Prague
 

Does anyone have any suggestions for a company to call that would put together a package for Prague that would include air, hotels, sightseeing and transfers. Also I would appreciate a suggestion for a 3star plus or 4 star hotel in Prague that would be old-world in style -- not a chain. Also any wonderful suggestions? Our trip is to be in November. Thanks for your help.

Chaz, <BR> <BR>I'm going to Prague in November and made the air and hotel reservations myself -- I found it to be cheaper so that I could avoid the single supplement hotel charge and supplemental air charge to fly from Boston to New York and then onto Prague. But to answer your question, try either Paul Laifer Tours or Summit Travel (both have web sites). Both seem to have good reputations and favorable pricing, especially if you can fly out of New York (otherwise you have to add on the supplemental costs). As an FYI, Paul Laifer quoted me $1000 inclusive in a 3 star hotel for 8 nights, and I was able to put the package together for $724 for 8 nights in a 4 star hotel in a much better location (and I can fly from Boston instead of New York, which is a huge time savings for me). Also, from my research I have found that you can find out about tour operators through the Prague Tourist Information Office -- there are a few of them in Prague, the two that I know of are in the train station and in the East Tower of the Charles Bridge. I was warned to avoid Martin Tours though. Also, there are other Fodorites here that have been to Prague that have been most helpful in sharing their wealth of travel information and knowledge with me -- specifically, Lee and Marc, both supplied me with excellent information. Kudos to them both. Email me and I will share my information with you. <BR> <BR>Leslie

Chaz, <BR> <BR>Paul Laifer Tours is in Parsippany, New Jersey. When you call ask for Tommy. He is very knowledgeable.

Well, I know some Prague specialists are Paul Laifer (www.laifertours.com) and Summit Tours. Laifer has a variety of levels from budget to superior. I'm not clear on what you are trying to avoid by the chain mention. The only chain I can think of that is ugly and perhaps actually built by the company (is that what you object to?) is the Hilton; there are a couple new Marriotts but they are renovated of older buildings and pretty nice, although maybe not what you want. In any case, probably the Pariz or Grand Hotel Bohemia or Palace would fit your description, although I've heard some complaints about just how old world the style may be in the Bohemia. The King Charles hotel near the castle also sounds like a possibility.

Thanks for the suggestions re tour operators and hotels.

Chaz -- <BR> <BR>Leaving next week for Prague and Budapest. <BR> <BR>Check out www.czechairlines.com -- they have some great deals in my opinion. This is how we booked our trip. <BR> <BR>I dealt with Monika in NYC @ 1-877-293-4225 (toll free number). <BR> <BR>Hope this helps. <BR> <BR>Bob

Bob, thanks for the tip re Czech Airlines. Unfortunately their number is constantly busy, but I'll keep trying

A great hotel that I think would fit your requirements would be the "metamorphis", www.metamorphis.cz <BR>I stayed there for two weeks last year ( I got married in the old town hall in Prague). The suite has fantastic windows overlooking the ungelt square and it really is totally in the middle of everything. I dealt with them directly by e mail and they even organised airport pick ups. Don't pay a company to do what is suprisingly easy to do yourself;-) e mail me if you want more info

Hi- <BR> <BR>If you have not already booked with a company, I found a travel agent who is now putting a package together for me for Prague, the countryside, Vienna and Salzburg. I found the travel agent on the Internet, and since they are located near where I live, I went there. I am dealing with Peter. The agency is connected with a company in the Czeck Republic, and will be able to put together whatever kind of package that you want. Peter comes from that area so he is well versed. On top of being well versed, he is nice to deal with. <BR> <BR>I will be leaving the last week of September and will be spending about nine days between Prague and the countryside, the latter of which has some wonderful things. <BR> <BR>Whether you utilize their services or not, enjoy. <BR> <BR>ellie

Hi Again- <BR> <BR>I was just scrolling down reading the other messages, and when I got to mine I realize that I forgot to mention the name of the travel agency. It is Summit International Travel. I also note that it is mentioned in other messages. Sorry. <BR> <BR>ellie

ellie -- we ate at the Metamorphosis cafe in 1998 and liked it a lot -- my only concern about the hotel would be the noise level -- the "club restaurant" looks like a nightclub... that square is also very small and I can imagine there was some street noise? I'd love some more information on this as, otherwise, it looks like a dream:)

Chaz, We used Peter at Summit Travel on our trip to Prague late last year and they did a great job. They provided air, hotel and airport transporation and everything went very well. They can set up a 1/2 day tour that gets you acclimated to the city with pickup right at your hotel. <BR> <BR>Czech Airlines is a class act, also. <BR> <BR>Leslie, thanks for the kind comments.

I have posted this before, but I will post again. The Hotel Metamorphis is awesome. Located in a great little square a couple of minutes off of the Old Town Square. Suite 21 is really the best room by far. We stayed there this summer while we got married at St. Vitus. The restaurant is great, too. We liked it enough to hold our wedding reception there. The staff was fantastic, and they took care of every need. There are definitely less expensive hotels, but we are going back to Metamorphis when we return. <BR>www.metamorphis.cz

re; noise at the metamorphis. The only problem was the bin collection at about 7.00am. Its the wheels on the cobbles I think, but other than that the noise from the restaurant never carried up to the suite. We also had our wedding reception at the restaurant, and Lou is right, the staff are brilliant. Couldn't have picked a better place.