We get the 10:29 No 17 tram from Troska, 600m from the campsite, into Staromestska where Nick's cousin, Petruska, is waiting to show us around her home-town.

Our tour starts with a walk around the Jewish Quarter where we see some ornate buildings, including one covered in dark green motifs and Jewish stars. This is one of the first Cubism buildings, as Prague is where Cubism began.

We wander past Petruska's original home and through a narrow courtyard that was once a customs post for people entering the city. It leads around to Wenceslas Square a huge place which has a statue of King Wenceslas sitting on his horse. We also see the balcony above Marks and Spencer where the Velvet Revolution was announced. From there we go into an old arcade where there is mimic of that statue done by a renegade artist, only this horse is hanging upside-down by the legs with the king sitting on its belly.

Our next point of interest is Halveska, where Petruska lived for over 40 years in an apartment overlooking the colourful street market below. The building has one of only two original baroque doors in Prague.

All around are elegant buildings, 5 to 6 storey and decorated with carvings, mouldings and balconies. Many have the typical Bavarian gables at the top.

Old town Square is surrounded by such buildings, but the focal point is the astronomical clock, and a large crowd is gathered for the 1:00 'show'. At the hour, bells ring, statues turn in the windows a and a brass skeleton tugs a bell rope. Although it's mechanically very clever, it doesn't really live up to its promise.

Meantime a text from Nick and Grete tells us they have arrived so we arrange to meet for lunch. At the restaurant Petruska treats us all to a traditional dish of roast duck with cabbage [like saurkraut] and potato dumplings, washed down with local beer.

Afterwards we make our way past the astronomical tower and on to Charles Bridge, which is famously lined with statues. Also along the walls are small jewellery stalls and portrait/caricature artists.

We wait by the bridge for the tram to take us to Petruska's flat for coffee and cakes.

Refreshed again, a long walk takes us through the thick stone walls of the old fortress at Vysehrad and through a park, down to the river where we get the tram back to the campsite.