Prague or Vienna?

Old Nov 21st, 2007, 04:23 AM
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Prague or Vienna?

My husband and I would like to go to either Prague or Vienna and would like your advice on which to choose. We only have a few nights so we thought maybe going to one would be better. We are in our 30s. We prefer activities like wine-tasting, going to cafes and eating and don't want to run around all day looking at tourist sites. This is meant to be a somewhat relaxing vacation as well as a chance for us to experience another culture. Which do you recommend for a short break? Thank you!
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Old Nov 21st, 2007, 05:19 AM
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Hi, gdemirciler,

well, I've been to Prague and Vienna is high on my list.

for the sort of relaxing time you talk about, I'd go for Prague I think. the impression i have of Vienna is that it's quite heavy on museums, etc, though there is of course wine-tasting too. in prague there is plenty of eating and drinking, wandering around, trips on the river.

good luck,

Regards, ann
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Old Nov 21st, 2007, 05:38 AM
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After visiting Prague last month I'd suggest Prague. But I've never visited Vienna. However, in speaking with friends and acquaintances who have visited both cities all say they preferred Prague better.
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Old Nov 21st, 2007, 05:39 AM
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gdemirciler,
I've been to both cities and I found Prague to be spectacular but almost too much so - I felt compelled to photograph every corner as there was so much to ooohh and aaahhh at. Plus, the crowds - expect lots of people if you are going in the good weather months. I have more sedate and romantic memories of Vienna, so I would vote for that city if relaxation is your goal.
Enjoy
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Old Nov 21st, 2007, 05:39 AM
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ehem, I respectfully disagree, sorry. I would definitely go to Vienna.

Have been to both and liked Vienna more - the coffeehouses are not to beat, the restaurants are IMO much better. Also, wine tasting in Prague? They do not have particularly good local wine (the closest grows some km north in Melnik I think) and Vienna is quite famous for wine - think of 'Heurigen' in Grinzing. While I'd say Prague has beautiful parks, gardens etc. to relax I'd prefer the Wiener Wald (Vienna Forest) over it.
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Old Nov 21st, 2007, 05:48 AM
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In addition to the heurigen, Vienna abounds with wine bars where you can taste the fantastic Austrian wines from its various regions.

I find Vienna beautiful and very relaxing. Sure it has tons of gorgeous sights, but it's entirely up to you have many and which ones you see. Ignore them all if you're so inclined.

Friends who have been to Prague recently said the crowds there have become wearying (which is why we picked Krakow over Prague as a side trip from Vienna last year).
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Old Nov 21st, 2007, 06:07 AM
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You've gotten good, though varied advice here. Having been to both Vienna once and Prague twice), I like Prague better, but the Heurigen would be great for you if you want a fun wine experience.

I found Vienna easier to naviagate and enjoyed its museums very much. Still,Prague is one of my favorite cities, and I think people in their 30s would love, love it. You really can't go wrong either way, though.

Let us know what you decide. You'll have a wonderful time in either city!
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Old Nov 21st, 2007, 07:18 AM
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These are two very different cities and it is a difficult choice. A lot depends on when you plan to go. Prague IS a tourist site in both the positive and negative sense. The city itself is gorgeous with absulutely wonderful architecture. It is hard to walk 100 yards without something great to see. It is a compact and very walkable city but that means it is also crowded in the tourist season. There are many good restaurants and some nice cafes. Wine is not something to write home about but the beers are world class - IMO the best anywhere. Beer-tasting could be fun.

Vienna is more spread out and has more of a big city feel, but its outstanding tram system makes it easy to get around. It also has wonderful architecture but of a more formal, classic kind. It's cafes are reknowned for good reason, but tend to be expensive - at least the ones that I have visited. As far as wines, Vienna has it over Prague, especially with it's Heurigen in Grinzing and elsewhere that can be great fun(We are partial to the Hirsch in Grinzing).

Both cities have wonderful music traditions and concerts can be found all over. Like everything else, they will tend to be mostly informal in Prague and more formal in Vienna. As far as costs, Prague should cost significantly less than Vienna.
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Old Nov 21st, 2007, 07:33 AM
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I should have added that there is also the intangible fun factor. Prague is one of the few cities I've been to where my lasting impression was how much fun I had while I was there. I can honestly say that there was hardly a minute that I did not enjoy.
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Old Nov 21st, 2007, 09:55 AM
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They are both great, but I would pick Prague based on what you said. It is gorgeous and great meals are a bargain.

Of course I went in October when there were not crowds.

You might like to look at our blog as I have Prague up and will soon get our stay in Vienna up.

http://www.soultravelers3.com/blog/blog.html
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Old Nov 21st, 2007, 11:21 AM
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Well I loved every minute I spent in both of them.

Vienna is grand and magnificent. It can feel like Paris at times with all the splendid palaces and the grand boulevards.

Prague, I'd never seen a city in such a spectacular setting; just look at the castle across the river at the west bank surrounded by beautiful green hills and you'll know what I mean. It has abundant medieval architecture and feels rather cozy as it is smaller than Vienna.

