Prague
 

Now i've sorted out how i'm getting there, I now would like some information on what i could do while i'm there, having never been i'm really looking forward to the trip :)

I'm really interested in Jewish History which is main reason for wanting to visit Prague, I'm hoping also to visit Theresienstadt, are organised tours better or not? (I took an organised tour to Auschwitz-Birkenau years ago which turned out to be a mistake)
Anything particular that might be interesting to visit? I'm staying at the HiHostel in Downtown Prague which i understand is fairly central, will be in Prague for 4 days give or take a few hours, arrive there on the evening of August 25th and depart in the morning of August 30th

Also any recommendations on places to eat? My budget isn't exactly huge approx 850CZK a day for food (lunch and dinner) is that likely to be enough? I've only got myself to feed

Thanks in Advance

Dont know what there is in Prague, but I'll be arriving in Prague five days before you and leaving on the 27th if all goes to plan, so look forward to any replies here :)

For inexpensive eating stay away from the cafes around the Old Town Square. They're very expensive. Also avoid soft drinks like coke. One night I ate at a place called Svejk, across from the Prada store. I was the only English speaking person in the restaurant. I had roast pork, dumplings, red cabbage, tomato salad, and wine for 189czk. Another night I wandered to the right of Old Town Square (to the right if the river is behind you) and found a place that had lots of people eating and they all seemed to be having a good time. Unfortunately I don't know the name of the restaurant off hand but there are places to eat inexpensively if you wander around. Dinner was 335czk for 2 courses and a pint of beer.

I also had dinner at Kolkovna (Kolkovna Street) but that was more expensive - 500czk for pork cutlets, potato salad, and 2 glasses of wine. Everything was a la carte.

One thing to watch out for is the serving size. If the size is too large ask if they have a smaller portion for less money.

I would look at some trip reports for Prague to get ideas of what to see. Definitely the synagogues, castle area, and Charles Bridge. There's a mirror maze in Prague (I didn't do this) but it sounds interesting.

I don't visit concentration camps so didn't see Theresienstadt.

Get some guide books and read up on Prague - it's a fascinating city.

Are you into classical music? Check out the evening concerts at various churches and other venues. When we were there, tickets were hawked by students. The concerts last about 1 hour, are inexpensive but of solid quality.

I suggest you get a guide book and read it. Prague has an extremely rich Jewish history and you can tour a number of buildings with incredible exhibits. No guide needed - it;s all perfectly clear.

Adrienne thanks for the suggestions on eating, as someone who doesn't really drink is there any particular reason for avoiding soft drinks? I read rajshiv's trip report which i noticed you commented on, I took a look at the wesbites for the Sandeman tours, are they worth it?

Treplow, i quite like classical music, thanks for the tip

Thanks for the tips re guidebooks, my local bookstore has a wide variety of travel guides, i'd guess they'd likely have a couple on Prague :)
I knew afterwards that i didn't need the tour at Auschwitz, i went back to Birkenau a few years ago and got a lot more from it but my knowledge of Theresienstadt is limited in comparison :/

I really like Lonely Planet guide books to take while traveling for a list of sites to see. They also include okay restaurant recommendations.

We are going to Prague in September and here are some of the highlights we plan on seeing:
Prague Castle with gardens
Old Town Square
Charles Bridge
Jewish Quarter with Synagogues

<< is there any particular reason for avoiding soft drinks >>

I was responding to your food budget question. You want to stay within your budget. That's why you should avoid drinking coke and similar soft drinks. If you can eat cheaply then you'll have money left over for coke.

Beer is probably the cheapest thing you can drink followed by water, wine, and coffee. Coke will be the most expensive. I paid $3.50 for a small (think miniature) bottle of coke in a cafe. I normally don't drink coke but I was hot and tired and needed something cold and sugary so I bought a coke. But I could only afford 1 coke in a month-long trip. :)

<< the Sandeman tours, are they worth it >>

They're certainly worth it in terms of money since the tours are free. In terms of time, a friend did a Sandeman's tour in Paris and loved it. My picky brother did a Sandeman's tour in Munich and said it was very good.

Since the tour is free, if you start out and are disappointed with the guide then you can leave and you've lost nothing but a bit of time.

If you like the tour, and take the whole tour, then tip the guide.

I guess by your handle that you will go see the 'Fred and Ginger' building.

Oh my. I had to search for a photo of the "Fred and Ginger" building and am now adding it to our list of things to see in Prague come October. I was looking for restaurant ideas and found something unexpected. That's something I love about Fodors, you're sure to find something surprising.

