Backpackers' heaven (Czech Republic)

Member Name: mikester27

Product:	Czech Republic
Date:	30/01/02 (76 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Friendly and not too overbearing, Cheap but also damn good value for money, Interesting and varied

Disadvantages: Vaccinations recommended but not essential - we had no problems, A long trip by train, do Germany on the way there, Not a lot of English speakers outside of the main city centres

Having gone backpacking around Eastern Europe in September 2001, I would have to pick out the Czech Republic as my favourite country visited (although they were all very good).
The country seems to have a lot to offer for just about any kind of tourist, whatever age or budget. That said, budget really isn't something you'll need to worry about in the Czech Republic. Believe me.
Me and my backpacking buddies visited Prague (5 nights) and Brno (3 nights) during our tour, and both were excellent, and different in an interesting way.
Prague is very busy even in September, but still retains a friendly atmosphere not seen in most UK cities (anyone care to disasgree with me?) There are suprisingly few beggars (unless you count the underground stations), and the place is kept in decent shape litter-wise.
For the younger visitor, the nightlife in Prague is very very good and INCREDIBLY cheap. It also caters for more than just the typical trendy crowds - there are many rock clubs, goth clubs as well as a good "underground" scene. We visited the Roxy club, which is a drum'n'bass club and despite my less than favourable view of the music, the atmosphere in there was very good. That added to the fact that entry is FREE(!) and shots cost around 40p each (don't quote me on that though!) even I was well into it in no time - overall a good recommendation.
Prague Museum has to be visited simply because it is the single most bizarre museum on the face of the earth - rooms and rooms absolutely filled with thousands upon thousands of different........rocks. If you, like me and my mates, enjoy the more bizarre things in life, this is a definite must, and the 3D art gallery is not to be missed - again at a decent price.
The city itself is split into old and new parts - the old which offers narrow streets and the beautiful old town square, the new offering a more modern, shopper-happy approach.
In terms of eating I would r
ecommend getting a Mexican in the old town, although I apologise for not remembering the name of the restaurant. However, all types of food are catered for, and all, as far as I could see, were of decent quality. Alcohol is dangerously cheap, I sometimes wonder if the Czechs have a board of students in control of prices.

Overall, Prague is really the kind of place I will look to after University for a lengthy holiday and maybe more - it is so much nicer and friendlier than the majority of british cities (heck I live near Liverpool so I know what I'm talking about!)

Brno is somewhat surprising for us brits seeing as, although it is the second city in the Czech Republic, it feels like a small town at the best of times, even in the centre. This is why I like Brno so much, it is very relaxed (or at least it was in September), while still retaining some eastern-european charm. The city centre itself is not overbearing and is a good place to sit in a bar with a drink, while there are still enough shops to satisfy most shopping needs. There are many bars to be found in more out of the way areas, and indeed Brno is a city which should be walked round without a map, as it has contrast, style and holds some nice surprises.
A visit to the crypt which holds monks' bodies preserved over thousands of years will satisfy the needs of those interested in things historical or just plain unique.
There is a chance to look over the skyline of Brno near to the aforementioned crypt, and this can reveal yet more surprises - the fact that Brno is in fact quite a big city, for example.
The thing that made Brno even better in our stay there was the accomodation. We were staying at youth hostels during the majority of our trip, yet we opted for a hotel in Brno, due to the miniscule difference in price. And value for money it was indeed. For not much more than the price of a hostel room, we got a LUXURY 4-person bedroom, with TV, sink, shower, toile
t, the works. The hotel restaurant was also one of the best we experienced (that said, we really had no gripes with any places all holiday) and it pains me that I can't remember the name of said hotel (maybe I should look through my holiday memorabilia some more)

My tip in general would be that even backpackers should seek out a cheap hotel rather than staying in a hostel, because although the hostel in Prague was excellent (and sold BEER at reception, which the man at the desk seemed to be actively encouraging us to buy), it was quite a way out of the city, and as mentioned before, most hotels are pretty cheap and good value for money in the main.

My final word on the Czech Republic is that it is well worth a visit - I would recommend September time, because despite less-than-impressive weather, the character in the main towns seems to be warming enough, and you will miss the summer crowds (in Brno we appeared to be the only tourists!)
Dici Ceska Republika! (i will not be held responsible for spelling errors!)

NB - the "price" shows approximately how much I spent during my 9 days in the Czech Republic

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