I will be there from Dec 16-Dec 23 with my 20 year old niece. Any special suggestions?

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This message has been edited. Last edited by: Colleen,

I found this website particularly useful when planning our trip to Prague in the Spring. Note, now, particularly the link to "Christmas 2007," under "Events" on the left side.

Ann

Sundaze, I visited Prague last November and loved it. I’m not sure what your niece’s interests are but I would say that Prague has quite a variety to offer. I also used the same website that Ann referenced when I was planning my trip. It has a good overview of everything that is available to see and do in Prague. I also found Staci's Travel Notes very helpful.

I think preferences on what one would consider special can vary from one person to the next. For some, attending a classical concert would be special or taking a tour of Prague Castle may be for others. I really enjoyed all the things that I did and saw, but there are two things from my trip to Prague that I will never forget. My first look at the Charles Bridge and Castle lit up late at night and my visit to the Pinkas Synagogue located in the Jewish Quarter. I tend to measure my experiences by visuals, music or emotional impact.

It’s great that you’re researching for ideas so you can look at all your options and then decide on what appeals to you and your niece the most.

Here's a brief Youtube video that I made from my trip. It is very cheesy and is in no way intended to be a reflection of all that Prague has to offer. I did it mainly for fun. Prague is a very beautiful city (architecture is amazing) and the people are great.

Whatever you both decide, I hope you have a wonderful trip.

Sundaze, picking up on what trekcapri has said, one of the amazing things about Prague is the number of cultural events that are readily available. There are concerts of all kinds and genres; many of them are free. The websites, such as the one both of us have mentioned, probably list only those for which tickets are needed. However, on any day in places such as Old Town Square, there will be people handing out flyers about concerts that may be taking place that evening or the next day in some church or similar. And the quality of such performances is almost always very good.

Incidentally, where are you staying? I also have a few suggestions for restaurants. One of these days I'll actually get around to posting my trip report from the Spring, along with reviews of restaurants, etc. In the meantime, here are two very different ones:

1). For a real Czech experience and a lot of fun, there's "U Kalicha" pub and restaurant. It offers traditional Czech food and music and tends to be loud. It is listed on the website referenced above. Here's a comment from that site: "If you haven't been to U Kalicha, you haven't been to Prague is the saying." It is located on Na Bojisti in the Vinohrady section, but it is just outside Nove Mesto (New Town) and easily accessible by public transportation.

2). My other recommendation is for a very different culinary experience, the restaurant Mozaika. It is also in Vinohrady, but a little further out, in a more residential area. Again, it is easy to reach by public transportation (which is great in Prague - - get a multi-day pass). Someone had recommended it to my sister-in-law. It is described by one reviewer on the expat website as serving "modern bistro fare," as they have a very interesting and innovative menu. We thought the food was delicious. It's a little bit more pricey than most Prague tourist restaurants but not at all expensive by US criteria. And if you do go, try one of their Czech (Moravian) wines. They have an extensive selection.

Ann

I see that the National Marionette Theatre will be performing Don Giovanni on the 17th December. We saw this when we were in Prague several years ago and it was, surprisingly, the high point of our visit. Even if you are not normally an opera goer, I would recommend it. It is so captivating and gloriously funny that I'd recommend it to anyone. The night we went I was seriously cheesed off because it was my birthday and I had wanted to go to the real opera house but could not get any tickets. The Marionette Theatre was the only other alternative that night and I felt gipped - until the curtain went up. I believe the marionette tradition is much stronger in eastern europe than it is here in the UK at least and I left wanting more.

Thanks everyone, enjoyed video not cheesy at all. We are staying at the Ventana Hotel. My niece is a vegetarian so I hope she will find things she likes to eat. Slowtrave is so great! BTW we both like opera and music so it should be good.

I stayed at the Ventana in September. Wonderful hotel and it's in the best location right off the Old Town Square. You won't be disappointed.

