Prague

Nestled on the winding River Vltava, Cesky Krumlov's appearance has remained almost unchanged since the 18th century. This small, medieval town in southern Bohemia is a bouquet of cobbled lanes, ramshackle red-tiled roofs and colourful houses, all of which provide picture-perfect photo opportunities. Only about two and a half hours outside of Prague, Cesky Krumlov is a wonderful weekend trip or overnight excursion. However, the charming town and beautiful countryside could easily occupy visitors for many days. One of Cesky Krumlov's most famous attractions is the Renaissance-style castle on the hill. It is a trove of covered walkways, courtyards and terraced gardens, and has a history leading back to the 13th century. Castle visitors can expect marvellous views of the town setting. Other famous attractions in Cesky Krumlov include the Egon Schiele Art Centrum, the Church of St Vitus, and the Czech Marionettes Museum. Since the town was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992, the summer months have become somewhat crowded. That said, its charm is undiminished.

Visitors to Prague enjoy photographing The Charles Bridge more than any other feature in the city. Built to replace the Judith Bridge (which had been washed away by floods in 1342), its construction began in 1357 and concluded in the 15th Century. Up until 1841, it was the only bridge in Prague, and the only means of crossing the Vltava River. The Charles was closed to traffic in 1978 and has been a pedestrian bridge ever since.The bridge's 30 statues of saints were originally erected between 1683 and 1714, and create a unique combination of Baroque and Gothic styles. A festive crowd usually strolls across during the day, with throngs of people picking their way through the happy mix of buskers and artists. The bridge is far quieter at night, though, when the crowds have left and only the statues stand guard. Under moonlight, the setting presents some beautiful photo opportunities.

Transport : Metro to Staromestská or tram 17, 18, 51 or 54

Born in Prague in 1883, renowned author, Franz Kafka, would later refer to the city as his 'dear little mother with claws'. This museum delves into why, covering Prague's influence on the man and his most famous works, including The Metamorphosis and The Trial. Through facsimiles of manuscripts, photographs, newspaper obits, and audio-visual exhibitions, the museum looks to immerse visitors in the dark, magical and mysterious place that is the author's Prague. Booklovers may enjoy the extensive personal correspondence on display, which allows great insight into Kafka and his life. All things considered, the museum is worth a visit, though not for children. That is, the experience involves lots of reading and the atmosphere reflects the mood of Kafka's fiction, which is intellectual, dark and somewhat existential.

Address : Hergetova Cihelna, Mala Strana

Website : www.kafkamuseum.cz

Opening times : Daily 10am to 6pm.

Admission : CZK 200 (adults). Concessions available.

Elegant boulevards, elaborate colonnades and brightly coloured buildings line Karlovy Vary's picturesque river valley, testifying to the town's history as a getaway for the aristocracy. It is, indeed, the queen of the Czech Republic's many spa resort towns. Tourists typically visit for health purposes, with the town's 12 hot springs garnering most of the attention. Their mineral content is famously rich in restorative and healing properties, drawing guests as blue-blooded as Tsar Peter the Great over the course of their history. Today, locals gather to fill their quaint little drinking cups, sipping as they strolling to help the water work its magic on their digestive tracts and metabolic disorders. As an alternative, many people appreciate the locally made Becherovka liqueur, which is often hailed as the 13th spring. Although most of the spa pools and sanatoriums are reserved for people undergoing treatment, visitors can still swim in the heated pool above the Thermal Sanatorium. Also, Karlovy Vary has plenty of excellent accommodation, unique souvenirs and myriad relaxing activities.

The Kostnice Ossuary, also known as the Sedlec Ossuary or the Church of Bones, is a unique experience for intrepid travellers. The medieval Gothic chapel is decorated with the remains of about 40,000 human skeletons, including an immense chandelier. While it is considered macabre by some, the skeletons belonged to people who wished to be buried in the Ossuary, which they considered a holy place. According to the display, they were all victims of the plague.The famous chandelier contains at least one example of every bone in the human body and, despite its somewhat gruesome building material, is a truly impressive work of art. There are other sculptures and decorations pieced together intricately with bones and the effect is remarkably artistic. Having said that, the Ossuary is a sacred place and the atmosphere is one of worship and peace. The effect of death turned into art is, indeed, a fascinating example of religious devotion and faith as well as a unique work of art. It's worth reading up on the history of the ossuary and the area before visiting the chapel as the experience is greatly enriched by some background knowledge.

