If you happen to be an architecture fanatic or a cheap beer enthusiast then the chances are that you'll never want to leave the Czech Republic. But if you're neither of the above then never fear, there's enough quirky and charming attractions to occupy a traveller with the shortest of attention spans.

Over the past decade, the vibrant capital city of Prague has really carved a name for itself in the world of budget travel and is now a prime destination for a weekend break or an essential stop off on a whirlwind tour of eastern European.

People flock to see the rich mélange of Baroque, Rococo and Art Nouveau architecture which managed to escape virtually unscathed from the bombing campaigns of the Second World War. The towering Gothic cathedral is a magnet for snap-happy visitors and the clock on the Old Town Hall certainly pulls in the crowds on the hour to gawp at the procession of the 12 mechanical apostles.

A wander along cobbled streets lined with shops selling both tacky and exquisitely crafted goods will bring you out on Charles Bridge. Just one note of warning – it looks like a scene from a Victorian film and it's certainly got pickpockets to rival any of Fagin's lot.

A quick hike up a fairly steep hill will take you through the picturesque Nerudova Street to the vast complex of Prague castle which still serves as the seat of the president. However, those who are so inclined can nose about the place en route the museums and galleries located inside.

But cultural things aside, Prague is also renowned for its cheap beer and legendary absinthe – try it at your peril. Unfortunately, the boom in stag and hen parties along with the explosion of young travellers intent on drinking their own bodyweight in alcohol means that prices have been upped from the days immediately after the fall of the iron curtain but never fear - they haven't reached London prices yet. Accommodation is plentiful – take your pick from dorm rooms for less than a tenner or five star hotels that won't break the bank.

But for many people Prague is the only bit they'll see of the Czech Republic and that really is their loss. A two-hour train ride will take you to the picturesque town of Cesky Krunlov where time has stood still for the past three hundred years. The opulence of the castle setting against the twisting River Vltava will make Britain seem like another universe. For those who want a very sobering experience, a trip to the barren concentration camp of Terezen, a half an hour bus ride outside of Prague will prove both emotional and reflective.

A trip out into the rolling countryside of Bohemia promises rich rewards with deep forests and medieval towns around in the south around Ceské Budejovice . To the west the spa towns of Karlovy Vary and Mariánské Lázne are home to the old drinking haunts of the European aristocracy. Towards the east, it's easy to while away the hours and escape the throng of tourists in the spectacular kaust region of Moravia

The Czech Republic is picturesque in the sunshine and spectacular in the snow so there's little excuse for not visiting. With its mixture of history, culture and charm, it's a place to lose yourself, find yourself or generally just enjoy yourself.