rvidwa

Hi,
If I have 2 full days in Prague can one cover most of the sites?
For the third day we take a day trip to Cesky Krumlov or Karlsteijn or Ceske Budejovice?
Any suggestions as to whether these above mentioned places are worth a trip?
Thanks!

ThinGorjus

Two day trips from Prague that I recommend are Terezin concentration camp and Cesky Krumlov. You will have to decide what you want to see--a place where horrible atrocities took place against humanity, or a picturesque town that looks like something out of a fairy story. (Karlstein is worthwhile, but not as important as Terezin or Cesky Krumlov.)

The main sites in Prague that I recommend are:
1. St. Vitus Cathedral
2. Charles Bridge
3. Old Town Square
4. Loreto Convent

If you want to see a magnificient art collection, head to the Sternberg Gallery near St. Vitus. The Jewish Ghetto is fascinating, if you have the inclination to explore.

I spent a week in Prague, but you can see the main sites in two days if you budget your time wisely.

The best restaurant in Prague, in my opinion, is DAVID in Mala Strana. If you have any questions about Prague, just ask here. Usually, Elaine, Christina, or I will be able to help you.

Cheers,
John G.

TexasAggie

A lot of great info from Thin. I've not been to Prague (yet) but am saving this post for when we do make it

rex

Personally, I would say that two days is NOT enough. Skipping the third day - - to spend six hours (there and back) on a bus seems imprudent, putting it mildly... to me.

What is the rest of the itinerary that takes you to Prague?

Cesky Krumlov is likable, but I see it far more practical en route to or from somewhere, as you travel to or from Prague.

Best wishes,

Rex

elaine

I haven't been to Cesky K yet, but after two visits to Prague,for me 2 days wouldn't be nearly enough.
Assume you will fall in love with it, and return, and then plan for a daytrip.

I have a file on Prague, if you'd like to see it, email me at
[email protected]

Also click at the top of the screen on Destinations and see all that fodors suggests about Prague.
Frommers.com also has a lot of good information, as does www.livingprague.com

Ingo

I don't think 2 days are enough to cover most of the sites - if you don't want to rush through. I'd like to add to ThinGorjus's list convent Strahov as a must.

But there are so many smaller sites which are worth exploring (Vysehrad, the gardens/villas below Hradcany castle, St. Niklas at Mala Strana ...)

I would save Cesky Krumlov or so for a future trip.

I.

AHaugeto

Adding to the list (and I'm of the opinion that 2 days is just not enough):

Guided tour of the Municipal House
Attend one of the million concerts
The Museum of Communism

Do a thread search for Prague trip reports and you'll find lots of ideas. Wish I was going back!

rvidwa

Hi,
Thanks John for all the pointers.
Have one more question regarding a day trip: Between Karlsteijn, Karlovy Vary or Marianske Lazne, is there a must see?
We will be travelling onward from Prague to Austria, first stop there being Vienna and then Salzburg. Ceske Krumlov almost borders Austria. Is it possible that we travel by train from Prague to Cesky and then onward to Austria? Is it worth renting a car?
Thanks!

Byrd

Good information, all.

I'm saving this for planning our fall trip.

Thank you.

Byrd

Kristinelaine

I think that you would have to backtrack to Cesky Budejovice by train and then on to Vienna, if I remember correctly. Check out the Deutsche Bahn website for help. reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/e
I hope I have that right. (There is no www.)

JulieVikmanis

Of the three you mention, I'd say Karlovy Vary is the most interesting. Town is on the banks of the river in a valley. several spa/springs, each with a slightly different appeal. Nice Greek or Russian Orthodox church. Lovely strolling areas.

We had a car, drove to Cesky Krumlov, stayed there three nights and did a couple of day trips from there. Driving was slow but pleasant. No problem. I think train connections from Prague to Czesky Krumlov are difficult if not impossible. Hope others can advise you further.

rex

We rented a car to travel from Prague to CK, en route to Graz, but we had several factors that influenced our decision - - might not fit your situation...

We were a family of five; this always drives down the per-person cost of car rental. We were headed to a very rural/remote destination in Poland after Prague (but before CK; we backtracked).

And we originated the car rental in Austria, and thus returning it to Austria meant no drop charge. We broke up the drive to Prague by stopping briefly in Telc, though that is hardly the basis for making any decision.

Graz was the easiest part of planning the itinerary of all, and we didn't even know we would enjoy it as we did. At the time (and still, occasionally) Ryanair fares from Graz to Stansted were in the "sub-two-dollar" range (before taxes of 20-something dollars); this sharply reduced our to/from Europe air travel costs, and allowed us to make a short "sidetrip" to Scotland, more or less as a freebie.

rvidwa

Hi,
Thank you everybody for your inputs.
After reading I felt as though taking a bus may be a better deal for us to travel from Praguet to Cesky Krumlov?
And then to go to Vienna, are there no trains from Ceske Krumlov to Vienna?
Is that why one might have to go to Ceske Budejovice?

ThinGorjus

Do a search by typing CESKY KRUMLOV into the search engine box at the top of the page. I am sure Christina answered this question about taking trains to Vienna from Ceske Bud.

None of the places you mentioned are a "must see." They are all wonderful, but so is Prague. I wouldn't rush through the sites of Prague just to spend one day at Karlstein, Karlov Vary, or Ceske Krumlov. We only visited other places because we were in Prague for seven days and wanted to see the Czech countryside.

I will top my Prague report for you.

elaine

here is the link to ThinGorjus's report

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...2&tid=34514397