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The Mini-Retirement Destination Series
Prague
Good morning!
I hope this finds you well.
Welcome to another edition of The Matt Viera Newsletter.
The newsletter with the goal to inspire you to invest in life experiences.
Thank you for your continued support.
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I have been burning the candle at both ends lately and am starting to feel it.
I am on the cusp of possibly burning out.
You know the old saying, "When it rains, it pours."
Well, I am in the middle of a monsoon.
There are a lot of different parts and pieces currently revolving around my life that are starting to catch up to me a little bit:
We are still unpacking
We are shopping for new furniture and things we need for the apartment
We are trying to establish a new daily routine with the longer commute to work
All that while still maintaining an effective proficiency in our respective jobs.
Don't get me wrong, I am not complaining in the least.
But because I'm dealing with these revolving parts and pieces around my life, keeping up with this newsletter is a challenge.
It would've been easy to publish something like, "I am busy unpacking and dealing with life. As such, I will not publish newsletter articles of this newsletter until the first Tuesday of 2025."
That wouldn't be fair to you, my dear reader.
And it certainly wouldn't be fair to me.
So, I developed a content strategy for the next few weeks involving my favorite mini-retirement destinations.
Each week, starting today, I will publish my Top 3 favorite destinations for a mini-retirement (well, 4 because there are 2 cities tied for 3rd place).
It is my hope that while we enter the winter months, these destinations will inspire you to dream bigger as you plan your next travel adventure.
And while you may not be able to spend a month (or more) in any of these destinations (i.e., a mini-retirement), you will not regret it if you travel to any of these destinations.
So, without further adieu, let's get started:
Prague is an ideal destination for a mini-retirement.
It's one of the cities I traveled to during my first mini-retirement.
And I'd love to return to spend at least a month there.
Here are 15 reasons why you need to consider Prague for a mini-retirement:
The Stunning Architecture
Prague is renowned for its architectural beauty, including Gothic, Baroque, & Renaissance buildings.
Some buildings include, but are not limited to:
Kinsky Palace
Powder Tower
St Vitus Cathedral
St Nicholas Church
St George's Basilica
The Prague Castle
A UNESCO World Heritage site.
According to Guinness World Records:
The Prague Castle is the largest ancient castle in the world.
It was built in the 9th century.
The Astronomical Clock
A popular site worth visiting in Old Town Square.
The Astronomical Clock was installed in 1410.
The Charming Old Town
According to unesco.org:
The "historic centre of Prague, built between the 11th and 18th centuries" speaks "of the great architectural and cultural influence enjoyed by this city since the Middle Ages."
During the summer, it's packed with tourists.
The Charles Bridge
One of Prague's most famous landmarks.
It does get crowded.
Take a stroll over it early in the morning or later in the evening to avoid the crowds.
The Cultural Scene
Prague boasts a vibrant cultural scene with numerous theaters, concert halls, and galleries, including:
The State Opera
The Kafka Museum
The National Gallery
Museum of Decorative Arts
Its Affordability
Compared to other European cities, Prague is relatively affordable.
It's an attractive option for an extended mini-retirement.
The Café Culture
Enjoy the city's traditional café culture in cafés such as:
Café Slavia
Café Savoy
Café Orient
Café Louvre
Café Lucerna
The Delicious Cuisine
Prague has ~1,100 restaurants, including two Michelin-starred restaurants.
Enjoy local favorites such as:
Goulash
Koleno (pork knuckle)
Bramboračka (potato soup with carrots and mushrooms served in a bread bowl)
The Beautiful Parks
Prague has numerous parks and green spaces, such as:
Petrín Hill
Letná Park
Vysehrad Park
Perfect for:
Relaxing
Exploring
Enjoying a beer or two (especially in Letná Park).
The Public Transportation
The city's efficient public transport system, including:
Buses
Trams
The Metro
Makes it easy to get around.
But walking is the best option for exploration.
Its Literary Legacy
In 2014, Prague was declared a UNESCO City of Literature.
The Vltava River
The Vltava River runs through Prague.
Walk along the river
Take a scenic boat tour
Find a riverside bar or a cafe
And just relax.
Its Location
Prague's location makes it an ideal base for exploring other European cities on day trips, e.g., Vienna, Bratislava, or Dresden.
Or destinations within the Czech Republic:
Kutná Hora
Karlovy Vary
Karlštejn Castle
The Historic Breweries
It's said that buying beer in Prague costs less than buying water.
Some of its oldest breweries are:
U Fleků
Pivovar U Supa
Strahov Monastery Brewery
There you have it:
15 reasons why you need to consider Prague for a mini-retirement.
Prague's combination of history, culture, and affordability makes it an ideal destination for a transformative mini-retirement.
Explore. Discover. Live.
Quote that caught my attention:
"When you recognize that the costs of travel are mostly transportation and housing costs, and that you can rent a posh apartment for three to four weeks for the same price as staying in a mediocre hotel for four days, things start to get very, very interesting."
—Tim Ferriss on mini-retirements
You can find the collection of financial tools & resources that helped me grow from a 6-figure debt to a 6-figure net worth by clicking here.
Thanks for reading!
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