Prague

[PHarmGirl]

We are fulfilling a lifelong dream and going to Prague in June!

We are planning to take a day trip to Moravia, we both have ancestors from that area, and I understand there are many wineries in that region.

And of course we plan to do all the touristy "must see" things in Prague.

Anyone have any tips or other suggestions??

[springparrot]

none, but ya'll have a fabulous time and don't forget the pics.
Oh, and enjoy the wine

[D PHarmBoy]

Pivo!!!!!! Beer.

[nutmeg]

Ok that is one of my dream vacations too! (They make a lot of glass beads in that country)

Hope you have a ball!

[Snowparrot]

Great city for wandering around. Castles, River, Beer.... all good!

[SMLCHNG]

Just wishing you a great trip. My grandparents went when I was a kid. My grandfather was Czechoslovakian. They had a great time, but I don't remember any details.

[The Lost Manatee]

One word of caution about Prague, be aware that there are lots of pickpockets there or one guy who is really fast and stays busy 24/7. Otherwise I have nothing but wonderful things to say about Prague.

[ContinentalDrifterIII]

We are fulfilling a lifelong dream and going to Prague in June!

We are planning to take a day trip to Moravia, we both have ancestors from that area, and I understand there are many wineries in that region.

And of course we plan to do all the touristy "must see" things in Prague.

Anyone have any tips or other suggestions??

I am heading there in a couple of weeks. Any tips?

[spartan1979]

U Fleku

http://en.ufleku.cz/

[PHarmGirl]

We are fulfilling a lifelong dream and going to Prague in June!

We are planning to take a day trip to Moravia, we both have ancestors from that area, and I understand there are many wineries in that region.

And of course we plan to do all the touristy "must see" things in Prague.

Anyone have any tips or other suggestions??

I am heading there in a couple of weeks. Any tips?

Okay, this is gonna be long!

In Prague not being able to speak Czech is not really a problem because it is so rapidly becoming an international city and almost everything (including menus) are available in English. If you travel into the rural areas, especially the small villages then English speaking people are hard to find. The kids are the best source because they have been teaching English as a second language for over 15 years.

I would highly recommend using a guide for at least one day. I have some names and numbers, if you are interested, please PM me.

Purchase passes for the public transportation system in Prague. The subway is excellent for getting around the city. Buses and trams are also available. It's very efficient and much cheaper than using a taxi.

Be certain to tour Prague castle and the associated cathedrals. Your guide can provide you all of this and you can also go back later to spend more time. Prague is not spread over a large area (at least the parts you want to see) so it doesn't take much time to get around.

Be sure to experience Charles Bridge and the outdoor cafes in the Staro Mesto or "Old Town" area because the food is good and it's fun to just "soak in" the culture. Don't forget to climb the observation tower at Charles Bridge for a really good view all around and a great place to take pictures of Prague!

Be sure to take time to watch the clock tower in Old Town Square. It's hundreds of years old and one of the first of its kind and very famous. It chimes, etc. every hour. Also, go to the top of the clock tower for an excellent view, and it's fun to watch the crowd below.

Take in an opera if you can while you are in Prague. They have great ones and seeing them in one of the old historic opera houses is something you cannot duplicate here in the U.S.

Go into St. James Cathedral and see the mummified arm hanging from the wall near the entrance. Google for the story. Go into as many of the churches as you can. The church on Old Town Square has an organ that Mozart played.

Try one of the beer halls. 'U Fleku' is the most famous one. It is really touristy and more expensive but it's a lot of fun! The wait staff will come by your table to give you beer and shots, if you are not interested, just say NO, they are really pushy and persuasive and make it seem like you "have to" and that the shots are free but they are not! The beer is good and is one of a kind and brewed at U Fleku.

Most restaurants only serve one "brand" of beer, either one that they brew or the standard "Pilsner Urquell." There is usually a sign at the entrance to the restaurant that will tell you what brand of beer they serve there. We didn't figure this out until the end of our stay there.

Be sure to swing through 'Vaclav Square' which is where the 'Velvet Revolution' the overthrow of communism had its roots and where rallys. The square was packed with people for many days.

Near there is the Mucha museum. Mucha is probably the most famous Czech artist. He painted mostly in the first half of the last century and was very famous. You will recognize some of his works. We also enjoyed the Jan Saudek art exhibit and the Sex Machine Museum.

