whenzuc

Landing in Prague about 10:30 AM. on a Fri in late June. Scheduled for two 1/2 day private tours of the city the following Sat and Sun. We have a drive to take us to Vienna by way of Cesky Krumlov. Would you switch to a 1/2 day tour the first day, and leave the 2nd day to go to Terezin? We are mixed as to what else we should fit in- We have all ready toured Dachow before- a concentration camp outside of Munich. What would you suggest? is there something else that we should fit in, or should we still go to Terezin?

Pegontheroad

This is absolutely just my opinion, but I have never gone to a concentration camp--Dachau or any other camp, despite having been in the vicinity of several. And I never will see one. I'm especially interested in WWII and of course know a good deal about the Holocaust and the camps, but I don't want to put myself through that experience.

I know that many people feel differently about this, but I'd much rather spend my extra time wandering around "Golden Prague."

lucy_d

Without reservation, I would recommend that you tour Terezin. Unlike Dachau, the existing fortress at Terezin was utilized as a "model" camp for the Nazis to mask the crimes occurring at the other concentration, slave labor and death camps. The International Red Cross visited Terzin at the height of the Nazi atrocities and deemed it suitable for the Jewish "elite." The facade, or rather hoax, that the Nazis pulled off is in and of itself noteworthy and important on many levels.

Do a little internet research. There are several tours available. It is an important site not to be missed.

Danie

I would absolutely add the Terezin tour into your itinerary. We just got back from our Central Europe trip and Terezin was a highlight. Try to book your tour with Whitman Tours and ask for Elizabeth. You will remember her and her stories for ever and ever. She is a Terezin survivor. dont miss it

whenzuc

Anybody tour Dachau before going to Terezin? Need to see if Whitmann Tours goes out on Sat.

basingstoke2

There are several Terezin sites. The upper camp is what one thinks of as the concentration camp and is the fortress/prison. It is quite different from Dachau. Of historical interest is the cell that held Gavrilo Princip, the man who assasinated the Archduke Ferdinand sparking WWI.
Down in the town is the crematorium and a museum that shows a very worthwile film about Terezin - the model that fooled the Red Cross. If you visit, be sure to read up on the place first. It can be done as a "half day" visit, but it will be a long "half day." We left Prague for Terezin about 9 AM and did not return until 4.

judymol

We are also going to Prague in late June and also were not sure whether to go to Terezin but after reading replys will go. We have already been in touch with Whitman Tours.

Whenzuc - who did you get for the other two 1/2 day tours? Are they private or group? We are looking for recommendations for the tours.

Thanks, Judy

JerryS

You will love visiting Prague but you will never forget Terezin.

tower

whenzuc:

See Terezin (Theresienstadt). In my many Eastern and Central European research trips I have visited a dozen K-camps...Terezin is different than all of the others. Sadly, the end results for it's prisoners were the same.

Treblinka,(75 miles NE of Warsaw) visited at 5 pm, with absolutely no one around, was the most chilling of all....I was immediately moved to write a piece then and there, with the light of day fast fading.

Stu T.

whenzuc

judymol- what are the dates that you are in prague? I will get you tour guide info and post it later. we are using private guides for the other touring. how many days in prague?

marginal_margiela

I would definitely see Terezin. My mother, Linda, and I visited Terezin in July, 2004. My mother did not want to visit the camp at first because she thought it would be too upsetting. After my constant nagging--and I can nag, sweetie darling--she relented and visited the camp.

The most powerful exhibition at the camp features the drawings of the children interred at the camp. You will look at life differently after looking at those drawings.

It is everyone's duty to bear witness to the atrocities of this world so they are not repeated.

The Great and Powerful Thingorjus.

judymol

whenzuc - We are arriving in Prague late afternoon on June 22 and leaving June 27.

whenzuc

forjudymol- too bad, as we are flying in the next day. In any case we are using [email protected]. Recmmended in Rick STeves. I also have a driver if yo need one lined up for us.

judymol

forwhenzuc,
I ended up booking a tour with Ljuba Poleva's Precious Legacy Tours for Sunday. It is 4 hours "Prague Orientation" and 3 hours "Jewish Walking Tour". They have tentatively booked us for Terezin for Monday June 25. They said they usually like to have group tours but have no one else booked for that day so would still take us. I also contacted Syvia Witman and they have smaller tours (can't stand the big bus ones)from private to 6 passenger. Have you decided to go there? Are you using your driver for touring?

Judy

basingstoke2

Please post your impression of the Precious Legacy tour when you return. I know the co-owner of the company and he is a quality person - I would expect something special. Mark is the person most responsible for bringing the precious legacy exhibit to the Smithsonian some years ago.

judymol

basingstroke2;

Wow, that is great to know. I was looking at a couple of other tour agencies so I am excited to hear I picked a good one. I will defintely let you know upon my return. Thanks,

basingstoke2

Judymol-have you visited their website? It it quite interesting. I hadn't realized that apparently this group is used by the US embassy in the Czech Republic when they have guests who want a tour of Jewish Prague. Both Laura and Jenna Bush have used them as have some other well known folks.

We knew Mark quite well when he was working to locate, preserve and bring the physical remnants of the Czech Jewish heritage to the US and elsewhere. For him, it was a labor of love, not a business.

judymol

basingstoke2 - I did quite a bit of web research on private guides/tours. So,I did check into their website and was impressed and not only with who they had taken on tour but the website in general. They also got back to me quickly and answered all my question within a day. They did say however that we may not have Ljuba but I still felt confident that whomever it would be would good. I have been emailing to Sean, who I think is Ljuba's assistant.
I am really looking forward to our trip but as I mentioned in a previous post was somewhat aprehensive about going to Terezin because of sadness. But after reading the comments, have changed my mind. I feel it is important for me that I do this.....

basingstoke2

whenzuc and judymol - a few restaurant suggestions. On Kampa Island (just under the Charles Bridge) we really liked Kampa 14 - the name is its address. It's right on Kampa Square on the left with your back to the bridge. Excellent food very nicely presented, lovely ambiance and good service, surprisingly moderate prices. Try the strudel for desert. We came back several times. Near Old Town Square we liked Restaurant Mucha on Melantrichova Street. That is the narrow street directly opposite the clock. It is about 300 yard from the square. An elegant place in a lovely art deco setting. Tuxedoed waiters, etc. Not nearly as expensive as it looks (about $20 per person not including drinks). On the same street is Country Life, a vegetarian place if you are interested in that. Continuing down Melantrichova, you will come to Havelska street. Turn left and you will soon come to Ceska Kuchyna. The opposite of the others I recommended in atmosphere. This is a Czech cafeteria with a large selection of typical Czech dishes and salads at ridiculously low prices. You can eat well for under $3! Beer is about fifty cents. Very popular with locals. Also near the Old Town Square, but off in the opposite direction (facing the Tyn Church it is down a street to the left) is Restaurant Kozicka. It is down in a brick basement and serves terrific steaks. Prices are also good and it is also popular with locals. The Ebel coffeehouse is in the little square that is right behind the Tyn Church. Nothing fancy, but it has very nice coffees and pastries. We have never been there but have heard only good things about a restaurant called The Square in the same square as the St. Nicholas Church. Have a great trip.

whenzuc

for basingstoke2- any other suggestions for Vienna, prague,budapest, day or night time sugestions are welcome. Also, my dighter just graduated from U Delaware!