Website : www.sedlecossuary.com

In the 14th century, Kutna Hora was the second biggest town in Bohemia (after Prague) due to the discovery of silver ore in the surrounding hills. Today, visitors come to appreciate the history of a once booming place, and to marvel at its architecture. Kutna Hora is, unsurprisingly, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its greatest monument is the exquisite church of Santa Barbara, built to rival Prague's St Vitus Cathedral. It is a Gothic achievement financed by the miners and dedicated to their patron saint, Barbara. Among the town's many churches and attractions is the Hradek Mining Museum, popular for its medieval mineshaft tours. The bizarre but fascinating Gothic ossuary, decorated with the bones of about 40,000 people and arranged into shapes, notably a chandelier, a coat of arms and pyramids, is a macabre but popular attraction. Although the town is small, there are also a number of shops, cafes, and bars that make it an interesting place to visit. Kutna Hora is only about an hour away from Prague by road. As there is just enough to see in this charming town to captivate visitors for a day or two, it makes the perfect excursion or weekend away.

This unique building is so famous, the Czech National Bank issued a coin featuring its likeness in 2005. It was the final piece in the bank's '10 Centuries of Architecture' series. Designed by Croatian-born Czech architect Vlado Milunic together with renowned Canadian architect Frank Gehry, the building was originally named 'Fred and Ginger', as it looked like a man and a woman (Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers) dancing together. The building was designed in 1992 and completed in 1996. It is constructed from 99 concrete panels, each differing in shape and dimension and, consequently, requiring a unique wooden form. The building is a popular tourist photo opportunity.The Dancing house was controversial in the past, with some thinking it contrasted too starkly with the Art Noveau style of buildings in its neighbourhood. However, over the years it has become a well-loved and supported landmark in the city, receiving worldwide praise for its innovative design and originality. Also, the Dancing House was built on a significant site, replacing a building that was destroyed by bombing during World War Two. The design is meant to be symbolic of the changes undergone by the Czech Republic from communist regime to parliamentary democracy.

Address : Rasinovo nabrezi 80

Website : www.galinsky.com/buildings/dancinghouse

The Museum of Communism is dedicated to presenting an account of the post-World War Two communist regime in Czechoslovakia, and Prague in particular. The museum covers the totalitarian regime from its inception in 1948 until its collapse in 1989. Essentially, it offers an eye-opening look at life behind the Iron Curtain, offering insight into the experiences of the Czech people during the times of the Soviet Union. With genuine artefacts on display, informative text, multimedia presentations and even a reconstructed classroom, interrogation room and soviet-era factory, the museum makes sure the memory is kept alive of what it brands 'Communism - the Dream, the Reality, and the Nightmare'. The museum covers all aspects of the totalitarian regime, including daily life, the army, education, sport, politics, economics, propaganda, censorship, and art. All in all, this little museum gives visitors a very real sense of what the city has been through.

Address : Na prikope 10

Website : www.muzeumkomunismu.cz

Telephone : 224 212 966

Opening times : Daily from 9am to 9pm including holidays, except Christmas.

Admission : CZK 190 (adults). Concessions available.

The heart of the old city and its marketplace since the 11th century, Prague's Old Town Square still hosts a variety of markets, the favourites being the whimsical annual Christmas markets. In the centre is the odd Art Nouveau monument to the religious reformer, Jan Hus, a national symbol for the Czech people. The Old Town Hall features Prague's ornate, Gothic Astronomical Clock. It shows three different times, and draws throngs of people on the hour, who gather to watch the brief mechanical performance of apostles, Christ, a skeleton and a rooster. Tourists can climb the tower for a behind-the-scenes look at the mechanics of this beautiful clock, and to enjoy a great view of the city from the top. There are two magnificent churches on opposite sides of the square: Prague's greatest Baroque building, St Nicholas, with its distinctly visible dome, and the even more striking Tyn Church. The latter is a fabulous Gothic structure, with its twin spires a noticeable feature on the Prague skyline. This square and its unparalleled Gothic architecture feature prominently on postcards of the lovely Prague and it's easy to see why. There are also a number of other attractions on the square or nearby, including the Kafka Museum.

