Czech Republic

People heading to the best hotels in Prague this year may want to note down the Strings of Autumn Festival. The 13th version of this annual celebration of music, the event aims to provide attendees with an experience they "will have no chance to see and hear elsewhere". Currently promised for appearances are guest artists from Czech Republic and performances from Joel Frederiksen and Jiri Pavlica, along with their ensembles. Another part of the festival aims to promote young musicians, in the spotlight section. This area concentrates on the under-25 age group, which will feature debut appearances from many musicians. Martin Grubinger will be the first to take the stage in these appearances, having recently won the Leonard Bernstein Award for his multi-percussion music. The festival runs from September 28th to November 19th, featuring on a number of dates. Each performance is categorised into different areas, including inspiration, crossover, luminaries and spotlight. While visiting the festival, tourists may like to explore Prague, which has many attractions, recognised in its European city of culture status in 2000. For nature lovers, the capital has numerous rivers and was built on nine hills, which means there are stunning vistas and idyllic scenes to enjoy.

For almost ten years, Prague has been home to a festival celebrating gypsy life.The Czech Republic's capital annually hosts the Khamoro World Roma Festival, celebrates the sounds, rhythms and culture of the traveling peoples of Europe.Music, films, theatre, literature, dance, painting, photographs and expert workshops are showcased at venues across the capital, including the Lucerna hall, the Roxy club, Globe Café and the Hungarian Cultural Institute.Many of the events are free, although some of the shows are ticketed. There is also the opportunity to see Roma craftswomen at work in the Little Shop Romen.Also know as Romanies, the week-long festival is a platform gypsy tradition from around the world in order to bolster dialogue between the gypsy minority and the rest of the population of the Czech Republic.There are a number of gypsy celebrations held throughout Europe. In the UK in 2008 there will be Gypsy Arts Festivals in Suffolk in July, Edinburgh in August and Kent in September.

Nebe, meaning heaven, represents paradise for a host of club-goers who head to the Czech capital to revel in the eclectic nightlife.The Prague venue is a perfect spot for the lover of more alternative music, set in a great cellar venue.Located in an old building dating back at least a few hundred years, the dance club and bar blares out hip-hop and techno, along with smatterings of indie, rock and punk classics.As one of the only venues in the Czech capital to play this genre of music, it attracts massive crowds, who indulge in the cheap drinks and friendly atmosphere, while taking advantage of the free entry.Friday nights are particularly noteworthy, when Nebe is home to the renowned Prague Heartbeats, who play a glorious selection of indie and Britpop.Guests can treat themselves to one of over 100 cocktails, or even share one of the massive cocktail buckets designed for eight people.Other hot night venues in Prague include Cross Club, M1 Lounge and the hip Radost FX.

Travel News brought to you by Eurobookings, the experts in cheap hotel bookings for all major European cities including Prague.Horse racing fans have been invited to get up close and personal on the turf of Dostihove Zavodiste Pardubice for one of the industry's most gruelling events.Velka Pardubicka Cross-Country Steeplechase takes place on October 12th.It is a short drive from Prague and welcomes spectators from England, Ireland and Scotland each year, which have included Princess Anne.The event is famous for being tough. The track is 6.9 km with 31 obstacles and finishing times of between nine and ten minutes.Local and foreign horses are eligible to compete provided they have raced a pre-qualifier or steeplechase. Riders must have completed similar races ten times.First to fifth places are awarded with cash prizes from a wealth of sponsors. Top prize is four and a half million Koruna, about £150,433.Other events that take place at the track include the three-day European Juniors' Championship, international Horses in Action show, music festivals and Children's Day.Testament to the difficulty of this course is the final jump - named after Czech jockey Rudolf Popler who died following a fall on the Pardubice course while racing in another event hours after finishing second in the 1932 Velka Pardubicka.©CopyrightTreat yourself to one of the best hotels in Prague. Because you deserve a break.