Michael Saffell

We are leaving for Prague on 12/26/97 and reading your literature you indicate that the city will be full of visitors. Will we have a chance of getting a room for the 6 days we will be there? I printed the recommended places from your web site and will contact them. Do you have other quaint places near the city that you could suggest?

Thank you,

Michael Saffell

Gino

Having been to Prague three times, I must ask what are you going to do there for six days? Talk about over-kill!! Why not visit Poland, Hungry,Austria, or Germany and spend two days in Prague.

Helena

I disagree! I've been living in Prague for a while now, and I still find plenty of interesting, new things to see and do. If your travel goal is to see the main sights, then yes, two days will do it. If your goal is to be able to talk about where you've been, to understand how the locals feel about the tumultuous changes in their world, to see the marks history has left on the city and its inhabitants, and to feel the flow of life, then six days is a bare minimum. There are plenty of things to see in and around Prague and the rest of the republic: "The castle", "the vysehrad", "the old town", "the bridge," the powder towers, "the cemetery," but also the Strahov monastery, the Strahov stadium, Marianske Lazne, Karlovy Vary, Telc, Cesky Krumlov, Hluboka, any small viallge in Southern Bohemia, Terezin, the WWII bunkers along the northern border, Melnik and its wine cellars, Kutna Hora, the big panel-building apartment complexes on the outskirts of cities, the "Danding Building" next to the Havel family house, the old church where resistance leaders were flooded by the Germans, Zofin, the Rudolfinum, the Prague Breweries, Letna park, soccer games, jazz bars, classical music concerts, the St. George Basilica, the foundations of the original Charles Bridge, etc. etc. etc.. Where's the lack of things to see or do? Have fun!!!! Regarding the hotels - book them soon. Over the past few years, there is an ever-smaller difference in visitors during the "season" and off-season - and not because the number of visitors is declining, either. When you book a hotel, take a look at the subway map. The metro is fast, reliable, and makes outlying hotels not quite so far. Learn about the history and architecture before you come, and you won't be bored - especially if you're willing to do a few day trips out of the city.

Peg Smith

We are just home from holidaying in Eastern Europe. Prague was the highlight. Don't use taxis. When you arrive buy a map of the city "plan mesta" Praha 1:20,000 this has all the public transport bus, tram and metro information. It is fun and easy to travel on and you will be able to get to all the tourist areas at very little cost. We didn't have time to go to the villages in Southern Bohemia but you will. Crystal is a fantastic buy and also hand made puppets. Enjoy and have fun. regards Peg.

Michael

I have been to Prague probably 7 times in the last 4 years and love the city. Never once have I stayed at a hotel. In Prague it is still common practice for tourists to rent apartments or rooms in apartments which is by far the most reasonably priced way to stay the city. Hotels are extremely expensive, at least the nice ones. At the train station there is a bureau which provides listings of homes in which you can stay. They will have large albums with photographs of the apartments and the locations. Once you have selected one, they will take your deposit and give you a key. It is that simple. At the end of your stay, you leave the key in the apartment. While this is a very different concept for most of us, it works well in Prague. Unfortunately, I have not been to another city where the system works so well.

If you are going to stay six days, make a real effort to visit neighborhoods that are off the beaten track. Go to a few concerts (avoid the tourist concerts that are way overpriced -- the Prague opera should cost you no more than $15 per ticket and probably less). And finally, if you are inspired to take a trip out of the country, take the train to Krakow, Poland which is as beautiful as Prague, way less touristy, and in my opinion a much "warmer" city in terms of wonderful, local restaurants, pubs, etc.

Linda

Prague is a beautiful city & worth every minute. Not being bombed in WWII, it has lots of interesting buildings. Penzion Balbin is a clean, inexpensive and excellent place near the shopping & cultural sites. We used AVE ltd for accommodations & made the reservations over the Internet at the AVE web site. Have a great time--good crystal, garnet & other bargains.

BRUCE DAVIDSON

i just returned from prague and the city is a fantastic place to spend the holidays. the city was decorated beautifully and many carolers. there were lot's of christmas concerts etc. i think the main thing to do is
mix with the locals. they are some of the nicest people you will ever meet. you can do this by going to a small cafe and drink a few beers and mingle. stay away from the taxis. bed and breakfasts can be found at the train station or airport information desk. like i said, the high light of my trip was meeting the people living in prague in the back drop of the most beautiful and romantic cities in the world.

kelly roberts

Enjoy! I went there two years ago and had a wonderful time, but my mother fell ill (not related to the visit) and we had to leave after only 2 days. Huge regret, we miss the country so much. Zamek Stirin is a lovely chateau outside the city, a little drive, but absolutely gorgeous. Not costly at all in the off season. Make sure you see the craft fairs, and the food was very inexpensive. Like they say, the people are wonderful!!

janice garrison

sorry i can't help you about pruagebut i also plan to visit there in feb. enjoyed reading the replys you got. they are very helpful. when you return please post me a note on your favorite things. have a wonderful time!

Frank

How did you 1997 trip work out? We're staying in Prague for 8 nights (Dec 22 thu 12/30) at the Cloister Inn located in the city center. I've already purchased ballet tickets at the Natiuonal Thearer and plan to buy opera tickets for several nights. <BR>My plan is to spend a week+ once or twice a a year in different cities. In 30 years I may run out of places to visit. In that case I will start over.