Address : Stare Mesto

This small town in Bohemia has a brewing tradition that goes back centuries. King Wenceslaus II of Bohemia founded the City of Pilsen in 1295 and gave its 260 citizens the lucrative right to brew the beer, spawning more than 200 microbreweries. In turn, they developed the famous Pilsner brewing methods that still produce some of the best beer in the world. The Pilsner Urquell Brewery opened in 1842, and is still Pilsen's main attraction. It actually houses two separate breweries that make Pilsner Urquell and Gambrinus respectively. Visitors can tour both breweries and can learn about the history of beer at the museum. Aside from its beer, Pilsen tends to be overlooked as a travel destination. However, travellers can enjoy exploring a variety of museums dedicated to everything from ethnography and history to puppets. The town itself is pleasant to walk through and has some beautiful buildings to see, including the 15th-century Town Hall, the Cathedral of St Bartholomew, and the Great Synagogue. As might be expected in a town famous for its beer, Pilsen has a lot to offer regarding restaurants and pubs. There are many places to try local Czech cuisine, and bars serve coveted unfiltered beers, which are considered far superior to the filtered exports.

Website : www.prazdroj.cz

Transport : Pilsen is around a one-hour drive from Prague, or one hour forty minutes by train.

Prague's medieval astronomical clock, also known as the Prague Orloj, is mounted on the southern wall of the Old Town City Hall, and is popular with tourists eager to watch the clock's show every hour. It comprises three main components, namely the astronomical dial, which represents the position of the sun and the moon in the sky, 'The Walk of the Apostles' showing moving sculptures, and a calendar dial with medallions representing the 12 months. The show begins with Death, represented by a skeleton, pulling the bell cord with one hand while holding a Clessidra (hourglass) in the other. The Apostles then come out of the windows in a procession and return back inside. Once the windows close, a cockerel flaps and crows in an alcove followed by the chimes of the hour. The parody is accompanied by the Turk shaking his head, the Miser watching his bag and Vanity admiring himself in a mirror, and makes a wonderful spectacle for visitors to Prague. All in all, the hourly show lasts about three minutes. Otherwise, visitors can climb the tower and see the clock mechanisms from the interior. They can also enjoy great views of the Old Town Square from the top.

Address : Old Town City Hall

Situated within the Castle Complex, St Vitus Cathedral is an elegant but domineering French Gothic structure. With its spires soaring above the ramparts, it is the county's largest church, and contains numerous side chapels, frescoes, tombstones and beautiful stained-glass windows. It literally sparkles with all the finery inside. The most ornate chapel contains the tomb of St Wenceslas, the 'Good King Wenceslas' of the Christmas carol, which has become something of a pilgrimage site. The Coronation Chamber houses the Bohemian Crown Jewels and the crypt is where most of the kings and queens of Bohemia have their final place of rest. The southern entrance to the cathedral, the Golden Gate, is decorated with a richly gilded coloured mosaic depicting the Last Judgement, which dates from 1370. The Last Judgement mosaic is one of the artistic treasures found in the Castle District, and is a very impressive work. St Vitus Cathedral is a must-see attraction in Prague..

Address : Castle District

Website : www.hrad.cz/en/prague-castle/guidepost-for-visitors/st-vitus-cathedral.shtml

Transport : Tram 22 or 23 to Prazsky Hrad

Admission : Entrance is free. Small amounts are charged for entry to some areas.

Sumava National Park is one of the Czech Republic's dearest treasures. Located in two southern regions, the area has nurtured Europe's wildlife since the earliest days. Visitors tend to feel this history. The striking landscape features wise, low mountains, rushing streams, peat bogs, and crystal-clear glacial lakes, all of which delight the eyes and nourish the spirit. Hikers and bikers can expect a wonderful selection of trails. Indeed, some of these paths may well have served ancient Celts, who lived, and fought, and loved one another within the forest's borders. The park's resorts are a favourite among skiers during winter, while Lake Lipno is a summer haven for water sports. Spring is popular with nature lovers, as it is perhaps the best time to see the park's array of flowers and birds. Autumn, on the other hand, is spectacularly colourful. Visitors can choose a hotel or cottage in the park itself, or stay in one of the historic towns on its edge. These include Prachatice, Cesky Krumlov, and Kasperske Hory.

