When people I know travel, I always ask them what there most favourite place was, and anyone who has been to Eastern Europe on that trip inevitably says Prague.  It is true to say that Prague has a good reputation as a party city and that helps alot when thats what you want but for an old fart like myself I was hoping for some good sights and interesting things to see.  See I turned 40 while we were here, yep, I'm old, and my body and mind just cant handle the late nights and drinking and dancing anymore.  Prague needed to give me Culture and that's so, so sad .....
Prague is positioned either side of the River Vltava, a tributary of the Elbe River, and has enjoyed being on ancient trade routes, both by the river and over land.  Being in such a priviledged position it naturally grew and its important went along with it.  It also needed a Castle and low and behold, it got one.  Surprisingly the Castle complex was built on a hill next to the river, and it you thought any different, you're an idiot.  In the centre of the complex was the St Vitus Cathedral, a large, sprawlling structure that looks a little out of place next to all the other Palaces that surround it.  One big problem with this place is the entrance to the inner courtyard.  You walk through a passage through the building and then come out directly in front of the Cathedral.  Here is were everyone one stops, EVE-RY-ONE, to take their photo's and causes a massive traffic jam.  Truth is the photo location just isn't the best place to take said photo, I think the 3rd floor, fourth window from the left, is the best spot but you can't get there, dammit.  While we are on the subject of crowds, there are a lot around Prague, whether it's a summer thing or not I don't know but they're everywhere.  Standing it front of the Astronomical Clock all staring up to view one of the most disappointing this I've seen, then all walking down the alleyways towards the Charles Bridge to gawk at the Defensive Towers on either end and the statues along the bridge, all stopping at the middle statue to rub the feet for good luck and then all walking up the Castle Steps to the Castle.  And that's just one walk.  The Jewish quarter is also popular and feels even more crowded due to the narrow streets that criss-cross in any direction in this suburb.  One place that we did find quiet was Petrin Hill, on the left bank just opposite the Old City.  Here you will find an Observatory, a funicular and a mini Eiffel Tower that has commanding views over all of Prague.  Walking back down the hill to all the crowds you pass an orchard which was very surprising to me, probably the most expensive orchard in the world with the views that it has over the Old City, and no fences, so when the fruit is ripe, just go and get some.
Prague was rather unlucky in WWII because it was attacked on the very day that Germany surrendered.  If this attack was to occur one day later then several of the historic buildings in Prague would have survived and today we would probably have an even better city, and therefore more tourists (not sure where they would fit though)
As I said earlier, I enjoyed my 40th in Prague.  Audrey and I decided that the first thing to do was to have a massage of the Thai variety before continuing on to other stuff.  Bad error that.  All that that did to us was hurt us and make both of us feel tired, probably due to the relaxation of some sore and tense muscles and the rest of the day was a right-off.  We both walked around like zombie's, not really looking at anything and definately not making any sound decisions.  I think that we ended up only seeing 2 things; the chocolate museum and the Powder Tower, before admitting that we should just right the day off and head back to the Hotel.
All in all I do think that Prague can justify its reputation as one of THE places to visit in all of Europe, our problem is that we are starting to see a lot of same, same and Cities are starting to blur into one another.