Help with Prague & CK itinerary
 

We will be in Prague for 4 days in August. Staying at Aparthotel City 5, which is near the Andel train station, south of Mala Strana. We are a couple around 50 yrs, and would enjoy soaking in the culture and architecture of the place. Not too fond of too many museums.
We are thinking of allotting our four days as follows:
a) One day for Stare Mesto area
b) One day for Hradcany & Mala Strana area, including Prague Castle and Charles Bridge
c) One day for the Nove Mesto area
d) One day for a day trip to Cesky Krumlov
Please suggest detailed itineraries for each day, including "must-sees" and "avoidable" places. Would also appreciate suggestions pertaining to evening concerts, ballets, marionettes, black light theatre etc. Would also welcome restaurant or bar/cafe suggestions, but please note that we are vegetarians.
Thanks in advance for your ever valuable tips.

the trip sounds wonderful. a couple of things we loved in prague...

Josefov, the Jewish Quarter, not to be missed, even if you're not jewish. the cemetery is amazing and i guarantee you have not seen anything like it.

the opera. we went to the opera there-- my husband's first ever. he fell in love, because it was such a little and stunning and OLD theater. (mozart conducted there, i believe.) the tickets were not expensive and they delivered them to our hotel, free of charge!! (here it costs $10 to have them mail them to you!)

we loved chesky krumlov. you might want a couple of nights there because, not only is it a darling town, but the area and parks around it are beautiful. it was an easy bus ride, but fairly long, as i recall.
have fun!
kawh

Only one response till date ! Come on Fodorites, you have never let us down in the past. We are eagerly awaiting more suggestions. Thanks kawh for your tips.

You can't go wrong with 4 days in Prague! We spent 4 days there about a year ago. We are 50ish also and by the time we reached Prague were burned-out on walking through museums (this was week 3 of a self-planned, low-budget, whirlwind trip through Europe), so we spent the bulk of our time just roaming the old city areas, enjoying the beautiful and ornate architecture and the people. I am also vegetarian, and I had no trouble finding good things to eat: our hotel provided morning coffee & pastries, I had fried cheese and mulled wine from street vendors for lunches, bought & carried in my daypack for snacks the wonderful fresh produce I bought in food shops, and our one "nice" restaurant meal in Prague was in Wencelas Square (in a major hotel, I think was named European Hotel? - we ate in the restaurant below ground level, done up in old timbers & stucco, felt very elegant, cozy and ancient) provided me with a yummy plate of potatoes, sauerkraut, dumpling, and other veggies, washed down with a great lager. We loved the Charles Bridge on Sunday afternoon with its streetfair atmosphere complete with musicians, also loved the huge open-air market nearby. Two things we regretted missing and would definitely do if we go to Prague again: the Prague museum addressing Czech life under Communist rule (sorry, don't know its name or location, but should be easy to research), reportedly very fascinating and insightful into Czech life; and a day trip to Kutna Hora, a short trip from Prague, a beautiful World Heritage Site town and home of the "bone cathedral" or ossuary. A couple day-tour companies go there from Prague, and there is also public transport if you'd want to go and explore the town on your own. As for cultural entertainment, there were numerous fliers being handed out in the tourist-visited areas for evening concerts and marionette shows,which we were just too tired by evening to attend. Wish I had more information for you but hope what I have provided is helpful.

Be sure to see the Loreto Chapel and listen to the bells. The Jewish Quarter IS fascinating and the cemetary is memorable but I would point out that most of the synagogues are really now museums; depending on your time, you may want to just tour the cemetery? I would also recommend Strahov Monastery for the interior architecture, plus the view of the city from there is quite wonderful. Be sure to see the Dancing House.

Hi P,

It won't take the whole day for Stare Mesto.

I urge you to visit Josefov and the Jewish Museums.

See Prague under "Destinations".

((I))

You will find you can accomplish A LOT in Prague in 4 days. It is a very walkable city and I agree with other posts, you do not need a full day to see Stare Mesto.

I happened to LOVE the Mala Strana area with it's little windy streets. In the same vicinity, you HAVE to check out Kampa Island for a lovely stroll along the Certovka river...Also, in Mala Strana, be sure to get to the see the Vrtba Garden (in Czech it's called Vrtbovska zahrada) - it is a beautiful off the beaten path garden just next to the church which houses the Infant Baby Jesus of Prague - it's through a completely inconspicuous little gate on Karmelitska 25. The garden has the BEST views of the Mala Strana area and is absolutely gorgeous. I think it's a hidden little secret for tourists- at least it was when I was there - my hubby and I were the only ones and had the garden all to ourselves...

I also LOVED Czesky Krumlov and did a day trip there - I found that was sufficient time although I'm sure it's nice to spend a day or two there if you have more time.

You will love Prague - it is one of my favorite cities in Europe. Enjoy!!

I have a file on Prague I put together when we were planning our trip. if you would like it, please e-mail me. We loved Prague!

We took a walking tour of Prague and thought it was a great intro to the city. We also enjoyed the Communist Museum and the Jewish Quarter. Be sure to go to the Monestry brewery for a great Czech beer and good food. I would vote to spent 3 nights in Prague and one in CK. Enjoy!

I would take the tram from Andel up to the castle area, and Old Town. This will require switching lines a few times, but will give you a great view of the city & the different areas. The metro is great, so maybe take it one way, to save time. The tram line will give you views that you'll never see unless you're on it.

Cesky Krumlov is a very nice day trip, but if you find yourself overwhelmed with choices in Prague, I would probably just stay put in the city & explore more of the areas like Kampa, Vysehrad, Josefov, Petrin Hill, etc.

Thanks a lot everyone for your wonderful suggestions. Very helpful. Still awaiting suggestions for opera or ballet or concerts etc. Anyone with experience of witnessing a Black Light theater performance ?

August is not ballet or opera season. Black Light Theater plays all year round, but is not really my favorite (at least from what I've seen). Best bet is to check out the Prague Post when you get there, and see what's playing.

hi 'couple,

we did go to a puppet theatre - it was fun and we were glad we'd done it, but not a highlight unlike the opera! [not that that's much help to you].

but you shouldn't need to book ahead - just find one you like the look of, and buy the tickets the day before or on the day.

you may find that there are concerts on as well in various halls and churches, which cold be well worth going to.

finally, the cable car to the top of the hill by the castle is fun and there is a nice park up there[even in December]. have a look in the basement of the cafe at the museum of hiking!

have a great trip,

regards, ann