Romantic Capitals: Prague to Paris – Westbound

Prague, the captivating Czech capital, is arguably Eastern Europe's biggest tourism success story, attracting visitors from far and wide with its handsome architecture, cosmopolitan outlook and truly excellent beer. The castle and the iconic Charles Bridge can get rather busy during the summer high season, but it's easy enough to give the crowds the slip. We recommend ducking into one of the many bars that line the cobbled lanes of the Old Town, or taking a stroll amongst the picturesque palaces and gardens of the Malá Strana district.

Nuremberg, Bavaria’s second city, first pops up in the history books in 1050 as a stronghold of the Franks, and later became the unofficial capital of the Holy Roman Empire. Nowadays the city is a tourist magnet thanks to the beautifully restored old town, Christmas markets and excellent beer.

Bamberg’s eye-catching, UNESCO-listed old town is one of the most beautiful in all of Germany. The city was briefly capital of the Holy Roman Empire, and the city centre is still dominated by the 13th century cathedral. There are also plenty of breweries, and you shouldn’t leave without trying Bamberg’s famous smoked beer.

The handsome town of Würzburg, situated on the river Main between Nuremberg and Frankfurt, was ruled for centuries by a succession of powerful prince-bishops. Although much of the city was destroyed during the Second World War, the majestic 18th century Residenz palace stands as a testament to the wealth of the bishopric.

Frankfurt is the financial heart of Germany, a forest of silver skyscrapers that’s home to both the German and European Central Banks. This focus on commerce has led some to dismiss the city as a dull, soulless sort of place, but in fact Frankfurt buzzes with a real cultural vibrancy.

Boppard is one of the most attractive towns on the Rhine, situated on a horseshoe bend with a lovely riverside promenade. Take the chairlift up to the Vierseenblick for fantastic views, go hiking in the woods or explore the pretty streets and handsome architecture of the town itself.

One of the prettiest towns in the Moselle valley, Cochem is a popular stop for river cruise ships. With an old town full of half-timbered houses and a castle perched on a hill it’s a quintessentially German scene, and the riverside promenade is lovely during the sunny summer months.

Trier is Germany’s oldest city, founded by the Romans around 16 BC and home to no less than nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Highlights include the Cathedral of St Peter, the Church of Our Lady and countless Roman ruins, and Trier was also the birthplace of Karl Marx, whose childhood home is now a museum.

Tiny Luxembourg's even tinier capital city enjoys a spectacular setting, perched on a dramatic bluff where the Pétrusse and Alzette rivers meet. The UNESCO-listed old town is an unexpected joy to explore, and a sizeable population of foreign workers means that the city is also a very cosmopolitan place.

Paris is a joyful expression of all that is glorious about France, a city of rarified tastes, romantic riverside walks and the occasional rather rude waiter. Culture vultures will be in seventh heaven, with a plethora of galleries and museums housing some of the finest art collections in the world, and the restaurant scene is absolutely first class.