Prague adventure

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Explore all Prague has to offer with a stay at a Venere hotel - from castles to cycling, the Czech capital has it all.

For a country with such rich historical traditions, it's amazing to think that the Czech Republic has only been around since 1993. By beginning your journey through the country in a Prague hotel, you can sample all the nation has to offer, from castles and chateaux to the individual characters of Bohemia and Moravia.

It makes sense to begin your Czech voyage in Prague, the country's capital and largest city. Since the collapse of communism in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the city has really opened itself up to visitors. Boasting approximately 1,100 years of history, it's remarkable that the Czech capital has only really been a city break destination for the last 20 years or so.

With the advent of cheap flight carriers, hotels in Prague suddenly became more accessible. And with more routes springing up all the time from major and regional UK airports, you can be sure of finding a value for money and conveniently timed flight to the Czech Republic. You can even kill two birds with one stone and book your hotel and flight online, so you can begin planning your holiday in earnest.

If you've decided to begin your Czech adventure in the capital, what should you consider seeing? Well, first and foremost, how about introducing yourself to some bare essentials, namely the mainstays of Czech food and drink. The central European country boasts some of the finest beers in the world, and you can forget about the gastro pub prices back home. Beer Czech-style is inexpensive, and they'll be no frustrating queues at the bar thanks to the magic of table service.

Czech cuisine is pretty meaty, while vegetables also feature highly on the country's menus. Visitors are encouraged to try knedliky, which roughly translates as boiled and sliced dumplings. One of the most popular meals is roast pork with dumplings and Sauerkraut, while another dinner time favourite is marinated beef sirloin.

Most people staying in Prague hotels are aware of the city's reputation as 'the city of a thousand spires', but foodies often refer to it as 'the city of a thousand restaurants'. After a day's exploring the city's historic Old Town, or taking a walk along the River Vltava, you're sure to have built up an appetite - so be brave and ignore the international restaurants and try something Czech. If you're worried about not understanding the menus then you needn't be - most are printed in English and German as well as the local lingo.

Central to Prague's appeal is its castle, arguably the most important building in the Czech Republic's history. Not only has it seated presidents of the country in its current form and its previous incarnation as Czechoslovakia, in times gone by it has also served as the seat of holy Roman Emperors.

The first thing you'll notice about Prague Castle is its size, and visitors are usually recommended to devote at least half a day to exploring it and its grounds. It's so large, in fact, that the Guinness Book of Records lists it as the world's largest ancient castle. Climbing to the top offers superb views of the city's skyline, and from up here it's easy to see why the Czech capital has the reputation of being one of the planet's most beautiful cities.

Summer is an excellent time to spend a few days in Prague - the winters here can be pretty cold because the city is located such a distance from the sea, but during the summer temperatures are mild and pleasant. Why not take a romantic stroll along Charles Bridge? Wherever you decide to explore in Prague, just about every cobbled street and building has its own story to tell. And with such a wealth of history to explore, UNESCO has designated much of the city centre on its list of World Heritage Sites.

Once it's time to leave Prague, where should you think of visiting? Travellers who have developed a taste for Czech beer often head to the brewery towns of Plzen and Ceske Budejovice, which are located in the west and south of the country respectively. Wherever you go, however, you'll be struck by the friendliness of the Czech Republic's people, who are keen to embrace their status in a new, contemporary Europe while clinging on to their heritage and age-old traditions.

Most of us have heard of Bohemia, but how many of us could point to it on a map? Time for a bit of education - this ancient land takes up approximately two thirds of the west of the Czech Republic. Many visitors to this idyllic part of central Europe soon discover that The Netherlands isn't the only cycle crazy place on the continent - in Bohemia, Czechs of all ages get on their bikes as soon as spring arrives.

Bohemia is something of a haven for cyclists. Home to countless, clearly signposted cycle paths, those wanting a bit of fresh air and the chance to explore the Czech Republic on two wheels can take advantage of the region's stunning lakes, lush forests and numerous small villages.

The Czech Republic's other well known region is Moravia, which is somewhat quieter than its Prague and Bohemia neighbours. Moravia is home to the country's second city, Brno, in addition to the quaint towns of Olomouc and Telc. The region is certainly able to offer the genuine Czech Republic experience, and if you want to sample the best of the country without the crowds, you should consider a visit.

Brno isn't dissimilar to Prague - despite having a population of less than half a million people, it manages to retain the feel of a cosmopolitan city. Some travellers believe Brno has an almost Parisian air thanks to its majestic tree-lined streets and green open spaces.

The Czech Republic is still relatively new on the global tourism scene, but with more travellers and city breakers discovering its charms, isn't about time you gave the country a chance? Begin your journey with one or two nights in Prague and let your Czech adventure commence!

05 July 2010