Vienna to Prague – a tale of two (wonderful) cities.
Walking the trails between Vienna and Prague offers not only a wonderful double capital city experience, but also the chance to discover the unspoiled, absolute jewel that is Czechia.
Our Vienna to Prague Walk highlights these two gems of central Europe – each beautiful and elegant in their own way. More than that, they are the start and end points for a trip showcasing the modern spirit of the new Czech Republic in its historic, timeless landscape at the crossroads of Europe.
We meet in Vienna: classy, fun and oozing history, before beginning our journey that will take us across the Austrian border.
The years of communist rule, when Czechoslovakia was effectively closed, meant that very little changed over the centuries. Thus, a very distinct culture survives here.
Discover a land of rural villages rich in folklore and tradition, wooded hills, rare flowers and tranquil lakes.
Sample the Czech speciality – carp – washed down with local wines and those famous beers on our way to unspoiled Renaissance towns including Mikulov, Telč, Slavonice and the almost impossibly pretty UNESCO World Heritage Site Český Krumlov.
Prague – the Czech Republic’s vibrant capital of a hundred spires – has had a reputation over centuries as one of Europe’s most beguiling cities.
More than a thousand years of building has created architectural gems from Gothic monasteries to Renaissance gardens.
The river Vltava wends its timeless way through the city and makes for a charming stroll along the banks and through the maze-like Old Town. We’ll stop to gaze in awe at the famous astronomical clock on the medieval town hall when the ageless parade of the Twelve Apostles begins as the hour strikes…
Experience… The Hotel Paris in Prague
A sumptuous neo-Gothic flavour combined with an Art Nouveau flourish makes it no surprise that the Hotel Paris has been named a national monument.
This five-star treat offers the kind of quietly luxurious charm you would expect from a hotel built in 1904.
With the striking Municipal House and historic Powder Tower right across the road, and Old Town Square a five-minute walk away, it’s pretty much in the centre of everything Prague has to offer.
Reach your extremely well-appointed room via a glamorous staircase (or the elevator!) and admire the interiors (originally by Antonín Pfeiffer), which offer vaulted ceilings in the lobby and a scattered assembly of golden statues and dark wooden furnishings. The paintings in the corridors and rooms – most of them originals – are from the personal collection of the Brandejs family that owns the building.
The restaurants offer French and traditional Czech cuisines and there’s the relaxing atmosphere of the Café de Paris coffee house. The Wellness & Spa Centre has a sauna and cooling pool, whirlpool tub and steam room, plus massage rooms for traditional Thai treatments. Perfect after our days on the trail!
Tempted to stay a little longer?
We bet you will want to arrive a little early in Vienna and extend your stay in Prague.
Great experiences in Vienna?
Visit The Spanish Riding School and see the famous, beautiful, pearly-white Lipizzaner horses in action.
Stroll through the exceptionally grand Hofburg Palace, once the beating heart of the Austro-Hungarian empire.
Walk the Ringstrasse – built to show off the best of the Habsburg empire, a stroll around the Ring is the easiest way to admire some of the city’s grandest buildings.
Do not miss the chance to sample Vienna’s signature cake the sachertorte. A luxurious combination of dense chocolate sponge, dark chocolate ganache and finely spread apricot jam, traditionally served with unsweetened whipped cream – its recipe is a closely guarded secret!
And more to see in Prague…
Start in the Old Town, cross the fabled Charles Bridge spanning the Vltava River and ascend to Prague Castle along the route the kings of Bohemia took to attend their coronation.
Take a river cruise on the Vltava River – One of the best ways to see Prague’s top sights is from the water. You can pick up a boat cruise from the New Town embankment and follow a route under the medieval Charles Bridge.
Prague’s monuments and museums dedicated to Jewish heritage comprise one of the largest such collections in Europe. The Jewish Museum explores the cultural significance of Jewish heritage in the city, and the Jewish Quarter is a superbly preserved ghetto and remains a beacon of Jewish architecture, traditions, customs and stories.
Czechs are very proud of their classical music heritage, and Prague has a wide choice of venues to hear the masterpieces of Antonín Dvořák, Bedřich Smetana, Leoš Janáček and other famous composers.
