Okay Fodorites, I will land in Prague in 2 weeks and be there for 8 nights. Sabena has an influx of cash for the next 3 months, so my flight from Logan is going to take off. <BR> <BR>I've done all of my research on Prague. Here's the question -- which side trips do I make? I've got definite plans for day trips to Cesky Krumlov and to Terezin. Should I also go to Kutna Hora? Seems that Kutna Hora and Terezin are both 1/2 day sightseeing trips, but I don't want to add anything to the Terezin trip due to the seriousness of it. Anywhere else I should consider going? Prague is going to be my base town. <BR> <BR>Also, not being a great lover of opera, but wanting to go to at least 2 cultural evening performances, which opera would you suggest I go to? I'd prefer something more comical than serious. And, I also would enjoy going to see either the Symphony or Philharmonic. And yes, I plan to go to an evening performance of Laterna Magicka. <BR> <BR>Lastly, I would like to personally thank Bob and Lee for allowing me to read their travelogues on Prague, and being in constant email communication with me. And, Marc, thanks for pointing me in the direction of a private guide. <BR> <BR>Best regards and Happy Thanksgiving to all of you, <BR> <BR>Leslie

I loved going to the concert at the Hall of Mirrors! You can't get in during the day, but it is a gorgeous setting and the concert itself was beautiful. I'd highly recommend it. Also, when I went to Terezin it was pretty much a full day trip by the time we got there, did the tour (led by a survivor and there were only 5 of us on the tour that day), and returned to Prague. Have a wonderful time.

Leslie, I'm not clear on your dates or what performances you are considering. Opera depends on the season's schedule as to what is playing. I've been to Prague and know a bit about dance and classical music, and so I know some web sites but I don't know what you are thinking of doing. There is no comic opera playing in Prague during that time that I know (personal opinion obviously, but comic opera is not that interesting to most people, including me, and is often more ancient and dated than even other opera). From the schedule I've seen, I would recommend as most accessible: Mozart's Cosi Fan Tutte, Verdi's La Traviata, Puccini's Tosca, or Bizet's Carmen--probably Carmen would be my top suggestion unless you love Puccini (who doesn't) or Verdi and don't want to miss them. I would not suggest Smetana. There are lots of opera performances during that period, it is incredible compared to most cities. What I might suggest really as top choice is not a full-length opera but a selection of opera arias (which I often enjoy as even though I love the music, I will admit I don't much like opera performances myself)--they have programs like this often in Prague, and there is one called Opera Gala at the Kaiserstein Palace in the Lesser Town Sq. section of Prague 1 on Sundays (11/18/and 11/25), this used to be the Stone Bell series. You might also think of the ballet which is shorter and I prefer to opera, myself--they are playing Raymonda at the national Theater on Sun 11/25 which has some wonderful music in it by Glazunov. I would not suggest you go to the Gluck ballet Don Juan, nor some Philip Glasss stuff playing. You might also pick based on venue, as the National Theatre is an event in itself, as is the Estates (I'm not familiar with the Prague State Opera venue)--Raymonda, La Traviata, Tosca and Carmen are playing at the National Theatre. Here is a good site to list performances, prices and I think you can buy online: www.opera-rkm.cz. Also, the Nat Theatre's own site www.nationaltheatre.cz. I bought tickets from a ticket agency in Prague, www.ticketpro.cz and they were helpful and efficient and I had no problems--they sell Magic Lantern also and most stuff in Prague (not sure if they still sell opera tickets, though, last time I looked on their site I could not find them, but I bought Nat Theatre tickets from them last year). As for day trips, I didn't go to Kutna Hora so can't advise although I've heard it's a good one; I think your choices are good.