Carole

sundaze,

My niece, who has Celiac disease, traveled to Europe with us this past Spring. Prior to the trip, we researched restaurants and food stores where she could find things she could eat. This is a website we found for Prague that should be helpful to you and your niece.

Ann

Thank you Ann

I was a college student in Salzburg in 1981 and went over to Prague not really knowing anything about the country or city and it is one of my favorite cities (a close 2nd behind Istanbul/Turkey.
I went to Prague during Xmas and it was freezing, snow on the ground, soldiers on the corners with machine guns, but the people, the city and the beauty were just amazing. You could just feel the energy of the city and the people.

I have to agree with Trekcapri and the Charles Bridge with its view of the castle. The images are still so vivid in my mind. I also visted the Pinkas Synagogue and The Old Jewish Cemetary and they just leave you speechless.

We just spent our limited time in the city walking around and spent as much as possible at the Old Town Square. Beers were great and since you had to exchange money and could not exchange your money back, my mom was the recipient of several pieces of beautiful Czech/Hungarian crystal that I did not really appreciate at the time it was all purchased.

Have a good trip and I wish I was going back there myself.

We were in Prague for three nights over New Years weekend a few years ago. There were big outdoor markets in a couple of the major squares, and everything was extremely festive.

We bought tickets one night for a performance of Vivaldi's Four Seasons in an absolutely beautiful Art Nouveau building called the Municipal House. (That is the English name, not the Czech name.) The tickets were very reasonable and the performance extremely enjoyable. There's a wonderful cafe in the same building where we had breakfast every morning. As Ann said, there are possibilities for concerts all over the city.

We also very much enjoyed a visit to the Castle and a beautiful little street of houses called the Golden Lane. The architecture all over Prague is absolutely incredible. Dress warmly (warm coat, hat, scarf, gloves) and you should be able to enjoy the outdoors.

Here's an earlier thread with some more info about the Municipal House and other recommendations for Prague.

Kathy

Like most people we loved Prague and I will be uploading 5 more blog entries on our experience there soon.Perhaps something in them might be useful to you.

I have to agree with bee bee, the National Marionette Theatre is SPECTACULAR and the top highlight for us as well. I used to work in theatre and film, so my expectations are high, and this was just a superb production. Don't settle for an imitation, this is something everyone should see.

Since you love opera, do see Don Giovanni ( which Mozart wrote in Prague)also at the Estates Theatre where it was first performed.

Do see the cheaply priced concerts at many of the cathedrals all over the city. We particularly liked the one at St Nickolas ( best Baroque church) on the castle side of the bridge.

I am not sure how it will be in December, but the 19th century boat rides all around the river was wonderful and very cheap. Gave views of the city that you can not see in any other way, so a good starter. It is the Prague Venice line that you want as they are more intimate and done very nicely. They looked a little suspicious to my husband hawking on the bridge in old sailor uniforms, but we were all so glad that we took that fodor great advice. Free drink and ice cream to boot!


We loved the golden lane best at the castle ( along with the views). Don't miss Kafka's house and the lovely book store that it now is with his books and others in English. It is fun to read Kafka in Prague, but read some before you go as well.

Do the Charles bridge a few times during the day ( at various times) and at night. We were blown away by a man who did fabulous Bach on wine glasses filled with water one night!!

We loved a beautiful little restaurant in Lesser Town called Three Little Violins...one of the best meals of our trip.We ordered classic Czech fair. It has beautiful three violins in the architecture ( house sign in the 16th century) and was once the seat of the best Czech violin workshop that were some of the best in the world.


We also loved a little Italian place called Don Giovanni Pizza.Both were really cute, with really good food and great prices. Food is something you can splurge on in Prague ( along with music performances) that are still at great prices compared to other large cities in Europe.

The mass transit is great ( if a little dated, but old trams and soviet style subways some how seem cool in Prague) and much is enjoyed just by walking around. A horse ride in the day or night can be grand...we liked it.

Hope that helps...have fun!!