I was lucky enough to go to Prague  for a few days recently with my husband and two friends. It’s a very beautiful and fascinating city, and within convenient distance from the rest of Europe. Perhaps unfortunately, a Prague break is becoming extremely popular. I say unfortunately because I don’t want it to be too busy when I go back there!

The other worry is that not everyone is going to see the cultural landmarks. A Prague break has become a favorite destination for bachelor parties, or stag nights as we call them in the UK. Gangs of young, British men are descending on the city to drink it dry. This is because the flights are cheap and the beer is very cheap compared to prices at home. I’m no snob, but when I go for a Prague break, I don’t want the streets to be cluttered up with loud drunks. The same thing is starting to happen in Barcelona.

Anyway, with that rant aside, I fell in love with Prague. It’s a very elegant place and has a strange melancholy that’s hard to describe. You feel it when you walk over the Charles Bridge at twilight when the mist settles on the river.

During the day, there’s usually a jolly New Orleans style jazz band playing on the bridge, and there are artists selling views of the city. A Prague break is a must for anyone interested in history and architecture. There seems to be a church or other interesting building around every corner. The city is easy to move around, either by walking or by regular buses or trams.

The Old Town Square has a very old, working Astronomical Clock and a bookshop specializing in the works of Prague’s famous novelist Franz Kafka. After seeing this, we went on a river cruise which had a buffet and a jazz band. This was our first taste of Czech dumplings which seem to be a staple here. We kept going back for more. No Prague break is complete without seeing the Prazsky Hrad (Prague Castle), and St.Vitus Cathedral. They are both truly breathtaking.  We also went to the Royal Palace, where there was a Changing of the Guard just like at Buckingham Palace back home.

Prague has an interesting Jewish Quarter, where you can learn about the history and culture of the Jewish population in the museums. You can also go round the Jewish cemetery and synagogues. There is a list of names of those who perished in the Holocaust, making a Prague break a thoughtful occasion too.

Prague is a wonderful city for art lovers, with many galleries including the National Gallery. There is an emphasis on religious paintings. In fact, I have never seen so many crucifixions in such a short space of time. Strahovsky Klaster (Strahov Monastery) houses a number of very old libraries where some of the oldest books in Europe are kept. These are both religious and secular. Exploring the old streets and alleyways is another treat when on a Prague break. Novy Svet is one such street, where many famous people lived, including the astronomer Johannes Kepler. Some of the old houses are in the baroque and rococo style.

This wonderful city is not just about history. You can take in some great shopping and dining on a Prague break. There are lots of bars with live music and restaurants with different cuisines. My advice is to go there as soon as possible, but please not too many of you!