However, all other countries in the European Union have their perks that sometimes remain underrated as they are overshadowed by those that lure in hordes of people. And one of those spots is Prague, the picturesque Czech Republic landmark so small yet ironically boasts of a rich culture through their magnificent scenery.

Old Town Square, Prague, The Czech Republic by Claire for Europe Explored

Extraordinary Prague

Some travelers have even declared that this is not your ordinary one-stop destination. If you’d like to explore and immerse yourself in their heritage, you’ve got to stay for quite some time. A visit to Prague is best enjoyed by staying for a couple of days. This will allow you to fully bask on the Prague experience without having to rush anything.

You will be amazed by the sights of this lovely capital city and will literally put a halt on your wandering feet. Bask in that feeling and savor the symphony created by elegant architecture and greenery through its elaborate palaces, castles, and lush gardens. It will take you to a story of their rich heritage, which will certainly entice your visual and mental senses.

The Old World Charm

Surprisingly, Prague is beset with these wonderful sights as it has survived both world wars. It’s just quite unthinkable how a place would be able to evade the war’s destructive forces. Prague was able to preserve its natural old world charm, one that is absent in cities today that are replete with modern architectural landscapes. Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque, and Renaissance style structures still prevail, and these are what make Prague as mesmerizing as it was. It doesn’t fall short as well in terms of contemporary designs as Art Nouveau, Cubism, and other modern styles are also part of the backdrop.

Golden Street at the Prague Castle by Claire for Europe Explored

Landmarks in a Sweep

Prague Castle

The prime landmark in Prague is the Prague Castle, known to be the world’s largest castle. This is a monumental stop, as it shall take you to the time of old Czech rulers. It serves as a home to the Republic’s president, and has a slew of galleries that feature European architecture and artwork.

Old Town Square

Another stop is the Old Town Square, which features the famed 600-year-old Prague Astronomical Clock that is shadowed by the Tyn Church’s twin towers. A historic focal point of business, it served as a marketplace for European trade. Other spots in this area are the House at the Stone Bell, Kinsky Palace, St. Nicholas Church, the Old Town Hall, and the Monument to Jan Hus.

Charles Bridge

And for a dash of romantic flair, there is the Charles Bridge, one of Europe’s oldest stone bridges. This offers a breathtaking overview of the city as well as a colonnade of Baroque statues with astonishing Gothic towers on both ends. Apparently, this is a favorite haven for musicians, artists, and photographers, as it provides as an inspiration for their artwork.

Early morning on the Charles Bridge by Claire for Europe Explored

Life may not be a walk in the park, but Prague is one huge park-like wonder that you can greatly appreciate through walking. You need a great deal of patience and endurance to last long walks though. Roam around Prague and do the exploration on foot as this will provide you with unrestricted views and access to the city. Allow Prague to take you to the pages of history with a mesmerizing journey of their heritage and amazing landscape.

This article is written by Ravi S. who loves wearing Cat Eye Sunglasses when traveling.

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Old Town Square

No wonder that this is one of the Czech Republic’s greatest attractions. Every day it brings hundreds of people and charms them with the scary looking Gothic Tyn Church and the world famous astronomical clock. It was installed in 1410 and it is the third-oldest astronomical clock in the world. It is interesting that there are only a few people who can actually repair it. On the square you can also visit an exhibition of Salvadore Dali and, of course, enjoy the magnificent ancient-looking buildings.

Astronomical Clock (Orloj), Old Town Square by Claire for Europe Explored

Prague Castle

With St. Vitus Church and The Golden Lane, Prague Castle is again one of the most attractive places in the capital. It is the biggest castle in the world at about 570 meters in length and an average of about 130 meters wide. Other highlights within the castle complex include the Old Royal Palace, which has excellent historic and architectural displays, Basiica of St George, the Lobkowicz Palace. It takes a few hours to enjoy a trip around the castle. But it definitely worths the time!

Prague Castle by Claire for Europe Explored

Charles Bridge

If you really want to sink into the atmosphere of the city, Charles bridge is one of the places you have to see. With its 621 meters length and 10 meters width, it offers one of the greatest and most memorable landscapes of Prague. There are 30 baroque statues, which will take you on a trip back in time. Among the most notable sculptures you can find statuaries of St. Luthgard, the Holy Crucifix and Calvary. Throughout its history, the Charles Bridge suffered several disasters and witnessed many historic events, but today its unique history and architecture welcomes visitors from all over the world.

Charles bridge, Prague by Claire for Europe Explored

Czech National Museum

At the top of Wenceslas Square is the main building of the Czech National Museum. It contains fascinating exhibits and stuffed animals and presents. The National Museum houses almost 14 million items from the area of natural history, history, arts, music and librarianship, located in tens of buildings. During the World War II it was destroyed by a bomb, but the collections survived. So, if you are a connoisseur of mineralogy, paleontology, botany and mycology or if you just want to spend some time admiring the extensive exhibits on the history of theatre, for instance, this is something you should visit for sure!

