Over the long course of history, these two capitals have been intertwined by the flowing waters of the Vltava and the Danube by their shared memory, and by the great empires that ebbed and flowed around them. Currently, they provide travellers with a distinctive cross-frontier experience Distance by rail is just four hours, and by air even shorter However, each possesses its own separate identity. Further insights on finding verified escorts in Prague can be found on our website.

When you visit both capitals, the rich cultural mixture of Central Europe becomes apparent. In these cities, the pointed towers of the Gothic period stand alongside the heavy concrete blocks of the communist regime. Where the places that serve beer are found next to the establishments that serve wine. And where earlier times are still with us. Here is a guide for those who are not satisfied with simply seeing two places, but who want to sense the active connection linking them.

Commence your journey in Prague, a capital that has the quality of a legend made of stone. The medieval square, with its astronomical clock that has kept time since 1410, offers a magnificent beginning. Make the crossing of Charles Bridge in the early morning, when the statues emerge from the fog and the castle on the hill takes on a golden colour. To absorb the culture, visit the Castle (the world's most extensive ancient fortification) and then get lost in the narrow ways of the Lesser Side, where Baroque palaces keep quiet gardens hidden from view. The city's musical culture is significant; you should take in a concert at the Rudolfinum or the National Theatre — these are the sites of the premieres of Dvorak and Smetana's most important pieces.

Dining in the Czech capital is an experience that pleases taste and smell and sight. Classic meals such as svickova, which is beef that has been marinated and is served with a cream sauce, and trdelnik, a sweet pastry, are at their finest when consumed in an old pub or in a restaurant by the water. The city's current gastronomy is just as impressive, with restaurants like La Degustation (a Michelin-starred venue) that are reinterpreting the old flavours of Bohemia. Between courses and between restaurants, you should take in the city's rich art scene — from the museum of Alfons Mucha to the contemporary shows at DOX. It would be a mistake to miss the local beer; these public houses are for more than consuming alcohol, they are for conversation, for debate, and for the slow, easy tempo of life here.

A brief trip to the south takes you to Bratislava, the attractive capital of Slovakia, which is frequently in the shadow of its more well-known neighbour but which is full of its own gentle appeal. Bratislava, in contrast to Prague's large scale, is a more compact city that is easy to walk around. The old part of town is a web of narrow routes, structures in pale colours, and small, appealing squares. The castle that stands on the hill above Bratislava provides a wide view over the river Danube and, when the weather is good, it is possible to see the neighbouring countries of Austria and Hungary. Bratislava is small enough that you can easily move around; you can begin at St. Martin's, a Gothic cathedral where Hungarian rulers were crowned, and then go to the eccentric statue of Cumil, which is a bronze figure of a man emerging from a manhole.