Psssst! Want to hear a secret before everyone else finds out? Prague, a snow-dusted, almost mythical, stunningly beautiful city located along the banks of the Vltava River in the heart of Europe, is "the" place to be during the holiday Season.

Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic and the gateway to the Old World, is rich in culture, romance, music, history - albeit a sometimes bittersweet history - and just oozes with winter charm.

Prague's medieval streets are awash in a sea of architectural masterpieces, and its panoramic skyline, etched with venerable towers and spires of antiquated cathedrals, monasteries, convents, bridges, and castles, is the idyllic backdrop for crispy winter days when the sky is so blue and clear that it defies the imagination.

Since the Middle Ages, Prague has always been known as one of the most picturesque cities in the world because of its blending of natural beauty with its myriad of architectural styles including Baroque, Gothic, Renaissance, and Romanesque. For the traveler, this means uniquely wonderful places to explore, including:

The Mala Strana, the "little quarter" neighborhood that sprang from 9th century market settlements that includes the Charles Bridge - lively with street musicians and vendors - and Prague Castle. The ancient hilltop castle, unbelievably pretty at night as its golden lights dapple the entire city with an ethereal glow, was once home to the royalty of Bohemia.

Hradcany, the residential district around the west gate of the Prague Castle became a town in 1320. Cool factor: Mozart supposedly composed some of his music at Strahov Monastery.

Petrin Hill, an amalgamation of eight parks with plenty of trails perfect for brisk afternoon walks. It is said that from the top of the Petrin Tower, you can see all the way to the woodlands of Bohemia south of the city.

The touristy-yet-fun Old Town Square, the heartbeat of Prague since the 10th century, that is a maelstrom of shops, markets, cafes, and even horse-drawn beer wagons. (CONTINUE...)