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Posted on by Rick Steves

Prague: Jumbled with History

Prague is a traveler’s dream city: exotic but easy, affordable, boasting arguably Europe’s best beer, and an architectural time warp with plenty of great sightseeing. It’s crowded and touristy — precisely because it’s so much fun. Here are a few of my favorite memories from my latest trip.

Charles Bridge is a 500-yard stroll over the Vltava River, connecting what many consider Europe’s largest castle with a thriving Old Town. Any time of day or night, the stroll comes with fun street music and great people-watching.
Charles Bridge is a 500-yard stroll over the Vltava River, connecting what many consider Europe’s largest castle with a thriving Old Town. Any time of day or night, the stroll comes with fun street music and great people-watching.
The great Czech painter Alfons Mucha’s magnum opus, the Slav Epic, is finally settled in Prague, where it should be. Its 20 massive canvases connect the Czech people with their Slavic soul. It's one of the most powerful artistic experiences in Europe — don’t miss it.
The great Czech painter Alfons Mucha’s magnum opus, the Slav Epic, is finally settled in Prague, where it should be. Its 20 massive canvases connect the Czech people with their Slavic soul. It’s one of the most powerful artistic experiences in Europe — don’t miss it.
Prague’s Lennon Wall spontaneously appeared back in Cold War times, when the Czech people were birds locked in a cage and needed a place to vent. They'd paint murals of John Lennon each night, only to have them whitewashed over by the authorities the next day. Today the poignancy of the wall is long gone, but it’s still a colorful and nostalgic place to visit.
Prague’s Lennon Wall spontaneously appeared back in Cold War times, when the Czech people were birds locked in a cage and needed a place to vent. They’d paint murals of John Lennon each night, only to have them whitewashed over by the authorities the next day. Today the poignancy of the wall is long gone, but it’s still a colorful and nostalgic place to visit.
Prague is one city where, more than just about anywhere else, I recommend hiring a private guide — like Sarka, whom I’ve recommended in my Prague book since its first edition nearly a decade ago. For about $30 an hour, you get a guide and companion who is expert at making your wandering meaningful.
Prague is one city where, more than just about anywhere else, I recommend hiring a private guide — like Sarka, whom I’ve recommended in my Prague book since its first edition nearly a decade ago. For about $30 an hour, you get a guide and companion who is expert at making your wandering meaningful.
One of my favorite things lately is meeting families on the road whose parents are making the travel experience fun and enlightening for the kids. This mom is a super guide — she’s with her kids in what could be just another old church...but look at the enthusiasm in her little travelers’ faces. (I like to think the guidebook they’re toting helps, too.)
One of my favorite things lately is meeting families on the road whose parents are making the travel experience fun and enlightening for the kids. This mom is a super guide — she’s with her kids in what could be just another old church…but look at the enthusiasm in her little travelers’ faces. (I like to think the guidebook they’re toting helps, too.)
Comments

4 Replies to “Prague: Jumbled with History”

  1. Absolutely – our personal guide was like having a friend show us her favorite city.
    AND – I love to see parents with their kids when the parents do not have ear buds in their ears or cell phones!
    Prague: we enjoyed the Jewish cemetery & tour. Very interesting & good guide.
    Funny happening: we walked in a grocery store near our hotel to buy some candy & souvenirs like a tube of mustard – check out was on opposite side of store – I told the manager – if we had to leave by a different door – we couldn’t find our hotel so he had to take us thru the store & let us out.

  3. Steves has been very generous in sharing access to the Guides he respects – and that generosity is one of the reasons Rick does well. Prospective clients respond WELL to vendors who are not trying to milk every nuance of potential profit by holding back info. I don’t know whether Steves’ staff realizes this reluctance to AVOID nickle and dime-ing is a selling point. I suspect some do not. But it’s a BUSINESS thing, and usually accrues negatively to the business – but makes some “aspirational” look good.,

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