Prague sits on the Vltava River. Gothic spires. Baroque palaces. Art Nouveau cafés. Survived WWII intact—Europe's best-preserved medieval city.
Charles Bridge connects Old Town to Lesser Quarter. Built 1357. Dawn visits avoid the tourist crowds. Statues of saints line both sides.
Prague Castle is the largest ancient castle complex globally. St. Vitus Cathedral dominates. Golden Lane's tiny houses once housed goldsmiths. Entry 350 CZK, cheaper options 250 CZK.
Old Town Square centers Prague life. Astronomical Clock performs hourly shows. Crowds gather. It's worth seeing once.
Prague works as a base. But Czech castles and countryside deserve visits too.
Czech Republic drinks more beer per capita than anywhere. Pilsner was invented here—Plzeň, 1842. This is beer's homeland.
Prague beer halls serve half-liters for 40-80 CZK in locals' spots. Tourist areas charge 80-120 CZK. Still cheap.
U Fleků brewery has operated since 1499. Dark lager only. Touristy but authentic. Around 100 CZK per beer.
Pilsen (Plzeň) city offers brewery tours of Pilsner Urquell. The original. Tours around 300 CZK including tastings.
Order "jedno pivo, prosím" (one beer, please). They'll bring 0.5L. Finish it. They'll bring another. Say "zaplatím" (I'll pay) when done.
Czech Republic has over 2,000 castles and châteaux. Český Krumlov tops the list—UNESCO town wrapped by the Vltava River.
Karlštejn Castle perches on cliffs 30km from Prague. Charles IV built it to store crown jewels. Train from Prague costs around 100 CZK return.
Kutná Hora was medieval Europe's silver mining center. Sedlec Ossuary—bone church decorated with 40,000 human skeletons. Entry 130 CZK.
Moravian wine country south produces excellent whites. Mikulov town centers the region. Wine cellars offer tastings 200-500 CZK.
České Švýcarsko National Park features Pravčická Brána—Europe's largest natural sandstone arch. Hiking trails cross dramatic landscapes.
Czech crown (Koruna/CZK) is the currency. Around 25 CZK = 1 EUR. ATMs everywhere. Cards widely accepted.
Tram and metro systems in Prague cost 40 CZK for 90-minute tickets. 120 CZK buys 24-hour unlimited travel. Lítačka app simplifies ticketing.
Food is cheap and hearty. Svíčková (beef in cream sauce) around 200 CZK. Goulash 150-200 CZK. Locals eat heavy lunches—dinner is lighter.
Czech people are reserved. Direct. Don't expect American-style service smiles. It's cultural, not rudeness.
English works in Prague and tourist areas. Learn "Dobrý den" (good day) and "Děkuji" (thank you). Locals appreciate attempts.