When a building was built way back in the 800s you know you are in for a treat when you pay it a visit. Prague Castle certainly falls into this category as it was supposedly built back in the late 800s. This makes it well over a thousand years old, so it has certainly experienced a lot of history in that time.

The castle has long opening hours right through the year so whenever you visit you will be able to slot it into your other activities. Be sure to stay around long enough to see the Changing of the Guard. You shouldn’t have to wait long to see it, since it takes place on an hourly basis.

The castle itself is huge. In fact it holds the record as the largest castle from ancient times still standing. As such there is plenty to look at, discover and explore, including the various towers and also the castle gardens. Watch out for the Powder Tower and the White Tower for example. The former tower used to be where alchemists worked in their laboratory. It isn’t used for this purpose any more of course, but you can still wander around inside and imagine how different things would have looked years ago.

Be sure to visit the Basilica of St George as well. This is contained within the castle’s grounds and while the Basilica itself is not the original structure, the foundations are still the original ones that were first put in place all those centuries ago.

The gardens themselves will offer plenty of fresh air and insight into the life and times of the castle. There are half a dozen separate areas to explore, including a nursery garden. Anyone with a healthy interest in gardening will no doubt enjoy exploring everything the exterior of Prague Castle has to offer.

One of the easiest ways to reach the castle is to take a tram. They stop within the grounds so you can easily hop off once you arrive, and find your way back again when it is time to leave.

One of the best ways to see any city is to walk around it. While you can see a lot on a sightseeing bus trip or even in a car, you cannot focus on your surroundings in quite the same way. And there are some aspects of a city you won’t want to miss.

A good example is Charles Bridge in Prague. It has been in place since the early years of the 15th century for people to make their way from the Old Town and an area known as the Lesser Town. You may also see this part referred to as Mala Strana.

But why should you walk across it?

Well firstly there are the views – stunning ones at that, giving you the chance to appreciate both sides of Prague from a new angle. Be sure to grab your camera and make the most of capturing those images to take home with you as well.

If you are wondering what time of day you should make the crossing, get up early and do it at sunrise if you can. Watching the sun come up over Prague is an unforgettable sight, as is watching it disappear again in the evening, so be sure to come back later on in the day as well.

You can appreciate the many statues which line its length across the river as well. There are thirty in all and they were erected between the 17th and 19th centuries. You will also notice a tower in place at either end of the bridge, welcoming you onto its expanse, which is some five hundred metres long.

Needless to say the bridge gets rather crowded during the day because it is such a popular tourist attraction. You will often find entertainers across its length as well, so be prepared to see a lot of people if you go during the busiest parts of the day. Whenever you decide to visit though, you will see it is the best way to get from the Old Town in Prague to the Lesser Town.

No matter where you decide to go in Prague, there is one building you must not miss. You might be surprised to hear that this is an office building, but it certainly isn’t boring and it is something of an attraction that all tourists have an opinion on.

It’s called the Dancing House, and for good reason too. This building is, shall we say, uniquely designed. It has a higgledy piggledy look to it, and you might be concerned that there isn’t any scaffolding holding it up.

But that is exactly how it is supposed to look. The twisting building has acquired an amusing nickname that should give you an idea of what to expect. Fred and Ginger was the name freely given to the building by some, as it is said to resemble the famous dancers.

You can go inside the building and enjoy a beautiful meal in the restaurant on the top floor. But of course it could be argued that the best view of this building is not from the inside out, but from the outside in.

Perhaps the most amazing thing about the ‘Fred and Ginger’ building is that it doesn’t look out of place in Prague. When you consider how the rest of the city has developed over the years, the Dancing House wouldn’t appear to be in keeping with that style.

But somehow it manages to take its place alongside many other older buildings and it doesn’t look any the worse for it either. The house features on many of the guided tours of the city too, so if you want to find out more about it this is a great way to do just that.

The building has been standing for some thirteen years now. The amount of glass used in its construction makes it stand out even more on sunny days, but it needs little introduction whatever the weather happens to be doing. In any event this is one building you can see from a fair distance away, and as you get closer you’ll be amazed at what is a true feat of engineering.

20 August 2007

After years of anticipation, Prague City Hall today begins the reconstruction of the Charles Bridge, one of the city's most popular landmarks.

"We want the reconstruction not to be a burden for Prague and for tourism, but another attraction. We want the reconstructed parts to be open to the public," Prague Mayor Pavel Bém said.

Parts of the 14th-century bridge, famous for its Baroque statues, will remain accessible to the public.

The first stage of the reconstruction, expected to cost about CZK 220 million, will last until June 2010, and the second stage could last as long as 10 years.

Archaeologists say they are looking forward to new findings. "We know nothing about the origin of the bridge. Every new finding will bring new information," archeologist Jaroslav Podliška said.

If the archeologists succeed in finding anything interesting, the items would be exhibited in the Charles Bridge Museum next to the bridge.

The bridge will be reconstructed by the Stavby mosty Praha company.

Bém told journalists Friday that gas lamps would return to the bridge.

In July, celebrations of the 650th anniversary of the Charles Bridge took place.

