Trip Report-Prague & CK by car
Mar 30th, 2008, 02:22 AM
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Trip Report-Prague & CK by car
We are back from a short trip to Prague and Cesky Krumlov over Easter and I thought I'd share some of my thoughts and experiences. I won't go over what we saw as these are the things written about everywhere.
The first thing I'd like to address for those thinking of driving is going to Prague by car. Despite advice from other Fodorites not to drive with a German license plate into Prague, we did it cos we had little choice. We are now back home with our car in one piece!
It is true that theft of cars is high in Prague. However, I saw quite a few cars with German license plates parked on the streets. Not sure if anything happened to them. We, on the other hand, left our car in a garage for 3 days and took everything out of the car including the papers. We parked at the garage at the main train station on Wilsonova. We filled out a contract, paid for 3 days, parked and went off. After 3 days, we picked up the car, drove to the Pension, loaded up the luggage and went off. There are many parking garages around - some exorbitant, some not so. We paid 400CZK per day (after 3 days it drops to 400CZK - less than 3 days, it is 960CZK a day). If anyone would like more details, they can contact me.
Driving in and out of Prague was a breeze. We were armed with our Google and Via Michelin printouts. We didn't have any map when we went to Cesky Krumlov. Just followed the road signs. The highways and roads we drove on were very good. Of course, if you do out of the way exploring, you will encounter bad roads, but compared to those we encountered in Costa Rica, these are good.
Moving around in Prague - if you choose a hotel or pension in the Jewish Quarter or Old Town, you can reach everything on foot. If you stay in the Mala Strana area, you can also reach everything on foot, except you have to cross the bridge all the time.
Visiting the Castle - you will need ALOT of time. Set aside a whole morning or more depending on whether you want to go into the church, castle, museum etc. This is March. We went up to the castle at 10am thinking it was still early. There were already a MILLION people there. Go in the high season and there will be a trillion people there! We didn't get to go into the Vitrus Cathedral cos the queue was crazy.
Prague is very modern despite the old facade. McDonalds will attest to that! Every famous brand name seems to have found their way to Prague already. As for food, you will find something for every budget. Eat at one of the canteens and you will eat good and cheap and with the locals.
Language - do learn how to pronounce the Czech alphabet and a couple of basic words before going. It does help and is alot of fun. Here is a good link - http://www.locallingo.com/czech/phrases/index.html
Black Light Theatre - I was skeptical but my daughter insisted on going. Later while walking around, I saw lots of other Black Light Theatres - so obviously this is not a specialty of one place. In any case, the one we saw was called Cats and was really great for kids. Would highly recommend seeing one if you have kids.
Souvenirs - good ones and tacky ones. You'll know when you see them.
CESKY KRUMLOV
Was great. Small place. 1-2 days is enough. Buy your souvenirs in Prague, they are better. Food alot cheaper than in Prague.
If you can, do go and see the castle.
We stayed at a lovely apartment in the attic of an old house just one street behind the main square - Souvenicka 44. Couldn't have been better. If anyone wants info, pls email me. This place has sleeping space for 5. Great for a family with kids above 8yrs (because of a steep staircase to the loft sleeping area). You kids won't want to leave. Even had a box of toys and books (in Czech though). Downstairs is an English bookstore.
If I think of anything else, I'll add it later.
Fran
The first thing I'd like to address for those thinking of driving is going to Prague by car. Despite advice from other Fodorites not to drive with a German license plate into Prague, we did it cos we had little choice. We are now back home with our car in one piece!
It is true that theft of cars is high in Prague. However, I saw quite a few cars with German license plates parked on the streets. Not sure if anything happened to them. We, on the other hand, left our car in a garage for 3 days and took everything out of the car including the papers. We parked at the garage at the main train station on Wilsonova. We filled out a contract, paid for 3 days, parked and went off. After 3 days, we picked up the car, drove to the Pension, loaded up the luggage and went off. There are many parking garages around - some exorbitant, some not so. We paid 400CZK per day (after 3 days it drops to 400CZK - less than 3 days, it is 960CZK a day). If anyone would like more details, they can contact me.
