new hour.

This is Prague, with its architecture that blends Gothic and Renaissance styles, and modern buildings that coexist alongside one of the largest castles in the world. You will cross the famous Charles Bridge, built in 1357 over the Vltava River, countless times, and wander repeatedly through the same alleyways, such as Alchemists' Street, where Franz Kafka's very modest little house is located.

Prague is vibrant, whether it's the bustling nightlife, the numerous art galleries, or the countless tourists you'll have to dodge in practically every area that makes up the tourist circuit: Staré Mesto, Malá Strana (Lesser Town), and Nové Mesto (New Town). It's there that you'll find most of the attractions, such as the Jewish Quarter, the Franz Kafka Museum, or the unmissable Museum of Communism. The latter, incidentally, is already far behind you in your memory as you pass through the elegant Pariszka avenue, where you'll find designer brands like Ermenegildo Zegna, Boss, and Prada. In other words, the once dark Kafkaesque city is becoming increasingly cosmopolitan and vibrant.

If you enjoy ice skating, you should know that the city offers several options for practitioners of this sport. In the heart of Prague, in Ovocný trh, for example, you don't need to spend a penny to skate on the ice rink there. Located next to the elegant Nobility Theatre in the Old Town, it's free and open until late at night.

On weekends it hosts cultural events, live musical performances, and attractions to entertain children. There's also no shortage of culinary delights or skate rentals. Also in the center of Prague, another great place for those who enjoy skating is the ice rink on Františku Street, where you can also rent skates.

Now, if you're looking for unique experiences filled with excitement, the place to go is Galerie Harfa in the Vysočany district, where you can skate on the rooftop. And the best part: the ice adventure at this shopping center is free, and you can rent skates on-site. The rink is open every afternoon. On Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, it's open until late at night, with artificial lighting.

The Sports Center Gutovka (Strašnice district) and the Ice Arena rink (Letňany district) are other options. There is also the ice rink in the Incheba Building, located in the Výstaviště complex, in the Holešovice district.

For those seeking romance, the city offers truly picture-perfect scenery. Walking through snow-covered parks and strolling through the gardens of Prague Castle are two examples.

You can also walk or take the cable car up to the Petřin viewpoint. From the top of this small replica of the Eiffel Tower, the bucolic view of Prague in winter is even more unforgettable.

Back in the city, a stop at the Church of Our Lady Victorious is a must. Located on Karmelitská Street, its interior houses an image of the Infant Jesus of Prague, one of the most revered saints among Catholics.

Even if you belong to another religion or do not follow any, a visit to this beautiful building is worthwhile and allows you to see up close the majestic architecture of the church, rich in detail.

For those setting foot in Prague for the first time, the tip is to hop on the Hopon-Hopoff Prague bus (www.hopon-hopoff.czTaking a city tour. As in other countries, these tourist buses allow passengers to get on and off as many times as they want during the journey.

Because it is a medieval city with many pedestrian-only streets, three basic routes have been mapped out in Prague. Thus, during the 48-hour period for which the ticket is valid, tourists have enough time to get off the bus at the attractions they wish to visit, exploring the charming alleys, bridges, and squares of the Czech capital at their own pace. A guide is available on the bus to answer any questions during the journey, and the onboard sound system is available in 22 languages. The ticket also includes a one-hour boat trip on the Vltava River.

Winter, incidentally, is one of the most beautiful times to take a boat trip along the Vltava River, which majestically meanders through the city. During the journey, the snow-capped rooftops of Old Prague, the grey trees on Kampa Island, and the Charles Bridge glide before your eyes in a series of memorable landscapes.

Steamboats disembark from the Čechůvmost Bridge. The tours offered there may be longer or shorter depending on how much time you wish to spend on the boat.

Regardless of the activity – hiking, skating, or boating – and the season, Prague has many charms to offer. It's worth letting yourself be seduced by them. Enjoy the enchantment!

Information: Czech Republic Tourist Office, www.pragaturismo.com

Through the waters of Holland and Belgium

Sailing on a luxury floating hotel is a unique way to explore European cities. If that's your intention and you plan to travel to the Netherlands and Belgium, embarking on a river cruise aboard the Expression ship, from Avalon Waterways, could be an option.

The Tulip Time cruise, as it's called, departs in March and April. The seven-night itinerary begins and ends in Amsterdam, Netherlands. During the trip, the ship also docks in Belgium, in Ghent and Antwerp.

