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Prague Castle - 90 min

26.08.2011

Kate UK

There’s something comical about a person on a Segway. They float along effortlessly, carefully maintaining their balance as they subtly lean to alter their course, which all comes across a bit robotic, as if they are trying to keep a coin clenched between their buttocks. Nevertheless, it’s always looked like immense fun to me, not to mention an effortless way to get around, so when I learnt about the various Segway tours around Prague, I had to have a go.
This does not mean I wasn’t nervous, however. On the contrary, I expected to step onto the platform and find myself quickly acquainted with the tarmac floor, like Charlie Chaplin trying to use a skateboard. But I was wrong. The Segway is a fantastic machine which can be mastered almost immediately; lean forwards and the wheels will move ahead, pull your body backwards and the wheels will slow to a stop, tilt yourself to one side and… you get the idea.
There are several Segway tours around Prague, all of which explore the city’s beauty and architectural splendour, and most of which start from different places, meaning you are sure to find a tour located conveniently for you. My tour left from Malteske Square, led by an exceedingly friendly Segway guide who spoke good English, and headed towards Karmelitska Street, past the popular church that houses the world-famous Child of Prague. I’d rather hoped we might be able to take the Segways for a spin inside the church, but alas, it wasn’t to be.
It didn’t take long to get to the magnificent Little Town Square, which boasts the glorious St. Nicholas Church, where we stopped to take a few photographs before heading up a steep incline along the narrow Nerudova Street. Had I done this by foot, I’d have lost half my body weight through sweat by the time I reached the top. Instead, I mounted the summit in style, like Katherine Middleton arriving at Westminster Abbey… except she had a Royal entourage, of course, and didn’t use a Segway.
The lack of required effort gave me the opportunity to absorb the street during my ascent, where I saw a collection of delightful old burgher houses and inns which still bear their original names, harking back a number of centuries to a time when they accommodated visiting merchants and noblemen. A sharp turn at the end of the street and I stood before Prague Castle, commanding a vantage point that looks across the entire city.
The guide, informative as ever, discussed the history of the castle before leading on to Castle Square, past the elegant palaces, galleries and ministerial buildings, and into the peaceful lanes of Petrin Hill, allowing us plenty of time to admire Strahov monastery and church, as well as the unforgettable views across Prague.
Eventually, it was time to make our descent. Our Segways took us gently past the cobblestone streets upon which stand the embassies of some of the most powerful nations on the planet, across the southern side of Little Town Square, and finally onto Charles Bridge, the highlight I’d been most looking forward to. In the dusk sunlight it was resplendent, glowing like a golden vein across the Vltava River.
‘Are we in a hurry?’ I asked our guide while soaking up the essence of Prague from its most famous bridge. ‘Not at all’ he replied. It was a suitably relaxed conclusion to a fantastic tour of our wonderful city, and I was sad to bring it to an end.

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