Rick Steves - Rick Steves Prague and the Czech Republic

Charles Bridge with Prague Castle (upper right)

Rick Steves'

PRAGUE & THE CZECH REPUBLIC

Wedged between Germany and Austria, the Czech Republic is one of the most comfortable and easy-to-explore countries of Eastern Europe. After the fall of communism, the Czech capital, Prague, quickly became one of Europes most popular destinations. Come see what all the fuss is about...but dont overlook the rest of the country. Even in a quick visit, you can enjoy a fine introduction to the entire Czech Republic.

This book focuses on Prague, but also includes my favorite small-town and back-to-nature destinations in the countryside. If you want to experience the best two weeks that the Czech Republic has to offer, this book has all the information youll need.

Experiencing Czech culture, people, and natural wonders economically and hassle-free has been my goal throughout three decades of traveling, tour guiding, and writing. This book is selective, including only the top destinations and sights. For example, the Czech Republic has dozens of charming medieval towns, but I take you to only the most pleasant: Tebo and Slavonice.

The best is, of course, only my opinion. But after spending half my adult life researching Europe, Ive developed a sixth sense for what travelers enjoy.

Rick Steves Prague & the Czech Republic is a personal tour guide in your pocket. Better yet, its actually two tour guides in your pocket: The co-author and researcher of this guidebook is Honza Vihan, a Prague native who leads Prague and Eastern Europe tours for my company, Rick Steves Europe Through the Back Door. Together, Honza and I keep this book up-to-date and accurate. For simplicity weve shed our respective egos to become I in this bookthough at times, youll know from the intimacy of some of the comments that Honza is sharing his own uniquely Czech perspective.

Use this legend to help you navigate the maps in this book.

The first half of this book focuses on Prague, following this format:

Orientation to Prague includes specifics on public transportation, helpful hints, local tour options, easy-to-read maps, and tourist information. The Planning Your Time section suggests a schedule for how to best use your limited time.

The Old Town, New Town, Little Quarter, and Castle Quarter chapters describe Pragues most important districts and their sights. The Beyond the Core chapter visits Alfons Muchas must-see Slav Epic masterpiece and takes you on a self-guided walk through peaceful, view-filled Vyehrad Park.

Sleeping in Prague describes my favorite hotels, from good-value deals to cushy splurges.

Eating in Prague serves up a range of options, from inexpensive eateries to fancy restaurants.

Shopping in Prague gives you tips for shopping painlessly and enjoyably, without letting it overwhelm your vacation or ruin your budget.

Entertainment in Prague is your guide to fun, including a wide array of concerts and nightclubsas well as other Czech entertainment options, from the unique Black Light Theater to hockey and soccer games.

Prague Connections lays the groundwork for your smooth arrival and departure, outlining your options for traveling to destinations by train, bus, plane, or with a private driver.

Day Trips from Prague outlines easy visits to nearby sights at Kutn Hora, Terezn, Konopit Castle, Karltejn Castle, and Kivoklt Castle.

The second half of the book, Beyond Prague, is devoted to the rest of the Czech Republic, describing farther-flung destinations elsewhere in the country. Each one is covered as a mini-vacation of its own.