In the Netherlands, the cities visited are Amsterdam, Schoonhoven, and Veere. During the journey through Dutch lands, the ship also makes a stop in Maastricht. At the end of the trip, it continues to Amsterdam, where a canal cruise and a cheese tasting take place, activities included in the price.

The itinerary also includes excursions to three unmissable attractions in the Netherlands: Keukenhof Gardens, the world's largest bulb flower park; the Kinderdijk windmill complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; and the Delta Works, the flood control dikes built as part of the Delta Plan, considered an engineering masterpiece.

Please note the departure dates: March 31, April 2, April 10, and April 21. The prices per person in a double cabin start at US$2.349, US$2.449, US$2.549, and US$2.699 respectively. The price includes shore excursions with guides in Portuguese or Spanish, meals on board with drinks (beers and wines at dinner), and free Wi-Fi on the ship. Information: Exqape Travel Experts, tel. (16) 3637-4511, www.exqape.com.br

Find out which countries are the most expensive and cheapest in Europe.

The website Trivago released the results of a survey comparing hotel room rates in Europe, identifying the countries with the most and cheapest accommodation. Bulgaria was the country with the cheapest accommodation in 2014, with an average daily rate of R$180.

The study places Poland second in the ranking of the cheapest countries, at R$189 per day. Romania is third (R$198), followed by Hungary (R$235) and Latvia (R$256).

The sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth positions are occupied, respectively, by Portugal (R$ 278), Czech Republic (R$ 296), Greece (R$ 299), Spain (R$ 302), and Germany (R$ 323).

The survey also revealed the European countries where accommodation is most expensive. Switzerland tops the list with an average of R$ 589, followed by Norway (R$ 464), the United Kingdom (R$ 442) and Denmark (R$ 430). Sweden and France occupy fifth and sixth place, with average daily rates of R$ 427 and R$ 421, respectively.

Ranked seventh and eighth, the Netherlands (R$ 378) and Austria (R$ 378) are tied in average prices. The last positions in the Top 10 belong to Italy (R$ 372) and Belgium (R$ 339).

Dubai at your fingertips.

The beautiful city of Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, is the result of one of the most intriguing and ambitious feats of contemporary engineering. It's now within your reach, and you can begin exploring its streets with just a click on your computer screen.

To do this, simply visit www.dubai360.com. Officially launched as the world's first interactive online tour, the site offers a collection of 1.298 panoramic photos and videos of the city, including its modern International Airport and one of its main landmarks: the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, at 828 meters high.

Azul will have extra flights to Fort Lauderdale and Miami.

To meet the demand during the extended Easter, Tiradentes Day, and Labor Day holidays, Azul announced the sale of 24 extra flights to Fort Lauderdale and Miami (USA) from April 2nd to May 4th. With the addition of 150 frequencies between Campinas and Fort Lauderdale and Miami, and between Campinas and Orlando, 6,5 additional seats will be available during this period. Information: www.voeazul.com.br

Brazilian Consulate in Bariloche  

Bariloche, the second most visited city by Brazilians in Argentina, after the capital Buenos Aires, is once again home to the Brazilian Consulate. Reopened by the Brazilian government earlier this month, the consulate is located in the city of San Carlos de Bariloche and aims to provide greater assistance to travelers from Brazil and Brazilian citizens residing in the region. The office is located at the Hotel Fazenda Carioca, on Avenida Pioneros, km 2.300.

Guanabara Palace reopens to visitors.

Planning a trip to Rio de Janeiro? If you're planning to visit the city's main tourist attractions, you should know that Rio has another one to offer: the Guanabara Palace, the seat of the state government, which recently reopened to the public.

Inaugurated in 1853, the palace was the setting for important events in Brazilian history. During the Empire, for example, it was the residence of Princess Leopoldina, daughter of Dom Pedro II. Its interior houses valuable works of art and preserved rooms from the republican era.    

Located in the Laranjeiras neighborhood and home to the beautiful flora and fauna of its garden, the palace is open to the public on the last Saturday of every month. Visits are free, guided, and limited to groups of up to 20 people. They begin at 9:00 AM and must be scheduled in advance.

Grape harvesting is a major attraction in the Serra Gaúcha region.

