Czechia

Prague came through the twentieth century with its old town largely intact, which is why its skyline of towers and domes feels so complete. Walk across the Charles Bridge, with its statues of saints, up to the castle district on the hill, then back to the Old Town Square to watch the astronomical clock strike the hour. The Jewish Quarter, the gardens below the castle and the quieter streets of Malá Strana are worth time too.

West of Prague, Plzeň gave its name to pilsner, first brewed there in 1842, and the brewery tour is a pleasant half day. Further afield lie the spa towns of Karlovy Vary and the fairy-tale town of Český Krumlov in the south. In our programme Czechia appears in Prague city breaks, guided and Christmas market walks, photo shoots and many multi-country tours: the Golden Triangle of Prague, Vienna and Budapest by rail or private van, the Berlin to Budapest rail route and self-drive journeys from Amsterdam and Vienna.

Food and drink

Czech cooking is built for cold evenings. Svíčková, beef in a creamy vegetable sauce with bread dumplings and cranberries, is the classic Sunday lunch, along with roast pork and sauerkraut and goulash. Trdelník, the sugared pastry rolled on a spit, is sold everywhere in Prague. Beer is a matter of national pride, poured with a thick head and usually cheaper than water.

How to travel

A three or four night city break gives a good first taste of Prague. Rail is the obvious way to combine it with Vienna, Budapest or Berlin, as the trains are direct and comfortable. For Český Krumlov and the countryside, a private van tour or self-drive trip makes more sense.