Hi there, I%26#39;ve just booked a weekend in Prague at the beginning of August to celebrate my wedding anniversary.
Before finally booking, I took advice from a work collegue who spent a weekend there earlier this year and couldn%26#39;t speak highly enough of it and another who has just spent a year there as a student and also was full of praise.
Since then I%26#39;ve discovered this forum and so far hear people saying, it%26#39;s a rip off, people are unfriendly, restaraunts charge more than what%26#39;s on the menu, stay well clear of taxis and Wenceslas Square is dirty and seedy ???
All I can say is I hope my wife never disovers this forum, all that said, I%26#39;m going to trust my original judgement and am still looking forward to it allbeit with a little trepidation now.
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My fiance and I are getting married in Prague this September. I can%26#39;t rate the place highly enough!
The advice you%26#39;ve read is there for your benefit - just like someone saying don%26#39;t go into certain bars in your home city wearing the wrong football colours, or to watch out for pickpockets in certain places of where I live (London).
It%26#39;s true that the taxis should be avoided like the plague (use the metro instead!), and yes, Wencelas Square should be avoided unless you want reminding on a city centre night in the UK.
That%26#39;ll give you more time to explore the old town, little quarter and Hradcany districts. Believe me, a wedding anniversary spent there will be memorable and happy.
But still, you shouldn%26#39;t be in trepidation as you%26#39;re doing the right thing and checking out commonsense advice from fellow
travellers - just use that advice to make sure both you and your wife have the best anniversary possible.
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i%26#39;m just back from a superb 4 night break in Prague and geez i%26#39;ve been to alot worse places! just need to have your usual sensible traveller hat on and you%26#39;ll be fine.
we used the lonely planet city guide - it was a godsend for finding good places to eat and also the walking tours show you bits of prague that most people don%26#39;t see.
so go and have fun - the food is on the whole good and cheap, the scenery and buildings are beautiful - sure the locals are a bit surly and many of the tourist sights are completely overrun but its still a great place!
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Good advice Halberg and DML, thanks for that.
As far as Prauge geography goes, I%26#39;m staying in the Savoy Hotel which is near the castle. From there, I believe the old town is only a 5-10 minute walk or 2 minute tram ride away, so I shouldn%26#39;t need to go anywhere near taxis.
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Hi Chris,
You might have to allow a little more travelling time to the Old Town. By walk it will be about 20 mins to the far side of Charles Bridge. By Tram, the 22 will only take you as far as Malostranske Namesti so if you don%26#39;t want to walk down the hill, this is a good option. If you want to go all the way to the centre then take the Tram 23 and get off at Narodni Trida (18 mins from the Savoy - the tram stop is called Pohorelec). If you want the timetable for either tram, go to
www.livingprague.com/httimetable.htm and use the Second method.
As you are on the Mala Strana side of the river, I doubt you will be spending much time in Wenceslas Square. Bear in mind that generally three types of people use forums, those with questions, those with answers and those with complaints.
Jason
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Chris, you%26#39;ll have a wonderful time if you do your homework first. Prague is a big city, and Wenceslaus Square is the tourist shopping mecca of that city, so of course everything is more expensive there. Go off the beaten track! Wherever you%26#39;re staying, don%26#39;t be afraid to explore! It is a great walking city, crime is minimal and the atmosphere of the whole place is beautiful. The city is extremely old, don%26#39;t miss old town-the history and culture is indescribable! Book a good tour-if you%26#39;re staying at an good hotel, get the concierge%26#39;s recommendation and invest a few hours in an excorted tour. Your time is limited and this will help you determine where you most want to spend it. We went to a concert every night. There are all types available-classical music, jazz concerts, etc. I disagree with seedy and expecially that the city is a rip-off. It seems to me that those people did not expend enough effort to get into the real sections of the city, and they are certainly worth seeing. Most Czechs working in this city are bi- or tri-lingual. You%26#39;ll have no problems with languages-and they are generally delighted you are visiting. The city is trying very hard to promote their tourism and what a beautiful city it is. Congratulations on your anniversary and have a great time! We did! Barbara and Tom
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Hi,
We have also just arrived back from a 3 night break and we stayed using Marys Apartment service, in a wonderful apartment in the New Town - which may be close to Wenceslas Square (In reality a long boulevard) though the New Town seems to be
where the locals live (Or perhaps more than other parts of town!) and so beer was inexpensive (23 -27kc) and food was also reasonable (90-180kc for a main), There seemed to be restaurants everywhere. Definitely worth an explore during an afternoon and Wenceslas Sq is also worth a walk - it is very nice and currently has art projects in the middle of the street, there are some amazing building and somewhere to rest when the feet get tired (If you can put up with Pom Stag parties). You will have a ball - it is an amazing city - definitely do a guided walk from the clock in the old town or car tour - highly recommended!
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Thanks for all the good advice %26amp; good wishes, nice to read some positive reports, I fully intend to explore the city on foot.
We%26#39;ll have plenty of time on our hands and no kids therefore no stress, can%26#39;t wait now.
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Hi ive been to Prague six times now soon to be seven its a great city if you like history, and ive been to most european citys now. ive never found any problems with people being unfreindly, its true wenceslas square is a bit seedy late at night,but every big city is like this,if you stick to the old town areas at night you should have no problem,yes taxis are a rip off but you dont need to use them as public transport ,trams and metro are great run every few mins and very cheap,only had one problem with a resturant overchargeing in all my vists,alot of beer halls do real good food,im sure you will have a great time!
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Hi
I%26#39;m one of the ones who gave warnings of rip offs, but I%26#39;m still going back again. Prague is a beautiful city with an atmosphere all of it%26#39;s own.
Some of the restaurants are a bit naughty, but we found the best ones for quality of food, reasonable prices and friendly service were out of the main tourist part.
Where ever you are in Prague, which ever way you look you will see beauty. Prague castle is amazing, and the walk from castle hill to the old town is delightful.
Don%26#39;t let our warnings put you off, you are from Glasgow and if asked I%26#39;m sure could name several parts which are less salubrious than others.
Have a good trip
Jackie
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Hi,
Im from Prague, currently living in Sydney. My friends in Prague who are from UK and Germany say that they feel very safe and even a girl does not have to worrry to be alone at the nighttime. - unlike most cities ...
Naturally, everywhere where tourists are you may find rip off
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