Holidays to Prague

Prague, the capital city of the Czech Republic, is one of Europe's top travel destinations thanks to its fascinating history, beautiful architecture and lively (and inexpensive) nightlife. Home to 1.3 million Czechs, Prague has a long history. The capital of the kingdom of Bohemia until the early 20th century, it was also the base of several Holy Roman Emperors, including Charles IV in the 14th century. City breaks in Prague allow visitors to experience its history and culture and enjoy friendly Czech hospitality.

Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) is a few miles northwest of the city, and there's a shuttle bus making direct journeys to the Prague's main railway station throughout the day. Flights to Prague depart from several UK airports, including Manchester and London's Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, Stansted and London City airports. Flights to Prague from the UK take around two hours, and UK citizens won't need a visa to visit the Czech Republic for a weekend in Prague.

After booking your flight to and hotel in Prague, you will need to get Czech koruna for your break, although some larger hotels and restaurants may accept euros. While Czech is the main language in Prague, many people speak some English or German. The city is one hour ahead of the UK.

Prague's climate varies greatly from summer to winter. Summer temperatures reach an average of 25°C, while the thermometer regularly dips below 0°C in the winter months. There are plenty of good reasons to take package holidays in Prague in winter, however, including the vast Christmas markets that spring up all over the city.

A boat trip along the River Vltava is a great way to start your weekend in Prague. You can see many of the city's most famous sights from the river, and many of the cruises serve food and drinks. Walking tours are another great way to explore the city and learn some interesting facts that you won't find in guidebooks. Check out the small shops and artisan galleries in the Old Town for typical Czech products, or raid Havel's Market for bargains. Designer labels are sold in the high-end stores in Pa?ížská.

Prague comes to life at night, when its bars and beer halls welcome locals and visitors alike. Prague pubs, usually called hospoda or pivnice, are the best places to go for traditional Czech beer and food. Though their menus are often limited to platters of meat and cheese, these places usually serve their beer in large tankards and are a blast. U Zlatého Tygra, one of Prague's oldest drinking dens, is known for being the place Bill Clinton visited with former Czech president Václav Havel.

There's so much to see and do in the Czech capital, from cultural museums to historic palaces and churches. While it can be difficult to fit everything into one weekend, there are some attractions that are must-sees on city breaks in Prague:

• The Charles Bridge, a 14th-century stone structure, allows pedestrians to walk between Prague's old and new areas.
• The 10th-century Old Town Square, the city's oldest, is home to many Gothic buildings, while grand Wenceslas Square, home to the Czech Republic National Museum, dates from the 14th century and is half a mile long.
• Prague Castle, a mix of different architectural styles, boasts buildings and additions from Roman and Gothic times as well as the 20th century.
• The beautiful Gothic St Vitus Cathedral is the resting place of three important Czech saints: Vitus, Wenceslas and Adalbert.
• Enjoy some modern architecture at Frank Gehry's unusual Dancing House office building, which has a restaurant on the top floor that's open to the public.

If you also have time to explore the surrounding area, you can also rent a car in Prague.

What to eat in Prague

Czech cuisine tends to be on the hearty side, with lots of meat and potatoes. Worth trying is Vep?o knedlo zelo, a typical Czech dish made of roast pork, stewed cabbage and potato dumplings. Street food such as grilované klobásy, grilled spicy sausages served in a roll, and smažený sýr, deep-fried cheese served with fries, will keep you fuelled as you explore the city on package holidays in Prague.

Visitors with a sweet tooth are well catered to in Prague as well. Try trdelník, a type of rolled pastry usually served warm with a dusting of sugar or cinnamon, or pala?inky, traditional Czech pancakes often served stuffed with jam or chocolate. Prague is famous for its fine beers. Try ubiquitous bottled Budvar or specialist beers from microbreweries in small pubs.

What to bring back from Prague

Artisans in Prague are well known for their wooden toys and handmade puppets, which make great gifts for younger family members. Older friends and family might prefer a few bottles of Czech beer or Becherovka, a typical Czech liqueur and the perfect thing to warm you up on a cold evening. This popular herbal drink's recipe is a closely guarded secret.

Garnets have a long tradition in Bohemia and the Czech Republic. If you'd like to purchase earrings, pendants or keyrings made from the precious stones, make sure to ask for a certificate of authenticity. Bohemia is also famous for its crystal, and you can buy beautiful, delicate crystal glasses and decorative items in shops throughout Prague, whose assistants will often help you wrap your gifts carefully for your flight home.