Pete

I've never traveled to Europe, nonetheless, Prague. Haven't heard too much about it, except the beauty of the city. Is this the city I should take advantage of or should I consider elsewhere? Can someone explain the culture, the people, the city, the nightlife to an ignorant American?

Marcus

I had a roomate in graduate school who spent several days in Prague and said it was wonderful. The culture is much different from that of Western Europe.

The only information I could relay to you is that the city is very gritty, organic, and urban. He said it was a fantastic experience, but you need to have a watchful eye. Tourism decreases substantially the further west you go into Europe and the less accomodating it becomes. He ran into some problems travelling on an overnight train and felt as though he was being watched in Prague the whole time. Hope this helps!

Art

Hi Pete, I spend a week in Prague last year. The architecture is wonderful. There are concerts on many evenings, although they may drop off after tourist season. The castle is worth going to and you should spend many relaxing and interesting hours in the Old Town (Stare Maestro) square. There are several side trips that you can take including 1 or 2 days to Ceski Krumlov. A lot of Czech people speak some English and are very friendly. I was looking at a map and a gentleman came up unsolicited to offer me help. The food is good and inexpensive compared to western Europe.

CA

Hi! I spent some days in Prague a year ago, and it was one of the most beautiful sities I visited in Europe. It is Eastern in character, but that only makes it special - if you travel to the western part of Europe, you'll be able to appreciate the differences. The people in general have that warm, friendly Central/Eastern European kindness - I think they maybe aren't so worried about things as in the west, they are more relaxed and down to Earth. I spent a year in Warsaw (that's how I travelled to Prague) and i'm now in love with everything east of Germany (although Berlin and Paris were great, too). I think this is an opportunity you should seriously consider - it's an area many people really don't know much about, and so many people never visit. You would not feel it was a waste! I hope you go! Gook luck.

Dirk

Pete--

Don't pass it up! I spent last summer in Prague at Charles University--- best experience of my life. The culture, nightlife and persona were absolutely charming. GO!!

Linda

Absolutely, go! I would say that regardless of the city, but Prague is beautiful, cultural, interesting. Since you will be there for a month, you can take long week-end trips to Berlin and Vienna (each about 4-hour train rides), Budapest (8-hour train ride), Krakow (don't know that one as we didn't go there from Prague). They have overembraced capitalism but it is a great city and so inexpensive!

Simon Beard

IMy company organises corporate trips worldwide and I have been lucky enough to visit Prague many times in the last two years. 'Since the revolution' is a phrase you will hear a lot. It is a city and a country that is undecided on its future. The Western world offers its countryman many wonderful things but it cannot decide whether it is something they want to do.

The new freedom of speech shows in the graffiti that is cropping up but do not let that affect your view. It is a tight City and can be discovered for the most part on foot. If not so energetic the underground is cheap and reliable. The architecture is stunning and Prague castle is wonderful, as is Troja on the outskirts. The pound is very strong and so you can eat very well for £5.00 and in the city centre.

I love it and recommend it to all I see.

Lily

Hi Pete,

YES YES YES - a chance to visit another country is ALWAYS an opportunity worth taking! Go and Have Fun - for Pete's sake!

Arnold

Pete-

This is the most incredible trip that you have to take. I spent many years in Prague and witnessed the drammatic transformation in the last decade. This is the hidden gem of Europe!