Prague

At first sight, its seems as though time has stood still in Prague. Yet nothing could be further from the truth. Among the old buildings and lanes lies a new world of hip shops, bars and clubs that would be at home in many a metropolis.

By contrast, many shop windows in the broad streets are still filled with things from twenty years ago. It's a only slight exaggeration to say that very many things in Prague date back a long time. The old stop trams are a perfect example. Great when you're a tourist, less convenient when you're rushing to a meeting.

Prague is one of the world's most beautiful cities. The river Vltava, better known to us as the Moldau, divides the city in two. Its former beauty has been revived. Many of the sights are open to the public again and the restoration of the most important monuments has been completed. For those who look carefully enough, however, there are still plenty of reminders of the dark period of communist domination.

Prague has something for everybody. The city has a wealth of cultural hot spots like museums, cathedrals and palaces, but it also offers much in the way of entertainment. Everyone will find his/her favourite among the hundreds of small bars, terraces and restaurants. A major advantage is that Prague is still relatively cheap. Despite the economy's recent boom, prices are still well below those of other major European cities.

In short: Prague has to be discovered. Once you've found it, don't let go.