The Czech capital lent its face to London and Paris, took the time leap back to the Middle Ages, played Moscow and even Venice on the big screen. Because it is so versatile, so varied. Recently though, it has mostly been able to represent itself: As a film location, Prague is always trendy – but also as a destination for a city trip in between.

Where do Hollywood stars like Cruz, Willis and Thurman reside when they come here to shoot? They often stay in my two favourite hotels in the city: the exclusive ‘Mandarin Oriental’, just a five-minute walk from Charles Bridge, which boasts 99 rooms and suites on the premises of a former monastery. Or the design hotel ‘Boho Prague’ right in the centre. Among other things, this hotel offers a romantic arrangement in which champagne and strawberries are brought to your room as a welcome treat.

And where do the movie celebrities go for dinner? To my favourite restaurant! Everybody smiles and is close together night after night: Sylvester Stallone and Wesley Snipes, Michael Douglas and Nastassja Kinski, Ben Kingsley and director Oliver Stone, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Heather Graham – all with a gorgeous view on the Vltava. They hang behind glass on a wall in the foyer of the ‘Kampa Park’: on signed photos reminiscent of the many cinema greats’ visits in this restaurant directly on the Vltava. What did they have? Maybe the pepper steak with glazed shallots, just like me.