Driving in and out of Prague was a breeze. We were armed with our Google and Via Michelin printouts. We didn't have any map when we went to Cesky Krumlov. Just followed the road signs. The highways and roads we drove on were very good. Of course, if you do out of the way exploring, you will encounter bad roads, but compared to those we encountered in Costa Rica, these are good.
Moving around in Prague - if you choose a hotel or pension in the Jewish Quarter or Old Town, you can reach everything on foot. If you stay in the Mala Strana area, you can also reach everything on foot, except you have to cross the bridge all the time.
Visiting the Castle - you will need ALOT of time. Set aside a whole morning or more depending on whether you want to go into the church, castle, museum etc. This is March. We went up to the castle at 10am thinking it was still early. There were already a MILLION people there. Go in the high season and there will be a trillion people there! We didn't get to go into the Vitrus Cathedral cos the queue was crazy.
Prague is very modern despite the old facade. McDonalds will attest to that! Every famous brand name seems to have found their way to Prague already. As for food, you will find something for every budget. Eat at one of the canteens and you will eat good and cheap and with the locals.
Language - do learn how to pronounce the Czech alphabet and a couple of basic words before going. It does help and is alot of fun. Here is a good link - http://www.locallingo.com/czech/phrases/index.html
Black Light Theatre - I was skeptical but my daughter insisted on going. Later while walking around, I saw lots of other Black Light Theatres - so obviously this is not a specialty of one place. In any case, the one we saw was called Cats and was really great for kids. Would highly recommend seeing one if you have kids.
Souvenirs - good ones and tacky ones. You'll know when you see them.
CESKY KRUMLOV
Was great. Small place. 1-2 days is enough. Buy your souvenirs in Prague, they are better. Food alot cheaper than in Prague.
If you can, do go and see the castle.
We stayed at a lovely apartment in the attic of an old house just one street behind the main square - Souvenicka 44. Couldn't have been better. If anyone wants info, pls email me. This place has sleeping space for 5. Great for a family with kids above 8yrs (because of a steep staircase to the loft sleeping area). You kids won't want to leave. Even had a box of toys and books (in Czech though). Downstairs is an English bookstore.
If I think of anything else, I'll add it later.
Fran
Mar 30th, 2008, 10:08 AM
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Just found the links to a few places I mentioned above and will put them here so that they are readily available.
PRAGUE:
Parking at main train station - http://www.parkingpraha.cz/
Parking at Palladium - huge shopping mall on Revolucni Street. More expensive than above - http://www.palladiumpraha.cz/parking/
Nice place for French breakfast or coffee break - Au Gourmand at Dlouha 10, Praha 1. They have 4 branches. This one is in an old butcher's shop.
CESKY KRUMLOV:
Apartment- www.apartment-cesky-krumlov.cz
Restaurant with reasonable prices and huge portions (no credit card. Cheaper than in Prague and double the portion - http://www.podradnicick.cz/en/restaurant.html
Fran
PRAGUE:
Parking at main train station - http://www.parkingpraha.cz/
Parking at Palladium - huge shopping mall on Revolucni Street. More expensive than above - http://www.palladiumpraha.cz/parking/
Nice place for French breakfast or coffee break - Au Gourmand at Dlouha 10, Praha 1. They have 4 branches. This one is in an old butcher's shop.
CESKY KRUMLOV:
Apartment- www.apartment-cesky-krumlov.cz
Restaurant with reasonable prices and huge portions (no credit card. Cheaper than in Prague and double the portion - http://www.podradnicick.cz/en/restaurant.html
Fran
Mar 30th, 2008, 10:31 PM
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For those driving - you have to buy a vignette to drive on the autobahn. Look for the signs after you cross the border. They will accept payment in CZK or Euros but if you pay in Euros, it will be substantially more expensive. There will probably be a money changer at the booth area as well so change a few kroner to buy the vignette but not too much as the exchange rate will of course, not be too good. Just get the 7 day one unless you are staying longer - around 200CZK.
