I am a thirty something woman from NYC who will be visiting London to see family and wants to extend the trip to Prague. I figure I will fly JFK-London-Prague-JFK (or will have to do a London-Prague-London-JFK route). I have never been to Prague and don't know much yet (I will do the research). I will want to tour the city and if I'm on my own I'd want a tour guide for at least a day. Can anyone recommend an English-speaking guide, preferably for either just me or a small group will also be okay. I don't want to take a big bus around Prague with a huge group of people. I am willing to pay for a private guide. Also, any "must-see" things I should do while I am there? I figure I will have 3-4 days tops. This will be in either May or June 2007.

Thanks very much!

I can't answer your question, but I thought I'd mention that I visited Prague alone some years ago, and found it very easy to get around on my own. It is a delightful city - I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

I also visited Prague as a single female a few years ago and found it very easy. Most poeple in the center of town spoke English. I did lots of research (on line, guidebooks, etc) and figured out what I wanted to see and just did it by myself. I never felt a need for a guide in Prague. It also felt very safe.

I did want to take a day trip to a small town and for that I took a tour. I went to Chesky Krumlov. There are numerous kiosks all over the central area offering that day trip plus numerous other options. You can buy tickets for them a day or so in advance or just show up a few minutes before the tour is scheduled to leave. My tour was pretty full but not sold out and that was in July.

Thanks for the advice. Also, can anyone recommend a moderately priced, centrally located, boutique-y type hotel? I stayed at the Home Hotel in Buenos Aires and LOVED IT, so something along those lines.

I went by myself a few years ago and found it to be a very charming city. I booked a 1.5 day walking tour with an English speaking guide that was referred via this site. Her name was Sabina...but she has since moved away. Her friend, Martina Doskova, is still there. try [email protected]

I also visited Prague solo a few years back, and would have enjoyed it a lot more if I'd been sharing it fewer other tourists! I don't usually hire a guide, but I'm especially interested in Art Nouveau, so I hired one for one morning in Prague. I can definitely recommend Katerina Svobodova. I no longer have the contact info. I used for her but looks like this is the same person: http://praguewalker.com/.

Thank you! What about hotels? Moderate price, near the bridge? Any suggestions?

Try Grand Hotel Praha

http://www.a-prague.com/hotel-grand-hotel-praha

Not a boutique, but right on Old Town Square. They have 1 single room. It is tiny, but for the level of hotel, it is a great bargain, and you will literally walk right out into the square.

Hotel Josef is popular for modern decor.

Also, just look on www.travel.cz, or www.athos.cz, etc for more ideas on style, price range, etc. You might find a place right under the bridge that is charming, but many of the styles aren't "boutique". More like "antique"