City breaks in Europe make for a perfect long weekend, with more than 800 enticing destinations to choose from. The majority can be reached within a few hours from the UK, whether by plane or by train. One popular destination for a short break for many Brits is the Czech capital of Prague.
The city is just a two-hour flight from London, with planes also departing from Leeds, Manchester, and Birmingham. Nicknamed “the City of a Hundred Spires,” it’s known for its Old Town Square, with its colourful baroque buildings, Gothic churches, and the medieval Astronomical Clock.
Completed in 1402, pedestrian Charles Bridge is lined with statues of Catholic saints, the most famous being that of St John of Nepomuk.
According to the legend on the base of the statue, Wenceslas IV had him trussed up in armour and thrown off the bridge in 1393 for refusing to divulge the queen’s confessions.
Another popular site for visitors is St Vitus Cathedral, which took almost 600 years to build.
It is one of the most richly endowed cathedrals in central Europe and is pivotal to the religious and cultural life of the country.
The cathedral houses treasures that range from the 14th-century mosaic of the Last Judgement and the tombs of St Wenceslas and Charles IV.
It also contains the baroque silver tomb of St John of Nepomuk, the ornate Chapel of St Wenceslas and art-nouveau stained glass by Alfons Mucha.
Prague’s former industrial areas have been transformed into arty hubs and a hip avant-garde restaurant scene.
One restaurant to try out is La Degustation Bohême Bourgeoise, whose recipes are based on a 19th-century Czech cookbook but refined to impress any of today’s gourmands.
It has received rave reviews on Tripadvisor, with many awarding the Michelin-rated eatery a five-out-of-five.
“An amazing experience. We loved everything about this restaurant,” enthused Ramon L.
“The ambience was great, even the chandeliers have been designed with care and to match Czech cuisine. The food was absolutely delicious, served with an incredible (and generous) wine pairing.
“Service was absolutely superb. Great knowledge, friendly, super helpful, and not at all pretentious- quite the opposite!”
One of the best times to visit this historic city is in May, when day time temperatures reach a pleasantly warm 20C.
