I have been to many cities in western Europe and loved them all. I keep hearing and reading about Prague. I will be going there next October. Tell me what I should not miss and why Prague is so popular.
thanks

Lots of people on this forum have already said lots of good things about Prague. Rather than asking them to repeat themselves, you should search under "Prague" to find out the information yourself. Good luck.

I would assume you already know why it is "so popular" or you wouldn't have decided to go there...or do you always make plans to go places without knowing anything about the destination beforehand?

I disagree with both Wayne and JonJon. If yu can't elaborate what's great about Prague in the same two sentences that you bothered to post, one might guess that it isn't that good.

1. The very palpable feel and taste of the 13th, 14th and 15th centuries kept alive in what was once one of the great capitals of Europe, especially at that time.

2. The "wild west" freedom and exuberance of life - - even though it has been 35 years how - - that comes from the liberation of a proud and accomplished people, achieving peaceful liberation from oppression and dictatorship.

3. The art of Alphonse Mucha.

4. It's the springboard to isiting a whole country, full of other excellet destinations. Okay, so now you DO have to go get a book and read more.

Best wishes,

Rex

Mike,
Take a look!!!

www.pbase.com/baileyzim/prague

Hi mike,

For a start, see the fodors miniguide to Prague at www.fodors.com.

It's too bad Rex chose to take a shot at me and Jon Jon. All we wanted to do is to encourage mikeb12 to go do some research. Strange, but after taking pot shots that is exactly what Rex did, too. And is this post worth the time I spent on it? I think so, when it points out to a contributing regular that he/she should not discourage people from doing their homework.

Prague is particularly special to me because that's where my great grandparents came from. However, even if there was no such connection, it would still be very special. The architecture is so different from other European cities we have visited, with lots of interesting art deco style.

We loved the food and especially the beer. Other than our hotel, everything was very inexpensive. We found the Czech people very warm, friendly and helpful from the staff at our hotel to wait people in restaurants and shops.

Music is everywhere (from gorgeous concert halls to churches), opera, symphony, ballet, etc. and so much less expensive than in the US or elsewhere in Europe.

Frankly I can't think of one bad thing to say about Prague.

Well, obviously, I disagree with you, or I wouldn't have said so.

The original question can be read as "half lazy" (half empty) or "half making an effort" (half full). He says "I keep... reading about Prague." What is it that he is reading that has him convinced to plan to go there, yet apparently still not feel like he "gets it" as to why Prague is more popular than Bucharest or Vilnius or Belgrade.

I didn't take this as one of the kinds of typical posts that sound like people who want a 300 page guide book condensed down into two paragraphs (and I agree those are enough to drive many of the regular visitors here batty).

I thought this was a request for an "impressionist" answer. And Jonjon's answer seemed a good bit more insulting than yours - - as if it has "you moron" muttered under his breath, following the final question mark.

The ever-prsent problem here: the writer might have one "tone" in mind; the reader can only guess what that tone was. Respondents here quite often get into arguments with each other, over assumptions about what someone's tone was.

Mine insulted you, and I apologize for that. If the content of what I said offended you, well that's another matter. I've been on the other side of this - - suggesting that someone ought to do a search here, and getting lambasted for being unfriendly.

There are cycles here, and cycles within cycles.

Thank you very much Rex and the other nice people for the information.
I guess a couple of people just enjoy being Rude! That is sad.
Mike

I have a great idea for Jon Jon and Wayne, either answer the question or say nothing. Who wants to read some old post from last year anyway. I like my answers fresh and new..... not recycled. Did either of u ever realize how much crap u get when u enter "Prague" in the search engine?

Rex and Giovanni summed it up quite well. Prague is a city of artists, everywhere you go it's beautiful from the smallest cafes to the grand musuems. I spent 10 days there a few years ago and am going back for more this April. We have only scheduled 4 days in Prague and I wonder if it will be enough.
While it's valuable to search through the old posts; I think that a fresh viewpoint is even better. For the people who haven't been posting on this board since God was in diapers, it's fun to get a fresh perspective and also an opportunity to get to know something of the newbies, whether one wants to or not.

You're welcome, mike.