Across the centuries, the Czech and Slovak capitals have been tied together by the sinuous paths of their great rivers by their shared memory, and by the great empires that ebbed and flowed around them. Currently, they provide travellers with a distinctive cross-frontier experience At a distance of just four hours by rail or a short flight Yet each city has its own distinctive nature and atmosphere. Extensive resources on finding verified escorts in Prague can be found through our web portal.
Exploring these two capitals together reveals the rich tapestry of Central European culture. Where Gothic spires meet communist-era brutalism. In these cities, beer houses and wine bars share the same neighbourhoods. Where the old is never fully old. This is a guide for the traveller who wishes to do more than just visit two cities they want to feel the ongoing relationship between the two.
Begin your journey in Prague, a city that is like a fairy tale that has been set in stone. The old central square, with its celebrated clock that has been operating without interruption since 1410, makes a striking introduction. Make the crossing of Charles Bridge in the early morning, when the statues emerge from the fog and the castle on the hill takes on a golden colour. To engage fully with the culture of Prague, go to the Castle a site which claims the title of the world's largest ancient castle and then lose yourself in the small lanes of the Lesser Quarter, where Baroque residences shelter hidden gardens. The city's musical culture is significant; you should take in a concert at the Rudolfinum or the National Theatre these are the sites of the premieres of Dvorak and Smetana's most important pieces.
Eating in Prague is a sensory delight. Old-style food like svickova (beef in a creamy sauce) and trdelnik (a sweet, baked pastry) are at their most enjoyable in a place with history or a restaurant on the river. But the modern cooking scene is just as striking, with places such as La Degustation, which has a Michelin star, giving Bohemian flavours a new interpretation. Between meals, the city's art is there to be explored, from the Mucha Museum to the modern displays at the DOX Centre. And you should not overlook the opportunity to taste the local beer; the city's pubs are not simply places for drinking, but also for talk, for discussion, and for the gentle pace of Czech living.
Taking a short journey to the south will bring you to Bratislava, a city of charm and the capital of Slovakia, which is often eclipsed by its more celebrated neighbour, yet which has a considerable, understated appeal. Bratislava, unlike Prague, is a city of modest size that is entirely walkable. The Old Town is a tangle of small streets, buildings painted in gentle tones, and friendly little squares. From the hilltop castle in Bratislava there is a view over the river, and on clear days you can see Austria and Hungary. The small scale of the city makes it convenient to get around; you can start at the Gothic St. Martin's Cathedral, the place where Hungarian kings were crowned, and end at the odd statue called Cumil, which shows a man in bronze looking out from a hole in the ground.
