Prague and Austria with teens
 

What to see. Dont know much about it. Will have 2 full days in the city. we have a 3rd day, should we stay in the city or are there any good day trips to take? They are both )teens) fascinated by history. and we all love the country side with gorgeous vistas etc.


As for austria, 2 full days in Salzburg, with the 3rd day for a day trip please recommend and 2 full days in Vienna with a 3rd for a day trip (maybe to the swiss alps?!)

We will be going in May. the days in the cities Dont include travel time inbetween. So what i mean is Sunday, monday and tuesday salzburg Wed train to vienna Thurs Friday and Sat Vienna

www.inyourpocket.com - review the Prague guide and learn.

We spent 4 days in Prague last month and wished we had longer, so with only 3 days, I don't know that I would take a day trip. Prague is absolutely filled with stuff to see. What you should see definitely depends on your interests. I like to take a walking or bike tour at the beginning of any stay in a large city - good introduction, helps get my bearings, etc. We really enjoyed the walking tour with Sandeman - and it is free, so that is a plus.

You could spend the extra day in Vienna or Prague - there is so much to see and do in both of those cities. I would save the Swiss Alps for another trip, it's just too far away. Take a day trip out to Melk or Krems if you get tired of Vienna (unlikely). I am sure Fodorites could flesh out a three-day sightseeing itinerary for you in Vienna.

Lavandula

Okay what are some of the lesser know things not to miss in the cities iyo

I think your teens would like the Spanish Riding School and maybe the zoo at Schoenbrunn Palace, as well as the Palace itself. Also the giant ferris wheel at the Prater would be good for families. There is a children's museum at Schoenbrunn too, as well as in the Museum Quarter although you would have to check if the recommended ages of the museums there line up with your children's ages (sounds like your kids are older). Markets are quite fun - you could visit the Naschmarkt.

If you have older kids, the Hofburg is impressive, and you can also visit the Austrian National Library which has impressive frescoes (sp?) on the ceilings.

None of these are hidden gems, they are the normal sights in Vienna. There are lots more, this is just a few to get you started.

Lavandula

I definitely think you and your family will enjoy Schoenbrunn Palace and the extensive and lovely gardens. It is easily reached via metro in Vienna. Other options are to visit the heurigers just outside Vienna or to visit the incredible Klosterneuberg Abbey. If you visit the abbey, be sure to buy some of their spiced apple juice in the gift shop.

Re: a daytrip from Salzburg, the small village of Hallstatt is very popular and very beautiful. There is a funicular lift to a 8,000 year old salt mine that can be toured. Your teens will enjoy the long slides inside the mountain that the miners used to get between different levels of the mines. There is also a great little museum and your teens can rent paddle boats and go out on the lake. There are some great short hikes nearby too, including one to a pretty waterfall.

Another daytrip option from Salzburg is to visi Hohenwarfen Castle where a really neat falconry show is done daily.

You could also cross over to Germany and see "Mad King Ludwig's" Herrenchiemsee Palace. The waterworks are quite impressive though the palace underwhelms since it was largely unfinished.

can you let me know when in May you will be in Prague and for how many days (is it 2 full days).Also what ages are the teens? I might be able to make a few sugestions.

The teens are 16,13. as for the excat dates we dont have one most likely 4-14. its 3 full days and half a day the day we arrive.

There are soem great Parks in Prageu and Letna Park is one of my favourites,this is the area where all the skateboarders and rollerbladers hang out in the rwemains of a huge Stalnist monument,so if they are interested in this sort of thing might be an idea to wander up there,also the best views of the Prague bridges can be seen from this area ,there is a huge beer garden and a couple of resturants in the park too.The technical Museum is also nearby if they like that sort of thing.If visiting the castle area in Golden lane battlement area is a armoury museum at at the end of the long corridor is a Cross Bow area where you can get the chance to fire a real heavy old fashioned crossbow,I am sure they would like that.On Zizkov Hill is the monument to the Unknown soldier,the biggsest Equine statue in Europe (possibly the world) and beside that is a wonderful cultural museum that gives great info on the history of the Czech Republic,nice modern museum inside with lots of fun stuff,I loved it there.at the bottom of Zizkov hill is the Army museum (free) but I have never been there but hope to rectify that soon. This area is often missed by tourist but I do think it is one of the best areas of the city.
http://www.livingprague.com/index.html
this website may be of use to you lots of good info there.
also this one on all the sights of the city.
http://www.prague.net/useful-info.
If you had been coming to Prague a few days later then the Prague Beer Festival would have started (I will be there for some of it).
http://www.ceskypivnifestival.cz/en/...festival.shtml
Now I know the teenagers will not be able to drink but it is a great family event with funfairs,craft stalls,beer tents (with soft drinks too) great food and live music in most of the tents.
One of the things I have done when in the city is to go to a football game,don't know if the family would enjoy this but I always do.

Second the Salzburg salt mine- our kids really liked it, as well as the visit to the Eagle's Nest that we combined as a tour. The obvious Salzburg ideas-- the Fortress, Mozart's birthplace, the Dome-- were all big hits. They also liked the hike up the Kapuzinerberg just across the river from the altstadt. We ate lunch at the place at the top (Franziskischlossl?), which was fantastic. Leave time to just wander around the old town and enjoy it- in fact, stay in the old town (altstadt) if at all possible. I think it really adds to the experience.

I too would suggest Salzburg,lovely place,visitng the Eagles Nest is quite a sobering tour (well was for me) watch Band of Brothers,there is an episode of that all about the capture of the Eagles Nest.

Oklay thanks guys!