|
|
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Get exclusive travel deals, trip reviews, and unique adventure travel ideas monthly.
|
|
PragueThe Czech Republic's capital and international showpiece, Prague is one of the most popular destinations in Eastern Europe. Its attraction lies in the physical beauty of the city with 600 years of architecture amazingly untouched by war. The center has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it demands to be explored on foot, an entire outdoor museum of history and a haphazard mixture of splendid architecture.
In the 14th century Prague enjoyed a reputation of being one of the most important cities in Europe, but after the Second World War it disappeared completely
behind the Iron Curtain. Since the 1989 Velvet Revolution and the end of Communism, Prague has thrown off the years of repression with alacrity and is returning to its earlier grandeur, enticing tourists with its fairytale quality and romantic atmosphere. In recent years Prague has also become a popular weekend destination for stag and hen party groups, attracted by the lively nightlife, world-famous beer and low prices.
The historical center of the city is compact and its attractions are all within easy reach. The core comprises the Castle District (Hradèany) west of the River Vltava, and the Old and New town (Staré Mesto and Nové Mesto) to the east, joined by the famous Charles Bridge. The Castle District situated on the hill overlooking the city incorporates the main attractions, including the Castle itself and the Cathedral. The Old Town is a maze of alleyways, cobbled streets and passages winding their way towards the beautiful Old Town Square, Staromestské Námestí. Josefov Ghetto, the old Jewish Quarter, is enclosed within the old town. The New Town, in contrast, is modern and has been laid out in wide boulevards, most famously Wenceslas Square, the fashionable shopping boulevard leading up to the foot of the grand National Gallery.
The city's cultural scene also features high on the list of things to do in Prague, with classical music concerts, opera and ballet, as well as the many art galleries around the city. It is constantly adding small new museums to its summertime list, often strange but curiously interesting. This beautiful city, a 'symphony in stone', built along the river and on the surrounding hills, has never ceased to capture the hearts and imagination of visitors, painters, photographers and poets.
Getting Around: Prague has a cheap and efficient public transport system consisting of an integrated network of buses, trams, metro and a funicular on Petrin Hill. The historic center is compact and pedestrian-only, but trams offer an inexpensive way of seeing the rest of the city and there are plenty of metro stations in the center. Tram lines criss-cross the center and are the best way to get around, after the metro. Buses need rarely be used, as they tend to operate outside the center and are more irregular. After midnight night trams and buses offer a limited service, usually every hour. Tickets are valid on all modes of public transport, but must be bought in advance and validated before each journey. A number of travel passes are also available; these are the best way to avoid the hassle of different single tickets and need only be stamped once at the start. Prague is inundated with dishonest, unregistered taxi drivers who attempt to rip off tourists. It's best to book taxis over the phone and demand a receipt for the fare before setting out. ProfiTaxi or AAA Taxi are the most reputable companies. A car is unnecessary since much of the city is pedestrianized, parking is a major problem and vehicle crime is rife. Car rental is also expensive.
Karlovy VaryThe town of Karlovy Vary, also known as Karlsbad, is the Queen of the Czech republic's many spa resort towns. It is a pretty Victorian place with elegant boulevards, elaborate colonnades and brightly colored buildings lining the picturesque river valley, and the surrounding forested hillsides are a peaceful and therapeutic place in which to walk.
The main focus of the town is health, and at the center of attention are the 12 hot springs containing a mineral content rich in restorative and healing properties. The mineral drinking fountains in the colonnades were once the haunt of the European aristocracy, and today the local people gather to fill their quaint little drinking cups, sipping and strolling in the fresh air, encouraging the water to work its magic on their digestive tracts or metabolic disorders. If that doesn't work the locally made Becherovka liqueur is hailed as the 13th spring. Although most of the spa pools and sanatoriums are reserved for people undergoing treatment, visitors can still swim in the heated pool above the Thermal Sanatorium. There is plenty of excellent accommodation, unique souvenirs from the area and a myriad of relaxing opportunities to be found.
Ceský KrumlovThis small medieval town in Southern Bohemia is one of the most picturesque in the country, nestled in the S-bend of the River Vltava and dominated by the fairytale Chateau on the ridge overlooking the town. Its appearance has remained unchanged since the 18th century and it is a delight to wander through the traffic-free old town with its cobbled lanes, ramshackle red-tiled roofs and lopsided colorful houses providing many picture postcard opportunities.
The Castle on the hill, greatly enriched by the Italian Renaissance style, has fine views of the town setting with covered walkways, courtyards and terraced gardens where theater and music productions are held. Since the town was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992, the summer months have become somewhat crowded. It is no longer a sleepy secret but a buzzing tourist haven.
Kutna HoraIn the 14th century Kutna Hora was the second biggest town in Bohemia after Prague due to the discovery of silver. Today visitors come to appreciate the history of a once booming town where the Royal Mint was founded, and to marvel at the architecture of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its greatest monument is the exquisite church of Santa Barbara, built to rival Prague's St Vitus Cathedral, a pinnacled Gothic achievement financed by the miners and dedicated to their patron saint Barbara. Among the town's many churches and attractions is the Hrádek Mining Museum, popular for its medieval mineshaft tours. The bizarre but fascinating Gothic ossuary, decorated with the bones of about 40,000 people and arranged into shapes, notably chandeliers, a coat of arms and pyramids, is a macabre attraction.
Next Page »
Word Travels is a comprehensive travel guide covering hundreds of cities and holiday resorts in more than 125 countries.
Related Czech Republic Content
The Columbus World Travel Guide has been published for 26 years and is sold in over 90 countries worldwide.
Czech Republic City Guides:
|
|
Czech Republic Community:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Available Tours to Czech Republic:
|