The grape harvest is always a celebration in the Vale dos Vinhedos, in the Serra Gaúcha region (RS). Bento Gonçalves, a city within the region, is no different. Every year, from January to March, it attracts thousands of tourists for the grape harvest, one of the most magical periods for wine tourism. 

This year, the city's festival extends until March 15th. Its program is a passport to wine culture, granting the right to visit the cellars and participate in all stages of wine production, from harvesting the grapes and bottling to tasting the brand's labels, guided by a winemaker.

The Bento Gonçalves region is home to 74 wineries. In some of them, you can even participate in the fun "stomping," an ancient way of making wine by stomping on the grape bunches, all to the rhythm of Italian music.

For those who prefer, Bento Gonçalves offers steam train rides. The 23 km route includes learning about Italian and Gaucho traditions, as well as, of course, tasting wines and sparkling wines from the region.

The restaurants in the area are also an attraction in themselves at this time of year: they organize special menus with typical recipes from the Italian colony, such as the famous roasted chicken with polenta.

It's not just Bento Gonçalves that comes alive with color during the grape harvest. Nearby, the beautiful cities of Gramado and Canela are also great starting points for exploring the Vale dos Vinhedos (Wine Valley). CVC offers travel packages for those who wish to stay in Gramado, Canela, and Bento Gonçalves.

The most sought-after package is for Gramado. Lasting eight days, it includes airfare, transfers, seven nights' accommodation with breakfast, a visit to the Julimont Winery for grape harvesting, city tours in Canela and Gramado, and a shopping tour. It costs from ten interest-free installments of R$ 127 per person, in a double room. Information: www.cvc.com.br

Pantanal is among the best

In a poll conducted by the website of the American newspaper "USA Today," the Pantanal was elected the fourth best destination for wildlife viewing in the world and the only one in Brazil. The initiative lasted four weeks, during which internet users from all over the world voted, placing the Galapagos Islands in first place on the list.

Encompassing the states of Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul, the Pantanal was chosen by internet users for having one of the densest concentrations of wildlife in the world, sheltering everything from birds, alligators, tapirs, capybaras, and maned wolves to jaguars, among other species.

The ranking of destinations chosen by internet users is as follows: 1st) Galapagos Islands (Ecuador), 2nd) Pacaya Samiria National Reserve (Peru), 3rd) Costa Rica, 4th) Pantanal, 5th) Katmai National Park (Alaska, USA), 6th) Okavango Delta (Botswana, Africa), 7th) Churchill (Canada), 8th) Yellowstone National Park (USA), 9th) Serengeti/Maasai Mara (Tanzania and Kenya, Africa), 10th) Ranthambore National Park (India).

Inns in Ceará have a promotion in February.

Going to Ceará? Then check out these tips: the Vila Kalango guesthouse, on Jericoacoara Beach, and Rancho do Peixe guesthouse, on Preá Beach, have special low-season offers for bookings until February 28th and stays from February to June, excluding holidays.

The promotion offers one free night for reservations of three or more paid nights, and a complimentary stay for one child up to 10 years old. early check-in and late check-out Subject to availability, a surprise gift is included, in addition to free daily transfers at four different times. Guests can explore and use the leisure facilities of the two guesthouses, which are located just 12 km apart.

Located in a fishing village, Pousada Rancho do Peixe (www.ranchodopeixe.com.br), on Preá beach, has 22 bungalows, each measuring 80 square meters, with a private deck, a veranda with a hammock, and views of the coconut grove or the sea. It also has a kitesurfing school for those who want to learn the sport or improve their maneuvers.

The Vila Kalango guesthouse (www.vilakalango.com.br) is located between Jericoacoara Beach and the Sunset Dune, one of the highlights of the region. Facing the sea, it has 24 accommodations, including apartments, stilt houses, and bungalows, spread across its five thousand square meters of area. It offers a swimming pool, lounge with hammocks, relaxation area with massages, restaurant, and the Ticowind Jeri school, which offers windsurfing lessons, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding.

During the promotion, daily rates for reservations made until February 28th at Vila Kalango start at R$ 370 per couple, including breakfast. At Pousada Rancho do Peixe, daily rates during this period start at R$ 315 per couple, including breakfast.

Information: Vila Kalango, tel. (88) 3669-2290; Rancho do Peixe, tel. (88) 3660-3147.

(*) Correspondence for this section: https://fabiolamusarra.wordpress.com/