Website : www.npsumava.cz/en/2004/sekce/homepage

The Castle District stretches across the top of the hill overlooking the city, and incorporates the best churches and museums in Prague. It is set around three courtyards, immaculate gardens, fortifications and state apartments. The dominant feature is St Vitus Cathedral, which occupies most of the third courtyard. The Castle was founded in the 9th century and is still the official residence of the president. The Old Royal Palace was home to the Kings of Bohemia from the 11th to the 17th centuries. The Royal Apartments and Vladislav Hall, where Bohemian knights once jousted, kings were crowned and presidents are sworn into office, can be visited, as well as the little chapel next door. Next to the red façade of the Romanesque Basilica of St George, lies the Benedictine Convent, housing the National Gallery's remarkable collection of old Bohemian art. Behind the gallery is the picturesque cobbled alley known as Golden Lane, a row of 16th-century tradesmen's cottages, brightly coloured and built into the fortifications. Visitors can watch the Changing of the Guard on the hour every hour, with the fanfare and flag ceremony included at noon.

Website : www.hrad.cz/en/prague-castle-for-visitors

Transport : Tram 22, 23 or X-A to Prazsky hrad, or metro to Hradcany

Opening times : Interiors, daily 9am to 5pm (4pm November to March). Castle grounds, daily 6am to 10pm.

Admission : There are a variety of ticket options. Circuit A, which includes most of the main attractions, costs CZK 350. For full pricing information see website listed above.

Situated in the old Jewish Quarter, The Jewish Museum's exhibitions are spread over a variety of buildings and synagogues, including the Maisel, Spanish, Klausen and Pinkas Synagogues, the Ceremonial Hall, the Old Jewish Cemetery, the Robert Guttmann Gallery and the Education and Culture Centre. The origins of the collection are astonishing in their atrociousness. Objects from 153 Jewish communities throughout Bohemia and Moravia were brought to Prague by the Nazis in 1942, to be used in a planned 'museum of an extinct people' after their extermination programme was complete. The Pinkas Synagogue was turned into a Jewish memorial after the Second World War and its walls are covered with the names of the Czech victims, the communities they belonged to and the camps in which they perished. The Old Jewish Cemetery is one of the oldest surviving Jewish burial grounds in the world, while the Old-New Synagogue is the continent's oldest working synagogue.

Address : U Stare skoly 1

Website : www.jewishmuseum.cz/en/info/visit

Telephone : 222 749 211

Opening times : Daily except Saturdays and Jewish holidays, from 9am to 6pm (27 March to October), 9am to 4.30pm (November to 25 March).

Admission : CZK 300 (adults), CZK 200 (children 6-15).

Sitting on a hill above the Vltava River, The Vysehrad Citadel has played an important part in Czech history for over 1000 years, serving as a royal residence, religious centre and military fortress. Today, many still view it as Prague's spiritual home. The citadel's centerpiece is the Church of St Peter and St Paul, its twin spires of the Neo-Gothic Saints Peter and Paul Church visible from as far away as Prague Castle. No other site in the city has as much distinction attached to it. Behind the church is the Slavin Cemetery, where many distinguished Czech artists, scientists, doctors, poets and academics are buried. The hill also boasts one of Prague's original rotundas, the Rotunda of St Martin, which dates from the 11th century. From the battlements the view of the Vltava Valley is superb, and many tourists in Prague come to Vysehrad simply to take pictures of the impressive vista.

Address : V Pevnosti 159/5b, Prague 2

Website : www.praha-vysehrad.cz

Telephone : 241 410 247 or 241 410 348

Transport : Metro to Vysehrad on the C line.

Opening times : Daily 9.30am to 6pm (April to October), 9.30am to 5pm (November to March)

Admission : Vysehrad Gallery: CZK 20; the Brick Gate and Casement: CZK 60 (including guide); Gothic Cellar: CZK 50. Concessions available. Entrance to the grounds is free.