Czech Republic holidays

The Czech Republic is Central Europe's most visited country (after Italy) for good reason — Prague is one of the most-intact medieval-renaissance-baroque capitals in Europe (UNESCO Old Town, Charles Bridge, Prague Castle is the largest ancient castle complex in the world), the country has the world's highest beer consumption per capita (Pilsner originated in Plzeň in 1842, Budvar in České Budějovice is the original Budweiser), the UNESCO town of Český Krumlov in South Bohemia is a fairytale-perfect riverside-castle small town, the Moravian wine country around Mikulov and Lednice offers a quiet-rural counterweight to Prague's crowds, and the spa towns of Karlovy Vary and Mariánské Lázně retain a 19th-century atmospheric Belle Époque charm.

A 7-10 day Czech Republic trip: Prague (4-5 nights — Old Town and the Astronomical Clock, Charles Bridge at dawn or dusk, Prague Castle complex, Vyšehrad, the Jewish Quarter, the panoramic Letná Park, the Petřín Tower, plus the city's exceptional concert scene at the Rudolfinum or Estates Theatre) → Český Krumlov UNESCO town (2 nights) → optional South Bohemia at Třeboň or České Budějovice (1-2 nights) → optional Moravian wine country at Mikulov or Valtice (2 nights) → optional Karlovy Vary spa town (2 nights). Train travel is excellent; the country is small enough that day-trips from Prague reach most highlights.