When walking, turn the corner on Malostranke Namesti, and you can go right toward Old Town across the Bridge (photo at left), following Mostecka Street (past the amusing grocery store BioMarket, with the indifferent cashiers and good yogurt!).

Or you can turn left up the hill toward the Hradcany Castle, following the traditional "Royal Walk" on Nerudova. There was stunning architecture everywhere you looked, such as the entry to the Italian Embassy with the giant birds guarding the gateway.

The higher up the hill we walked, the steeper it got! The street, the old "Royal Way," was lined with tourist shops and restaurants.

Interestingly, it did not seem as touristy as I expected. There were certainly a lot of small tacky stores, but most were of a decent quality. There were also many shops selling that beautiful Prague specialty, Bohemia cut crystal glass. We shopped for Bohemia crystal in several, and wound up buying a few pieces along the way.

I have to admit, the cobblestones and ice gave my knees a bit of the old "rheumatiz."

Near the top, Nerudova became quite steep. It led onto a stairway that entered onto the castle courtyard.

Along one side of the courtyard were stupendous views, looking out over Prague. And the courtyard itself was quite majestic and lovely.