Be prepared to walk everywhere - it's not bad and almost everything is within walking distance – and it helps to walk off all the beer calories and carbohydrates you will be eating! TAKE COMFORTABLE SHOES - NO NEW ONES!!! There are a lot of cobblestone streets and it can be tough to do a lot of walking on them and the sidewalks are often very crowded.

The restaurants do not use ice in drinks so you need to ask for ice – and even then they give VERY small amounts of ice. Therefore, beer works great because it is usually cold. My favorite beer is Staro Pramen.

When ordering water they will ask if you want "still" or "sparkling" so order still if you do not want the bubbly kind.

Make sure you keep your wallet in your front pocket during the trip and while in Prague doing the tourist thing (when in a crowd) and keep your hand in your pocket where the wallet is, or use a money belt. For ladies keep your purse close to your body and preferably in the front. When there is a problem with the pickpockets, your guide will usually tell you. We did not have any problem but we were careful.

Don't use the exchange places for money, and don't forget that your debit bank card will not work internationally, use your credit card and go to an ATM and get Czech dollars.

You might want to take a couple of rolls of toilet paper for use outside of Prague as their definition of TP (very coarse) is not what you are used to using here at home.

Also, take some bubble wrap (the small bubbles) to wrap glass in to pack in between your clothing for your trip home to help to keep the glass from breaking. Or if you can pack it (in bubble wrap) and put in your carry on. We bought lots of things at Praha Blue (glass) and at the Havelska Market, it is not as expensive as the booths on Charles Bridge or in the more touristy areas.

I hope you have a wonderful time touring Prague and the beautiful countryside!

Take plenty of pictures and have a beer for me!

[PHarmGirl]

http://www.travelchannel.com/TV_Shows/A ... ode_Prague

[PHarmGirl]

And here are a few photos:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2 ... 3092111185

[PHarmGirl]

And here are a few photos:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2 ... 3092111185

Forgot to mention that you have to pay at many public restrooms, but they are CLEAN, and that the street signs are on the sides of the buildings.

[Nighthawk]

Supposedly a lot of good drugs and such out there..... ENJOY

[ContinentalDrifterIII]

U Fleku

http://en.ufleku.cz/

On my list!!!

[ContinentalDrifterIII]

We are fulfilling a lifelong dream and going to Prague in June!

We are planning to take a day trip to Moravia, we both have ancestors from that area, and I understand there are many wineries in that region.

And of course we plan to do all the touristy "must see" things in Prague.

Anyone have any tips or other suggestions??

I am heading there in a couple of weeks. Any tips?

Okay, this is gonna be long!

In Prague not being able to speak Czech is not really a problem because it is so rapidly becoming an international city and almost everything (including menus) are available in English. If you travel into the rural areas, especially the small villages then English speaking people are hard to find. The kids are the best source because they have been teaching English as a second language for over 15 years.

I would highly recommend using a guide for at least one day. I have some names and numbers, if you are interested, please PM me.

Purchase passes for the public transportation system in Prague. The subway is excellent for getting around the city. Buses and trams are also available. It's very efficient and much cheaper than using a taxi.

Be certain to tour Prague castle and the associated cathedrals. Your guide can provide you all of this and you can also go back later to spend more time. Prague is not spread over a large area (at least the parts you want to see) so it doesn't take much time to get around.

Be sure to experience Charles Bridge and the outdoor cafes in the Staro Mesto or "Old Town" area because the food is good and it's fun to just "soak in" the culture. Don't forget to climb the observation tower at Charles Bridge for a really good view all around and a great place to take pictures of Prague!

Be sure to take time to watch the clock tower in Old Town Square. It's hundreds of years old and one of the first of its kind and very famous. It chimes, etc. every hour. Also, go to the top of the clock tower for an excellent view, and it's fun to watch the crowd below.

Take in an opera if you can while you are in Prague. They have great ones and seeing them in one of the old historic opera houses is something you cannot duplicate here in the U.S.

Go into St. James Cathedral and see the mummified arm hanging from the wall near the entrance. Google for the story. Go into as many of the churches as you can. The church on Old Town Square has an organ that Mozart played.