If you have more than four nights, I'd just go to both of them. But if you can only choose one of them, you really can't go wrong with either one!
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Old Nov 23rd, 2007, 12:16 AM
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Wow! What excellent advice! Thank you to everyone. We are thinming about going in early December. We will take all your advice into consideration.
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Old Nov 23rd, 2007, 02:28 AM
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In December you will not have the crowds in either place so that should not be a factor. The weather should be similar in either place as they are not all that far apart. Nights should be cold. You may well spend more time outdoors in Prague since it is so walkable. Prague's center will also be more lively at night and some restaurants and cafes have heated outdoor seating.
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Old Nov 23rd, 2007, 05:16 AM
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I agree with most of the posters. Having been to both places, I would say Prague wins hands down. The place is awesome and a good place to visit at any time of the year though I would say that the crowds would be less in the off season such as December.
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Old Nov 23rd, 2007, 06:53 PM
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We visited Prague in mid-October and it was very crowded. I can't imagine how much more crowded it gets in summer. But it was great even with the crowds.
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Old Nov 24th, 2007, 12:52 PM
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If you are not planning on hitting all the tourist sites, then crowds in Prague won't be a big problem. Sure, the bridge gets crowded, Old Town Square can get crowded, and the castle complex can be full. BUT, if you just want to hide away in beautiful Mala Strana (or an area near Old Town), or in Vinohrady, you will not be pestered by tourists at all.

From what you describe, Mala Strana would be perfect. (Area just west of the Charles Bridge & under the castle). It is extremely romantic there, and you can walk along the trails in Petrin hill (or Letna park), and along the winding alleys & small streets there.

A special restaurant in Vinohrady that is great: http://www.louisarmstrong.cz/restauraceitalska.htm

Go to the location on Italska (not Cermakova). It is the PERFECT chill spot. Lounge, drink, eat, listen to music. Extensive menu with Czech food & "regular" (lol!) food - all printed in English. Reasonable prices. Locals eat there, so it "must be good". It's one of my all-time fav discoveries, and I've been to Prague 11 times!

Also, the area around Old Town, behind the Tyn Church has great romantic places, like Bar & Books:

http://www.barandbooks.cz/main.asp

Check out those links, and let me know if those are the kinds of chill places you are looking for. I think Prague has lots of them, and with an awesome atmosphere provided by amazing architecture, that can not be replicated anywhere else.

You need not visit all the rat race tourist areas to get the vibe of the city. Walk around any of the downtown area, and you will experience the beauty, and then you can stop along the way for a drink and some snacks.

Wenceslas Square area also has lots of modern, hip places, if you tire of all the quaintness of Old Town.

http://www.pragueexperience.com/places.asp?PlaceID=1219
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Old Nov 27th, 2007, 11:21 AM
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Just got back from a trip including 6 days in Prague, 2 in Vienna. Although I enjoyed Prague more, I was traveling solo and really wanted to see all I could rather than relax, so my priorities were different.
As people have mentioned, Prague has so much to see, in multiple sections of the city. The sights of Vienna seemed to be concentrated in one walkable area (around the ring). I'd agree with a few others that Vienna has better (more elegant, better tasting) cafe's, coffee, wine, etc. There are a lot of spas that would be relaxing. A tram line takes you outside the city to Baden, a historic and well known spa. Also, there are a several large Christmas markets around town from mid-November through Christmas that have arts, crafts, and good food and drink. These are a little crowded, but a really nice atmosphere. All in all, though, Vienna seemed less crowded with tourists than Prague. For these reasons, I'd think Vienna might suit you better.
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Old Nov 27th, 2007, 11:51 AM
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Vienna will also give you much better wine & food. The wine country is just to the east of Vienna along the Danube as well as to the south & south east of Vienna. Austrian wine is a great buy and worth tasting white or red. I've been to Prague twice and didn't enjoy the wall to wall people inside the old town, castle and famous bridge. Prague is very much the trendy place to go these days so we found it to be so crowded even in the off season. However I did discover the haunting beauty of Prague at night when there's no crowd! The crowd died down after 10 pm when we were there.
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Old Nov 27th, 2007, 05:43 PM
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I meant to write: The wine country is just to the WEST(not east) of Vienna along the Danube. The 3 white wine regions along the Danube Wachau, Kremstal & Kamptal produce amazing Gruener Veltliner white wine ss well as dry edgy Riesling that you have to taste. Gruener Veltliner is made in many different style, it can be ultra crisp & refreshing or more complex with layers of taste. Austria also produces some unique Sauvignon Blanc that is nicely oaked if you are into Oaked Californian Chardonnay. There are also plenty of good spicy intense Pinot Noir & its derivative wines coming from the lake region south of Vienna. Vienna has wonderful restaurants and a well known cafe culture.
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Old Nov 29th, 2007, 02:07 PM
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If you decide on Prague, read the link below on wine in the city..

http://www.expats.cz/prague/article/...k/wine-prague/

I've been to Vino di Vino, and it was excellent. It's in the Josefov section.
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