Prague Beyond the "Usual"

Old Aug 29th, 2016, 08:46 AM
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Wm
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Prague Beyond the "Usual"

We will be doing the Tauck Danube trip in late May. The Prague portion of the trip seems to take in all the best of Prague. We would like to extend our trip by staying a few day in Prague before we pick up the tour. Any suggestions for these extra days would be appreciated. Also, are there excursions outside the city that are worthwhile? We are interested in culture, nature and architecture as well as wine and food.
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Old Aug 29th, 2016, 08:49 AM
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For starters, try the LivingPrague.com website. It's very helpful.
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Old Aug 29th, 2016, 08:58 AM
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Oh, sure, there are some great excursions for day trips from Prague that are worthwhile--I have especially enjoyed Kutna Hora, Hluboka/Holesovice, and Tabor. I also did Cesky Krumlov as a day trip and really liked that. I went to/from Tabor by train on my own so that may be too ambitious for an easy day trip. YOu can also go to Karlovy Vary easily.

For other points, there are several excellent day tour companies in Prague and rates are very reasonable. I used this one for Kutna Hora and it was excellent:

http://www.pstours.cz/

It appears they have versions of all the ones I suggested. The CR is not exactly a place you go for wine tours IMO, they aren't exactly known for their wine abroad. It's not that good.
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Old Aug 29th, 2016, 09:27 AM
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you might want to visit Terezin (Theresienstadt Koncentratzion Kamp)..many tours emanating from Prague.
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Old Aug 29th, 2016, 10:02 AM
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We did a day trip to Cesky Krumlov via the Student Agency Bus this May, and it was very pleasant. http://www.studentagencybus.com/ Modern bus with seat back entertainment screens, an attendant that sells food and beverages, and toilet facilities. Cesky Krumlov was very interesting, if packed like Disneyland with Chinese tourist groups.
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Old Aug 29th, 2016, 10:05 AM
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You don't need a tour to get to Terezin. You can take the bus from Prague. Certainly agree that it is worth a daytrip!
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Old Aug 29th, 2016, 10:49 AM
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Thank you all for your quick responses. Any suggestions for off-the-beaten path sights in the city itself?
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Old Aug 29th, 2016, 10:51 AM
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we drove it....only 30 miles..didn't think about a bus instead of a tour.
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Old Aug 29th, 2016, 11:37 AM
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Go up to the so-called "Loreto Church" and see all those monstrances if nothing else.
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Old Aug 29th, 2016, 09:46 PM
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the afore mention LivingPrgaue website offer tours , max size 6 people and Jason that runs the website does the tours himself, he specifically takes people through the less well tros parts of the city and lets you see things you would normally walk by without a second glance, worth booking a walking tour with him.
I often visit Pruhonice park and 15 minute bus ride from Opatov metro stop, lovely botanic gardens and a stunning chateux.Stromovka park is a lovely place to stroll through and very few tourist make it there but loads of access points by tram or bus and several places to stop for refreshments within the park.
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Old Aug 30th, 2016, 06:48 AM
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Uncle Gus...hasn't the Czech government exiled you yet?
Best wishes for many more visits.
stu
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Old Aug 30th, 2016, 07:45 AM
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Loreto, mentioned by Dukey, is indeed well worth a visit.
Very much off the beaten path is the National Memorial on the Vítkov Hill. Erected as a monument for Czech independence, it was changed into a communist propaganda act after WWII.
The large cemeteries in Olsany are interesting, if only to note the Austrian preoccupation with titles and the emergence of Czech on the graves.
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Old Aug 30th, 2016, 11:50 PM
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Stu, no but the British government might.
was in Prague a few weeks ago with a small walking group, hard work but real fun time,and will be back in October with friends from the UK and the US.Hoping to spend much more time in the city when I retire in a few years time.
I will second the Museum on Vitkov hill, they often have special exhibitions there,i saw one that was based on social history of the country from the 50-70's really intereting and there wa son on the history of music in the country that had booths you could listen to music in and watch various performances.at the bottom of Zizkov hill is the Army museum which is excellent.last time I was in they had an exhibition of the resistance movement during the second world was and in previous visits ones on the First world war and on the Sokol movement and its influence in the assassination of Rienhard Heydrich and of their work with the resistance.
There is work going on at the moment trying to trace the burial places of the assasins of Heydrich though there is a memorial to them at the crypt of St Cyrils and Methodist in the city.
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Old Aug 31st, 2016, 12:28 PM
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We saw that exhibit at the Army Museum in May. Very well done, save for the English translations. Whoever did them must have taken the wording and syntax right out of a dictionary, as they are so bad as to be amusing.
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Old Sep 5th, 2016, 04:04 PM
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The castle is interesting, because it's so crude and real. At least that's how I saw it. Not a Disney castle.

There are stone lowrise stairs that are worn down and slick. They lead into the dirt arena, and are the entrance/exit the jousting horseback riders would use. Cool.

We found a nice little rooftop cafe, on our way back down to old town Prague. It's in a very cool, contemporary hotel, on the steep little street from Charles Bridge. I can't remember it's name. It it's still there, it was almost all the way to the top, on the right side of the street as you ascend to the castle. Really cool hotel. It might be cheaper than some of its quality, because you have to climb the hill to it. Just guessing.
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Old Sep 5th, 2016, 08:31 PM
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When asked what to see in this unique city.... the answer is The Entire City.

No matter where you go or stroll along, there is a unique attraction around every corner.

You can't go wrong no matter what area you tour through.

I spent a full week there and was up and about everyday from dawn to also midnight.

If you want to take pictures at and of the Charles Bridge, then get down there early...

... I mean early, I was there one morning at 5:59 AM, one fellow was already there.
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Old Sep 5th, 2016, 10:45 PM
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http://www.vinicni-altan.cz/
for wine you might want to try this place, the vineyard will not be in full colour but it is interesting and you can drink the wine from the grapes grown in the vineyard. I am no wine expert but it did not do a lot for me.
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