Prague

Castles, cobblestones, and intrigue in Eastern Europe’s most popular destination

Prague’s mix of the melancholy and the magnificent, set against some of Europe’s most spectacular architecture, still confounds all who live or travel here. Its tightly wound brick paths have felt the hooves of kings’ horses, the jackboots of Hitler’s armies, the heaving tracks of Soviet tanks, and the shuffle of students in passive revolt. Whatever the challenge, the city historically recovers very quickly. The 6-centuries-old Charles Bridge is today jammed with visitors and venture capitalists looking for memories or profits from a once-captive city now enjoying yet another renaissance.

For the rail traveler, Prague is the city to visit in the Czech Republic—if you can visit only one place in the country, this is the one you want to see. It’s also the one you most likely will see. The central hub for most of the country’s trains, the city is also a convenient stop on rail routes heading from the west into Eastern Europe.

© 2008, Wiley Publishing, Inc.