Prague

It’s easy to be wooed by Prague. Pretty as a picture, this artistic, musical, singular city gives off a happy vibe. The aristocratic beauty of the Hradceny Castle District gives way to the old-world charm of Mala Strana and the 13th-century “New Town.” Explore along cobblestone streets, pop into cozy cafes and shop in tiny boutiques selling everything from marionette puppets to high-end Czech fashions. Venture into the depths of the Strahov Monastery’s Library to view ancient manuscripts and priceless objets d’art. Attend one of the two large music festivals held each year or take in a performance at the National Theater or Estates Theater. Visit Prague Castle with its veritable timeline of architectural history, or discover the Jewish Quarter, home to the Old New Synagogue, Europe’s oldest synagogue still in use. Art is everywhere, from the 20th-century surrealists in the Veletržní Palác to the witty David Černý sculpture found throughout Prague’s public spaces.