Prices change so fast in Prague - all the prices I got from website research weren't correct. They turned out more expensive.
Restaurant in Prague - There are many beer halls around. Most people have recommended U Medviku on Na Pertyne 7 but we never made it there. Instead a Czech lady recommended one which turned out to be quite good - U Vejvodu on Jilska 4, Praha 1. www.restauraceuvejvodu.cz. Check out the beer taps in the beer hall (not the restaurant side but further in).
For those driving - you have to buy a vignette to drive on the autobahn. Look for the signs after you cross the border. They will accept payment in CZK or Euros but if you pay in Euros, it will be substantially more expensive. There will probably be a money changer at the booth area as well so change a few kroner to buy the vignette but not too much as the exchange rate will of course, not be too good. Just get the 7 day one unless you are staying longer - around 200CZK.
Prices change so fast in Prague - all the prices I got from website research weren't correct. They turned out more expensive.
Restaurant in Prague - There are many beer halls around. Most people have recommended U Medviku on Na Pertyne 7 but we never made it there. Instead a Czech lady recommended one which turned out to be quite good - U Vejvodu on Jilska 4, Praha 1. www.restauraceuvejvodu.cz. Check out the beer taps in the beer hall (not the restaurant side but further in).
Apr 12th, 2008, 07:35 AM
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I bought the tickets the day before. When we were at the theatre's booking office, the lady told us she was sold out for that evening's performance so I presume it would be a good idea to get them in advance if you can. This was March, supposedly low season, so in high season there will be more people competing for the seats.
If you can't buy the tickets a day before, then I would suggest buying them on the morning of the day you want to attend the performance. As I mentioned in my post above, there are several Black Light Theatres in the Old Town so you can try your luck.
The lady told us to get there at 7.15pm for the 7.30pm performance to get good seats. The theatre was already half full. Our theatre was tiny and the others will probably be too. Try not to sit too far in front. The middle would be better to get the full effects of the black light.
If you can't buy the tickets a day before, then I would suggest buying them on the morning of the day you want to attend the performance. As I mentioned in my post above, there are several Black Light Theatres in the Old Town so you can try your luck.
The lady told us to get there at 7.15pm for the 7.30pm performance to get good seats. The theatre was already half full. Our theatre was tiny and the others will probably be too. Try not to sit too far in front. The middle would be better to get the full effects of the black light.
Apr 12th, 2008, 07:42 AM
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www.bohemiaticket.cz is a good source for getting tickets in advance on-line and for most you can print them from your computer. I just booked tickets for Swan lake this October - it was a snap!
Apr 21st, 2008, 08:35 AM
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munich madi - Our hotel in Prague says there are two parking garages within 15 minutes walking distance to the hotel (I assume they are probably the ones you mentioned). They also gave us detailed directions to the hotel so we can drop off our bags and then go park the car. It is located in Old Town and even they say it is very important to follow the directions or you might get lost as there are so many one way streets. Would you recommend we just park the car at one of the garages, as they may be easier to find, and take a cab or tram to the hotel?
Also, did you do a walking tour of CK? I've noticed some night tours that sound interesting, or did you just explore on your own?
Also, did you do a walking tour of CK? I've noticed some night tours that sound interesting, or did you just explore on your own?
Apr 21st, 2008, 12:03 PM
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There is a lot to see between Prague and CK. For example, two great castles are Orlik and Zvikov. Very atmospheric.
CK is very small and easily doable on your own without a guide in my opinion. Make sure to see it at night or early morning for far less people. It is a remarkable place! For stupendous views of the town go to the castle and its gardens.
