I am going to Prague in mid-May and planning to stay in Hotel Julian (found from Rick Steve), was wondering if anyone stayed there and what they think of it. Also, this is the first time I am heading to Prague...in general, is it a safe city? Please give me some heads-up and facts...thanks!

I haven't stayed at the Hotel Julian but have stayed at the Hotel Union another Steves recommendation. I've found his descriptions to be the most right on of any guidebook I use. <BR>Prague is safe. You're probably going to spend most of your time in Praha 1 the old city and maybe in 2. I would say there are more gypsies ready to pick pocket, especially in the tourist areas, and on the tram. But I wouldn't worry about violent crime. Taxis are nortorious for being potential rip ofs, but your hotel can help you there. The tram system is really good and you may find you don't need a taxi. Finally, a lot of people get bent out of shape thinking the tourists are given a "special" price for food, etc. I don't know, I may have had that happen but everything was still so cheap, it seemed petty to worry about. There are ATMs everywhere and I would use those instead of money exhange places.<BR>Enjoy Prague, it is a beautiful city!<BR>

I didn't stay there, I stayed in Old Town, but I have a friend who stayed at Hotel Julian for a few days last year and she liked it fine. It's in a safe area, maybe a little out-of-the-way relatively, as it's in Smichov south of Mala Strana, about 6 blocks to closest metro stop (Andel), but there may be a closer tram line. It didn't seem to bother my friend being there, she didn't mention the location as a nuisance. She showed me photos of her room and they looked okay as long as you don't expect anything special or good taste or anything (they had really ugly bright pink sheets, she thought that was cute, though). I'm real picky about location in cities I visit, though, I know that, I don't like being that far from a metro stop or that far away from the center in most cases. I don't know if there is anything in particular around the hotel, she didn't say. She chose it because she wanted hotel parking for her car, and that's one of the few reasonable places in central Prague that has it, I think. She said they tried to cheat her by charging her the reservation fee that the booking service at the train station had already taken from her, she refused to pay it again and they backed down; I have no idea if that was a real scam or a misunderstanding. I felt perfectly safe in Prague and I was out and about at night on public transportation and walking around. I've heard of more crime stories there than some other cities (mainly on metro late at night), but saw none. You might want to be careful about pickpockets in the main tourist areas and tourist route trams (like no 22 going up to castle), I've heard that crim rate is higher than some other cities, but I'd guess no worse than Italy, Spain, etc. I have a good friend who's traveled quite a bit in Europe professionally and lived there a while and he said there was as lot of crime in Prague, and since he's a reasonable and educated and experienced person, I expect there is some truth to it. I did not see any gypsies in Prague, anywhere at all. I also wouldn't worry about using ATMs instead of money exchange places; it surprised me, but in Prague the rates are very comparable to ATMs, so don't worry if you do want to use a money exchange place (well, I went to major names like Thomas Cooks which are common, and Am Express, not some local ones) for travelers checks, you aren't losing out. Even the one at the airport had excellent rates, I was very surprised as I've never seen that in any other city. I guess money exchanging is a very competitive business in Prague and they want the dollars (unlike Austria where they do charge you a bundle). I almost lost my card at one Prague ATM, so I played it safe and just cashed TCs after that, I didn't lose any money on that at all.

Augie,<BR>We just returned from a trip that included Prague. We have been to many countries in Europe and found Prague to be no different from the other countries we have visited with respect to the pickpockets, etc. <BR>When we were in Italy a young man tried to rob me, in Spain last year someone tried to rob my daughter. Neither times were they successful as I anticipated it happening both times.<BR>You just need to be alert to what is going on around you. <BR>Prague is lovely. Don't let these tales deter you from enjoying a truly beautiful city. I never take anything (even my wedding ring) along that I couldn't stand to lose. <BR>Have a wonderful trip! <BR>Gloria<BR>

just back from prague and budapest. both cities safe if one uses the usual precautions against pickpockets. one quickly realizes that you are not assulted by the constant sound of police sirens or do you see many police at all. when you see them they are carring the usual side arms but not submachine guns. this should tell you something of the saftely level. the worst we saw was one sick weenie wagger but what thae hell if that was the worst thing we were again lucky. go and enjoy yourself. oh try and get the several day passes for the public trtanspordtation -its cheaper and the system is very good<BR><BR>

I would like to thank all of you for the valuable advice. From what I heard, Hotel Julian is OK...so I better get another hotel that is more "like-able"...thanks! I need to do more research then...thanks!

try the movenpick in praha5 its a quite area and 2 blocks to the trams. good hotal with full services. we loiked it a lot

Augie:<BR><BR>I have visited Prague twice for short trips over the past 18 months. I don;t know the hotel but want to assure you that it is a very beautiful city particularly if you enjoy architecture and walking!<BR><BR>I was a female travelling on my own and found it as safe as any other city, meaning you always have to be very careful about not wandering into areas (dark alleys, scuzzy areas - did not notice any in the city centre) that you would not go into at home. Be careful of your purse (many European women wear their shoulder bags across their chest to avoid "pickpockets"). <BR><BR>A surprising number of people (mostly the younger ones) speak perfect english and, I found, are delighted to practice. It's a very easy city to navigate so getting lost is not a problem. <BR><BR>The only "scam" that I am aware of are the taxis and most tour books warn you. From the airport, make sure you get an "approved" cab from the taxi rank. Ask the attendant the appox. fare to your hotel. If you take a cab while you are there, best to ask the hotel to call one rather than hail one on the street and the restaurants to call one before you leave. Alternatively, use the metro and buses which are clean and convenient.<BR><BR>Have a wonderful time and let us all know of your experiences when you return.<BR><BR>Regards ... Ger