I'm off to Prague for a long w/e on 2/24. Are there any particular sites, things to do that I should not miss?

Thanks.

The Hradcany (sp?) Castle, the Jewish Cemetery, and the Charles Bridge are not to be missed.

Lucky you!!

In addition, the small musuem dedicated to home town boy, Alphonse Mucha, one of the greatest Art Nouveau artisits, Wencelas Square and its museums, The Astronomical Clock and Art Nouveau City Hall.

Also, Czech Beer -- Pilsner Urquel, Budweis (August Busch's inspiration/rip off when devising Budweiser), and my favorite Gambrinius.

Of course, you can't refuse a great Duck, Goose,Pork or some form of wild game dinner with that beer!

BTW, where are you staying?

And if you happen to be a history buff, the village of Lidice is right outside Prague going northwest (toward Slany).

AAPlatinum: Are you flying on OneWorld? I too am Platinum and have always thought of going to Prague but would like to fly Oneworld at a reasonable costs. suggestions?

Counsellor --

Is anything left standing? Is there just a plaque? Could you please advise?

Thanks to everyone for their replies.

DOC 2 BE I'm staying in the Mala Strana area.

Aloha, I'm flying AA all the way. Going via DFW/ZRH on the way over and BRU/ORD on the way back. The flight between ZRH/PRG is an AA code share on SR metal. The flight between PRG/BRU is an AA code share on SN metal. The other flights are all on AA metal, which is important, as I used a VIP2 to upgrade the flights.

Agree with Hradcany Castle, particularly the cathedral. Buy a ticket to all the sights inside the cathedral when you first go in; otherwise, you won't be able to see or get that close to some amazing stuff.

The view at night from the bridges across the Charles river back towards the Castle side is amazing. It's actually better from the bridge that the trams run on, not the Charles Bridge...

On the Mala Strana side, near the embassies, is a great little cellar bar called St. Nick's, I think. There are also a bunch of good bars/restaurants that aren't too touristy near the Ujezd tram stop on the 22 line.

IMO, Gambrinus and Budvar are the way to go w/ beer, and Velvet is pretty good too. There are a lot of side streets good for wandering, and free/cheap concerts can be found at night in many of the churches around town.

There's also a small but nice casino at the Hotel Imperial near Old Town Square where you can play for hours on relatively little money.

DOC 2 BE - We passed it by because we were behind schedule, but I understand that after the inhabitants were murdered or deported to concentration camps (where most died or were murdered), the original village was razed by the Nazis. When a new city (same name) was built near the remains after the war, the remains were supposedly covered with rose bushes sent from all over the world.

When I was in high school (mid-50s) the incident was fresh enough (along with Katyn Forest) that it was still talked about. It made quite an impression on me. (The actions were, of course, violations of the Law of War, but I didn't realize that there even was a Law of War back when I was that young.)

Actually, it's the Vltava river (which flows into the Elbe just north of Prague). The bridge is called the Charles Bridge because it was commissioned by an Emperor named Charles (the IV, I think) way back in the 14th Century.

Counsellor --

Thanx. I read that there was nothing left at Lidice, that is why I was interested on your take. Of course, this was done in response to Heyderich's assassination. The difference between Katyn and this, as I am sure you know, was who was the perpetrator. The former the Nazis, the latter, the Soviets. BTW, you also probably have heard of Oradon Sur Glan (Sp.?), the French town was likewise liquidated by the Nazis. I am sure this happened quite often during WW II, but that these are the ones that have been most remembered.

In addition, I have been told that it is not too far a train ride or auto ride from PRG to Terezin, where the infamous "Model Concentration Camp" of Thierensenstadt was located. I had not mentioned it as I do not think that it should be on anyone's highlights of a first short weekend to Prague. I plan to go there the next time I'm there, but of course, that will be my second time to the area.

Better to cover the sites in the city itself, first.

[This message has been edited by DOC 2 BE (edited 02-11-2001).]

Yes, I also had heard Thierensenstadt was in the vicinity, but I gave it a pass. Dachau was bad enough, and then there was Buchenwald. Didn't really need to see another.

You're right about the cause of the incident at Lidice (pronounced as I recall "LEE-duh-chay"), and of course it was the Soviets who murdered the Polish officer POWs at Katyn Forest (although they tried to pin it on the Nazis). There were a lot of atrocities during the war. I suppose one would have to add the firebombing of Dresden to the list as well. Sad.

However, if one is interested in history, that particular area has sure seen a lot of it. While at the Castle, be sure to note the site of the Defenestration of Prague. If I recall correctly, we even went to the window in question (from the inside).

Yes, I saw the Defenestration window, as well!!

Something you night have missed, last week. Of all programs, Nova, on PBS had a show on the prisoner escapes from Colditz Castle, which I think is near Dresden. When I will be in the area for the first time, I do not know, but I plan to visit it. In addition, they mentioned the town of SALACH, which was reportedly the site of the POW camp that was semi ficiionalized in the book and movie, the Great Escape. I do not know if anyhting is still standing from that camp, but Castle Colditz is very much in evidence.

restaurants: U Svalta Ducha (the little church) is the only non-smoking restaurant in town AFAIK. Peklo is a basement restaurant in a 12th century beer cellar under the monestary.

Hotel: U Tri Postru (3 Ostriches) is pretty neat.