Daytrippin'

Looking for a way to escape the city, but don't have the cash or time to go very far? Fortunately for Praguers, there is a wealth of interesting cities and towns within easy reach for an afternoon out or a whole day, each with something unique to offer, be it a touch of history, stunning architecture or locally produced wines - or in some cases, all of these and more. Here are suggestions for three places that offer something a bit different than the well-beaten tourist paths to Český Krumlov and Kutná Hora. You're more likely to get some peace and quiet, as well as any excitement or nightlife you're looking for, in any of these destinations. For more information on travel connections, check Idos.cz.

Hradec Králové

Visiting this historic royal dowry town in northeast Bohemia is like traveling back in time to the 1920s and '30s, its architectural heyday, when the town was known as "The Salon of the Republic." Architects Jan Kotěra and Josef Gočár contributed significantly to the unique look and feel of Hradec, fashioning buildings in Art Nouveau and Art Deco stylings that have stood up to the test of time and are as breathtaking today as they were back then. After being a pivotal spot involved in everything from the Hussite Wars to the Czech National Revival in the 19th century, the town has a lovely main square, Velké náměstí, dotted by colorful chocolate-box Baroque and Renaissance houses. Today, the town is a buzzing university metropolis, with several institutions of higher learning, and the student atmosphere lends well to a buzzing variety of impressive restaurants, cocktails bars and pubs, all within stumbling distance of the town's best hotels, right on the square.

Getting there: Trains from Prague Hlavní nádraží, approx. 1 hr 45 min

What to see: Kotěra's impressively built Museum of Eastern Bohemia; the complex of houses on Masarykovo náměstí; J. K. Tyl's Grammar School, which is named after the famous local writer and dramatist; the hydroelectric station; Gočár's Staircase; and the wooden Eastern Orthodox Church of St. Nicholas (in Jirásek's Gardens) transported from Carpathian Ruthenia in 1935

Litoměřice

At the confluence of the Labe (Elbe) and Ohře rivers, the town of Litoměřice rises up from this lush, lowlands area that gained the pet name "Garden of Bohemia" in the 17th century. Volcanic outcrops provide an impressive background, and the town itself - unique as a cathedral town - is a tight knot of cobbled alleyways, beautiful facades (Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque) and cultural monuments. The main square houses the City Museum, which features an interesting exhibit of the town's history and role in World War II (and Terezín, a former concentration camp, is just a 20-minute bus ride away). The town was also particularly beloved by the Czech Romantic poet Karel Hynek Mácha, who died there. The rolling natural surroundings also make for great hiking and biking, as well.

Getting there: Trains from Prague Hlavní nádraží, approx. 1 hr 20 min ; bus from Nádraží Holešovice, approx. 1 hour

What to see: St. Stephen's Cathedral, All-Saints Church, Annunciation Day Church, City Museum, Black Eagle House, town catacombs, House at the Chalice

Mělník

This Bohemian wine town, which is twinned with Tokaj in Hungary, is a perfect place to while away a day or a weekend, be it wandering the cobbled streets and hopping into museums or cafés or venturing into the extensive Kokořínsko national park, which begins just a few kilometers from the town. The main draw in Mělník is its candy-colored Lobkovitz Chateau, which overlooks the confluence of the Elbe (Labe) and Vltava rivers, as well as the spread of vineyards. Wine production here dates back millennia, and Mělník is also home to an ossuary, or bone church, which is sure to provide a creepy (if morbid) thrill. Visit the local museum for a taste of Mělník dating back to prehistoric times, descend to the underground network of connected cellars beneath the main square, or just park yourself at one of the many bars and cafés that spill out onto the sidewalks and sample the local harvest.

Getting there: Trains from Prague Hlavní nádraží, just over 1 hr; boat trips from Prague (See Melnik.cz for more info)

What to see: Lobkovitz Chateau, Mělník Ossuary, Old Town Hall, catacombs, Sts. Peter and Paul Gothic tower, town museum

Fiona Gaze can be reached at
fgaze@praguepost.com