Get thee to Prague

[KurtNYC]

If you haven't been -- go. If you have been you know what I'm talking about (so why didn't you tell me ;-)? )



A city that lives Art and breathes music. Ancient. Seductive. Passionate.

The secret (if it was one) is out and the place is popular these days. They just joined the EU but still using a local currency. Hotel rooms are pricey, everything else is about par.

[trotsky]

1. Yep, I can second that.

Sorry I forgot to tell you. :)

Although I went just after the Czech Republic and Slovakia split (1993), and prices were still VERY cheap. I rented a studio apartment for my stay for $12/night.

What a beautiful city. The best part of my stay in Europe.

[BigBigBear]

2. My wife

was born in Hradec Kralove, and grew up in Prague.

For years I wanted to go there with her, to have her show me the places where she used to live and play as a little girl.

I couldn't do it now. No way.

[Bossy Monkey]

7. Well not now, but I think it would be good for you to go eventually

Continuing best wishes and all condolences on your loss to you, sir.

[Huckebein the Raven]

3. I definitely want to go and

it's on my list when I ever get across the pond (but after I visit Paris first)

Also, after seeing a story on the show European Journal I want to try a Budweiss Budvar beer.

[KurtNYC]

4. Another pic

[tjwash]

5. My pics from Prague...

The best food I have ever had in all of Europe was in Prague. If anyone ever goes, make sure you go on a river cruise around the city:


The city is very historical, because it escaped most of the WW2 bombing, and all the old buildings are still intact:




I just loved that river view:


Mozart spent quite a few years in Prague, and they filmed "Amadeus" there.

[KurtNYC]

6. Awesome, thanks for sharing those

Here is a little more for those interested in going...

We stayed at the Paris Hotel and paid 200 Euros per night. Hopefully you can do better value wise. I was so taken with the city that I checked a couple of hotels for next time. One of which was this one:
http://www.pragueholiday.cz/evropa.html

My father and I had drinks in the one dining room after a Mozart concert elsewhere. The staff were having as much fun as the customers (maybe more). Once they found out we could speak german (the most common 2nd language there it seems) they wanted us to hang out and dance with them, etc. That is a gorgeous hotel, right on the main drag. The prices they gave me in person were higher than that website says so I would double check that.

They have had a lot of trouble with currency exchange hustles so the government makes the local change bureaus operate with no commission buy or sell. Bottomline: exchange whatever currency you want when you get there and don't be worried about commission and how much you will be changing back. Be wary of anyone offering to exchange money with you -- even after you say 'no' and step away because they are a thief and have marked you as a tourist.

If you are a fan of music -- classical up through 1920's jazz, Gershwin, etc. Prague has nightly rotating concerts which are cheap (relatively -- $18 to $40) and you can buy same day right up to show time. Worth it and the venues are gorgeous too. Saw Mozart Best of type show inside the pictured building.

If you stay anywhere in the center of town you probably don't need a transit card. We walked to everything. Did the quickie bus tour when we first got in too.

[MrScorpio]

8. Been to Budapest as well?

Just wondering

[KurtNYC]

9. Not yet.

Budapest has come up a couple of times when I mentioned Prague.

Is it equal or better?

[MrScorpio]

10. I really don't know

When I was in Europe, my fave destination was Amsterdam

Great place, especially when you have in-laws there