I'm having a terrible time deciding on a vacation but am thinking about Prague. I would have 8 days there. Is that too much time? Is there enough to do? How about day trips out of the city? Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated...even a suggestion to visit another European city instead! I've lived in Paris and spent time in most of the typically visited cities in Europe. I'm looking for a place that would be interesting, but not too hectic. Thanks.

It all depends on your pace, of course, but I think eight days a bit long. Four days would give you a rushed visit, and six a comfortable one, to take in the great buildings, museums, and galleries, and to take a day trip by bus to the exemplary children s camp at Terezin, an hour north, then cross the river ten minutes by bus to see Litomerice, a good example of a well-kept baroque city, unvisited by tourists, thawt I find an antidote to the sickness of Terezin. With eight days you could spend five in Prague and three in Ceske Budejovice, three hours south by train, both to see the city itself (and quaff the lager) and to take bus or train trips fifty minutes away to old castles, churches, a monastery, a medieval carp farm, and Cesky Krumlov, a Unesco world heritage town. Many people stay there, but it has become over-used by tourists, whereas Ceske Budejovice is still a normal small city, and a hotel or hostel near the railway station lets you get about the whole delightful area of South Bohemia.

Ben Haines, London
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Eight days just in Prague may be too long unless you are the type who likes to immerse yourself into a community, hang out in bookstores and art galleries, meet people, etc. If you're looking something to 'do' every day you might get bored.

You can be in Dresden by train from Prague in about 2.5hrs, and Berlin is another 2hrs further.

You could stay 8 days in Prague. Of those 8 days, 1 day could be spent on a side trip to Cesky Krumlov and another day in Karlovy Vary. These two towns are so beautiful and interesting - I definitely recommend them. They're also not too far from Prague. You could go on your own or with a sightseeing tour group.

This would give you a plan that is non-hectic and leisurely.

When we return to Prague, we'll probably do something similiar to this plan.

Thanks so much for the information. My plans have now changed, and I'm headed to Istanbul in May instead. Prague is next year, though, so your advice will be useful then! Thanks.