Summertime in  Prague, when the sun is shining and the city is crowded with visitors from all over the world,  is a great time to  escape to a special place right in the heart of town: the sinuous, sparkling Vltava River. Boasting a series of charming islands and running right through the center of Prague, the Vltava offers beautiful views and plenty of opportunities for adventure.

In high school, I was lucky enough to take part in an exchange program in the Bavarian capital, and every time I visit again, I fall a little more in love.

But, when one only has a short time in a city as vibrant as München, what's the best way to fill those fast fleeting hours?

So you’ve crossed the famed Charles Bridge (Karlův most) - well, now what? Fret not, because the surrounding area is one of the most beautiful in Prague. Here are some of the lesser-explored areas right at the feet of the Charles Bridge.