Try one of the beer halls. 'U Fleku' is the most famous one. It is really touristy and more expensive but it's a lot of fun! The wait staff will come by your table to give you beer and shots, if you are not interested, just say NO, they are really pushy and persuasive and make it seem like you "have to" and that the shots are free but they are not! The beer is good and is one of a kind and brewed at U Fleku.

Most restaurants only serve one "brand" of beer, either one that they brew or the standard "Pilsner Urquell." There is usually a sign at the entrance to the restaurant that will tell you what brand of beer they serve there. We didn't figure this out until the end of our stay there.

Be sure to swing through 'Vaclav Square' which is where the 'Velvet Revolution' the overthrow of communism had its roots and where rallys. The square was packed with people for many days.

Near there is the Mucha museum. Mucha is probably the most famous Czech artist. He painted mostly in the first half of the last century and was very famous. You will recognize some of his works. We also enjoyed the Jan Saudek art exhibit and the Sex Machine Museum.

Be prepared to walk everywhere - it's not bad and almost everything is within walking distance – and it helps to walk off all the beer calories and carbohydrates you will be eating! TAKE COMFORTABLE SHOES - NO NEW ONES!!! There are a lot of cobblestone streets and it can be tough to do a lot of walking on them and the sidewalks are often very crowded.

The restaurants do not use ice in drinks so you need to ask for ice – and even then they give VERY small amounts of ice. Therefore, beer works great because it is usually cold. My favorite beer is Staro Pramen.

When ordering water they will ask if you want "still" or "sparkling" so order still if you do not want the bubbly kind.

Make sure you keep your wallet in your front pocket during the trip and while in Prague doing the tourist thing (when in a crowd) and keep your hand in your pocket where the wallet is, or use a money belt. For ladies keep your purse close to your body and preferably in the front. When there is a problem with the pickpockets, your guide will usually tell you. We did not have any problem but we were careful.

Don't use the exchange places for money, and don't forget that your debit bank card will not work internationally, use your credit card and go to an ATM and get Czech dollars.

You might want to take a couple of rolls of toilet paper for use outside of Prague as their definition of TP (very coarse) is not what you are used to using here at home.

Also, take some bubble wrap (the small bubbles) to wrap glass in to pack in between your clothing for your trip home to help to keep the glass from breaking. Or if you can pack it (in bubble wrap) and put in your carry on. We bought lots of things at Praha Blue (glass) and at the Havelska Market, it is not as expensive as the booths on Charles Bridge or in the more touristy areas.

I hope you have a wonderful time touring Prague and the beautiful countryside!

Take plenty of pictures and have a beer for me!

Wow, this is great!!!! Thank you so much! I will have a pivo for you!

[Conolulu]

Seems to be the thread for long posts..

I need to preface this by saying that Prague and Austria are on the TOP of my wish list of anywhere I could go in the world....Always always always wanted to go there, since I was a little girl.....no idea why Prague....Austria because of the Lipizzaner stallions.....My grandfather was instrumental in saving them during WWII and I had seen a movie about them...and was fascinated by them...always, always wanted to see them...Didn't know I could come to Florida to do that....

I have a friend, Olga, back home on the island..who is from Prague....

She grew up there..She escaped during the Communist regime, and has one hell of a story..She hid out in mountains, eating what she could and staying with friendly families when she could..She was only 17..She split up from the girl she ran with somewhere along the way and never knew what happened to her...She made it to the United States...worked as a flight attendant for many years for Pan American..and settled in Fernandina eventually....She worked for me in the hotel there, and just try being the boss of a Czech... Damb near impossible!
She finally went back to visit in 2002....and had another "one hell of a story" to tell...She ran in to the girl she escaped with, on public transit...the other girl recognized her....it all ends with Olga buying a small place there, visiting twice yearly now...and establishing dual citizenship.....Lovely woman, and a good friend...

Wish I'd seen this thread before today....I would have kept Olga on the phone while typing what to do and where to go....If you ever go back? Let me know, Lori....I need to call Olga anyway...it's been a few months since we talked.....Her pictures of her home make me think "otherworldly"...It's like a different time, different species, heck, different universe!

I'm soooooo glad you got to go and that you enjoyed it so much! Off to look at your pictures now! Thank you!

[lilsalty]

CDIII is off to Prague tonight! Bon Voyage and Merry Travels!