I wondered if price was the factor :( Thanks for the tip :)

The 'Ginger and Fred' Building is definately on my list of places to visit!

I've taken a lot of tours in Berlin, when i visit new cities i appreciate them a lot because i learn things and see places that i wouldn't necessarily learn about/see otherwise

My comments...I do think a trip to Auschwitz-Berkenau or other such camp is important as a solemn remembrance. Let us never forget. Castle of course. Yes, good concerts available here and there...ours was chamber music on a stage in St.Martin in the Wall church. Yes, Frank Gehry Tancic Dum house is quirky. Also Rick Steve's recommends a nice little museum of Alphonse Mucha Nouveau art near Wenceslas Square.

Various inexpensive eating spots: Golem near Maisel Synagogue, uFleka beer hall, Kogos Restaurant, some internet cafe near Charles R. Bridge...lots of little places. Also Davidorff Restaurant in our hotel Modry Hrogen...and by the way grave of Kafka nearby. Enjoy!

Has anyone visited the library in Prague?

maybe it's the library in Vienna I heard about....

Well, there's this: http://www.flickr.com/photos/callumscott2/280532292/

but I suspect you mean the library in the monastery: http://www.prague.cz/strahov-library/

There's a beautiful photo of the library on this blog: http://thecaptivereader.wordpress.co.../library-lust/

Thank you, Scootoir!

Go to the Communism Museum, right above a casino!

I also enjoyed the Alfons Mucha museum very much. Not large, but just my size!

Do museums and such open on weekends? That might sound like the silliest question ever i know, but i'm guessing i wouldn't be able to visit any of the Synagogues on a Saturday for example

<< i'm guessing i wouldn't be able to visit any of the Synagogues on a Saturday >>

Will you be going to Prague without ever looking at a guide book which has opening days/hours?

The synagogues are closed Saturday and I would go early on Fridays in case they close early.

Lots of other sights are closed Mondays.

I should have looked first before asking i guess.

According to the website Theresienstadt is open daily so was thinking going there on the Saturday and then visit the Jewish Quarter on the Sunday

Was hoping to take the Sandeman tour on the Friday and see some of Prague, i got the DK Eyewitness Travel Guide of Prague and was thinking of visiting the Castle and seeing the Old Town

I was think about leaving Monday for visiting the Royal Palace and doing some shopping perhaps, but if places tend to be closed Monday then Monday might be a better day for seeing Jewish Prague instead

I would do the Royal Palace and Castle together - why buy 2 tickets when you can buy 1 ticket for everything. You'll save yourself 250CZK.

We have done the Sanderman's tours in two different cities that were very good. They rely on tips for their income. newpraguetours.com Info on Prague. www.inyourpocket.com/CzechRepublic/Prague

After reading more of the eyewitness travel guide, Itinery is looking like

Thursday - Arrive Prague

Friday - Hopefully take the Sanderman Free Tour and then go and visit the Castle and the Royal Palace

Saturday - Visit Theresienstadt

Sunday - Visit the Jewish Quarter

Monday - Go and see the Dancing House and do some shopping

Tuesday - Depart Prague

Hoping to not overwhelm self to much, i may swap Sunday and Monday depending on how Theresienstadt goes

The Jewish Quarter will only take a half day so you'll have plenty of time to do other things. I recommend the Mucha Museum or the Municipal House.

I was wondering about the Fred and Ginger Bldg too :) They have a resturant on top, it was fairly mediocre.

I have visited the library at the Strahov Monastery. It was beautiful and quite interesting. It is fairly near the castle so you could do both on the same day.

Here is our five days in Prague (in words and photos). Enjoy.

http://www.travelswithmaitaitom.com/...part_one).html

http://www.travelswithmaitaitom.com/...26_Sedlec.html

((H))

Tom,
I really enjoyed reading your trip diary!!!! I especially enjoyed your punny humor!!!! Thanks for sharing.

We enjoyed the Stadt Opera and a performance of the Prague String Orchestra. St. Vitus Cathedral was magnificent!

Tom, thanks for sharing your trip diary! Great photos!!

Tom, I love your writing style. Could read it all day. Too funny. Will be using it for our trip next spring. We will be staying on the same street you stayed on in Prague. Thanks for the restaurant and wine cellar info, just the kind we need.

Really looking forward to it now, fly tomorrow afternoon, only hope the weather isn't to bad, tired of rain :(

Have a great trip! I loved Prague!!!

Have had great trip!! sadly flying home tomorrow :(