SET Pragu - Finding the Real Beauty of Ancient City When the Czech Republic flung open its doors to foreign tourism in 1989, its capital of Prague experienced one of the most sudden floods of tourists the world has ever seen. After a lonely 50-plus years behind the Iron Curtain, the city was besieged by travelers from all over the world, and within 10 years, over 17 million people were visiting the country annually about 90 percent of them heading exclusively to Prague for its magnificent architecture and cheap Bohemian beer. Almost overnight, the city was transformed from the hidden jewel of the former communist world to the most toured city in Eastern Europe. For each of the last 11 years, the number of visitors has been steadily increasing, causing some to conclude that Prague's allure has significantly diminished as a result. Don't believe it. Prague is one of the few places in the world where even with an annual tourist influx that nearly equals the population of Australia, the natural charms of the city still shine through. Yes, there are cheap T-shirt-shops everywhere; and yes, the foot traffic on Charles Bridge resembles Shinjuku station in Tokyo at 6 p.m. But Prague remains one of the most beautiful cities in the world, with a look and atmosphere that seem frozen somewhere in the 19th century. In short, this city is a "can't-miss" destination. The key to enjoying it alongside throngs of other visitors is to follow a few simple guidelines. You cannot come to Prague without visiting Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, the Jewish Quarter, the Old Town Square and Vaclavske namesti (also known as Wenceslas Square). But the real fun of being here is just wandering around the city, and just about any area of the city will do for that. There's no reason to limit yourself. For museum lovers, less crowded options include the Alphonse Mucha museum, which pays homage to this leading figure of the Art Nouveau movement, and the Prague Municipal Museum. The latter has a realistic three-dimensional paper model of the city made by Antonin Langweil in 1837. It's a truly unique piece, guaranteed to be unlike anything you've ever seen before. The best part about it is that the museum is almost always empty, even in summer. Prague's more low-key hidden gems are the parks of the upper Mala Strana district. It's quite a hike to get there, but well worth it: There are several sprawling public gardens with apple and pear trees (free for anyone to pick) and small forests. It's a great place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, and the view is unmatched. If you don't feel like walking, there's also a portion of the park that's accessible by cable car. This bridge, begun in 1357, is one of Prague's most famous landmarks, with its quaint gas lamps and religious statues lining its 550-meter-long path over the Vltava River. But on a summer afternoon, it can be so crowded that it's even hard to stop to take a picture. The solution: Visit at sunrise. It's not easy to wake up early when you're on vacation, but a 5 a.m. visit to the bridge gives you a chance to stroll across it safely and feel what it must have been like for residents of the city hundreds of years ago. It's also a good chance to see the city wake up. This can't be missed. First, fight your way through the crowds on Old Town Square and catch the hourly chiming of the famous astronomical clock. The clock dates from the beginning of the 15th century, and every hour a procession of the Twelve Apostles appears from behind a door on the clock. Next, make sure you climb the tower itself. The view from above puts the square essentially the heart of Prague in perspective. And it affords some of the best pictures possible in the city. Czech cuisine is palatable, though not exactly world-class. But one area where Czechs excel is beer. If you take a bus or train through the Czech Republic, one of the dominant features of the landscape will be the endless fields of hops. This translates to endless quantities of great beer. Cheep beer. A pint of good pilsner in a bar will cost no more than 90 yen. The Czechs know their beer: Pilsner was invented here, as was a type of beer known as "Budweiser" a name which was later taken by the U.S. company Anheuser-Busch for their famous, if not bland brew. Two of the most well-known brews today are Pilsner-Urquell and Budvar ("the original Budweiser," as they advertise), but sampling the different varieties is one of the best parts of visiting Prague. And if the crowds start to bother you, a few pints will make you forget.