Prague

[originalang]

Looking for a cheap short break around the 4th August for just the two of us, realise its the school holidays but its the earliest I can have leave before October when we will have our main holiday. Hubby suggests Prague as we've been to Paris, Amsterdam, Rome and Barcelona but I was wondering is it expensive once you get there and was thinking somewhere in Spain instead. Any advice would be much appreciated, Thankyou

[Eve]

It's certainly not cheap anymore in the centre as it's very tourist driven.

A currency which is hard to get your head around, "tourist tax" and inflated tourist prices make it quite a pricy place to be.

Eating wise if you venture out a bit then it does get cheaper, we found a fab little bistro which was significantly cheaper, more local prices.

I'd say Amsterdam if pricier than Prague, can't say for the others though Mr J says Barcelona is cheaper than Paris and Amsterdam, Paris being London prices.

So if you don't find those places too bad then Prague should be ok.

I'm off to Budapest tomorrow which is meant to be beautiful and cheaper still.

Prague is a beautiful place though, if you go go to the less expensive looking restaurant by the riverside looking over Charles Bridge. It has a heated patio and the bridge is all lit up at night.

Amazing place, amazing view and very reasonable prices for what you get.

[originalang]

Thankyou Jenna for such a quick and detailed response, gives me something to think about. Enjoy your holiday!

[jno]

it's not specially expensive for eating (if you stay away from the Wenceslas Sq area) though the hotels don't seem particularly cheap. But it's a beautiful town. These are the people we went with:

http://www.regent-holidays.co.uk/prague.html

But you can possibly book flights and hotels separately online

[originalang]

Thanks jno I'll take a look, have heard its beautiful so am debating, will sleep on it!

[Narolines]

Prague isn't particularly expensive to eat out in or get around by UK standards, but over the last 8 years or so hotels have got seriously pricey and city centre tourist-area food & drink has become WAY overpriced. Having said that, if you're prepared to stay 10 or 15 minutes tram-ride (very cheap, reliable and regular) outside the centre you can still get clean, comfortable and friendly accommodation and very good food (if you're not a vegetarian - the Czech diet is very meat-heavy, although there's plenty of choice if you eat fish) at very reasonable prices. Like most capital cities, oi you head for the tourist traps you'll be ripped off; if you go where the locals go, you'll get extremely good value. And it is a beautiful city - probably my favourite in Europe. I studied there for a time a few years ago and still go back regularly.

[Narolines]

That should have read "IF you head for the tourist traps"....!

Incidentally, I don't find the Koruna hard to get my head round; currently 1Kc is approx. 3p. And I'm not quite sure what Jenna means by "tourist tax" (sorry Jenna - nothing personal, just not quite clear what you're referring to). In 14 or 15 visits to Prague I don't think I've been fleeced. But then, I do speak a bit of Czech and I was first introduced to the city by a native....

[originalang]

Aww thanks Narolines really appreciate your information, I've got more idea now with yours and everyones else's help to have a conflab with hubby. Really like the sound of Prague, just got to decide whether we can afford both there and an October hol!

[dawndevil]

i enjoyed Prague an d didn't find it expensive big tankers of beer cost about under �1!!!
we stayed at the Best Western City Hotel Moran
see it here
http://travel.yahoo.com/p-hotel-387499-best_we stern_city_hotel_moran-i;_ylt=AqIuLE_j50tTBGj8 851DNvkJ8b8F
within easy walking distance to all major tourist attractions we walked everywhere in Prague didn't feel the need to get a tram anywhere but they are there if you need to!
if you fancy something unusual to do we took a bus trip which the hotel can arrange to Kutna Hora, Sedlec it is a small church/chapel that is featured in the story the Black Angel by John Connelly it is a tiny little church which is decorated with bones hundreds of them if not more it was regarded as a sacred place also included in the trip is a walking tour of the town,a visit to St Barbaras Cathedral and the royal mint
you are away most of the day! was worth the trip as we had saw all the major tourist attractions and more in Prague!
Google the above thinks to take a look at them
Eating out in Prague was cheap unless you ate nearer the castle etc a little bit dearer but some delicious dishes!
Didn't find the language barrier a problem even czech people who couldn't speak english were helpful when finding places
if you like art visit the Mucha Museum (Alphonse Mucha Art nouveau), didn't think the communist museum was very good!
Enjoy!!!

[originalang]

Aww thanks dawndevil, really appreciate your help and so much detial. Our trip is on hold at the moment but I'll definitely use the information to help plan, thanks so much.