Multiple charms of Eastern Europe's MOST MAGICAL CITY

After its recent emergence from the stifling shadow of the defunct Soviet Union, Prague has become one of the most popular holiday destinations of Europe. Offering historic sites, architectural marvels, charming gardens, classical concerts, art galleries and museums, the city is a great educational experience

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Once the proud epicentre of Europe, the Czech republic, which borders Slovakia, Austria, Germany, and Poland, has some unique records to its credit — the world’s largest number of marked walking paths aggregating 37,000 km; the largest stone bridge; maximum number of castles per square mile worldwide; the highest per capita beer consumption and the heaviest concentration of Unesco heritage sites. Add to that its magical capital Prague, arguably the world’s most beautiful and romantic city.

With its heritage architecture untouched by natural disaster or war, few other cities in Europe are as eye-pleasing as Prague (pop. 1.3 million) which straddles the winding River Vltava. Boasting thousands of domes, cupolas, spires, and pinnacles, which speckle its unique skyline, Prague is the revered capital of the independent Czech Republic (pop. 10 million), freed from Nazi (1938-45) and Soviet (1945-89) yoke.

Despite its turbulent history, Prague retains much of its medieval grandeur with streets enriched with gothic, baroque and renaissance buildings, and monuments which have escaped the vanities and excesses of post-war redevelopment and invest this 1,140-years-old city with its distinctive character.

Little wonder that after its emergence from the stifling shadow of the former communist regime of the Soviet Union, Prague has become one of the most popular holiday destinations in Europe abounding in historical sites, architectural marvels, winding cobblestone streets, horse-drawn carriages, old-fashioned street lamps, charming gardens, classical concerts, intimate cafes and restaurants, and splendid art galleries and museums.