• Join the locals and get a different perspective on Prague by taking a cruise along the Vltava River, either downstream to Prague Zoo, or upstream to the Slapy Dam (website: www.paroplavba.cz).

• Enjoy a classical concert in one of Prague's many atmospheric venues, which include ancient churches, opulent concert halls, historic buildings and outdoor theatres (website: www.heartofeurope.cz).

• Indulge yourself with a spa treatment among the hot springs and mineral baths of West Bohemia's famous spa resorts - opulent Karlovy Vary (website: www.karlovyvary.cz), which once attracted the crowned heads of Europe, Marianské Lázně and Františkovy Lázně.

• Go hiking in the Šumava Forest, the country's largest national park. A region of forest-clad hills along the border with Austria, the park includes scenic lakes, trout streams, areas of virgin forest and important historic monuments (website: www.npsumava.cz).

• Hire a canoe and mess about on a river - the upper reaches of the Vltava and its tributaries the Sázava and Berounka provide ideal canoe-touring territory for beginners. Many outfits will rent you canoes and camping gear, including BiSport (website: www.bisport.cz).

• Ride a chairlift to the summit of Sněžka (1,602m/5,256ft) - the highest point in the Czech Republic - in the Krkonoše (Giant Mountains) National Park, or pull on your hiking boots and make the three-hour climb on foot (website: www.pecpodsnezkou.cz).

• Enjoy hiking or rock climbing amid the spectacular scenery of the Adršpach-Teplice Rocks, whose bizarre landscape bristles with sandstone pinnacles, contorted canyons and wildlife-filled forests (website: www.skalyadrspach.cz).

• Pedal your way around the South Moravian vineyards on the Moravian Wine Trails (website: www.vinarske.stezky.cz), stopping off to sample the wines at the historic villages of Mikulov and Valtice.

• Carve up the slopes at the Czech Republic's good-value ski resorts - try Spindleruv Mlyn for downhill skiing, Zacler for snowboarding (both in Krkonoše), and Zadov (in Šumava) for cross-country.

• Cast a line at the fishing lakes of South Bohemia and Lednice-Valtice - contact the Czech Anglers Union (website: www.rybsvaz.cz) for more information. Species you might catch include carp, tench, perch and pike.

See Contact Addresses for further information.