Prague or Rome? Help!
 

If you had to choose, would you spend four nights in Rome and three in Prague or three nights in Rome and four in Prague? We are trying to figure out our intinerary. Right now it is:

Four nights in Prague
Four nights in Rome
Four nights in Portofino

But we are thinking of spending a fifth night relaxing on the Italian Riviera but don't know where to lose the day. Please help! Never been to any of the above and welcome suggestions!

Tricky tricky question. I have been to both Rome and Prague. Very different of course to each other. Personally I much preferred Prague. I found Rome to be just frenetic, they are just mad! I loved Prague and would have liked a fourth night to spend a day out in the country looking at castles etc. I believe there are some lovely old towns within a day trip. You would need to research this. So many people just adore Rome and will tell you stay there longer. I don't know, we are only talking a night here, don't get too het up about it, toss a coin!! Hopefully you will return to either/both of these cities and stay the appropriate time for you when you return. Good luck with the decision.

Hi G,

>Four nights in Prague
Four nights in Rome
Four nights in Portofino<

I would change that to

Five nights in Prague
Five nights in Rome
Two nights in Portofino

((I))

WHy not just focus on one country so you can have a relaxed trip and enjoy one place without so much travel in between.

Prague is great. I spent 6 days there and found it to be a very relaxing city. It has a very laid back pace. You could do Prague and go to Karlsbad or Ceske Krumlov.

Rome is a favorite place of mine. But, Rome is frenetic. You could do five days in Rome and then head to Portofino for a few days of R & R.

We went to Italy for our honeymoon last year and loved it so much we wanted to go back. But my husband insisted we add Prague since we had JUST been to Italy. Last year we did The Amalfi Coast and Tuscany and Florence. We only stayed in the city for a couple days and really enjoyed the charm of Positano, Ravello and Fiesole. That's why I am tempted to spend an extra day on the Riviera.

We love Paris and London but didn't love Florence as much as expected. That's why I wonder if we would prefer Prague or Rome???

I have been a Fodors reader for years but this is the first time I have posted so I appreciate all input.

I would not go to Portofino period. There are much more charming Italian towns on the Mediterranean coast, where you can take a boat to Portofino if you want to see it. Do a google search for Camogli or Lerici or Portovenere.

We are staying at the Hotel Splendido as we loved the Villa San Michelle in Fiesole.

I would stay in Portofino for a night only. I'ts charming but it has nothing to do.And why all the trouble to get there? are you planning to go to the Amalfi coast as well? or only to Portofino?

Rome AND Prague? Are you daft, sweetie? Why would you go to Rome then fly all the way to Prague? Having been to both cities, I can tell you that they are very disparate. I would do Rome, Florence, Amalfi Coast OR Prague, Budapest, Cesky Krumlov.

Your itin., as it stands, makes absolutely no sense. Listen to the TRAVEL EXPERTS.

Wow. Why so rude? And if you had read my earlier postings you would have seen that last year we were in the Amalfi Coast (Positano and Ravello) and Florence on our honeymoon. I was really just asking for thoughts on Prague vs. Rome not a personal attack on my judgement.

And I understand Portofino is quiet but we plan to visit the Cinque Terre for a day and maybe some other villages but we also want to relax by the pool.

If anyone else has any thoughts on my original question, Prague vs. Rome I would truly appreciate it. As I said...love Paris and London too. Did not love Florence. Thanks!

Rude? How was I being rude. I, the great Balenciaga, the epigone of The Extraordinary Thingorjus, am the antithesis of rude. I work my manicured hands to the bone providing travel advice to the entire world.

Sweetie, darling, get a grip. You are too sensitive today. I think you need a large gin martini!

I am the greatest star there is. The stars are ageless!!!!!!!!!!!

In your defense, I combined a trip to Prague and a trip to Northern Italy two years ago. Nothing especially difficult about it--just a short plane ride. If I were you, I would spend the extra night in Rome. Both cities are wonderful, you will enjoy both, but Rome is much larger and I think demands more time--there seem to me to be more things that are legitimate must sees, from the Vatican museums to the Coliseum and Forum, etc., while the primary allure of Prague is the beauty of the city itself, and also the many options to hear music. It is not crammed full of museums that you definitely would want to make time for, for instance. It will feel less chaotic and frenetic (though I did not find it especially so, perhaps because I was there in the off season) if you have more time to wander leisurely. Also, to overgeneralize, the food is better in Rome than in Prague--one more dinner there is a good thing. (I think Rome and Florence are very different, so would not take your impression of one to mean much for your impression of the other.) But in the end, either option will be very good.

Above, I meant to say that Rome will feel less chaotic and frenetic the more time you have there to wander.

Thanks for the input! Any must-sees in Prague, in your opinion?

I vote 4 nights in Rome, and 3 nights in Prague.

I have been to both cities, which are both entirely different,but ROME is very special. It offers so many things to see and do.

Must sees in Prague: The Prague Castle, Wallenstein Gardens (can be done on the way to the Castle), St. Nicolas Church, Charles Bridge, walk through Mala Strana via Kampa Park, Josefov (Jewish quarter) visit the synagogues and cemetery, Old Town Hall (watch the clock)Tyne church...so much to see. The entire city is gorgeous and so many of the building and doorways are works of art unto themselves- walking through Prague is like walking through a museum. We also liked the Mucha Museum. I recommend the Knopf CityMap Guide for Prague that lays out the city section by section highlighting all of the sights, shops, restaurants and cafes per area. All of the streets are easy to read and see, even at night under a street lamp. Also recommend their Rome guide. Do your tours by neighborhood it helps save time that way.

I agree with Risab's list. Also, if you like opera at all, I would go in Prague, as it is excellent and quite cheap there. A nice little detour is to wander the quiet and charming medieval west of the Castle. Novy Svet is what I'm thinking of. Really, the must see is the architecture, all over town but especially in the Stare Mesto.

What is it that you did not like about Florence that you think you might find in Prague?

What time of year is the trip? While Rome is great in late September and October, Prague can be getting quite chilly, so you may not like it so much, plus you would need more or different clothing. Another thing is that while Rome is of course crowded it is in a way built for crowds; but Prague can really be obnoxiously jammed in the summer months, a place like the Charles Bridge would just not even fun, IMO, in August as it is just so so jammed up.

Also consider flight time between the two, can you fly non-stop? If not, you are going to lose a day in travel.

If you pick the right time I year, I would say having been to both several times, that I don't think you could go wrong really. With 4 nights in Prague, I would definitely plan to get out into the countryside, as I think you do not need that long in the city itself.