CK is very small and easily doable on your own without a guide in my opinion. Make sure to see it at night or early morning for far less people. It is a remarkable place! For stupendous views of the town go to the castle and its gardens.
Apr 22nd, 2008, 03:15 AM
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jgg - if you park at the Palladium, it is very easy to get a taxi (I think there is a stand outside) and elevators and escalators in the building so you should have no problem with your luggage assuming you don't have tons. If you have more than each person can manage at one go, then I would drop off the luggage at the hotel first. Finding Palladium is also easy cos if you drive down Revolucni street (from river inwards), you will see a P parking sign on the right and the driveway goes underground.
As for the Wilsonova parking, it was a little complicated to find the entrance. Altho we had no difficulty getting onto Wilsonova (which is a big flyover), we weren't sure if the P sign we saw was the right one. We expected to see a sign with 'Wilsonova' on it but it just said P. There were signs everywhere and when you are in a moving car, you have to react quickly. In the end, it turned out to be right. If you decide to park here (because it is much cheaper than Palladium), then maybe drop off the bags first. To walk out of the parking, we had to walk up a ramp first and then down some filthy steps down to the park below. There you could look for a cab. The entrance to the train station/ underground is also there, right below the parking. Don't let me scare you off with this description. It really wasn't that bad. It's just a tad more complicated than Palladium.
I wouldn't take a tram to the hotel with luggage. Firstly, they can be really full depending on the time of the day and secondly, because you have so many things with you, you may not realize that you are being pickpocketed! Furthermore, the trams only run along the periphery of the old town and so you still have to walk all the way in.
Cesky Krumlov - we didn't do a walking tour. On walking around one night, we saw a tour being conducted in English and because they blocked our way, we stood and listened. The guide was pretty funny and told some interesting tales. CK is pretty small. If you have some material with you, you can easily walk around on your own but a guide also has something extra to add - for a price. The castle tour is guided only.
As for the Wilsonova parking, it was a little complicated to find the entrance. Altho we had no difficulty getting onto Wilsonova (which is a big flyover), we weren't sure if the P sign we saw was the right one. We expected to see a sign with 'Wilsonova' on it but it just said P. There were signs everywhere and when you are in a moving car, you have to react quickly. In the end, it turned out to be right. If you decide to park here (because it is much cheaper than Palladium), then maybe drop off the bags first. To walk out of the parking, we had to walk up a ramp first and then down some filthy steps down to the park below. There you could look for a cab. The entrance to the train station/ underground is also there, right below the parking. Don't let me scare you off with this description. It really wasn't that bad. It's just a tad more complicated than Palladium.
I wouldn't take a tram to the hotel with luggage. Firstly, they can be really full depending on the time of the day and secondly, because you have so many things with you, you may not realize that you are being pickpocketed! Furthermore, the trams only run along the periphery of the old town and so you still have to walk all the way in.
Cesky Krumlov - we didn't do a walking tour. On walking around one night, we saw a tour being conducted in English and because they blocked our way, we stood and listened. The guide was pretty funny and told some interesting tales. CK is pretty small. If you have some material with you, you can easily walk around on your own but a guide also has something extra to add - for a price. The castle tour is guided only.
May 20th, 2008, 10:51 AM
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The weather - yes, this can make or break your holiday... The week before we left it was lovely spring weather at home. Then rain clouds moved in over Europe and it did get cold and rainy right before we left. It wasn't so bad when we were there. There were snow flurries but they only lasted about an hour and then the sun came out. It was cold but sunny - sorry can't give any temperature readings. I was prepared with my warm stuff and warm fur-lined shoes and could stay out walking around without any problems. My husband's choice of clothes obviously did not have enough insulation so he complained. 
October can be tricky. It could turn either way - I doubt it will snow though but it may rain and be around 15 degrees Celsius.
October can be tricky. It could turn either way - I doubt it will snow though but it may rain and be around 15 degrees Celsius.
