It's likely to be a confusing journey. There are few major streets and fewer still that are in a straight line. Rather, they curve and go off at angles. There are no street signs, just occasional green ones on the side of corner buildings. One of the more typical scenes in Prague is of people standing on street corners, maps out, fingers pointing in one area and a look of confusion on their faces.
But walking is safe and drivers are among the most courteous1 in Europe. They actually stop to allow walkers to cross without them having to worry about getting pummeled2. (Perhaps it's because locals tend to walk on the streets as much as they do on the sidewalks.)
The sights of Prague are quite a sight. Old Town, a magnificent castle, classic buildings and views from high above Prague are a short walk from city center.
CHARLES BRIDGE
Prague's splendor3 begins with the Charles4 Bridge, the city's most frequented landmark. The Gothic5 structure was constructed in 1357 for Czech King Charles IV. It is lined with artists, musicians from many countries who make a simple living because they love Prague so much. Paintings, portraits, jewelry and CDs from bands playing on the bridge are sold along the edges.
PRAGUE CASTLE
Looking down on the city like a watchful parent over a playground is the Prague Castle. Walking the grounds and looking at the buildings is free. One of the most popular attractions is the changing of the guards at the main gate, which occurs every hour.
AROUND THE CASTLE
Surrounding the castle is a small and steep village with a monastery6, restaurants, shops and one of the best Czech bars in Prague. Crystal shops, so popular in Prague, are less crowded here along the main street of Nerudova. At the top awaits a park with one of those views. By the time one locates The Black Bull—it will be time for a good, strong Czech beer. Go in, sit down and order a beer. This is a favorite spot of the Czech national hockey7 team coach.
OLD TOWN SQUARE
While the Charles Bridge may bridge any of Prague's cultural gaps, Old Town Square is the city's true heartbeat. This is the primary hangout8 area where one can feel the pulse of the city's activity. It is surrounded by outdoor cafes and two churches—including a strange astrology9 clock, which attracts tourists when the clock changes time every hour—it's the gateway to the main part of Prague. A maze10 of streets leads to Old Town Square, filled with shops, restaurants and watering holes11. Exit to the north, through the arches, and one of the city's best bars—Chateau12 Rouge—awaits. To the south, past the outdoor afternoon market, is Mozart's house13.
DINING IN PRAGUE
Here's one fact about dining in Prague: If it's meat, it's served here. People in the Czech Republic consume more meat than just about any place on the planet. There's no shortage of plates with pork or beef, so enjoy it. Menus with prices are posted outside just about every restaurant so it's easy to stroll along and see the choices.
布拉格之行很可能会让你晕头转向。这里的大马路极少，笔直的大马路就更少了。它们迂回曲折，彼此以各种角度相交。没有路牌，只是偶尔在拐角建筑物的一边出现绿色标志。在布拉格更为典型的情景就是：游客们站在街道拐角处，摊开地图，指指点点，面露困惑之色。
但在布拉格步行非常安全，这里的司机在整个欧洲是最有礼貌的。实际上，他们会停下车，等行人穿过马路而无被撞之虞。（这也许是因为当地人在大街上行走的频率和在人行道上相当所致。）
布拉格的风景相当值得一看。老城区、宏伟的城堡、古典建筑以及从布拉格高处尽收眼底的风景，这些离市中心都很近。
查尔斯桥
布拉格的壮观始于查尔斯桥——城中最具人气的地标。这座哥特式建筑建于1357年，旨在纪念捷克国王查尔斯四世。桥两侧住满了来自许多国家的艺术家和音乐家，他们因为对布拉格的热爱，所以来到这里过起了俭朴的生活。沿桥往前，一路上艺术家们在卖油画、肖像画、珠宝，还有在桥上表演的乐队出售自己的唱片。
布拉格城堡
布拉格城堡俯视着布拉格城，就像一位忧心忡忡的家长看着游戏场一样。在城堡中漫步、观看各种建筑是免费的。最受欢迎的景观之一就是大门警卫的换岗仪式，每隔一小时举行一次。
城堡周围
环绕城堡的是一个小而险峻的山村，村中有修道院、餐馆、商店和布拉格城中最好的捷克酒吧之一。水晶店在布拉格很受欢迎，但这里涅鲁达瓦大街旁的商店却较为冷清。山顶还有一个风景很好的公园迎候着你。当你在黑牛酒吧落座——正是饮用上好浓郁的捷克啤酒的时候。进来，坐下，点一瓶啤酒。这里是捷克曲棍球队教练最喜爱的地方。
老城广场
查尔斯桥可能融合了布拉格的各种文化差距，但老城广场才是这座城市真正的中心。这是人们经常光顾的首要场所，在这儿可以感受到城市活动的脉搏。古镇广场被露天咖啡厅和两个教堂所环绕——其中还有一座奇异的占星钟，当这座时钟每隔一小时报时时，就会吸引游客观看——它是通往布拉格主城区的大门。迂回曲折的街道都通向老城广场，沿街到处是商铺、餐馆和酒吧。通过北出口，穿过拱门，城中最好的酒吧之一——红古堡——等候着你。从南出口，经过露天午后市场，就是莫扎特的故居。
吃在布拉格
这里有一个关于布拉格饮食的真情：只要是肉，这儿就有卖。在捷克共和国人们消费的肉食比地球上任何地方都多。这里从来不缺盛满猪肉或牛肉的餐盘，所以尽管享用好了。几乎家家饭店门外都张贴着标有价格的菜单，因此游客闲逛时能很方便地看到可供选择的佳肴。
1. courteous adj. 有礼貌的
2. pummel v. 击，打
3. splendor n. 壮观，辉煌
4. Gothic adj. 哥特式的
5. Czech adj. 捷克斯洛伐克的
6. monastery n. 修道院
7. hockey n. 曲棍球
8. hangout n. 经常去的地方
9. astrology n. 占星术
10. maze n. 迷宫
11. watering hole 酒馆；酒吧
12. chateau n. 城堡
13. 莫扎特曾在布拉格住过，他创作的歌剧《唐璜》也在此首演。
14. ordeal n. 严酷的考验，痛苦的经验
15. pickpocket n. 扒手
16. spire n. 尖塔