Denise

I am visiting Prague next February for 4 days - could somebody give me some info. about the kind of weather I can expect so that I know what to pack. Also top 5 attractions open at that time of year please and a favourite reasonably priced restaurant in a central situation. Thanks

Leslie

It will be cold, and possibly wet, slushy and windy, but if there is any snow it won't stick in Prague, but it will look pretty on the roofs of the buildings. <BR><BR>Top 5 attractions -- well Prague Castle will take you at least one day to see, as there are so many interesting buildings besides St. Vitus Cathedral, St. George's Basilica, the Strahov Monastery and Loreta Palace. While you're up at the castle, go into the Toy Museum which is near the Golden Well. Take the funicular up to Petrin Hill unless you walk to see some beautiful views of the city. In the Old Town you can see the Astrological Clock, and then walk to the Jewish Ghetto to see the cemetery and synagogues.<BR><BR>One very good restaurant in the Old Town is called The Rott, and it is very near the Astrological Clock. Have the beef with cranberries and bread dumplings.

frank

If you have energy left over you can attend an opera (Prague State Theater, National Theater, Estates Theater).<BR><BR>http://www.ticketsbti.cz/programme.p...h=2&category=1

Leslie

Denise, I was in Prague for 9 days in November 2001, and it began to snow the last morning that I was there, but it was only a dusting. However, during my stay, at times it was windy, especially by the Charles Bridge, which you should walk over at different times during the day, especially in the early morning and evening. Anyway, I found that layering my clothes was most important. Some days, I wore a turtle neck shirt, sweater, fleece vest, and a leather jacket. I wore tights under my slacks, although some days, I wish that I had brought silk thermal leggings too. I had a very large scarf to wrap around my neck and face, which sometimes I used and sometimes I stuffed in my bag. I also had a hat and gloves. When I entered museums, I frequently checked my jacket and threw my fleece vest in my bag. Also, since a lot of Prague has cobblestoned streets, and tiled sidewalks, I made sure to wear a shoe that had a treaded sole. You might look into the water moccasins that are so popular now, as that would be the ideal type of shoe to walk in.<BR><BR>My favorite restaurant in Prague is The Velvet which is in Mala Strana, but I fear that it might be closed because of the recent flooding. It is located on Na Kampe Island, and the restaurant offers a fixed price menu. One of the meals I had, called the Prague plate, was less than $10 USD, and it was multiple courses. It was a sampling of many of the usual rustic meals that is offered in many of the restaurants in Prague.<BR><BR>If you need any further information, feel free to email me. I wrote a lengthy travelogue that I would be happy to share with you.

jason

On my site at http://www.jasoncholt.com/prague/index.html you'll find a page called "when to come" it has a few tips and resources for you to take an educated guess at what the weather my bring. For what it's worth, the cows are saying "early winter, early spring". As usual my restaurant recommendations are the Palffy Palac in Mala Strana (Waldstejnova) and KOGO at the back Slovensky Dum (Na Prikope).<BR><BR>Jason

Typhoon

Leslie - <BR><BR>RE: staying warm<BR>you are terrifying me! You wore all of those layers? Sometimes at once?<BR><BR>I ski in less layers. I was in Bern in February a couple of years ago and apart from my down vest, wool sweater and scarf for my neck - there were no more layers. No hat, and occasionally no gloves. If I got too chilly, I just ducked in to a cafe or shop. Avg temp was 0C-7C (32F-45F)<BR><BR>Is Prague that cold and windy? Or is it the dampness? I was planning on similar attire with the option of purchasing something should the need arise (my travel-shopping M.O).<BR><BR>RE: sights<BR>with so many sights - perhaps less clothing is better - I would hate to be warm and sweaty when inside<BR><BR>RE: boots<BR>I have another selection for great walking boots...Roots makes a laced ankle boot - "Tuffs". They are warm and comfy and, almost attractive (black, not too bulky a boot). Best part: am approaching my 3rd winter and the upper is still unscuffed and the thick tread is not anywhere near worn off. Would strongly recommend breaking them in first.<BR><BR>RE: restaurants<BR>I like your suggestions - I will look into the Velvet and leave the Rott as back-up<BR><BR>Regards<BR>TMP

Leslie

TMP, the Velvet might just be closed as it is located on Na Kampe Island in Mala Strana, and the restaurant may have been damaged from the flooding. I'm guessing that this just might be the case, as the hotel I stayed at, Na Kampe 15, was flooded out and won't reopen until April 2003.<BR><BR>Prague can be very windy, although you won't encounter a lot of snow, there are a number of open areas, especially by the Vlatva River and the bridges, where it can be raw and cold. I wouldn't deter anyone from visiting Prague in the winter, as I imagine that it would be enchanting. I chose to go in November when it was cooler and less crowded.<BR><BR>Nothing I wore was heavy, but layering was important. Also, in February you will have shorter days, so it doesn't warm up much. I specifically dressed in layers so that I could pull clothes off when I was in the museums. As long as you keep your extremities well covered, you'll be fine.<BR><BR>By the way, I live just outside of Boston, so I do know about cold weather. And, you haven't experienced winds until you've spent time in Boston and Chicago.