Czech Republic Vacation Rental Self-Catering Apartments, Condos, Houses, and Castles.

The Czech Republic is still all things to all people. From the pulsing capital Prague to the back-in-time villages of Moravia, from toiling up mountains to lounging in spas, from the world-famous Pilsner to the strains of Smetana and Dvořák, there's an experience to suit every taste.

Stunning architecture is not limited to Prague - there are plenty of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque facades in other towns, and significantly fewer tourists. Among the richest are Kutná Hora in Central Bohemia; Cheb, Loket and Domažlice in western Bohemia; Olomouc in northern Moravia; and Telč and Kromêříž in southern Moravia.

Prague Castle is the most popular and visited sight in Prague. Its history goes back to the 9th century and has always been the seat of the Czech rulers. Nowadays it is the seat of the president Vaclav Havel. The castle has three courtyards. There are the information office, restrooms, post office, money exchange, emergency, restaurant, fast food and shops. Do not miss to visit St Vitus Cathedral (Gothic landmark), beautiful gardens Na valech and Rajska zahrada (go down the stairs from the third courtyard), Golden Lane (also visit the second floor). The castle is open daily from 5 am to 11 pm (to midnight from April to September). Most sights are open from 9 am to 5 pm except Monday.
 
Small Quarter (Lesser Quarter, Lesser Town, Little Town)
Small Quarter (Mala Strana) is squeezed on the hill between the Prague Castle and Vltava river. Narrow streets, Renaissance buildings and palaces, Baroque churches and palaces give Mala Strana its present charm. Do not forget to visit the Church of St. Nicholas, beautiful church with huge green cupola. It is open from 9 am to 5:30 pm in summer, to 3:30 in winter.
 
Kampa
Kampa is the most picturesque part of Mala Strana. As a matter of fact it is an island. Tourists often call it Prague's Venice because buildings rise straight out of water. Do not forget to visit the Kampa park. There are a lot of young foreign (and mostly flower) people lying on the grass and playing music every weekend in summer. Also do not miss John Lennon Wall.
 
Charles Bridge
The most famous bridge in Prague was completed in about 1400. It is really nice walk across the bridge. You could admire Baroque statuary, grand views up and down the river. There is an army of tourists squeezing on the bridge in summer the whole day. To have the bridge to yourself you should get there by about 8 am. In summer you can climb up into the two towers at the ends of the bridge.
 
Old Town
Old Town has been working heart of Prague ever since the 10th century. Many of buildings have Gothic insides and Romanesque basements. Many of buildings received its Baroque face in rebuilding in 17th and 18th centuries after a huge fire. Do not forget to walk through the Royal Way from Powder Tower, down Celetna to Old Town Square along Karlova and over the Charles Bridge to Mala Strana and Prague Castle.
 
Old Town Square
Square has always been Prague's heart since the 10th century and was its main marketplace until the beginning of the century. Do not forget to visit Old Town Hall (open daily from 9 am to 5 pm except Monday) with its Astronomical Clock. Enjoy beautiful view from its the 60 meter tower. Visitor Center is located next to the astronomical clock. Do not miss the gothic Church of Our Lady Before Tyn.
 
Wenceslas Square
The square has always been the center of cultural, financial and everyday life. There are a lot of theaters, cinemas, restaurants, shops, stores and banks around. Do not miss to visit St Wenceslas Statue near metro station Muzeum and enjoy the view on the square from the stairs in front of the National Museum.
 
Petrin Hill
This 318 meter hill is actually a network of eight parks. It is great for cool, quiet and romantic walks and for jogging. Petrin is easily accessible by foot from Hradcany and Strahov or by the cable car (daily from 9:15 am to 8:45 pm every 10 or 15 minutes) from Ujezd. There is the Petrin Tower, the Observatory and The Maze at the top of the hill. Do not forget to visit the rose flower garden next to the Observatory. It is beautiful in May and June.
 
Petrin Tower
From many parts of Prague you can see the Eiffel Tower silhouette on the horizon. This small copy of Eiffel Tower is located on Petrin Hill. Tower was built for the Prague Exposition in 1891. Usually you can climb its 299 steps for only 25 Kc daily from 9:30 am to 6 pm. Some of the best views of Prague are from here.
 
The Old Jewish Quarter (Josefov)
Prague's former Jewish ghetto is located in the Old Town within Kaprova, Dlouha and Kozi streets. The Jewish community was wiped out by the Nazis during World War II. Today a few thousand Jews live in Prague, compared with some 50.000 in the 1930s. Do not miss the Old-New Synagogue, High Synagogue and Old Jewish Cemetery. You can also visit Jewish Town Hall, Klaus Synagogue, Ceremonial Hall, Pinkas Synagogue, Maisel Synagogue and Spanish Synagogue.

Czech country has long history and there are almost 1000 castles and ruins throughout. Within reach half day trip from Prague are dozen really nice chateaux and castles. We are sure you will not wish to see all of them :-) but you should know three of the most popular, at least.
The castles and chateaux are usually open from the beginning of April to the end of October (from 9 am to 6 pm in May, June, July, August and from 10 am to 3 pm in April, September and October). Karlstejn Castle and Krivoklat Castle are open all the year round.

Karlstejn
The most photogenic and the most popular castle in the Prague neighborhood is located 28 km south-west of the city. Karlstejn was founded by Charles IV in 1348, remodeled in the 19th century. It is open year-round except Mondays. Foreigners are expected to buy an English guided tour at 90 Kc. Czech language guided tour is at 20 Kc but is not as good as the English one. The castle is about 30 minutes by train from Railway Station Smichov (Nadrazi Smichov). It is a really nice short day trip. There are a lot of shops on the way up to the castle from the village. You have a chance to buy Bohemia Crystal there much cheaper than in Prague. If you like delicious Czech cakes and pies visit the bakery in the left curve to the castle. You can't miss it, just smell :-)

Konopiste
The French style castle from 13th century got its neo Gothic face in the 1890s. It is open May to August. You can enjoy two really cool guided tours. For each you can join a Czech group for 20 Kc or take a 70 Kc English tour. The castle is located 44 km south-east of Prague. Take the train from the Main Railway Station (Hlavni Nadrazi) to Benesov. It will take an hour to get there. Benesov is nice small provincial and a kind of drowsy town. The castle is about 30 minutes walking distance from town in a beautiful park with a lake. It is a nice and calm long day trip particularly if the weather in summer is nice. If you are hurry or the weather is not the best, take a tour with a travel agency. Buy the tickets from the Visitor Center.
 
Krivoklat
The castle is located 40 km west of Prague and was built in the late 13th century. You can enjoy the prison, torture chambers and the second biggest non church Gothic hall there (after the Vladislav Hall in Prague Castle). Half the pleasure of going is getting there by train up the wooded valley. From Railway Station Smichov (Nadrazi Smichov) take a train to Beroun. Then transfer to the Rakovnik-bound one car train. Krivoklat is open June to August. It is a romantic train ride and nice long day trip. On weekdays you will find none of the crowds associated with place like Karlstejn. If you are hurry or the weather is not the best, take a tour with a travel agency. Buy the tickets from the Visitor Center.