Prague

[kyshel]

Hello all--I want to pass on info about Hotel Hoffmeister. We took auction trip in May last year and it was a totally pampering experience at Hoffmeister. The staff was excellent, airport pick-up was good and everything the the hotel was top-notch. We arranged to upgrade in advance to honeymoon suite and the 2 floor arrangement could not have been "money better spent". We are looking to return this spring and it's nice to have new options at LL. I don't think we could ever duplicate our last stay, so it has to be different. Please feel free to ask more; this is not our first trip, but it was the best so far.

[runaround]

Hello! I enjoyed reading about the Hoffmeister in Prague and your trip. My husband and I will be in Prague this April, we will stay at the Maxmillian (which I purchased through Luxury Link). Since we will be in the Old Town, near the Jewish Quarter, do you have any suggestions as to where to eat, what to see, etc.? My package doesn't include airport pickup, do you suggest having Hotel pick up, or is the Cedex Airport Transfer ok? Lastly, did you hire a student tour guide to take you through the many historic areas? If so, whom would you suggest? Thank you for your time. Perhaps we will be in Prague at the same time in April 2007!

[jfoy2001]

Hi! I am an American living in Central Europe and have been for years. Prague is great - I wish you a pleasant stay. Living here (Budapest), at one time we did not get many cosmopolitan restaurant choices, however Pravda in Prague did an excellent job filling the void. Pravda (Google for reviews) is a great restaurant, slightly upscale but casual that sits close to the Intercontinental. Food varies, but I usually go for a Meditterean dish and am always pleased. For some local flavor, you cannot beat Pinkasu - circa 1850(http://www.upinkasu.cz). This local restuarant has quite a story concerning their on-tap beer Pilsner Urquell. Instead of a keg, the beer is kept in a huge VAT beneath the restaurant. It is fresh and cold. The food is traditional Czech with good meats and cheeses. A good place for a drink and some snacks.

I typcially take a taxi from the airport (not from the people that approach me and ask, rather from the official service that recently began). It is about $25 to city center if I remember correctly. Count on a 30-45 minute ride depending upon arrival and hotel location.

I hope you enjoy your travels - please contact me if I can help further. Jeremy - {Personal content edited to prevent spam}
Message Edited by LL_moderator_nc on 11-28-2006 12:12 PM

[kyshel]

The Max deal looks excellent. I would try to arrange pick-up thru them if you're even one bit timid--taxi fares can be daunting and our waiting driver cost us $30US to hotel near castle steps. AAA taxi is supposed to be relaiable, but agree on total price before. There is a lovely restaurant across the bridge http://www.vinarnaulaury.o1.cz/on Nerudova Street (as are many good ones--there and Thunovska St) if you like wines. Josef is owner and we have stayed at his apartments before. The Hoffmesiter restaurant Ada is up there in price and quality--romantic, too. It was included in our pkg--it came out to bealmost $200 with all we ordered, but it was included...if you're nearby, stop in to see the hotel. The "spa" is unique!

Get the tourist pass and go to Petrin Hill via funicular, take trolleys anmd buses and walk walk walk. I am so glad I took BenGay type stuff w/me--I'm a fit 50 but the leg cramps...I swear the entire city is uphill. The locals' shopping center at Andel is very interesting. Get a good tranport map and pay close attention to the arrows they show for the bus lines. It can be confusing. If weather permits, take a day cruise--water was too high both times we were there. Tell us all about the Max when you get back.

[runaround]

Thank you for your reply. I can't wait to visit Prague and will visit the areas you mentioned. Are you a runner? My Husband and I are runners and wonder if there are any areas where there might be a possibility for running. You said the cobblestones were hard on your feel, I can only imagine running on them! Appreciate info about transfer from airport, too. Thanks a lot, it was very helpful!

Runaround

[kyshel]

me, run? ha ha!! I'm more the "bohemian/sparkling sekt for breakfast" type

The park at Petrin Hill is perfect for running. Take the camera--the views are gorgeous. I keep a pic from there as my pc wallpaper. There is also a park on one of the "islands" and below the Charles Bridge.

I think there are several parks you could go to on the trolleys etc. There arelots ofcobbled streets and sidewalks in town. You could get injured, but maybe with the jet lag (if you're from the states) you could get by running during early early am hours if you're careful. There are so many steps everywhere and they're far from smoothe or straight! I don't recall anyone on the streets looking particularly healthy! It's all the dumplings--YUM.

[thasler]

I've used Cedox many times over the past years and they're much cheaper than a taxi and take you to your destination.

I avoid hotels and stay at a pension in the Jewish quarter within about a 10 minute walk of the Old Town Square, which for me is magical and I can't get enough of.

Pravda is very expensive by Czech standards and I don't think the food is that great, though the service is superior. There are many very reasonable Czech restaurants you should try.

[thasler]

I've used the AAA taxi many times and they are very reliable but you have to order them by phone - the operator speaks English. They use a meter and are honest, unlike many Prague taxis.

[svlockwood]

Hello,

We will be in Prague on a river cruise in a few months. Please advise as to special areas or neighborhoods in the old section that lend themselves to photography. I specialize in architectural details, including windows, doors, etc. I always try to capture outdoor laundry as well. We may also do a 2 -day post tour there.



Thank you.

[jashermd]

Hello,

I used Cedex when I was in Prague for a medical conference (and so did most of the other delegates) and they were great -- on time and very reasonable.

One thing that no one else has mentioned so far is that if you want a non-smoking hotel room you need to be very clear and firm about this -- I've rarely encountered a country where chain-smoking was so prevalent, and it's almost impossible to escape. Many hotel staff seem to feel that opening a window and ventilating a room after a smoker has left makes it a 'non-smoking' room -- if you, like me, do not find this acceptable it's important to state this very firmly when making your reservation. The Four Seasons was the only hotel I could find which seemed to understand the concept of a non-smoking room being somewhere where no one has ever smoked...

Cheers,
Julian