SATURDAY INDEPENDENT - KIDS IN PRAGUE
We would like to take our children, aged five and eight, on a short European break before the prices start to rocket in the summer - can you suggest a good place to visit either for a day trip, or for a weekend. We would like to spend no more than 3 hours traveling each way. Mrs M Rogers, Wilts.
For a weekend break bursting with culture, breathtaking beauty and kids' entertainment, look no further than Prague. Only two hours away by plane, and with flights costing as little as £20 one way (www.bmibaby.com; www.easyjet.com) this gem of Eastern Europe has remained almost unspoilt despite impressive modernisation.
From the airport, you can either take a taxi to the city centre, which costs around 600 Kc (£14) or jump on the Number 119 bus for 20 minutes to Dejvicka station for a somewhat more reasonable 20 Kc (50p). From here it's an easy 2 or 3 stop hop on Prague 's efficient, clean underground system to the centre.
The layout of Prague 's main sights is very simple: it's a bit like a dog's bone, with Prague Castle on a hill at one end, Charles Bridge along the middle and the Old Town Square at the other end. Predominantly pedestrianised, it's very safe, and there is constant, but not overbearing, entertainment from superb jazz musicians and puppet shows.
A good way to start is with a trip up Petrin Hill . There's a funicular railway to the top, from where you get a fantastic view of the city. There's also a mirror maze which the kids will enjoy, and Petrin Tower , a one-third scale model of the Eiffel tower - the 299-step ascent is not for the faint-hearted. Also on Petrin are the Stefanik observatory, ponies for children to ride on and it's a gorgeous walk through the trees to a huge playground at the bottom.
Hiring a rowing boat from Slovanski Island is an energetic way to get an alternative view of Prague and nearby is the magnificent Hotel Zofin, which has a play area next to the restaurant outside, which is good news all round! The area called Kampa, with its grassy, tree-lined spaces, another good playground and some excellent restaurants make it a must for family visitors, and it's a another good place for an afternoon ice-cream and a rest.
The best time to see Prague Castle and Charles Bridge is undoubtedly in the evening. The changing of the guards occurs hourly, and inside are the impressive Gothic St.Vitius Cathedral, a row of tiny houses known as The Golden Lane (which most little girls fall in love with), a toy museum, cafes selling (yet more) ice cream and acres of safe, empty space for the kids to run around in.
Day two could involve a visit to Prague 's superb Zoo ( www.zoopraha.cz ; metro to Holesovice Nadrazi, then bus 112): entry is a fiver for the whole family, the enclosures are beautifully kept and we managed lunch for five people, including draft Czech beer, for £3.50!
A walk around Old Town Square (Staromestske Namesty) is a must - you may remember seeing Tom Cruise and about 100,000 gallons of water burst through a café window here in Mission:Impossible - and the hourly mechanical display of the Square's famous Orloj (pronounced orloy) Clock should amuse the little ones. A horse and cart ride from the square, through the old Jewish Quarter and around the old town is great fun and adds a touch of cheesy elegance to your day. Finally, try taking your kids to a Laterna Magika show - it's a mixture of film, visual effects and theatre and there's nothing else like it.
Prague hotels range from the magnificent (Hotel Pariz; www.hotel-pariz.cz) to the truly horrible. A good option is to rent a small apartment, which tend to be beautifully refurbished, and very comfortable. www.marys.cz has some family friendly ones.
For a day trip I'd recommend Brussels . Under three hours away by Eurostar ( www.eurostar.com ) the city is much more than the capital of Euro beaurocracy, boasting spectacular architecture and acres of parks and woodland. Oh, and fantastic chocolate. The historic Grand' Place is the place to start: a vast, pedestrian-only square lined with exuberantly ornate guild houses, it is widely held to be one of Europe's finest - this is probably also thanks to its numerous cafes selling delicious Belgian beer and Moules-frites. Mmmm. Continuing the gastronomic theme which is, let's face it, what interests kids most, waffles are a must, as that famous Belgian chocolate. Don't miss the Manneken-Pis fountain: the statue, which is, as the name suggests, a little boy pissing, is a beloved figure in Brussels and will guarantee some naughty giggling for your children. He has a wardrobe of over 250 outfits which are changed regularly. Lucky guy.
Also worth a look are the Royal Palace and the imposing House of Parliament . In between is a pretty park with fountains, trees and a lovely playground. If you haven't filled your bags with chocolate and Belgian lace then the antique shops of the Place du Grand Sablon are worth a look , and it's also a lovely place to grab some lunch. Finally, if you want to see a different face of Brussels , head to the stunning 1.23 square kilometre Bois de la Cambre. This forest and lake is where the Bruxellois stroll in their chic clothes, walk their tiny dogs, and walk off all those waffles. And chocolate.