What to do in Prague?

[Susnyk]

We're booked on the Sept. 20th Legendary Danube cruise on Amadeus' Amalegro. I've noticed, from other posts on this forum, that our hotel, the Renaissance, is closed for renovations. I booked an extra night there on my own! No one from either Amadeus or the hotel has informed me of the closure. I've put in a call to my travel agent to try to figure out what to do about it.

 

Anyway, I notice that Amadeus doesn't really offer much on the pre-cruise - there appears to be a lot of free time and I want to use that time well. Can anyone suggest some good things to see and do during those hours? We have an extra day ahead of time, too.

 

Thanks, Susan

Marietta, GA

[RHefley228]

Definitely see the castle. There are many good restaurants on or near Wenceslas Square. Try this website for other information, hotels, etc.: http://www.pragueexperience.com/accommodation/highlights/hotels_wenceslas_square.asp

[unberwoob]

There is so much to see and do in Prague, and everyone has different tastes. I would suggest you get a copy of the Eyewitness Travel Guide to Prague. It has lots of pictures, describes all the sights, etc. Then you can plan your sightseeing.

We skipped the "city tour", took the tram to the Monastary, walked down to the castle area, down to Mala Strana, across the St Charles bridge, and to the old town square. Frommers guidebook has several very good walking itineraries.

[Janice621]

Just returned from Prague. The castle is fabulous. We also went to the Jewish Museum which is a combination of 6 synagogues and cemetery. You could also go to Terezin but you would need to take an escorted tour as there is no convenient public transportation. The Old Town has the Astrological Clock and then you can walk to the Charles Bridge. The stores and architecture in Old Town are wonderful.

 

Janice

[DON M.]

For a great private guide in Prague ( and not expensive) go to http://www.praguemaster.com

[Susnyk]

Thanks for all your suggestions.

 

Don M., I am particularly interested in your suggestion about a private guide. Did you do that yourself? If so, what tour(s) did you take? Was there any particular guide you'd recommend? Since you were there on the same tour we are going to take (I've seen some of your previous posts), is there anything that Amadeus missed that you think we should be sure to try to see or do on our own? Thanks for your help.

 

Susan

[WIT]

We're booked on the Sept. 20th Legendary Danube cruise on Amadeus' Amalegro. I've noticed, from other posts on this forum, that our hotel, the Renaissance, is closed for renovations. I booked an extra night there on my own! No one from either Amadeus or the hotel has informed me of the closure. I've put in a call to my travel agent to try to figure out what to do about it.

 

Anyway, I notice that Amadeus doesn't really offer much on the pre-cruise - there appears to be a lot of free time and I want to use that time well. Can anyone suggest some good things to see and do during those hours? We have an extra day ahead of time, too.

 

Thanks, Susan

Marietta, GA

Susan - If you can possibly bus to Cieske Krumlov (we did it on the way in from Nuremberg), it is the best preserved medeival town in Europe.

WIT

[EURiverCruiser]

Amadeus Waterways invariably provides full Cruise Director support while in Prague. In other words, private optional excursions will be offered by your Cruise Director in Prague, usually at reasonable cost, covering all the important sites.

 

There is no harm in getting information beforehand. However, do not book from afar. You'll pay more than anyone else and once your payment is received, getting a refund (if any?) for your internet bookings might be very difficult.

 

You can always collect the local phone numbers, check what is locally available with your cruise line and seek other alternatives, if you find it fit to do so.

 

EURiverCruiser

[DON M.]

Susan, the guide we used for 3 tours was George at the web address I indicated above. We did a 4 hour walking tour of the castle and river area, ending the walk in the town square. It was a great way to learn alot of Prague history. The 2nd tour was to Terizen prison and former Ghetto. The tour of the prison by their local guides was chilling and so interesting to say the least. The 3rd tour was a full day trip to the medival town of Cesky Krumlov. So charming to walk around and have lunch and with a private guide, he knew where to go and what to see. Usually a guide for 2 persons can be expensive, but his rates were very reasonable. George lived in New York at one time, so his english is superb and is not only a great guide but a very nice person.

If you do not want to, or have the time to do the trips outside of Prague, I would recommend the walking tour and then use their efficient and easy subway system to explore the sights of the city.

The Renaissance hotel was in a great location, and the buffet breakfast was one of the best of any hotel I have every been at. Its a shame you cant stay there.

Let me know if you have any other questions. You will have a great time in Prague.

