Prague and the Czech Republic

Capturing Prague's enchantment - its lavish palaces and baroque churches, street musicians and Old World cafes - and the beauty of the Czech Republic's countryside, the "National Geographic Traveler: Prague and the Czech Republic" is the perfect travel companion. Lavishly illustrated, the guide takes you to the best sites, as well as some lesser-known ones, providing extensive background information plus tips on how best to visit each place. You'll find several three-dimensional drawings - including St. Vitus' Cathedral and the Prague Castle, along with invaluable museum floor plans. A special feature is the self-guided walking tours, which, among others, take you through the baroque lanes of the Mala Strana; and the picture-perfect Karlovy Vary, famous for its spas; while guided drives include a ramble through the exquisite villages of the Cedke Svycarsko - the Czech Switzerland - and another through the Czech Republic's land of castles. The country's turbulent history and rich culture are detailed in an extensive review in the front of the book, while lengthy sidebars - on the terrible history of Terezin and the popularity of alchemy under Rudolph II, and a primer on famous Prague pubs, to name a few - are scattered throughout. Shorter experiential sidebars exist on entertaining subjects such as marionette making, Czech cooking, berry picking, and riding the old trains. The guide begins with three chapters on Prague: its historic heart, the Hradcany and Mala Strana; the old town: Stare Mesto; and the new town: Nove Mest. You are then introduced to the rest of the Czech Republic, including northern Bohemia, southern Bohemia, eastern Bohemia, northern Moravia, and southern Moravia. A detailed Travelwise, containing invaluable travel tips and hotel and restaurant listings, rounds out the guide.