Prague is not only the capital of the Czech Republic, it is also the largest city, with approximately 1.5 million residents. Prague is a study in contrasts, as it is the perfect mixture of old world and new age within the heart of Europe.
If one were to look at a timeline of the history of Prague one would see the incredible changes that Prague has gone through since 870 AD when the foundation was laid for Prague Castle. Prague has seen wars – the Hussite wars in 1419, the thirty year war, which began in 1620 with the Battle of White Hill – occupation by the French from 1741-1742, and occupation by Nazi Germany from 1939-1945. In 1993 Slovakia declared its independence from Czechoslovakia and Prague became the capital of the Czech Republic. 2002 saw the worst flood in Prague’s history, and in 2004 the Czech Republic became a member of the European Union.
There is no shortage of exciting and interesting things to do in this amazing city. Some highlights not to be missed:
- Walk on the Charles Bridge – Commissioned in 1357, this stunning bridge is lined with 30 Baroque statues of religious figures and spans 16 arches. There is 1700 ft of cobblestones, where each afternoon painters, hot dog vendors and tourists vie for the best spot.
- Take a River Cruise – See Prague from the water for a completely different vantage point. You will cruise by some gorgeous islands and have a chance to see some parts of Prague that you otherwise might not.
- Visit the Prague Castle - According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the Prague Castle is the largest coherent castle complex in the world. Tour parts of the Castle, view historical monuments and catch the changing of the guard.
If you are planning to visit this amazing, historically rich city, you will need to pre-arrange accommodations. When deciding on where to stay there are many different options but for this purpose we will look at two, hotels, and hostels.
Hostels – For the budget conscious traveler, there is a wide range of Prague Hostels to choose from, though hostels in the city center can wind up costing as much as some hotels so book a little further out. Bathroom accommodations will be shared, and rooms can be shared by more than two people.
Hotels – Hotels typically offer more luxurious accommodations which of course come with a price. For a better deal book just outside the city center as rates will be lower. Book ahead during peak times and don’t give too much credit to the star rating system, as hoteliers here rate themselves.
