Beautiful,fun, city (Prague)

Member Name: BillR

Product:	Prague
Date:	10/05/03 (152 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: beautiful, inexpensive, compact

Disadvantages: none

Like most cities Prague has lots of interest for a sightseeing holiday. In addition it has some key advantages over other places:

1. Everything is together in one cohesive area of 2-3 square miles which makes touring the sights much easier. There is a good supply of quality accommodation near the centre. Although not especially cheap, you are getting excellent value for money, as there is such a lot to see within walking distance.
It's a bit like a historical theme park, although it's real !.A tremendous amount has survived the various wars and there’s really a lot to see.

2. Prices in bars and restaurants are below average for cities of this calibre.Food was generally absolutely excellent. In 9 out of 10 cases you can pick somewhere that will please you. The better places might need up to be booked up to a day ahead. The czechs are really catching on that good service is appreciated and rewarded. The beer is really delicious and completes the warm day's sightseeing perfectly!


Beautiful sights:
- Many bars cafes and restaurants will give you a vista of Charles Bridge or the Cathedral. Sitting in the Old Town Square is also lovely
For me these settings compared readily to enjoying views in Florence, Paris or Venice

Interesting tours:
- There are many very well preserved examples of fine buildings from Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Rococco, Neoclassical, Art Nouveau, in fact all styles imaginable.
- Street theatre is of the highest quality! You can spend over an hour just crossing Charles Bridge in the sunshine and listen to a jazzband , a violinist, a gypsy zither player, and a solo soprano; all beautiful; an enchanting, fabulous experience
- Monastery Libraries may sound dull but the quality and beauty of ninth century manuscripts together with the intricate glory of the library frescoes is really mind blowing
- Czech art is absolutely world class- most

painters I had never heard of but the National Gallery ranks with that of any other country. In particular we thought the Mucha gallery and the Modern Art Collection were very worthwhile visits

Other features:

Lots of quiet green spaces within the city to rest, chill and breathe in between cityscapes
Weekends are busier as the city is now very popular for 'long weekend' breaks

There is generally a young, lively, (not raucous) atmosphere, which is a nice counterbalance to the very historic environment

The city is very musical. It is possible to go to a concert every evening, with no prior booking, if you wish.

Supposed hassles:

The language: just about everyone speaks some English
Taxi drivers: if you ring from the hotel you’ll more than likely get treated perfectly well

Summary: