Why Prague?
 

I'm planning on going to Prague just after Thanksgiving... and I wanted to hear from some folks that have been to Prague. Tell my WHY to go to Prague. I've done some reading and a little research and don't really know about any MUST sees like in London, Paris or Rome. So... WHY PRAGUE?


Thanks,

AZJ

Prague (or Praha) was one of the least bombed cities in WW2, so much of the old architecture is still standing. Czech food is great and the beer...well if you like beer this is the best place in the world to be.

On the negative side tourism has just gone through the roof over the last 5 years. So much that if I were going for tourism purposes I would go during the winter to avoid the crowds. I like to rent a car and drive out to the hinterlands to see old Czech.

Agreed on all of stimpy's points. We were there last month, which was good timing- beautiful weather, but not the full-court press of tourists they have in July (from what I hear).

There are some places where you can look out over the hills and it almost looks unchanged from the 1600s. I could spend all day in the Castle area. The Charles Bridge gets crowded with tourists and vendors but I'll bet it was the same way 300 years ago- only the cast of characters has changed.

I was eavesdropping on the train to Prague and the guy behind me was married to a career diplomat- he was telling his seatmate that they'd lived in Prague in the 1970s and it was grim. Shortages everywhere, buildings in terrible shape. It's encouraging to see a city rise up from that sort of existence the way Prague has.

I agree with stimpy's summation.

The "old city" portion of Prague is extremely well-preserved and/or restored and has a unique architectural aesthetic if you're primarily used to western Europe. It also has an old Jewish quarter (though very, very few Prague Jews survived the Holocaust) that gives some insight to Jewish life in Europe prior to WWII. There are also some significant and quite beautiful arte nouveau buildings.

It has some very, very good restaurants (though avoid the more touristy ones -- the Three Ostriches is worth seeing, but our meal there was medicore compared to other restaurants that we visited. I had roast goose for the first time in Prague -- ummmm, my mouth is watering just thinking about it.

Absinthe is legal in Prague -- it tasted like cough medicine to me, but at least I can say that I tried it. Prague is also famous for some very good beer.

As others have noted, Prague is frequently awash in tourists. We went during shoulder season (late April/early May), and parts of the city were quite crowded. However, it was still possible to get a sense of medieval Prague, and we had no trouble getting into restaurants, cafes, etc.

We loved Prague and, indeed, I know very few people who have been there who don't feel the same way.

I agree to all postings in this thread. I was there many years ago, and the only modern building in city center was a hotel (Interconti?!?).
Prague is like the great European cities used to be. Lots of (European) history and culture.
The PRAGER FENSTERSTURZ ignited the 30 Years War (in most of Europe)

BTW, the jewish quarter is "untouched", the nazis wanted to preserve it to show later generations how "the undervolk" was living.

Read here:

http://home.t-online.de/home/RIJONUE/hebook01.htm

As referred to above, there's lots of cultural history (and current activity, too). It's one thing to see a production of Don Giovanni in just any theatre, quite another to see it in the actual theatre where it had its premier (with Mozart himself at the conductor's position).

There are a lot of reasons to visit Prague, not the least of which is great value for your hard-earned $$. Pilsner Urquell's got to be the best lager made and it goes down well with uninspired, but good, hearty fare... See this link: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...ghlight=joints

1.) architecture. old and new. check out the frank ghrey "fred and ginger dancing building" on the river. plenty of art deco, too

2.) cheap, excellent food

I'm sure there are many more, but i'm tired.

I was there in august of 2002, right after the big flood that relieved dresden of a train station. the water marks near the river were at about 6'. the jewish quarter was closed, but i hear it's the best in europe.

i'd second the remark around renting a car and getting out of town. there are still remains of soviet influence, but mostly in small cities surrounding prague.

enjoy your trip! let us know how it goes

Thanks to everyone for their advice... now I reall yhave more reasons to go. Before it was "because I've never been" or "I heard they have good beer." Now, I'm even more excited!! Any suggestions on a day trip out of Prague without renting a car?

AZJ

Try this website for info on daytrips & local tours out of Prague... Drill down to "Sightseeing Tours." http://www.martintour.cz/ I suggest an introspective day visiting Terezin... http://www.myczechrepublic.com/sight...s/terezin.html

music!

You can always get great concert tickets in Praha. I saw Carmina Burana there in April 2003 with 170 singers and musicians. Wow! €29 a ticket