If you want to avoid swarms of people on the Charles Bridge you have to get up early in the morning, but it's worth of it. As early as at 10 a.m. it takes pains to enjoy the Bridge for the uncounted numbers of tourists there. But Charles Bridge is not the only sight for today. I also visit the Town Hall in the Old Town Square getting inside and and climbing on top of its tower. If you ever have chance to be in Prague, going there is a must-have. Enjoy the panorama of the city. From there you can easily see e.g. the Týn Church with its picturesque towers as well as a the huge monument of Jan Hus, Czech national hero (they are both obviously also visible from the ground).
Take a stroll along Celetna to the Powder Tower with its gold ornaments.
In the evening - Prague by night and a photo spree.
Aug 10, 2006 06:00 PMBreathtaking vistas from Petřín Hill
Today I begin from the Strahov monastery. See the library there - it's amazing. Before the library itself there is a collection of exotic animal specimens. They boast of having a several meter long whale penis. Try to find it in the showcases.
There are many churches in Prague and what you can find surprising several of them bear the same names. This is because some time ago Prague used to be divided into four independent parts and they called the churches independently as well. Visit St Mikulas (Nicolas) churches in Mala Strana and in the Old Town. They are both baroque in style.
In the afternoon I started climbing the Petřín Hill. There are many cherry trees on its hillsides. Try them - quite tasty. What you may find interesting is the almond trees growing nearby. But the almonds aren't edible - they're unbelievably bitter. From the Petřín Hill you can enjoy the panorama of Prague and on the hilltop there is an Eiffel tower in miniature. It was constructed only several years after the tower in Paris. You can also find there the Bludiste, a mirror maze.
Aug 09, 2006 06:00 PMHradčany - the Prague Castle
The Castle is really huge and you'll need to spend a whole day to see it in detail. Or you may devote even two days to it. I started with the gardens. Painstakingly trimmed lawns stretch on both sides of Hradčany. See the Belvedere (Royal Summer Palace) and Micovna in Královská Zahrada (the Royal Garden). The entry is free. There are also gardens on the opposite site of the castle, but you have to pay for it. It's interesting (they have lemon trees there).
You have to watch the changing of the castle guard. It's fun, especially at noon. Observe the guys carefully.
Among other sights on the premises of the castle are st. Vitus cathedral (climb the tower - 287 steps up) and the Golden Lane especially picturesque at dusk, when there are hardly any people and the entrance is for free. Nevertheless, the best option is to buy a global ticket for the whole castle.
Aug 08, 2006 06:00 PMPrague at first sight
I set off early in the morning with my Pascal city guide in hand. An hour in the coach from Legnica to Kudowa and I can enjoy sunrise in the Sudety Mountains. Delightful. After arriving in Prague in the afternoon and leaving my luggage in the dorm I decide to go for a ramble around the city. Everything is within a walking distance, but if don't feel like walking take a tram. The weather is really great, sunny but not scorching. I choose one of the routes suggested in my guide, but soon want to see many other places. Despite people from all over the world flocking to Czech capital, it's impressive with its noble architectural legacy. You immerse in its climate so much, you never want to take a rest. Tired out with my head full of new images I got into bed far after midnight.
