Prague
 

I will be in Prague at the end of August. Could anyone give some suggestion which areas of the city are best to stay at and what are some "must-see" places.


Also, do many people in Prague speak English? I speak English and Russian, but absolutely no Czech.

Hi yevlesh2,
You should be able to get by quite easily in Prague even if you don't speak any czech. Many people there speak enough english so that you can get by without much difficulty. I can personally recommend the Hilton in Prague. It was fabulous. I understand that there are many other decent hotels there too, but I've only stayed at the Hilton. Be sure to see both sides of the city, the palace side and the side with the Tyne church. The Charles bridge is worth a look-see. Have a great trip.

The Marriott and Renaissance are across the street from each other and right by the historical areas. These both come up on Priceline for around $80. The Hilton is on the river, a bit out of the way for sightseeing, and the largest hotel in the country, but very nice. Everyone at the hotels speaks English and you should't have any trouble in restaurants or sightseeing. Otherwise, you can always find someone who speaks German.

yevlesh2,

I was in Prague in 1996 and 1997. Both times I stayed either with friends or in charming inns around the Skalka metro stop. I was there for 5 days and 2 months, respectively.That after a night or two in the bigtime American hotels.

I implore you to consider a nighttime stop other than western hotels such as the InteConti, Rennaissance, Hilton or Marriott. In fairness, I did stay at both the Hiltion and InterConti, but my stays were cookie-cutter experiences compared to the the other places.

Personally, I don't understand the obsession for needing to be 'close' to the action. I think it's so much more interesting to stay in a residential area and use the metro, like the rest of the locals.

But if being close to the action is what you're after, then any of the chains will serve you well. Prague is such a walkable -- not to mention beautiful -- city that you almost can't go wrong where you stay or what you do.

Even after a coupla months there I still just touched the surface.

http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif Have a great time!

P.S. Don't bother with speaking German. The locals kinda resent that.

[This message has been edited by essxjay (edited 05-19-2003).]

Russian is like a second language to them after almost 50 years of occupation, and I believe many more speak it over English outside of the major hotels.

We stayed at a great small place on the hill not far from the castle - super location for exploring both sides of the city, and quirky-yet-clean rooms and a friendly reception. It's called something like U chernova lva (means at the red lion, even though for a Russian speaker, it seems more like it should be black lion!) It was medium priced and good value, and gave a feeling of really staying in the city (stayed at the Marriott once, on business - very nice, but very Marriott). You'll do ok with English and the Russian will help decipher some of the Czech slavic-based words and a lot of the population will speak some Russian, but, like the earlier post regarding German, the Czechs aren't too fond of the Russians. As for must sees, this is one of the best walking and wandering cities I've ever been in, and I could also recommend you find a good marionnete theater, as it's quite an experience.

Enjoy!

(PS: of interest/amusement to Russian speakers: the "pozor" signs you see all over the city are "caution" signs ...)

I can highly reccomend the Crowne Plaza. They even have their own taxi's.

Service was first class and the price was fantastic.

http://www.worldexecutive.com/direct...els/prgcs.html

I had wanted to stay in the middle of the action, but wound up staying in a residential area (as essxjay prefers). I found it very easy to get around on the tram. I'm glad I wound up on the outskirts of the city.
It is up to you where to stay; if you like quiet stay in the residential area.
Many people speak English. However, I think it would be nice to learn some Czech phrases.
Get a tour book to see all the sights such as Prague Castle and Charles Bridge. The city is a great walking city. If you have a lot of time you may want to consider day trips to outside the city. I have not done this but friends have (these side trips are listed in the tour books).
Like any major city, beware of pickpockets. A woman asked me for a cigarette. I was suspicious and reached for my wallet and she had it in her hand. She was very smoothe.
Food and drink is very cheap.
You'll have a great time. I can't wait to go back.

HOTEL JOSEF is my personal favorite. Modern hotel in the Old Town. All 118 rooms are equipped with rainfall showerheads, 2 telephones, ISDN & analog data port, direct internet connection (free of charge), satellite TV, Sony playstation, DVD player, fully stocked minibar, individually controlled air-con, and fully stocked minibar. Try to secure accomodations on either of the top 2 floors, as these rooms have floor-to-ceiling glass walls and private terraces with great views of the old town.

Eat at PRAVDA, address: Parízská 17, tel: 23-26-203

Don't forget to try the Pilsner Urquell!

Really? This is very funny. I may have to travel to Prague just to see these signs! http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif

You will have no language problems, most people in Prague speak English and it is a required language in grade/high school.

On our last two vists (2weeks and 3 days) we rented an apt. one block off of Tram #22 (goes to all important sightseeing areas). Two Bedroom apt was $65US, full kitchen, bath (tub and shower), living room and TV room. If interested email me and I will give you the rental agency info.

Best guide book we found was "Eye Wwitness Prague", try Amazon.com

On our first trip we found trains and busses so cheap we used Prague as a center and did "Day Trips". Buses were $4US R/T to Kunta Hora and about the same to Kala Vary.

Prague is my favorite Eastern Europe Cities and one of my all time favorites.
Have a great time.

That Hotel Josef is one classy place. The see through Bath would present a problem with two people in the room! http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif

the cigar store in the Intercontintinental had the best prices on Cuban cigars I've seen anywhere.

The metro is unbelievably cheap.

Beware of taxi drivers--they'll try to rip you off.

In the Old Town Square, be sure to go up in the clock tower. There is a small charge but the view is impressive.

I spent quite a bit of unplanned time in Prague and the southern Bohemia town of Pisek this February after my Czech-born dad suffered a broken leg and heart attack there on his "vacation." Everyone was delightful. While my Czech is rudimentary, I am fluent in German and those that didn't know English were happy to talk to me in whatever command of German they had. The cardiologist at Pisek Hospital personally took me down to the billing office to translate as the staff there did not know English or German and I needed to settle up my dad's bill.

BTW, three months in Czech hospitals in Pisek and Prague cost a whopping $18000 including surgery to set the leg and several weeks in the cardiac ICU with three nurses in attendance around the clock!

Thanks for the great ideas, I am definnetly printing out the contents of this thread and taking it with me.

Unfortunatelly, I will be in Prague for only 3 days (with the help of the infamous NYC - VCE fare), so having read this thread I am already thinking regarding when I can come back.

As far as the Hotel, I was able to get the Renaissance Prague for $70/night on Priceline