Hi - I have a trip planned for Christmas (early I know but got a good flight deal) arriving on 24th and leaving on the 31st.

I know New Years eve is the big deal there but leaving on the 31st was part of the $$ deal. I am beginning to get a little concerned that 7 nights in Prague is a little much. Is it?

Looking at Expedia I could easily go to a nearby city for a couple of nights mid trip - what is your opinion on that? Athens and Rome are very do-able but I dont know. Or maybe drive out to Karlsbad? Is it nice? Any ideas would be appreciated greatly. Thanks.

I tend to like to linger in places and I LOVE Prague, but even I think 7 nights is overdoing it in a world with so much to see. Why not a trip to Vienna or Dresden? Or one of the smaller towns in the CR? Athens and Rome seem far to me when there are wonderful places nearby. I don't know Karlsbad, so I can't comment on that.

Guy thanks, we were in Prague in February but only stayed 1.5 nights (long boring story) and really loved it so much.

We had so much fun there that when we came back we immediately booked for Christmas. Now Im thinking ehhhhhhhh... Trouble is I know nothing about the area outside of Prague so Im finding it difficult. Is Dresden special? I guess what my ideal would be is another fairytale place at Christmas. I was thinking Tallin, but doing research it still seems on the little rough side.

I must take a look at Dresden and Vienna now. Thanks.

Dresden is nice, but not fairy tale beautiful. Have you been to Vienna? Now that is an absolutely stunning city, and would be pure magic at Christmas time. Salzburg would also be terrific at Christmas. Why go all the way to Tallin, if you haven't been to these truly fairy tale places that are relatively close?

Okay, I just noticed that you haven't been to Vienna yet. It's decided. Vienna and Salzburg it is. Fairy tale beauty you shall have! (I promise.)

7 nights in Prague is too much, unless you have some specific agenda in mind, in addition to Christmas market etc. To maximize the bank for your bucks, you might consider 4 nights in Prague and 3 nights in Budapest. By splitting up you trip between these two cities, you have plenty of time to each without any boring moment. By the way, while you are there (both cities), hang on to your personal belongings while traveling by subway and public transportation.
Leave Rome for another trip.

wow! Cool that was easy. Thanks Guy. Off I go to find good flights. Thanks a mil

LOL

You realize I was being funny, I hope. But those are really worth looking into.

Also, don't forget the possibility of taking the train. Especially for the places so relatively close by.

Without commenting on Prague (because I have never been) in only 7 nights I would pick places that you can get to in a few hours by train.

I think flying to Athens or Rome in the middle of a one week trip seems kinda crazy.

Guy, yes of course, you were funny but I would still go for it - in a heartbeat!

Suze, I have pulled far, far crazier travel stunts than that, its a sickness that I was trying to cure by staying put in one place for a week! Its not working though, obviously. (I did, shamefully, also check out Cairo, Istanbul, Marrakesh (no direct flights) and God knows what other far flung places that I have already forgotten on my Expedia crazed frenzy during the past hour.

I hope you can visit Prague sometime as its really lovely.

SO, this is what I decided, I am going to leave Prague on the 27th and come back on the 30th for the last night. In between Im going to keepp it to under a 1.5 hour flight or 3 hour train ride.

Thanks guys!

I was in Prague last April for 7 nights and could have stayed longer. It is just a delightful city to hang out in. That said, since you are going in December, you probably won't be spending a full day in the park. But if you do a day trip to Karlsbad for the castle and one to Marianbad for the waters, 7 days is still not too much. I just hate changing hotels.

Thanks Hilary. Actually I looked into a lot of trips out of Prague as I think in the winter 7 nights was just too much.

Every place is so tempting: from Vienna, Salzburg, to the Tyrol area (Aquadome) to the Romantic Road. Finally we decided on Berlin! of all places. Its a 4.5 hour drive from Prague or a quick flight and such a contrast. Got a great deal in LUX11 on a beautiful suite.

In Prague we are staying in the Old Town Square suites, looking directly out on the Clock. December 24, 25 and 26th.

I just rented Rudy Maxa Berlin and the city seems so emotionally rich we are going to take this opportunity to go there.

Thanks for your input.

I spent seven nights in Prague last November- December and left with plenty still to see and do. Prague is a great city for just wandering around soaking up the atmosphere, basically doing nothing touristy. You might want to break it up with a side trip for a few days to another city. Vienna is easy. about 3 hours or so by either train or bus

I too spent 7 nights in Prague last November and absolutely loved every minute there. We talked about taking lots of side trips, both within CR and Germany, for example, but always woke up with more to do and see in Prague itself.In fact, we'd walk and walk and found outselves in yet another place I'd read about and thought I'd never find on my own, much to my delight. I think you already made up your mind to travel further afield, but I wanted to weigh in on the most beautiful city I've ever seen as easily keeping you busy for 7 days and nights.

I could stay there forever & not get bored. However, considering you'll be there over Christmas, maybe you should try to see at least one other town dressed up for the holidays. Even if you just went to some other Czech Towns, you could at least get a sense of holiday festivities in other places. Vienna or Salzburg sound like neat choices, as well.

I would also check out any special cultural events at that time. Mozart's birthday celebration will still be going on, as well.

BTW, my name is also "Annie P" !! ;-)!!!!

amp you wont believe it but my initials are AMP also! I have often noticed you on the boards for that reason. Right now, I did not cancel my ressies at the hotel in Prague and will wait for another couple of months before I (we) make our decision.

It would be nice just to chill and stay in one place for an entire week really. We are always rushing around from one place to another. Our last brief time in Prague was very enjoyable in the cafes and restaurants.

I have a kind of Prague/Bruges trip report put together but the trip was so lame in some ways, I didnt post it.

Thanks for the reassurance! I will definitely think more on staying put.

Cool Annie! I'm Ann Marie. I think you should just research various towns & what they do at Christmas time, so you can decide if you want to see a special type of festivity. Otherwise, just spend time getting to know Prague more in depth. Maybe you'll be lucky & it will snow. Mala Strana in the snow is breathtaking.

I will also be in prague for 7 nights. I was thinking of going to Cesky Krumlov. does anyone have any suggestions about this city.