Bathrooms and showers were ensuite and there were shared kitchenette facilities of which we took full advantage. Cost was $38 U.S. per night in 1997. The owner's name is Vladimir Tesar and we found him to be very helpful.

http://www.czechia.com/holiday/ or http://www.holidayhome.cz

While in Prague rise early and head out to the Charles Bridge. The early morning light silhouettes the towers throughout the city. Additionally, it may be the only time the bridge isn't packed.

Don't miss the Obecní dum. The restored municipal house is one of the greatest examples of secessionist architecture around. Plus, the murals of Mucha.

When visiting the castle be sure and head a little further up the hill into the neighborhood of Novy Svet. This is an interestingly quirky 15th century neighborhood. Located in this neighborhood was a pension named U Raku that we hope to stay at whenever we return to Prague, tel.# 35 14 53.

Here are a couple of restaurants we dined at to which we would return.

Restaurant Nepomuk Located at Hradcanske namesti 12 Tel 02/20513863

This restaurant was in the Novy Svet neighborhood (a 15th century neighborhood adjacent to the Castle you must visit), on the plaza just behind the entry to the Castle. Although we stopped in just for pastry and coffee just after they opened at 9:00am the menu looked intriguing. Bohemian cuisine with emphasis on fish and game. Photos of a visit by Pope John Paul II prominently displayed in entry way. Very friendly &helpful staff virtually dragged us in when we stuck our heads in the door to see if they had opened yet.

Restaurant U Cizku Located at Karlovo namesti 34 Tel. 29 88 91

Open daily noon to 2:30pm and 5:00pm to 10:00pm

Czech cuisine. I had a nice meal of roast goose, dumplings (of course), and a potato/cabbage side dish. Sara had a delightful soup which I cannot recall exactly. This place was in Nove Mesto (New Town) very close to the Karlovo namesti Metro stop. A painting in the restaurant is attributed to Alphonse Mucha (the great Moravian Art Nouveau painter associated with the French actress Sarah Bernhardt) who supposedly dined there often and was close friends with the owner of the time.

The Obecni Dum

I highly suggest stopping in at the cafe at the Obecni Dum (Municipal House) to take a respite and marvel at the restoration of this fantastic Art Nouveau building. Also take a tour of the building.

Hope these are helpful,

John Rule San Diego, CA