Central Europe: Prague

Central Europe is known for its affordability even during tourist season (you can get across the Tatras Mountains for less than the price of a Parisian croissant), but imagine the open doors during low season….

Money-Saving Alert
Train and bus travel are the most convenient means of transport in central Europe; look into Eurail passes to save some dough. Also, mix and match to suit your tastes, as most of the major cities are not more than a day apart via train.

Day 1-2:
Catch the red-eye from the States to Prague (specials can run as low as $400 for selected dates in October through February). Before you depart the tarmac, keep in mind Frank Kafka’s comment: “Prague never lets you go… this dear little mother has sharp claws.” A traveler could spend a hearty two weeks in Czech’s capital, but when you’ve given yourself the same amount of time to see a good chunk of central Europe, departing is especially painful. Assuage any disappointment by taking full advantage of the time you have here: drink in all you can of the artistic and architectural grandeur (not to mention the absinth and pilsners).

The ninth-century Prague Castle, presiding over the Vltava River, is the city’s premiere site. Other must-see spots include Golden Lane, the row of 16th-century houses behind the castle, so named because it was once the center of alchemy (Number 22 was Kafka’s home, one of several residence the scribe occupied while living in Prague). In Old Town, cafes and galleries entice visitors on their way to Charles Bridge. To avoid the bustle of tourists and to catch the city in its most favorable light, walk across this pedestrian-only 13th-century bridge at sunrise, then grab a coffee and wait for St. Nicholas Cathedral to open—the interior should not be missed.

Day 3-4:
The Czech Republic, divided between the regions of Moravia and Bohemia, has over 100 castles; some, like the fairytale structures of Karlstejn Castle and Konopiste Chateau, can be visited on a day trip from Prague. You could see all of them—public transport is reliable and frequent—but those with limited schedules should select one of the two regions.

Visitors, including Beethoven, frequently chose Bohemia for its rejuvenating spa towns and opulent outdoor arenas. Combine a little activity with the water’s curative nature by paddling three hours along the Ohre River from Loket (50 miles northwest of Prague) to western Bohemia’s Karlovy Vary. Also known as Karlsbad, this is the region’s most-famous spa town with off-season rates that justify a visit.

While in Bohemia, head north to the Czech Switzerland National Park for miles of hiking and sandstone structures (the largest natural sandstone bridge in Europe), canyons, and caves. For those less interested in paddling or staying overnight, buses travel the 75 miles to and from Prague several times a day.

The region of Moravia, while not as visited, has enough charm to capture the visitor’s camera lens. Known for its quaint wine villages, vineyards, and orchards, the region is home to the town of Olomouc, second only to Prague in historical vestiges. Other must-sees in Moravia include Moravsky Kras, an area of more than 1,000 limestone caves (four easily accessible to travelers). Trains run regularly from Prague to Olomouc and the region’s capital, Brno. From Olomouc, grab a train to Warsaw, Poland (six-and-a-half hours).

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Courtesy of tourism-review.com