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First stop, Prague Castle (Hradcany) and the lesser quarter - what an impressive myth??? - there is no castle as such.  Next time someone tells you that "Prague castle is lovely", ask them which building, and you'll probably discover they've never actually been.  It is a serious of buildings and courtyards (cathedral, churches, public squares) surrounded by a big wall, but no castle as we know it.

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Either way, a nice place, and very cultural, but by no means the  highlight of Prague for me. Shown here is the main entrance with an hourly changing of the guard and St. Vitus Cathedral.

(hint #3 - Czech republic is colder than it looks - that's all I'm saying...)

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Onto Charles Bridge (Karluv Most) (seen here with Prague castle in the background).  One of Prague's main meeting spots, as it runs all the way back to the Old Town Square, and the route (called the Royal Way) is packed with shops, museums and cafes.  The Bridge itself is decorated with fabulous statues, some with very religious standings that people come to touch.  All along the bridge are local people selling their art work.

Dinner was quite simply amazing - picture the scene..... very posh restaurant, champagne, wild boar, venison, wine flowing - now picture the bill .... £40 for the both of us????? Yep, if you find the right spot, Prague can be cheap.  Retire to bed with full bellies, dizzy heads and sore legs.

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Day 2   Started with a good look around Wenceslas Square (Vaclavske namesti), probably Prague's best known location, but unfortunately also the tackiest.  Go to Prague on a hen night, and this is where you will end up.  At one end the Prague museum and statue of the Good King, but the best bit was the other end where an open air market was selling Bohemian crystal and other stuff at a fraction of the price you pay in the UK.

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Moved on to the Old Town Square, and it's fascinating Astronomical clock (see right).  This place was the highlight of Prague for me.  It's quite simply breathtaking, with the most amazing buildings you'll ever see, including the Tyn Church (centre of photo) and Old Town Hall (click on 'More Prague Photos' if you're interested).  Lunch was expensive in comparison, but worth it for the experience.  (hint # 4 - If you visit Prague, allow a couple of hours to soak up this place)

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This is the Astronomical clock, with gives the time in hours minutes, days, months, years, zodiac signs, etc, etc.  Every hour it chimes and goes through a mesmerizing routine.

Leaving the Old Square, we had a brief walk around Josefov, the Jewish sector, but it seems the thing to do is to overcharge tourists to look around Synangogues and cemataries, so we didn't stay very long.  A major disappointment.

The evening was spent cruising and dining along Prague's river, the Vltava.  Highly recommended, Prague Castle looks lovely at night.

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Day 3

In my opinion, more interesting and magical than Prague Castle is Vysehrad ('Castle on the Hill').  This is believed to be where Princess Libuse had her golden vision of Prague.  It's a good climb upto the area, but the views over the city are breath taking.  The highlight is the Church of Saints Peter and Paul (shown here) with fantastic portraits of saints on the walls.

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We then moved onto The Powder Tower, picture here.  Not to be confused with boring Powder Tower within Prague Castle, which is so called due to it's colour.  This magnificant building protected the Old Town, and was so called as it stored gun powder.  Next to it is the amazing (but not very historical) sight of the Municipal building (click on 'More Prague Photos' to see this)