| When planning a weekend getaway, most | | | | Prague is divided into distinct districts, or "praha", |
| travelers think of places that are easily accessible | | | | with most of the historic and cultural attractions |
| and relatively local. Yet with many airlines and rail | | | | located in Praha 1. For nightlife, consider Praha 3, a |
| services offering reduced weekend fares, there's | | | | district known for its bohemian flavor and wide |
| no reason not to expand your horizons to more | | | | variety of pubs, clubs and restaurants. |
| distant locales. Combined with last minute hotel | | | | - Vienna is well-known as a city of romance, but |
| deals, the savings can be significant, resulting in a | | | | the wealth of historic buildings, including castles and |
| surprisingly inexpensive -- and somewhat exotic -- | | | | cathedrals, as well as scores of museums and |
| getaway. | | | | galleries make this city a great getaway, even |
| - For rest and relaxation, along with a wealth of | | | | when romance is not on the ticket. Consider |
| historic and cultural sites, consider Budapest. This | | | | visiting the city during the Christmas holidays to |
| capital city -- formed of the twin cities of Buda | | | | visit some of the most splendid Christmas |
| and Pest -- has been famous since Roman times | | | | markets in the world. The markets offer an ideal |
| for its thermal springs and popular spas and | | | | spot to rest during your exploration of the city's |
| bathhouses that dot the cityscape. Castle Hill, a | | | | sights, and visitors and locals alike gather at the |
| UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers remarkable | | | | markets to drink punch and mulled wine and |
| architecture that can take the better part of a | | | | sample the local fare. |
| day to explore. | | | | - As one of the largest cities in Eastern Europe, |
| - A little further north, the Latvian capital, Riga, | | | | Bucharest offers visitors a split personality, |
| also offers its share of unique architecture, | | | | boasting both historic gems and contemporary |
| history and cultural sites, including a | | | | sites that date to the reign of Nicolae |
| world-renowned collection of German Art | | | | CeauÅYescu. Of the latter, one of the most |
| Nouveau architecture, known as "Jugendstil". Be | | | | notable is the parliament Palace, the world's |
| sure to stop at the tourist information office in | | | | second-largest building. Constructed in 1984, this |
| the main square of the Old City for a booklet | | | | 3,100-room building offers a stark contrast to the |
| describing two walking tours of the city. During | | | | reconstructed traditional buildings located in the |
| the off-season, the city offers a wide range of | | | | city's open-air Village Museum. The city's active |
| cheap hotels and discounted attractions. | | | | nightlife scene is becoming well known among |
| - The Czech capital Prague is a huge city with an | | | | students and tourists who enjoy clubbing and |
| expansive sightseeing district and a vibrant | | | | after-hours venues. Easily accessible by air and |
| nightlife, and is an ideal spot for a weekend | | | | rail, all of these cities offer great last-minute hotel |
| getaway. It's also a great place to find last-minute | | | | deals for tourists who are looking to expand their |
| hotel deals, especially during the off-season. | | | | holiday options. |