CZECH
REPUBLIC
There are many reasons for encouraging Prague- bound clients to venture beyond one of Europe’s most characterful capitals, says Dave Richardson
Republic as a whole, as few UK visitors venture beyond the city to see the diversity this small country in the heart of Europe has to offer.
P
Almost every agent must have sold Prague, and increasingly as a DIY rather than package destination. Low-cost fl ights operate from most major UK airports, and the city is popular with everyone from history and music lovers to the many stag and hen groups who rate Prague among the top party cities. Prague has been utterly transformed
in a little over 20 years since the end of the repressive Communist regime. The fascinating old city's make-over has not eroded its charm, and you can stroll for hours admiring Old Town Square, Prague Castle and the many nooks and crannies where so much ancient and modern history has unfolded. Reminders of the Communist era are much harder to fi nd, even in Wenceslas
rague’s huge popularity as a city break destination both helps and hinders tourism to the Czech
Square (actually a wide boulevard) where massive crowds gathered during the ‘Velvet Revolution’. Top activities include visiting the
castle, the historic heart of the Czech state; art and toys museums, and a museum devoted to the writer Franz Kafka; a night out at the opera, Estates Theatre (where Mozart premiered some of his work) or Rudolfi num concert hall; and a boat trip along the River Vltava, departing from near historic Charles Bridge. The astronomical clock in Old Town Square and shopping around Wenceslas Square are also ‘musts’. Prague’s development in recent years
has focused on its thriving hotel and restaurant scene, with the opening of many chic hotels and an explosion in culinary styles. Bars and night-spots have also developed rapidly, and you can go on a crawl visiting only Irish pubs! But don’t stick to Guinness, as Czechs
are world leaders with the highest annual consumption of beer per head. They have given the world the style of lager known
as Pils (from Pilsen) and popular brands including Staropramen and Budvar. With so much to do in the capital,
it’s hardly surprising that relatively few British visitors see anything beyond it. And yet the Czech Republic is fairly compact with most places within a two-hour trip by road or rail, from the mountains in the north to the medieval town of Cesky Krumlov in the south, close to the Austrian border. The most visited areas are in the west
and close to the German border, as this is where you’ll fi nd the most famous spa towns – also known by their German names. Karlovy Vary (Karlsbad) is the largest and best-known, followed by Marianske Lazne (Marianbad). These are places not just to take the waters and enjoy some pampering, as they are also major cultural centres with a lovely historic feel. The fi lm festival held in
Top: None of the former East European countries' capitals has enjoyed the level of tourism success that has been Prague's but Czech Republic has mich more to offer
Prague is quieter in
summer: ”Many hotels offer shoulder season rates in July and August giving some great deals” TIM CAMPBELL, MANAGER, FREGATA TRAVEL
A touch of Velvet: “Take our guided walking tour with 80-year-old
Rosa to talk about the Velvet Revolution” TED WAKE, SALES DIRECTOR, KIRKER HOLIDAYS
Go festive: “Festivals are held all summer and all over the country.”
DAVE RICHARDSON, TRAVEL WRITER
Go walkabout: “Marianske Lazne is great for relaxing scenic walks with an
amazing 50 km of paths criss-crossing its English-style parks”
TIM CAMPBELL, MANAGER, FREGATA TRAVEL
10 July/August 2012 •
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