Prague excursions nearby?
Mar 18th, 2006, 09:49 AM
#1
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Prague excursions nearby?
Hello,
We are spending 5 days in Prague in september.
Does anyone know any possible excursions to make for a day trip outside Prague.
We can only travel by train or bus and preferably not a journey that requires a train ride of 3 hours.
I posted before and got some interesting possibilities but unfortunately a very long train ride is out of the question.
Is there a nice little village nearby Prague?
Thanks very much
We are spending 5 days in Prague in september.
Does anyone know any possible excursions to make for a day trip outside Prague.
We can only travel by train or bus and preferably not a journey that requires a train ride of 3 hours.
I posted before and got some interesting possibilities but unfortunately a very long train ride is out of the question.
Is there a nice little village nearby Prague?
Thanks very much
Mar 18th, 2006, 09:59 AM
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Check the following possibility:
http://www.ckrumlov.cz/uk/atlas/i_cmm.htm
http://www.ckrumlov.cz/uk/atlas/i_cmm.htm
Mar 18th, 2006, 10:17 AM
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There are several places you can go that are fairly close -- say, within an hour or so. There is the spa town of Karlovy Vary (haven't been myself) which is somewhat farther than that (maybe 3 hours by bus, don't take the train), and a couple of small towns with castles that are frequent tourist excursions and are within an hour. One is Karlstejn Castle and the other is Konopiste. Those are within an hour.
I particularly enjoyed visiting Kutna Hora which is a UNESCO Heritage Site and about 50 miles east of Prague. That isn't a nice little village exactly, but it's not a huge city. There isn't really that much to do just in a small little village that doesn't have any tourist points of interest, although you could go to one if you wanted.
There are several excellent day bus tour companies in Prague that make these excursions easy and are modestly priced. I would recommend you consider using them. I took one to Kutna Hora by Prague Sightseeing Tours, and they were excellent. They have many other tours, also.
http://www.pstours.cz/
I particularly enjoyed visiting Kutna Hora which is a UNESCO Heritage Site and about 50 miles east of Prague. That isn't a nice little village exactly, but it's not a huge city. There isn't really that much to do just in a small little village that doesn't have any tourist points of interest, although you could go to one if you wanted.
There are several excellent day bus tour companies in Prague that make these excursions easy and are modestly priced. I would recommend you consider using them. I took one to Kutna Hora by Prague Sightseeing Tours, and they were excellent. They have many other tours, also.
http://www.pstours.cz/
Mar 18th, 2006, 11:31 AM
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As one of the top experts on Praha here at Fodor's, I feel it is my obligation to mention the most popular tourist destinations surrounding the city. They are: Terezin, Kutna Hora, Karlstein Castle, Karlsbad, and Cesky Krumlov. I have been to Terezin, Karlstein Castle, and Cesky Krumlov.
As my good friend, Christina, has mentioned, there are many tour companies that offer day trips to these places. Most hotels can arrange these day trips for you, scheduling a tour company van or bus to pick you up in front of your hotel. (I can't remember the name of the tour company I used. It was something like "Premier."
I really enjoyed my excursions to Terezin, Karlstein Castle, and Cesky Krumlov. Cesky Krumlov is something out of a fairy story, as beautiful as you can imagine. Terezin, in sharp contrast, was very emotional, especially seeing the drawings of the children imprisoned in the concentration camp.
For a fabulous trip report on Praha, search for <The Pancaky Papers: Thingorjus in Praha>. It is one of the best trip reports on Prague here at Fodor's.
British ladette.
As my good friend, Christina, has mentioned, there are many tour companies that offer day trips to these places. Most hotels can arrange these day trips for you, scheduling a tour company van or bus to pick you up in front of your hotel. (I can't remember the name of the tour company I used. It was something like "Premier."
I really enjoyed my excursions to Terezin, Karlstein Castle, and Cesky Krumlov. Cesky Krumlov is something out of a fairy story, as beautiful as you can imagine. Terezin, in sharp contrast, was very emotional, especially seeing the drawings of the children imprisoned in the concentration camp.
For a fabulous trip report on Praha, search for <The Pancaky Papers: Thingorjus in Praha>. It is one of the best trip reports on Prague here at Fodor's.
British ladette.
Mar 18th, 2006, 12:41 PM
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When we were in Prague in December, we took a day tour to Kutna Hora and the "bone church) (ossuary) at Sedlec (included in most of the tours to Kutna Hora). My 20 year old daughter really wanted to see the ossuary. Our hotel had several flyers of companies that offered tours. We chose based on the day of the week and the time that we wanted. Some of the tours will pick you up at your hotel. The one we used met at the Astronomical Clock in the Old Town Square (we looked for the guide holding a green umbrella - no advance reservation required).
