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The charms of a wonderful woman and a beautiful city are hard to beat.

So much so that Barack Obama will snub his hosts after arriving in Prague this evening in favour of a romantic Saturday night dinner with his wife, Michelle.

The Czech Republic is a stopover on the US President's first tour of Europe because it currently holds the presidency of the European Union, which rotates every six months.

But rather than meet the country's conservative leaders, with whom the President has little in common and who have been rather rude about the United States recently, the Obamas have decided to spend their only night in Prague soaking up the atmosphere.

“He requested a romantic dinner with a view of Prague, where they can eat the best Czech food,” said a Czech government source. “They have spent days trying to decide on the right restaurant.”

The front-runner is said to be Hergetova Cihelna - The Brick House - on the banks of the River Vlatava with an unbeatable view of the Charles Bridge. “The atmosphere is sophisticated, but not imposing,” enthused the Prague Experience website.

Another one said to be in the running is U Zlaté studne - The Golden Well - on the same side of the river, looking over the old town. A third option is the Bellevue, also near the river, with spectacular views of both the Charles Bridge and the old town.

Some may think that Mr Obama could be forgiven for preferring his wife's company to that of his hosts.

President Václav Klaus is a vociferous opponent of efforts to combat climate change, which President Obama has made a cornerstone of US policy, while last week Mirek Topolánek, the plain-speaking Prime Minister, described American economic stimulus policies as “the road to hell”.

President Klaus is understood to have invited the Obamas to dinner at Prague Castle, while Mr Topolánek, his rival, offered to take Mr Obama out to a traditional Czech pub.

The protocol for the Obamas' visit to Prague was already complicated by the long-standing feud between Mr Klaus and Mr Topolánek. They were party colleagues until a recent row, when the President walked out and Mr Topolánek lost a vote of no confidence held last week. That gave Mr Klaus the opportunity to ask someone else to form a government.

Much to their discomfiture, Mr Obama has decided to meet both of them at a breakfast meeting tomorrow morning, before the EU-US summit attended by leaders from the 27 EU countries. Later, Mr Obama plans to spend time with Václav Havel, the playwright who led the country out of communism and whom the US President greatly admires. He will probably get as much time as both of the current leaders put together.

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