National Museum, Wenceslas Square, Prague by Claire for Europe Explored

Petrin Hill

This is a hill at the centre of Prague and rises 130m above the left bank of Vltava River. It is a small version of the Eiffel Tower and can be easily seen from almost every part of the city. Petrin Hill offers fascinating views such as Strahov Monastery, 14th century Hunger wall and a memorial of the victims, suffered during the Communist regime. It is literally the highest point of the capital and if you are interested in going there, we must warn you, that it will take around an hour to go up there. But it will worth every step!

Prague from Petrin by Claire for Europe Explored

Jack Sheamus’ big love is travelling and researching new places. He really loves to explore new things. He works for Camberwell cleaning specialists and that is why he can afford to travel.

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Since she’s originally from Central America and we are blessed to travel to South America on a regular basis, we wanted to try something new to both of us.  Additionally, my family fled parts of Eastern Europe before World War II, so we decided to forgo the normal beach and sun spots, for a city with much more history: Prague.

Old town square, Prague, Czech Republic by Claire for Europe Explored

The capital of the Czech Republic (America’s of a certain age are likely still calling it Czechoslovakia) Prague is a historic city, largely spared destruction during both world war’s because Czechoslovakia was among the first conquered countries during both wars. That leaves the country will an interesting and still developing culture, as well as one of the most picturesque cities in the world.

My memories of Prague are still vivid despite being there close to a decade ago.  My first memory is that of my wife being in essence trapped at the airport, behind two huge metal doors which shut, as they allow only one person at a time to pass through customs.  Eventually they figured out a quirk or two with her passport and we were in a cab going toward the city center.  It’s an interesting and thought provoking drive.  You leave the airport and see row, after row, after row of Soviet era housing projects.  Then, almost majestically you see the spire of the Castle looming over the river in the distance.

Vltava river and Prague Castle, Czech Republic by Claire for Europe Explored

As you get closer to central Prague, the streets turn to cobblestones, traffic slows and you are instantly entered into a city which looks like something of a fairy tale.

Since we there on our honeymoon and had close to a week to explore, we decided to rent a small hotel room with a winter garden across the street from the Castle.  The area is more residential than the area by the historic city center, where most tourists spend their time.  But, it’s cheaper (we paid about $60 for around 250sq feet) and feels a lot more authentic.

Of course, getting down to the square and the city center is pretty easy and it involved about the prettiest part of a walk I’ve ever been on, being able to wander across the Charles Bridge, which was built in the 14th century.  It’s gorgeous and is a good reminder of something that the locals told us often: Paris is the other European city built around a river.

Charles Bridge, Prague, Czech Republic by Claire for Europe Explored

Lastly, I have to mention the one thing that sticks out in my mind more than anything else.  I own and operate a wine business, so I’m not exactly afraid of alcohol.  That being said, it was incredible to see the amount of beer that the locals go through.  In fact, they go through so much, my wife learned rather quickly that the universal sign for I’m Done! Is putting your coaster on top of your mug. I won’t admit to ever having done that myself, but the beer was memorable for a number of reasons.  After all, the Czech Republic is home to the original Budweiser and Pilsner seems to be being made on virtually every street corner.  The quality of course, would make even the best microbrew here in America, blush!

Mark Aselstine is the owner of Uncorked Ventures.  He loves to travel and is insane enough to bring his toddler on international flights, thereby amazing his fellow passengers when they realize the toddler knows exactly how to behave.

The post My First Trip To Prague appeared first on Europe Explored.

Houses were occupied until the Second World War, but the area was protected already for several years, and no changes which would change the character of the street or houses were allowed. The writer Franz Kafka lived here in the house no. 22 between 1916-1917. The last owners and the tenants moved out in 1948, and despite of receiving high quality houses, they left with protests.

Golden Lane was reopened to the public on 1 June 2011 after one year of reconstructions. It is probably the most romantic and famous part of Prague Castle. You can access the Golden Lane if you buy a ticket for a Long (350 CZK) or Short (250 CZK) Tour around the Castle.

You can take really interesting Virtual Tour by visiting the following website:
https://virtualni.praha.eu/nocni/zlata-ulicka.html

View Zlatá ulička (Golden Lane) – the most romantic and famous part of Prague Castle Czech Republic in a larger map

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Český Krumlov is close to the Šumava National Park, the Czech Republic’s largest national park. The Šumava mountains lie along the border with Austria and Germany and offer a range of natural habitats – peat bogs, Alpine meadows, old-growth forests, lakes, and rivers. The area is popular with walkers, cyclists, and canoeists on the Vltava.

Main sights

• Český Krumlov Castle
• Gothic Church of St. Vitus (Kostel Sv. Víta)
• Baroque theatre in Český Krumlov Castle – the theatre is only used three times a year (only two are open to the public), when a Baroque opera is performed in simulated candlelight
• Museum dedicated to the painter Egon Schiele, who lived in the town

There is one of Bohemia’s oldest monasteries, Zlatá Koruna (“The Golden Crown”) 10km from Krumlov. About 30 km from Krumlov is the Hluboká Castle, established in the twelfth century and later remodelled in imitation of Windsor Castle.

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