Prague

It may be crammed with tourists but on first view of Prague, it exceeded all my expectations. Gleaming and architecturally lush, I fell in love with this splendid city on sight. Here's a visual of day one. A view of Prague from the gardens at Prazsky HradPrague hot dog stands. The perfect lunch: a sampler of Bohemian cheese and beer.We had to work off lunch so we made a long trek uphill to Prague Castle. Here's the view near the top.The splendid St. Vitus Cathedral.A fantastic stained glass window by the Czech art nouveau artist Alphons Mucha.The solid silver tomb of St. John of Neopmuk in St. Vitus. Understated, these people are not.The famous Astronomical Clock (Staromeske namesti) in the town square.The astounding Charles Bridge (Karluv most) which spans the Vltava River is dotted with numerous, elaborate statues celebrating reliqious saints. Here's one.View from the bridge.Bridge statue detail.The classic St. John of Nepomuk statue on the bridge.The Staromestske namesti.Tyn Church in the Stare Mesto.The visual candy of the architecture is everywhere.Dinner in Nove Mesto. Nothing says love like pork, potato dumplings and two kinds of cabbage.End of day one. What a glorious place.