We will be taking our 4th trip to Prague since 1990, we will travel in late November. We are interested in others' experiences taking day trips from Prague. We have already visited Cesky Krumlov and Plzen (stayed overngiht in each town). We are considering Ceske Budejovice, Tabor and Melnik. The Czech Pils/beer is an important part of our travels. Cozy and interesting places to enjoy food and beer? Suggestions? Experiences? Thanks so much.

One interesting place to visit is the town of Kutna Hora, only about an hour from Prague by either bus or train. It is an old town, with a compact center, fine old architecture, some interesting churches, and makes for an easy day trip.

<BR>I like your three ideas and the idea of Kutna Hora. Ceske Budejovice is of course home of the immortal Budweisser. <BR> <BR>A very different trip, but worth making, is to the concentration camp for artists, intellectuals and children in Terezin, then over the river to the fine and civilised old city of Litomerice. <BR> <BR>A beautiful place that would call for a night away is Brno, though it's more a wine city than a beer city. <BR> <BR>I am happy to see this foum's readers spreading themselves beyond Pague, Krakow and Budapest to discovering the treasury of provincial cities in central Europe. In five years time I hope to see similar development towards Transylvania and Serbia, two more regions strong in the sort of towns you and I enjoy. <BR> <BR>Please write if I can help further. Welcome back to Europe. <BR> <BR>Ben Haines, London <BR> <BR> <BR>

Thanks so much for the suggestions. I looked up the rail schedule to Kutna Hora and there are direct trains from Praha. Any suggestions for cozy places to have beer and lunch or dinner?

In addition to the above wonderful choices,I would definitely suggest Karlovy Vary. If you can take more than a day trip--Roslov in Slovakia was fabulous.

Dear Joy, could you elaborate on your two recommendations with more details? I'm very interested in this thread, and would be grateful for more details. For instance, can you get to either place by train, what are the things you like about them, any recommended hotels and restaurants, etc. THANK YOU!! <BR>

On your own it is faster to take a (reasonably comfortable) bus--about 200 kroons and 2 1/2 hours each way (train is about 4 hours each way). <BR> <BR>There are many tour companies that provide day trips from Prague, but I really recommend a night or two there--a very relaxing break from Mitteleuropean cities. <BR> <BR>It is a beautiful town with a long history, sort of a Mitteleuropean Monte Carlo, and curiously caters to a large Russian tourist population. <BR> <BR>I stayed at the Dvorak <BR> <BR>http://www.karlovyvary.cz/index_aj.htm

Hi Ladybug <BR>I will try to answer your questions. Karlova Vary is best visited by bus. The bus station is somewhere around the train station in Prague, I had to ask directions several times before I found it. It is advisable to go to the ticket window about an hour ahead of time as the bus fills up fast. It is a commuter type bus with mostly Czech passengers and very pleasant. Karlova Vary is a beautiful town with a canal running through the middle. The architecture everywhere was gorgeous, I wanted to take pictures of every building I saw. There are also spas. We didn't stay overnight so I can't recommend a hotel, but I'm sure there are many acceptable places. <BR> <BR>I misspelled Rosnov. This is a village in the center of the country directly south of Ostrava. There is an outdoor museum in a large wooded park where they have re-created the old village--moved historic houses, stores, church, etc. Each time I was there (in Sept-Oct on a weekend) there was a festival with numerous musical groups of all kinds performing throughout the park,including folk dancers, opera singers, children's choirs in the church handmade wooden crafts for sale and wonderful food. Again, I did not stay overnight so cannot comment on lodging. The group I was with unanimously agreed it was the highlight of the trip. I'm sure there are public buses that go there, I was with a small group who had chartered a bus. Please feel free to contact me if you have further questions.