Click for Slideshow

Prague– The Golden City, also known as the City of a Hundred Towers. It was virtually untouched by WWII and made it through the communist era without many changes so the historic center remains much as it was in the beginning.

Prague is broken into areas- the Castle District, Little Quarter (Mala Strana), the Old Town and the New Town.The Castle District of course brings you Prague Castle and within the walls the Holy Cross Chapel, Castle Gallery, Spanish Hall, the Convent of St. George and St. Vitus’s Cathedral. Around the castle there is plenty to explore as well. The Baroque Gardens, Schwarzenberg Palace and Hradcany Square are just a few options.

Leaving the Castle District and heading towards the river you enter the Little Quarter where you can visit the Strahov Monastery, Lobkowicz Palace the Mala Strana Square and the Church of St. Nicholas among others.

As you hit the river you come to Charles Bridge, Europe’s most famous medieval bridge. It has massive towers on both sides and is adorned with 30 statues, mostly saints and religious figures. Gathered on the bridge you’ll find locals and artisans selling their wares, street musicians and some of the usual touristy stuff. The tower on the Old Town side of the bridge was the workshop of Peter Parler who produced much of the statuary on the bridge.

As you walk off the bridge you are entering the Old Town that dates back to the 11th and 12th centuries. Wander the little cobbled lanes for shopping and find your way to the Old Town Square where the big draw is the Town Hall’s medieval Astronomical Clock, constructed in 1410. When the clock strikes the hour, figures parade across the clock face, it’s very cool. Other sites not to be missed in the Old Town are the Baroque Hall Library, the Church of St. James and of course Celetna for the shoppers.

With all of the above some don’t even take time to explore the New Town but it’s definitely worth a visit. You can start in Wenceslas Square and check out the monument to Prague’s patron saint, other options include the National Museum, Charles Square, Church of St. Wenceslas and the Botanical Gardens.

And lastly I can’t mention Prague with out a word about the pubs. You won’t find comfortable chairs and TV’s broadcasting sports like you do at home, but I have it on the best sources that with the quality of the beer brewed there you’re sure of a more than decent drink no matter where you stop in. Try the Staropramen, I’ve heard it’s fantastic.

There is so much more to see and do in Prague, it’s hard to say it all here, so if you’d like help with your travel plans to the Czech Republic, contact me and I’d be happy to help you. -Jennefer