Bém also said that City Hall plans to announce a tender for the architectural design of Prague's Old Town Hall.

Part of the Old Town Hall was destroyed during World War II. After the war, a park appeared on the site of the destroyed part of the building. Tenders for the construction have failed to produce a winning company whose design Prague would be able to implement.

Czech hospitality at it's very best: enjoy a delicious 3 course dinner, unlimited wine and an entertaining evening of traditional music and dance.

After picking you up from your Prague accommodation, the night begins with a short drive through this beautiful city. Our knowledgeable guide will point out the interesting features and famous monuments on the illuminated skyline. On the way we pass Prague Castle, high on the hillside, before arriving at a typical Prague tavern.

Whilst dining on the specialities of traditional Czech cuisine, sit back and be entertained by an enjoyable programme of folk music, singing and dancing. Included is a welcome drink, a glass of Bohemia Sekt 'Czech Champagne', plus some surprisingly good Moravian wine flowing throughout the evening.

A bar onsite serves beers, spirits and soft drinks.

Prague Experience sightseeing tours use air-conditioned mini-coaches and are led by experienced English speaking guides. Sightseeing tours can also be arranged in other languages (French, German, Italian, Russian & Spanish). On the return journey, you will be dropped off at your hotel or at a convenient place in the centre of Prague.

This all inclusive evening is one of our most popular excursions. We regularly receive good feedback on the quality of the food & drink, and the standard of entertainment.

For more information visit Prague Experiences

27 July 2007

Prague, along with Budapest, has become a destination popular for homosexual tourists, Czech analyst Jaromir Beranek says, adding that more than 600,000 tourists annually visit Prague to use services aimed at their minority sexual orientation.

Although some world travel agents have focused on homosexual clients since the 1980s already, in Prague this type of tourism started developing in the 1990s only, Beranek told journalists.

Prague has quickly acquired the reputaion of a friendly town among homosexuals from all over the world.

"Czech society have always been quite tolerant where it comes for sex and sexuality-related issues, compared with the neighbouring countries," Beranek said.

Local businesspeople have quickly adapted themselves to the demand, therefore Prague now offers a broad range of services related to homosexual orientation and night life, such as gay clubs, wine bars, hotels, saunas, trips and sightseeing tours.

A large number of Prague tours for homosexuals are presented as get-together ones.

The book entitled "Gay Tourist Guideline Round Prague" assesses the Czech capital as a European centre with a variable offer of homosexual tourist services.

Prague has become the world's first destination to offer honeymoon stays to homosexual clients through the Gay Travel and Accommodation Company firms.

Nevertheless, despite all tolerance, this type of tourism still remains veiled with certain secrecy. The companies CTK addressed mostly declined to comment on their business activities or requested anonymity.

The owner of one of them has confirmed that the number of homosexual clients has annually increased.

The main centre of homosexual tourists in Europe is Amsterdam. Further popular destinations are, apart from Prague, Barcelona, Munich, Zurich, Stockholm, the Spanish islands Gran Canaria and Ibiza and the Mykonos island in Greece.

Prague Christmas markets - 01 December 2007 - 01 January 2008

Prague Christmas markets operate daily at the Old Town Square & Wenceslas Square. A 'winter wonderland' awaits, as visitors come to soak up the atmosphere, browse the stalls and enjoy Christmas carols, warm food and hot wine.

Christmas is a special time of year in Prague and the Christmas markets (Vanocni trh) are a key ingredient in the Czech festive magic. The Prague Christmas markets bring visitors and locals together to share the holiday spirit in a true 'winter wonderland' setting.

Prague Christmas markets run daily from 9am to 7pm throughout the festive period. The main markets are at the Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square, with smaller ones at Namesti Republiky & Havelske Trziste.

The Prague Christmas markets consist of rows of brightly decorated wooden huts, selling Czech handicrafts, hot food (corn on the cob, sausages and local specialties) and warm drinks. Outdoor christmas shopping is much easier with a cup of hot wine (svarene vino) in your hand!

Some interesting Christmas stocking fillers can be found in the markets, which stock a variety of Czech glass, wooden toys, scented candles, Christmas tree ornaments, hand-made jewellery and, of course, puppets, always puppets!

Christmas markets are not just about shopping though. In Prague's Old Town Square there is also a mini zoo. Children can enjoy pony rides and stroke sheep, goats and even a lama. Next to this is a Bethlehem manger scene - a large wooden stable with a straw floor shows Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus and the three kings.

Most impressive of all is the Christmas tree, shipped from the Sumava mountains in the South of the Czech Republic. Erected in the Old Town Square, the tree is draped in a blaze of lights. Set against a dark gothic skyline, this is a spectacular sight.

But what would Christmas be without carols? Local and International choirs, along with musical ensembles, take to the stage in the Old Town Square, entertaining visitors as they browse the market stalls.

School children from throughout the Czech Republic also come to entertain. The highlight of their year, the school children dress in traditional costume to dance and sing for the crowd.

Christmas in Prague is simply wonderful.

For more information visit pragueexperience.com