During the past few decades the Czech Republic has slowly been emerging as a popular tourist destination, favoured particularly by the discerning traveller seeking culture and charm.

However, most visitors still tend to explore no farther than the capital, Prague: fewer than 10 percent of tourists venture into the countryside, which means they are missing out on a treat. Prague, westernised and cosmopolitan, is a beautiful city of spires and a visual feast of medieval, baroque and art nouveau architecture. Leave the city behind and visitors will find a magnificent undulating landscape of mountains and plains, forests and farmland.

The Czech Republic is divided into two geographic and cultural sections, Bohemia and Moravia. Bohemian spa towns and laid-back Moravian wine villages seem to be in a time warp, welcoming visitors as though they are living museums of a refined and relaxed rural lifestyle. There are more than 100 castles dotted around the countryside, ranging from forbidding fortresses to elegant chateaux, all open to the public.

The Czech countryside is also a major drawcard for hikers, cyclists and cross-country skiers, with hundreds of kilometres of marked trails criscrossing the landscape.

Pilsner Urquell Brewery

Address: U Prazdroje 7 Pilsen

Admission: Kc120 adults, Kc 70 children Daily April to September 8am-6pm, October to March 8am-5pm. Tours in English conducted daily at 12:45pm, 2:15pm and 4:15pm.

Telephone: +420 377 062 888

The Castle District (Hradèany)

Address: Prague

Admission: Full ticket: 350 Kc (adults), 175 Kc (concessions); includes the Old Royal Palace, the permanent exhibition, the Basilica of St George, Convent of St George - National Gallery and the Golden Lane/Daliborka Tower. Individual tickets also available Interiors, daily 9am to 6pm (4pm in winter). Castle grounds, daily 5am to midnight (April to October) and 6am to 11pm (November to March). Gardens closed in winter. The changing of the guards ceremony takes place every hour, but the flag ceremony is only at 12pm

St Vitus Cathedral

Address: Castle District (Hradèany) Prague

Admission: Entrance is free. A ticket for the crypt and main altar is 100 Kc Daily 9am to 5pm (April to October), 9am to 4pm (November to March)

Charles Bridge (Karluv Most)

Address: Prague

Old Town Square (Staromstské Námestí)

Address: Staré Msto Prague

Admission: Town Hall tour 50 Kc, concessions available Town Hall tower open Monday 11am to 6pm; Tuesday to Sunday 9am to 6pm, closing an hour earlier in winter

The Jewish Museum

Address: U Staré školy 1 Prague

Admission: 300Kc (adults), 200Kc (children 6-15) Daily except Saturday from 9am to 6pm (April to October), 9am to 4.30pm (November to March). Jewish Cemetery opens Tuesday to Thursday, 9am to 1pm.

Telephone: 222 749 221

Vyšehrad

Address: V Pevnosti 159/5b, Prague 2 Prague

Admission: Vysehrad Gallery: 20 Kc; the Brick Gate: 20 Kc; Casemate: 50 Kc. Concessions available. Entrance to the grounds is free Daily 9.30am to 6pm (April to October), 9.30am to 5pm (November to March)

Telephone: 241 410 247 or 241 410 348

Ceský Krumlov

Address: Prague

Karlovy Vary (Karlsbad)

Address: Prague

Kutna Hora

Address: Prague

Museum of Communism (Muzeum Komunismu)

Address: Na Pøíkopì 10 Prague

Admission: Adults: CZK180; Concessions available. Daily from 9am to 9pm including holidays, except 24 December

Telephone: 224 212 966

Prague Astronomical Clock

Address: Old Town City Hall Prague

Miluniæ and Gehry's Dancing House

Address: Rašínovo nábøeží 80 Prague

Petrin Observation Tower

Address: Mala Strana, Prague 5 Prague

Admission: 60 CZK (adult), 40 CZK (child) January to March: Saturday and Sunday 10am to 5pm; April: daily 10am to 7pm; May to September: daily 10am to 10pm; October: daily 10am to 6pm; November to December: Weekends and Christmas holidays 10am to 5pm

Telephone: 257 320 112

Petrin Hill

Address: Lesser Town, Prague 1 Prague

Prague Toy Museum

Address: Jiøská 4, Prague 1 Prague

Admission: 60 CZK (adult), 30 CZK (child) 9:30am to 5:30pm

Traffic Rules Playground Prosek

Address: Litvínovská 500, Prosek, Prague 9 Prague

Admission: 10 CZK for an adult with a child Monday to Friday; 10am to 7pm (June to August), 1pm to 6pm (April, May, September and October)

Kostnice Ossuary

Address: Kutna Hora

Admission: Adults 50 Czech koronas; Children 30 Czech koronas April to September 8am-6pm; October and March 9am-12pm and 1pm-5pm; November to February 9am-12pm and 1pm-4pm.

Šumava National Park

Address: Ceský Krumlov

Franz Kafka Museum

Address: Hergetova Cihelna, Malá Strana Prague

Admission: Kc120 adults, Kc60 students Daily 10am-6pm.

Telephone: 257 535 507

Bellevue

Address: Smetanova nábrezi 18, Stare Mesto Prague

Food Type: International

Francouzská Restaurant Municipal House

Address: Námìstí Republiky 5 Prague

Food Type: French

U Fleku

Address: Kremencova 11 Prague

Food Type: Gastropubs

Buffalo Bill's

Address: Vodickova 9, Stare Mesto Prague

Food Type: Tex-Mex

King Solomon Strictly Kosher Restaurant

Address: Siroká 8 Prague

Food Type: Kosher

U Vejvodu

Address: Jilská 4, Prague 1 Prague

Food Type: Gastropubs

Rybi Trh

Address: Týnský dvùr 5, 110 00 Praha 1 Prague

Food Type: Seafood

Radostfx

Address: Bìlehradská 120 00 Praha 2 Prague

Food Type: Vegetarian

La Degustation

Address: Hastalská 18 Prague

Food Type: International