178. Prague Castle

What is Prague Castle?

It's the largest ancient castle in the world, covering 70,000 square metres. It dates from the 9th century and is the official residence for the President of the Czech Republic. 

What's Prague Castle like?

Pete and I visited almost 50 places on this Lonely Planet list and I remember every single one of them...apart from Prague Castle. I have no memory of it at all. I'm sorry. 

Where is Prague Castle?

Prague, Czech Republic 

When did we go?

November 2005 

How did we get there?

Prague was our first holiday - I had to go there for a conference and so Pete met me afterwards. It was November, so grey and dull, but at least that meant fewer tourists. We also saw the Old Town Square (removed from the 2020 edition) and Charles Bridge (208). 

Where was Prague Castle in the 2015 Lonely Planet Ultimate Travel List?

172. It dropped 6 places.

Does Prague Castle deserve its place in the 2020 Lonely Planet Top 500? 

I couldn't tell you.

208. Charles Bridge

What is the Charles Bridge? 

It's a pedestrian bridge in Prague that crosses the Vltava River to connect the Old Town to the castle. It is said that construction began at 5.31am on 9 July 1357 because Charles IV, King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor, believed in numerology and thought that having this specific palindrome (1357 9, 7 5:31) would give the bridge strength.

What is the Charles Bridge like?

We saw it in damp November so it probably wasn't at its best. Most of the pictures you see show it covered in snow when it looks really beautiful, but it still had a historic air about it and Prague itself is great. 

Where is the Charles Bridge?

Prague, Czech Republic

When did we go?

November 2005

How did we get there?

Prague was our very first trip - I had to go there for work and so Pete met me out there afterwards. It was November but on the plus side, that meant fewer tourists. We also saw the Old Town Square (removed from the 2020 edition) and Prague Castle (178).

Worth noting: 

There are 30 statues along the bridge of saints including St Christopher, St Wenceslas and more.

Where was the Charles Bridge in the 2015 edition of the Lonely Planet Ultimate Travel List?

34. It dropped 174 places.

Does the Charles Bridge deserve its place in the 2020 edition of the Lonely Planet Top 500?

Probably - it is a very impressive bridge and Prague is lovely. It definitely didn't deserve to be top 100 though, so this is a better position.

Old Town Square, Prague

What is it: It's a pedestrian square in the middle of Prague that contains the old Town Hall and a medieval clock that dates back to 1410 - every hour a little procession of the Apostles, Death, and other figures move around.
What's it like: It's a proper old European square with cobbles and houses that look like something from a fairy tale.
Where: Prague, Czech Republic 
When: November 2005 
How: Prague was our very first holiday - I had to go there for work and so Pete met me afterwards. It was a bit grey in November, but on the plus side that meant fewer tourists. We also saw the Charles Bridge (208) and Prague Castle (178).
Worth noting: The square appeared in the film Mission Impossible. 

Place in the 2015 edition: 44
Did it deserve to lose its place in the top 500: I'm not sure - possibly not.