Česká republika, Praha

---

Since the fall of the Iron Curtain, Prague (Praha) has become one of Europe's most popular tourist destinations. It's the sixth most visited European city after London, Paris, Rome, Madrid and Berlin. Prague suffered considerably less damage during World War II than most other European cities, allowing most of its historic architecture to stay true to form. Prague's compact medieval city center remains a beautiful mixture of cobbled lanes, walled courtyards, cathedrals and countless spires. Prague is a charming city where one feels transported back in time with its medieval, at times gothic, architecture with tall skinny buildings and churches with long spires. Keep walking and you find yourself in the newer districts of town where the colors are brighter and you are transported to yet another place in time. The contrasts of this city are definitely part of its charm.

Prague has fifteen numbered districts: Praha 1 through to Praha 15. Praha 1 is the oldest part of the city, original 'Town of Prague', and has by far the densest number of attractions which can be divided into the following quarters:
Castle (Hradčany) - the Historic center of the city
Lesser Town (Malá strana) - the settlement around the castle which houses most government authorities, including Czech Parliament
Old Town (Staré město) - the oldest part of Prague
New Town (Nové město) - the district adjacent to Old Town, established in the 14th century
Jewish Town (Josefov) - the old Jewish ghetto
The outer areas of Prague, districts 2 through 15, were originally villages and towns neighboring Prague that were gradually connected to the city over the course of the last five hundred years.

Prague has recently joined the European Union and therefore has not yet converted over to the Euro form of currency. The official currency of the Czech Republic is the Czech crown (koruna), abbreviated as Kč. $1.00 USD currently equals 17.97 Kč. We found that some gas stations would accept Euro, but most requested koruna's and as we made our way to the city center koruna's were the most acceptable form of payment.

Unfortunately, the highway network in the Czech Republic is quite incomplete and some highways are old and in poor condition. We learned this first hand and have decided the next time we go to Prague, we will take a train from another European city or a flight directly in.

---

Photos

The Dancing House or "Drunk House")
Originally named Fred and Ginger (because the house vaguely resembles a pair of dancers.)

Driving in the good ole CZ
This is considered a main highway!

Driving in the good ole CZ 2
Pass with caution!

Driving in the good ole CZ 4
Budejovicky??...close enough...it's still a Bud (tastes better than the beer back home!)

Driving in the good ole CZ 3
I couldn't believe my eyes, but yes this is what it looks like. Most places in Europe have certain areas designated as "Red Light Districts" but apparently Czech has the green light for prostitution along the highway!

Comments

[Samuel Williams]

Clock
The picture of the astronomical clock is awesome

[ameesh]

signage
pass with caution huh??? is that what that means?? damn tourists, and nothing about bob and chuck at the border??

[Preeti Sam]

i plan on sharing the bob and chuck and near death experiences in person...thats more fun!