[lrmorris]

Susan, we are on the cruise right before yours from Budapest and (doing only the cruise part with Amadeus) spending four nights in Prague. I just got a Fodor's and Frommer's guide to both cities (as we will be in Budapest four nights on our own also) and researched. Prague looks so much more "complicated" than Budapest with far more architectural wonders that I wish we were staying longer in Prague. Anyway, hope both our trips are great. Linda & Larry

[MomC]

Hi Susan,

 

My husband and I and another couple are on the same cruise as you so we will be in Prague with you at whatever the substitute hotel is. My guess is that your documents will reflect the change of hotels. It's not uncommon for this to happen. Seems to me I read in recent communication with the cruise line that we will be staying at the Prague President Hotel.

 

I will try to find out about the hotel and any optional tours offered by Amadeus. I am a travel agent and took great pains to make sure we were getting the best river cruise available.

 

Give me a couple of days to check this out for all of us. Should there not be optional tours offered, perhaps the 6 of us might book a private tour and split the cost. This has always worked well for us when we have traveled in Europe.

 

Linda Cates (Mom C)

Ft. Collins, CO

[gbs]

We were just in Central Europe last Fall. Prague is an unbelievable city. We spent 4 nights and were never bored. Get a good guide book - we used Rick Steve's Eastern Europe book since we went to several different countries there. It is beautiful and there is so much to do and see.

 

We did spend additional nights in Cesky Krumlov, which is a beautiful little village. The bus ride, however, was a disaster. The bus kept breaking down and the driver would get out and work on it a while and come back each time with more oil on his shirt. He finally gave up and quit. When anything like this happens over there, ask a young person what is going on. They all speak English somewhat and are very helpful. It was a fun adventure. The good part was that every time we stopped, my husband could relieve himself, so it was ok by him!!

 

I think there is a train, which Rick Steves advised against, but that's what I would do. We had taken the train to Cesky Krumlov from Vienna, then were taking the bus to Prague. zYou will have a wonderful time.

[pacmom]

Hi,

 

We just received our current copy of Smithsonian magazine. It has a wonderful article about American ex-pats in Prague. It gives a feel of the city. When we were there last month it was very crowded---but wonderful. The buildings are so beautiful. We enjoyed just walking up and down the small streets. I think an eyewitness guide book would be good or Rick Steves. Just be very careful of wallets--my DH had his lifted from a top zippered pocket in a vest. It was still a wonderful place. Be sure to visit the produce and craft market not far from the old town square. Enjoy. Pat

[MomC]

Hi Susan,

 

I talked to Amadeus today. This is what I found out. Documents will be sent out 4 weeks prior to our sail date. The hotel in Prague has been changed to the Hotel President because of the remodeling at the Rennaisance. You can look it up on the Internet.

 

Finally, in addition to the city tour included with our 3 nights in Prague, they will offer 3 optional excursions which we cannot book until we arrive. One is to the concentration camp Terazin (sp?); another is a dinner and folkloric show, and the third one was nothing I had ever heard of--and couldn't get the res agent to explain it in any way I could understand it. Sorry.

 

I think we will take the two optional excursions that I understood and will skip trying to hire a guide on our own.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Linda Cates

Ft. Collins, CO

[Susnyk]

Great to hear from you, Linda! Thanks for the update from Amadeus. Since we will be sharing space for over a week, I'd like to exchange email addresses with you, if you're OK with that. Please email me at skuban@bellsouth.net. I'd like to talk with you a little more about Prague.

 

Susan

[Susnyk]

Thank you for your suggestions - Rick Steves, Fodors and Frommers, Cesky Krumlov, Smithsonian Magazine, George the tour guide (whom I've emailed, but not heard back from). BTW, DonM, do you have a valid email address for George? I emailed him through his website and after I had sent it off, I was confronted with another screen in Czech that looked like I was supposed to fill it out - or maybe the email wouldn't be sent. I was fearful of sending any info into the international cosmos, so I didn't fill out that form, and he may not have ever received the email.

 

Susan

[DON M.]

Susan, George's email address is still showing george@praguemaster.com. He indicates on his website some have been lost or very slow to receive. I would continue to try. Don

[clint and sue]

Hi Susan,

Typically, the guides Amadeus provides are quite informative and cover the major areas. We were there 2 extra days before our cruise - we were "shooting" a travel documentary (DVD) about the trip and needed the extra time. Lots to see - and it is not a small city logisticaly. Try to include an evening concert at Smetana Hall - we found it wonderful. Any "Qs" (I already answered someone's on hair curlers) email:clintandsue@yahoo.com