Kampa Island, Prague

Heading over to Kampa, the largest of the Vltava's islands, sounds like the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Who needs to deal with crowds when you can immerse yourself in the tranquility of cafés, old mills, and a serene riverside park?

As you make your way to the island, be sure to take in the scenic views of Prague's "Little Venice" – Devil's Stream ("Čertovka") – separating the island from the left bank. It's quite a charming touch, reminiscent of a time when water powered millwheels until they decided to retire in 1936. And let's not forget the island's illustrious past as the city's primary washhouse area, a legacy celebrated by the church of Saint John-the-Baptist at the Cleaners.

Interestingly, it wasn't until the 16th and 17th centuries that the Nostitz family got around to sprucing up the northern half of the island, leaving the southern half to remain gloriously untouched. Today, you can enjoy the southern half as a public park, complete with picturesque riverside views of the Old Town.

Lastly, you might want to take a stroll through the oval main square, Na Kampě, once bustling with a pottery market and now adorned with dainty acacia trees and graced by the grand presence of Charles Bridge, linked by a double flight of steps.

Tip:
Keep an eye out for the high-water marks from the unforgettable flood of 2002 that left its indelible mark on this quaint paradise - nothing quite like a historical reminder of nature's might, wouldn't you agree?