Gorgeous Prague

I have been told that Prague is a beautiful city, but accounts and pictures don't do it justice.

After a 6 hour train ride (sleeping most of the duration), I awoke to a hilly forested scene vastly different from the modern Berlin city I had just left.  The best way I have to describe Prague is a town that has been encroached upon by the 21st Century.  Old historic buildings make up the majority of the city, but shops have modernized small sections of each building.  The forested hills look as if out of a medieval time period, dotted with walls constructed in the 15th century.  However, a few modern buildings and cell towers rise from the lush green forest.  In addition, a gorgeous river runs through the center of the city and is spanned by both old and new bridges.  Above all of the city, sitting atop a hill is the crown jewel of Prague: the Prague Castle.

View of the crown jewel of Prague: Prague Castle.  The Charles Bridge is lit up next to it.

Old buildings encroached upon by the 21st Century.

View from the Charles Bridge.

View from the Charles Bridge overlooking Vltava River.

Prague was all rainbows!!

On my first day in Prague, I wandered the old town square and wandered into Petrin hill.  The old town square was packed with tourists and over priced souvenir shops.  However, given the tourist oriented nature of the square, there small side streets that were untouched by the gaudy tourists wares.  After crossing the Charles bridge, I wandered into some side streets; slowly making my way to Petrin hill and the Czech version of the Eiffel Tower.  Walking in Petrin hill was similar to walking through time.  Ivy laden stones, thickly forested paths, and deteriorating walls make for a gorgeous path up the hill.  At the top of the hill, the forest gives way to the Czech tower.  From this vantage point you can see the wonderful city of Prague.

Petrin Tower atop Petrin Hill.  From here you can see...

Prague and Rainbows!!!

With all the sites to see, it was difficult to get to all of them in one day.  As such, tomorrow I will go on a walking tour of Prague and try and visit the majority of the sites.