danielef

I'll go to Prague in July for a week to attend a Gymnastics festival. My return ticket is from Prague and I'd like to spend another 5 days before coming back. Since I'll already have visited Prague, where else should I go, considering low budget options (i'll backpack)? Should I stay in the Czech Republic (if so, where?) or should I go to Vienna and then return (if so, by train?)?

I'd appreciate some feedback to help me plan my itinerary. I might do it with a friend or alone.

Christina

It depends what appeals to you -- Vienna would be one option, or perhaps Budapest, also. Have you thought about Germany? YOu could go to Dresden and then maybe Munich or Berlin. A lot of young people like those places. There are some budget airlies you can check out (www.whichbudget.com), but trains are often a good idea over there.

You could probably logistically do Prague-Dresden-Berlin (but then you'd have to backtrack). Or you could do Prague-Bratislava-Vienna-Prague.

bailey6325

You have a lot of options. When I visited Prague, we took day trips to Karlovy Vary and Kutna Hora (I preferred Karlovy Vary to Kutna Hora - another day trip option is Cesky Krumlov which I hear is fabulous). After about a week in the Czech Republic, we took the train to Vienna and Salzburg and spent a few days in each location. It was a very enjoyable trip.

Ingo

I second the idea of Dresden-Berlin. The train ride to Dresden is only 2.5 hours, to Berlin another 2.5 h.

Or you could do Prague - Dresden - Wroclaw - Prague.

There are plenty of options for backpackers in Dresden. Very interesting city for young folks. July is perfect for a visit - open air cinema by the river, festivals etc. By the way, Dresden celebrates its 800th anniversary this year with many events. For example in July:
7-9 Beach Volleyball series Germany (Altmarkt)
8 museums Summer night
10/11 Robbie Williams concert
14-23 800th anniversary festival week (one highlight is the open-air play of the movie "Potemkin", new composed music by the Pet Shop Boys and the Pet Shop Boys conducting the Dresden Symphonic Orchestra live)
theatre, music etc. live all over the city.

danielef

Thanks for the suggestions so far. I have to say a few things before getting more advice, I guess. First, I'm not that young: almost 40. Second, I've been to Berlin before, so I'd like to see somewhere else. So Dresden seems to be a great option, and so is Vienna. You mentioned Bratislava: what is there to see?

Christina

That's funny, I thought you were younger because you were attending a gymnastics festival, so I thought maybe you were a gymnast and that career doesn't last too long.

Anyway, I mentioned Bratislava because it was on a rail route and it's not far from Vienna, so wouldn't take you out of your way too much.

I haven't been there, it's the capital of Slovakia and supposed to be an attractive place to visit. It's just not as spoiled by tourism yet as a lot of other places, so it would be something different. Here's their website with lots of info

http://www.bratislava.sk/en/

There must be some posts on here where people mentioned going there that you could read -- try a search if you can, there probably aren't a lot.

danielef

Christina,

I am indeed a gymnast, but I practice General Gymnastics, which means it is non-competitive and meant for all ages, regardless of their physical condition and technical ability. It is part of the sports-for-all initiative, which is pretty widespread in Europe, but not in the Americas.

Thank you for the tip on Bratislava. My huge ignorance prevented me from seeing that Slovakia was just there...