Prague 1996-2013

Many years after my first visit to the city, Prague is still able to amaze me. We set off as two, with my kind consort, from Catania at 9 in the morning, via Pisa, reaching Prague already by 2 pm. We take the shuttle to the city centre (last stop central station), paying in korunas directly to the driver; a more expensive choice than buses 100 and 119, but forced because we don't have coins to get tickets from the machines (and we don't have time to queue at the airport desk). All the buses have metro stations as stops. Hotel in the city centre, Residence Bologna, a few steps from Charles Bridge, Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square; cheap, spartan.

Already on the afternoon of the first day, backpack on our shoulders, we cover kilometres on foot and manage to visit a good part of the historic centre, stopping under the Clock Tower at the striking of the hour to see the apostles appear on the square, admiring the street artists, eating local specialities (we start with Prague ham and typical pastries). The next day the weather helps us; we decide to go up towards the castle via Charles Bridge (photos galore), then up again to the Church of St Nicholas, until we reach the castle just in time for the 10 o'clock musical show. Then we buy the ticket to visit the entire castle area (St Vitus Cathedral is closed, we'll visit it the next day) and start the tour from the farthest point, the Golden Lane, then work our way back with the aim of being in front of the royal palace at 12 to watch the changing of the guard.

Lunch in the royal gardens. In the afternoon we visit the castle rooms and the Church of St George. By 4 pm we're already on the road to reach the Josefov quarter; we pay a very steep entrance ticket to access the museum and the Jewish cemetery, then the Old Synagogue (Old-New, ed.) and the other sights included in the package we bought. The evening ends with dinner in a restaurant overlooking the Municipal House square, flooded by a sudden, violent downpour. The third day we set off with uncertain weather towards Petřín hill; we go up by funicular and after a quick tour of the gardens we decide to climb the copy of the Eiffel Tower to photograph the city panorama; straight after we amuse ourselves for a few minutes in the mirror rooms. We have a quick lunch in a bar, then visit the Loreto church and the picturesque alleys around it. By 4 pm we're already inside St Vitus Cathedral.

The rest of the afternoon will be devoted to shopping. We have dinner in a place near the Church of St Nicholas; for 30 euros, gnocchi, duck, pork, drinks, all excellent and plentiful. Last day, a quick tour of the city for the last souvenir photos... we find ourselves on the bank of the Vltava contemplating swans, with Charles Bridge in the background. Cost of about 1000 euros for 2 people, all included. Not to be missed: the Castle (the largest in the world), in particular the Golden Lane, and St Vitus Cathedral; Charles Bridge, indescribable, inimitable; the Old Town Square, SPECTACULAR!! If you have little time, don't go looking for modern buildings and the new quarter (not worth it); among all that Prague offers, I'd more easily give up the visit to the Jewish quarter. Verdict on the city: 10 WITH HONOURS... PRAISE... PRAISE... PRAISE....