Prague...

 If you have never been to the capital of
Bohemia,
go now!
This fairy tale like city,
known as the
"Golden City Of Spires",
sits peacefully by the
Vltava river.

Just the other day,
while walking along one of the many
cobbled stone streets
in old Prague,
I wondered how this one city
has been so well preserved?
Looking around,
you consider the history.
You ponder upon the architecture.
You contemplate the
 culture 
& 
the politics.
This place makes you reflect.

A thousand years has seen many changes

&

 architectural influences

spanning 

Medieval,

Baroque

&

Renaissance

 style.

All piled 

&

 overlapped 

into what you see today.

A place so intensely packed 

with stunning structures,

crisscrossed by countless narrow

labyrinths

giving forth to an amazing

skyline that literally

takes your breath away.

This is my third visit.

It's certainly quaint.

It's alarmingly charming.

It's totally romantic...

in any season.

At night, the city shines

like some
Golden ancient dollhouse,

at once transporting you back through

time.

But wait...

the reminder of a dark past,

surfaces occasionally.

Until 1989,

tourism was prohibited.

Now,

with a population of 1.3 million people,

5 millions tourists visit annually.

This 

Baroque jewel

is a 

value-for-money 

destination.

It has it's own currency...Koruna.

And safety is a non-issue.

Prague

is 

one big sensory seduction after another.

Comfortable walking shoes are a must.

Good news is,

the 

city's cosy scale

makes it very manageable on foot.

The airport is a short drive away.

Go with the flow...

and let the city in!

Coffee shops are plenty.

And smiles are free.

Since 1992,
the historic centre of Prague has been
included into the Unesco list of
World Heritage Sites.

From Prague Castle,

the city is spread out below, 

with spires and towers dotting the horizon,

like some

 medieval chess board.

This spectacular view is  a small reward for

those who make the trek up.

Quaint hidden courtyards are there

to be discovered.

Nowadays, many are turned into

 galleries & cafes.

As you wander,

you

 gaze & wonder!

That rust colored building was not photoshopped!

The local fare is 

hearty

 & 

from the "earth".

Think ...Roast Pork Knuckle!

But the above is from Belgium!

Tons of souvenir shops cater to varying

 taste & expectations.

Great buys would be bohemian cut crystal ware.

This is Antonin Dvorak, 

the famous Czech composer,

who wrote the equally famous opera

Rusalka,

about a sad mermaid-like water nymph

who falls for a prince.

Familiar story? 

The Aria

"Song To The Moon"

is truly a joy to listen to,

although somewhat sad.

This place is heavy on sights.

From the 

Old Town Square to the Castle

 &

 to 

Charles Bridge,

you'll be panting for more!

You'll burn those calories,

tire your eyes

&

exhaust your camera.

Details abound.

In & on buildings, doors, alleyways

&

 more.

Decorating & decoration 

was probably

a national pastime.

Stop for coffee at the Bakeshop Praha!

Whoever's in charge, is doing it right!

And Style
 has caught up in a BIG way.
All the famous brands are represented in this tiny city.
VAT refunds make shopping more fun!

Charming trams run all throughout the city.

Clanking it's way over cobblestones and bridges.

You may also "Segway" around with many tour

operators offering even night runs!

Prague is host to countless festivals as diverse as
dance to music to opera to marathons.
There's bound to be one thing to catch your fancy.
This former European Capital of Culture
certainly lives up to it's reputation.

Yes, there may be crowds but personally,

I think it adds to the atmosphere.

Come one, come all!

In a way, we are contributing to the conservation

of this remarkably beautiful city.

Case in point!

Beyond the old walls,
lie
state-of-the-art
 boutique hotels.
Hotel Josef is my preferred choice...
with a grassed inner "glass-encased"
courtyard
&
modern amenities.
And an extremely good breakfast!!!

Old World elegance at

the

Francouzska.

As you can see, 

everyone has been here!

Be dazzled.

Be enchanted.

Be impressed.

"There are no small parts.
Only small actors".

Milan Kundera

The stunning
Prague National Theatre
is a must "attend".
Opened in 1881,
it houses the three artistic ensembles of
Opera, Ballet & Drama.
It's 
opulence & grandeur
is unrivaled.

Satisfaction is guaranteed!

Prague's Old Town square

is "the" focal point.

It's busy & bustling...

exactly what a town square should be.

Here, you're exposed to the onslaught of
one
architectural & historical
 highlight after another.
If your room has no view,
fret not!
The entire city awaits outside.

Walk, wander & gaze.

The non-violent 
Velvet Revolution
in 1989,
converted the country to a 
Parliamentary Republic.
Nowadays,
the only velvet you'll see are on the 
well-heeled,
shopping on
Parizska Street.

Another view of the splendor of the

Prague National Theatre.

Just make sure to dress up when you're there!

Insider tip:

"Tretters New York Bar".

Great cocktails with locals.

Cultural freedom
&
 artistic expressions
makes all the difference.
Creativity does not happen in a vacuum.

Capitalism

 arrived many years ago

&

judging from everything around,

it ain't all that bad.

Just look at that!
A
 window is just a window 
unless
it's done this way!

And this artistic hand extends to buildings too,
making the city an
outdoor museum of sorts.

The morphing of an 

old city 

to

a must-visit destination

takes more than good PR.

The foundation of such a 

transformation lies in the people.

A newly liberated country

has enough hungry determination

to meet any challenges.

The Czechs recognize

this need to be 

welcoming 

&

 accommodating.

Revolution,

evolution

or

transformation,

up next is perhaps 

an exciting time for this

 beautiful historical city.

What people are talking about is

not enough.

Put gears into place...

Eat, Stay & Love!

"The salvation of this human world lies nowhere

else than in the human heart,

in the human power to reflect,

in human meekness 

& 

human responsibility."

Vaclav Havel