Christina, thanks for the information. I arrive in Prague on November 15th and depart on the 23rd. I have checked out all of the sites you mentioned, but will check them out again. "Carmen" which was my first choice is not playing while I will be in Prague. I was thinking about going to see "The Magic Flute." The only ballet is "Romeo and Juliet" which I have seen a few times. Has anyone been to the marionette show "Don Giovanni" - yay or nay? <BR> <BR>Ldsant, thanks for the information on Terezin. I understand that the guides that run the tour I have selected to Terezin are either survivors or historians. My main purpose for this trip to the Czech Republic is because my paternal great grandparents died in the Terezin Ghetto, and I wish to pay my respects. In that regard, does anyone know if the graves are marked, or if there is a registry of those interned in the cemetery? Also has anyone attended Friday evening Sabbath services at any of the synagogues in Prague? Thanks again for responding. <BR> <BR>Leslie

Christina, I just checked the www.ticketpro.cz site and purchased a ticket for the Czech National Philharmonic Queen concert in tribute to Freddy Mercury for November 20th at the Rudolfinium-Dvorakova Sin. Thanks so much for suggesting that site. I'll buy the other tickets when I arrive in Prague. <BR> <BR>Leslie

Leslie: <BR> <BR>The graves are not marked. They are separated as Christian (as you approach the camp) and Jewish (next to the crematoriums) cemeteries. There are several ways in which the names of those who perished are listed throughout. <BR> <BR>You can only attend the synagogue in Prague on Friday night by going and explaining that you are there for the entire service. Women are separated from the men by a wall with a few "slits" in the wall. The entire service is conducted in Hebrew. Women do not participate at all. I have to mention that they were rather stringent about getting in and with the tragedy of 09/11 it may be even more so. Perhaps you want to arrange this prior to going to Prague? It was a great experience however. I would strongly suggest taking a tour of the Jewish Quarter. This was half-day and the guide I had was soooo knowledgeable is was amazing. If you have any other ?s, please feel free to email me.

ldsant, thanks for the additional information about Terezin. I've contracted with a private guide for a complete tour of Prague. I will check with her about going to one of the synagogues to attend Sabbath services. I've been to orthodox synagogues many times so I understand about the separation of men and women -- either by a partition or upstairs/downstairs seating. I would stay for the entire service, and believe it or not, I actually can read Hebrew. At least something has come in handy by attending 7 years of religious school classes 3 times a week. <BR> <BR>ldsant, this is my real email address; yours, however, is invalid. <BR>Please feel free to email me. Thanks again, <BR> <BR>Leslie

hey, I like Freddie Mercury myself, that sounds interesting and I wanted to go to the Rudolfinium but could not fit it in (beautiful building from the outside). I thought Carmen was playing on Thurs, 11/20 at the National Theatre, but maybe no or you won't be there that evening? I think the Magic Flute would be a good choice for opera, but I love Mozart (although that is not my favorite opera of his, I prefer Marriage of Figaro or Don Giovanni). Haven't seen marionettes. I did not have the time or maybe willingness to go to Terezin. I saw names on the wall of the synagogue in Prague that enumerated those who died there that were my family's name, which is not that common, but I don't know if we were really related--my ancestors came from Bavaria and Alsace and some lived in Poland at one time, so you never know, although those names (on Pinkus Synagogue) are of those from Bohemia and Moravia who died, so if your ancestors were from there, their names might be on that wall. My understanding is that the Terezin cemetery is mostly unmarked as it was created from the mass graves, but I don't know specifics and wasn't there. I did not attend any services in Prague, but would suggest the Spanish Synagogue for that as it was quite impressive (they have concerts there periodically, also, so you might stop by when you first arrive to see their schedule, they also have very good exhibits on history). The Spanish Synagogue is not far from the famous old Jewish quarter section, near Pariz street, it was in-between there and my hotel so I went by it several times. Also, I would also suggest you consider a performance in the Hall of Mirrors someone suggested above, if you can, as the acoustics really were outstanding and it is worth seeing for other reasons (it's very near Charles Bridge); they have frequent evening concerts in there, also, mainly chamber music, it appeared (which would be best as it's a small space).

gee, I just realized ldsant answered specifics on Terezin, etc, so you didn't need my speculation. I wonder about the synagogue thing, though, are those the rules for all synagogues in Prague? I can understand they don't want tourists or sightseeing during service (reason for explaining you'll be there for the whole service), but are they all Orthodox? here's a link to the Open Prague Jewish Community which can help: www.bejt-praha.cz

ttt for Trat