We traveled by mini coach. Kutna Hora was apparently an extremely important city centuries ago, rivaling Prague in importance. The mint was located there. We saw the mint and several old buildings and churches with the tour, but the only one we went in was the Cathedral of St. Barbara, a medieval church.
This tour included a lunch in an "authentic" Czech restaurant (which added to the price). I was pretty skeptical about this in advance, but it was actually quite cozy and the food was tasty, even if it might have been a bit of a tourist mill. We visited the ossuary after lunch, and it is a sight that is quite out of the ordinary. http://www.ludd.luth.se/~silver_p/kutna.html
The travel was about an hour's drive each direction. We left around 10 and returned in the late afternoon. You could do the trip on your own, taking the train to Kutna Hora and a bus (I think) to nearby Sedlec (if the ossuary interests you). The tour made it easy, but there wasn't much "poking around" time.
We traveled by mini coach. Kutna Hora was apparently an extremely important city centuries ago, rivaling Prague in importance. The mint was located there. We saw the mint and several old buildings and churches with the tour, but the only one we went in was the Cathedral of St. Barbara, a medieval church.
This tour included a lunch in an "authentic" Czech restaurant (which added to the price). I was pretty skeptical about this in advance, but it was actually quite cozy and the food was tasty, even if it might have been a bit of a tourist mill. We visited the ossuary after lunch, and it is a sight that is quite out of the ordinary. http://www.ludd.luth.se/~silver_p/kutna.html
The travel was about an hour's drive each direction. We left around 10 and returned in the late afternoon. You could do the trip on your own, taking the train to Kutna Hora and a bus (I think) to nearby Sedlec (if the ossuary interests you). The tour made it easy, but there wasn't much "poking around" time.
Mar 22nd, 2006, 07:16 PM
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May I add to this thread?
I'm leaving for Prague next week. I'll be there 5 days, 4 nights. Aside from simply exploring the city and "getting lost" does anyone (specially you Polly Magoo) have top 5 recommendations - keeping in mind it's colder now and I believe the days are much shorter - so less light to explore.
I'm leaving for Prague next week. I'll be there 5 days, 4 nights. Aside from simply exploring the city and "getting lost" does anyone (specially you Polly Magoo) have top 5 recommendations - keeping in mind it's colder now and I believe the days are much shorter - so less light to explore.
Mar 23rd, 2006, 11:46 AM
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mccoy - I highly recommend Cesky Krumlov. If you have another day to venture outside of Prague, I also recommend going to Karlovy Vary. Both are beautiful towns! I actually disagree with some previous posts about Kutna Hora. I found that it didn't compare to Cesky Krumlov or Karlovy Vary - just my opinion.
Mar 23rd, 2006, 11:48 AM
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1. Charles Bridge
2. the Castle, with St. Vitus' Cathedral, the Golden Lane and various museums/palaces inside the walls (this will take the better part of a day).
3. the Old Town Square with the Astronomical Clock, St. Nicholas Church and the Tyn Church
4. the Jewish Cemetary
5. Church of Our Lady Victorious, and the Infant of Prague wax statue
2. the Castle, with St. Vitus' Cathedral, the Golden Lane and various museums/palaces inside the walls (this will take the better part of a day).
3. the Old Town Square with the Astronomical Clock, St. Nicholas Church and the Tyn Church
4. the Jewish Cemetary
5. Church of Our Lady Victorious, and the Infant of Prague wax statue
Jun 27th, 2006, 04:53 AM
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Cesky Krumlov is an absolute must to put on the list IMHO. We were there 2 weeks ago and would go back in a minute. Wonderful medieval town. Very compact and easy to get around - although you will do some up and down walking.
Jun 27th, 2006, 05:04 AM
#13
Don't you love those blatant advertisements. Even if they could be helpful. And by somebody who is knoweldgeable. I guess you have to earn a living somehow.
Also, I wish I was an expert at something.
As a don't miss - Much is written about the Wallenstein Gardens. While they truly are worth the visit, little is written about the Wallenstein Palace.
I guess that's because it's not open to the public.
That should read "not open to the public during the week".
Absolutely, plan your time in Mala Strana to be on a weekend and to include the Gardens and about 30 minutes in the Palace. Absolutely beautiful.
Also, I wish I was an expert at something.
As a don't miss - Much is written about the Wallenstein Gardens. While they truly are worth the visit, little is written about the Wallenstein Palace.
I guess that's because it's not open to the public.
That should read "not open to the public during the week".
Absolutely, plan your time in Mala Strana to be on a weekend and to include the Gardens and about 30 minutes in the Palace. Absolutely beautiful.
