"Europe's most Enchanting City" a Prague Travel Page by Beach_dog

I have visited Prague on two occasions, the first was a week before Christmas 2000. It was a great time to go with all the Christmas Markets, music and Carol services in the streets. The weather was fine and dry but very very cold. Two days before I left it snowed overnight, adding a totally new character to the city.

My second visit was in February 2005, Carmen myself and two friends took a short 5 day break after I recommended the city to them. It snowed most of the time we were there and we had temperatures well below zero every day and temperatures to minus twelve at night. It did not temper our spirits though, we were out early everyday exploring and taking in the sights and enjoying the good food at restaurants by night. My friends were highly impressed with the city and I think we would all return again given the chance.

I dont underestimate when I say Prague is Europe's most enchanting city. It is a city I would be happy to visit time after time. There is so much to see, incredible architecture, incredible decoration and detailing, not just in it's main buildings but even the most humble shops and apartments. You could visit it 100 times and still notice many small details you had not seen before.

It is also known as the city of 100 towers, I dont know the exact number, I'm not sure anybody does. A few attempts to count the total have failed, as historians and architects continually keep reaching different figures.

Between my two visits, in the space of four years, Prague has changed so much. The city is neater today, many buildings in a poorer state of repair have been revamped. Maybe this is partly due to the aftermath of the large floods that badly affected the city in August 2002.

Prices have risen in restaurants and cafe's, but on the whole still much cheaper than other parts of Europe. During my first trip I was travelling solo, walking the streets at night was hazardous as I was continually approached by ladies of ill repute, most trying to pick my pockets. On my second visit I saw none of this, I´m not saying it no longer happens, but I guess travelling with three young ladies I was not considered a potential target. Overall I think the changes are for the best, and its certainly a safe city to walk about in at night.

My other complaint about the city after my first visit was the overcharging and agressive attitude of the taxi drivers, this also seems to have changed very much for the better. When we took taxies at night, it was on the meter and fairly priced. I take my hat off to the authorities for clamping down on the drivers, as it was giving the city a bad reputation amongst travellers.