Prague, capital of the Czech Republic, is a mysterious meld of East and West, intermingling minarets and church steeples in a colorful m'lange of shapes and styles. Located in the heart of Europe, on the interconnected routes of ancient trading roads, Prague blends ancient and modern in an enticing m'lange of styles, attractions and foods.
Don't debark on an empty stomach. The Prague Airport offers food and drink, but at prices that would make a Rockefeller blanch. If you must have something to eat, go to the McDonald's in the terminal, and save your gastronomic curiosity for the restaurants in town.
Stay in the Residence Lundborg, a four-star hotel converted from a 700-year-old house to luxurious and fairly inexpensive suites. Located in the heart of historic Prague, it's a short walk to the Charles Bridge and the castle in Old Town. The neighborhood around the Lundborg is replete with cozy, home-style restaurants. Choose from high-calorie dishes such as potato soup, or choose main courses like roast pork with dumplings or sauerkraut. Eat apple strudel for dessert; you're on vacation. Walk off your dinner by visiting Saint Vitus Cathedral, or tour the square in Old Town.
Or choose the five-star Esplanade Hotel. Just steps from Wenceslas Square in Old Town, and close to the State Opera House, the Esplanade is an Art Nouveau structure dedicated to providing restful yet luxurious surroundings and all the amenities a discerning traveler could want.
If you are looking for cheaper options, then why not try the Sax Hotel, with it's classic architecture with unique inner atrium and vistas that encompass Lesser Town, the Strahov Monastery, the castle and the old Church of St. Nicholas. The Sax is in one of the oldest parts of Prague but well kept and modernized to accommodate the discerning traveler. The prices will appeal to budget-conscious travelers. Because of its grand old age and relative seclusion, the Sax offers a visitors a more personal service which is not always found at some of the larger hotels.
Whilst on your city break in Prague, be sure not to miss the impressive medieval Astronomical Clock. Located on the south-facing wall of the Old Town City Hall, this clock - built originally in 1410 - chimes on the hour. Simultaneously, wooden figures which represent the 12 apostles pass by the window above the astronomical dial. Other figures include Death, holding an hourglass, Vanity, a man holding a mirror, and Greed, a man carrying a money bag. Other statues feature an astronomer, a time-keeper, a philosopher and an angel. If you are a fan of cuckoo clocks, you are sure to be amazed by this medieval timepiece!
Don't forget to tour the Black Tower. Originally built as a prison in 1135, past inmates have left their inscriptions on the walls for history to see. Many of these date right back to the 16th century. The name Black derives not from the tower's use but from a fire at the castle in 1541; the walls of the castle remained black for decades. The tower has not been altered since 1538, and is currently used to store various Czech archeological discoveries.
An Amsterdam city break really can appeal to anyone. No where else has such a satisfying mix of liberal madness and high-brow culture. It's quite incredible that despite all the potential for controversy, Amsterdam rarely attracts criticism and continues to appeal to people of all ages, and from all walks of life.
Amsterdam has got to be one of Europe's top city break holiday destinations, and to be honest there is so much going for it, it's hard to know where to start.
First is the ease of getting there. Schiphol Airport had been voted one of the finest in Europe and its high speed trains will whisk you the 14 km into the city centre every 15 minutes. Then there is the ease of getting around. Amsterdam has excellent tram and bus services, not to mention the canal cruises that take in all the cultural holiday hotspots as well as the beautiful byways.
Above all Amsterdam city centre is physically small and relatively quiet, with many streets-traffic free and bicycles the transport of choice for most Amsterdammers. It's a great place to wander around and so easy to take in the top cultural sights - and what treasures there are. This is the home of both Rembrandt and Van Gogh - two giants of the art world, with museums dedicated to both. Opera, theatre, dance, street theatre - Amsterdam has it in buckets.
But high art is not all that's in the frame in this cosmopolitan bowl of multicultural delights. There's the infamous Red Light District where scantily clad girls parade for custom behind neon lit windows. And there are the notorious coffeeshops where cannabis is openly sold and smoked as customers sip their cappuccinos. There is street theatre in Dam Square, open air concerts in the huge city centre Vondeldpark and one of the best zoos in Western Europe.
And for those who like nothing better than to wander, Amsterdam is a weekend city break destination like no other. The quaintly gabled 17th and 18th century houses are a Dutch delight, as are the cosy rings of picturesque tree-lined canals than encircle the whole city with their cobbled canalside streets full of boutiques, curio shops and book stalls.
Amsterdam defies its northerly location with an alfresco street cafe society that cashes in on every glimpse of sun. Add a wide and varied ethnic mix and you have the recipe for an astonishing range of cuisine, with virtually every international taste catered for - from Thai to Turkish, Icelandic to Indonesian. Add a dash of Amsterdam's home grown speciality pancake restaurants that offer an endless choice of pizza-sized pancakes and omelettes and you are guaranteed some fabulous meals.
Enjoying Amsterdam city breaks has never been easier. There is a great choice of cheap flights to Amsterdam from most UK airports and a wide range of hotels from luxury to budget accommodation. You can even book a room at a floating hotel or a canal boat. Book online and open the gates to discount airfares and cheap flights plus many holiday hotel packages that offer cheap breaks in Amsterdam.
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