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Czech Republic : Prague - January 2010

Country Code: Dial 0 for Czech Republic

There is no better place to begin the new year than in the lovely Czech capital, with its cosy pubs, storybook lanes and breathtaking landscape. The annual Prague Winter Festival – a fiveday showcase of classical music, opera and ballet – starts on 2 January. Julie O’Shea rolls out the red carpet

Getting around

Ruzyne International Airport

Bus: The number 119 bus runs between the airport and the Dejvicka metro station (which is on the A line) every 7 to 20 minutes. Tickets cost €1/CZK 28 and are valid for 60 minutes on weekdays and 90 minutes on weekends. They can be used on all buses, trams and metros.
Taxi: A taxi ride to the city centre from the airport will take about 30 minutes and cost approximately €25/ CZK 704, but always negotiate the price before you set off.
Tourist information: 46 Vinohradka, Prague 2 (tel. , www.czechtourism.cz).

STARE MESTO

Spend an afternoon winding through the bustling streets of the city’s Old Town.

Sleep soundly – Built during the 14th century, the charming Hotel Cerny Slon (1 Tynska, tel. , hotelcerny slon.cz, rooms from €64/CZK 1,650) is just steps away from Old Town Square.

Culture vultures – Enjoy a concert by the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra at the Rudolfinum (12 Alsovo Nabrezi) or Mozart’s Don Giovanni at the famed Estates Theatre (1 Ovocny trh). Both are featured performances in the Prague Winter Festival (praguewinterfestival. com), which runs from 2-6 January.

Must eat – With over 50 pizzas to choose from, there’s a reason why Pepe Nero (4 Bilkova, tel. ) is considered to be one of the best pizzerias in Prague.

Must drink – Come try a shot of absinthe or enjoy a couple of rounds of reasonably priced Czech beers at Chapeau Rouge (2 Jakubska), which often has a live band on tap.

Dance the night away – Klub Karlovy Lazne (198 Smetanovo nabrezi) has five floors of pulsating music, ranging from house, trance and techno to rap, hip-hop and rock.

NOVE MESTO

The city centre, also known as the New Town, is where to get your cultural fix.

Sleep soundly – Bunk down right in the middle of the action, at Hotel Esplanade Prague (19 Washingtonova, tel. , esplanade.cz, rooms from €81/CZK 2,106).

Culture vultures – The State Opera House (75 Legerova) and the National Theatre (1 Ostrovni) will also be participating in this month’s Prague Winter Festival, with productions of Verdi’s Othello, Puccini’s Tosca and Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin.

Must eat – An authentic Czech pub, hidden down a tiny side street, Therapy (30 Skolska, tel. ) has a great daily lunch menu and a smokefree back room.

Must drink – A city landmark, Café Louvre (22 Narodni) has an understated elegance, as well as some of the thickest hot chocolate in town. The mulled wine is also a must. Apparently Kafka and Einstein were satisfied customers.

Dance the night away – Boasting five bars and an eclectic mix of local and international DJs, the exclusive Klub Duplex (21 Vaclavske Namesti) is the perfect place to dance the night away with the beautiful people of Prague.

SMICHOV

This quiet area packs in a lot of great restaurants and cosy cafés.

Sleep soundly – The always reliable Ibis Hotel (14 Plzenska, tel. , ibishotel.com, rooms from €59/ CZK 1,534) is very good value.

Culture vultures – Tour the fascinating Villa Bertramka (169 Mozartova), which has a permanent exhibition of letters, pictures, manuscripts and other mementos of Mozart’s stay. He composed part of Don Giovanni here.

Must eat – Andelka (22 Radlicka, tel. ) and U Lipy (237 Plzenska, tel. ) both serve traditional Czech fare. Here’s your chance to try some goulash and fried cheese dishes.

Dance the night away – Futurum Music Bar (7 Zborovska) hosts live concerts on Wednesday and Thursday nights and plays tunes from the 80s and 90s on Fridays and Saturdays.

ZIZKOV

This trendy neighbourhood has a wild nightlife and pub scene.

Sleep soundly – Curl up at the reasonably priced Hotel Aramis (31 Zerotinova, tel. , hotel aramis.cz, rooms from €90/CZK 2,340), which serves a tasty breakfast buffet.

Must eat – The Akropolis Restaurant (27 Kubelikova, tel. ) is one of the few spots in town that closes late – 12.30am most nights – and offers a mix of Tex-Mex and Czech cuisine.

Must drink – Order a classic cosmo or a daring chocolate martini at Bukowski’s (86 Borivojova), a popular neighbourhood cocktail bar with funky-chic décor.

Dance the night away – An ex-pat hangout, the Blind Eye (26 Vlkova) keeps the drinks and music coming until the early hours of the morning.

Compiled by Julie O’Shea