A couple months ago, I asked for and got great advices about a central Europe cruise, Prague and Budapest etc. So I thought I’d better make a trip report.
First thing first, my European geography was a bit faulty (I must have slept through my European geography class in school). I didn’t realize Prague isn’t on the Danube! In fact, it’s not anywhere near it!
So, in cruise terms, it’s a ‘diversion’ (i.e. extra $$) and ‘an extension’ (extra $$$$)! We didn’t take Viking’s offer on the extension. At $600 PER PERSON ($1200 total) for 3 days, I could do a whole lot better than what they offered!
The hotel used by Viking was in the business part of the city. Good hotel but not so convenient for tourist. So I booked a different one, right next to the famous Old Town Square with its funky Astronomical Clock.
We arrived mid-afternoon. I’ve arranged private transfer from the airport to the hotel. A driver holding a card with our name was waiting outside the arrival hall. He’s very quiet so no tour comments. He’s also efficient, dropped us outside the hotel in ½ hr. A coupon for 50% off of next day’s semi-private walking tour.
The hotel staff speaks excellent English! I’ve been warned language might be a problem. So I was relieved to have no problem there. Being low season, it costs less than the one Viking uses. We walked around the area a little and got my first photo of the Old Town of Prague!
Next morning, the tour didn’t start till 11 for some unknown reason. So we had some time to walk around a bit. So I headed off in the direction of the Charles Bridge, with its many beautiful sculptures.
It was only ½ hr since we left the hotel, we were already on the other side of the bridge: Little Town. It’s lovely to a fault!
It’s almost time for our walking tour. So we went backed to hotel for a brief rest, the beauty of having a hotel right next to touring sites. And then we went back out for the walking tour. Our guide was a Prague local who had been doing tour of Prague since she graduates from university with a history degree many moons ago. So she knew Prague inside out, especially all the historical tidbits. It’s was great fun. She took us round the Old Town, the New Town, ducked into a little known beautiful church, then to the Jewish quarter. After that, she took us to a small café for lunch. We wouldn’t have thought of going there. Only locals go there. Food was good and relatively inexpensive.
After lunch, we took a very brief boat cruise on the … river. It basically went under the Charles Bridge, duck into a side canal with houses rising from the water a little like a miniature Venice. The view from the water level is priceless!
Back on land, we cross the bridge into Little Town again. Winter days are short and we were running a little shy of daylight. So we hurry to board the tram to the castle complex. Bit of a shame to skip Little Town, which also looks very lovely. But we know Prague Castle is the main tourist attraction for good reason. Up on top, we had a sweeping view of the city below!
The Castle area also has numerous museums and galleries but we wouldn’t have time today. We went into the St. Vitus Church, which was beautiful. I took a picture of the gorgeous interior with stain glasses.
As daylight fades, the churches and palaces turned on their outside flood lights. The whole castle area was then ablaze in soft glowing lights.
We slowly walked down the slopes and steps, back across another bridge to Old Town again.
(more later, I'm exhausted...)
First thing first, my European geography was a bit faulty (I must have slept through my European geography class in school). I didn’t realize Prague isn’t on the Danube! In fact, it’s not anywhere near it!
So, in cruise terms, it’s a ‘diversion’ (i.e. extra $$) and ‘an extension’ (extra $$$$)! We didn’t take Viking’s offer on the extension. At $600 PER PERSON ($1200 total) for 3 days, I could do a whole lot better than what they offered!
The hotel used by Viking was in the business part of the city. Good hotel but not so convenient for tourist. So I booked a different one, right next to the famous Old Town Square with its funky Astronomical Clock.
We arrived mid-afternoon. I’ve arranged private transfer from the airport to the hotel. A driver holding a card with our name was waiting outside the arrival hall. He’s very quiet so no tour comments. He’s also efficient, dropped us outside the hotel in ½ hr. A coupon for 50% off of next day’s semi-private walking tour.
The hotel staff speaks excellent English! I’ve been warned language might be a problem. So I was relieved to have no problem there. Being low season, it costs less than the one Viking uses. We walked around the area a little and got my first photo of the Old Town of Prague!
Next morning, the tour didn’t start till 11 for some unknown reason. So we had some time to walk around a bit. So I headed off in the direction of the Charles Bridge, with its many beautiful sculptures.
It was only ½ hr since we left the hotel, we were already on the other side of the bridge: Little Town. It’s lovely to a fault!
It’s almost time for our walking tour. So we went backed to hotel for a brief rest, the beauty of having a hotel right next to touring sites. And then we went back out for the walking tour. Our guide was a Prague local who had been doing tour of Prague since she graduates from university with a history degree many moons ago. So she knew Prague inside out, especially all the historical tidbits. It’s was great fun. She took us round the Old Town, the New Town, ducked into a little known beautiful church, then to the Jewish quarter. After that, she took us to a small café for lunch. We wouldn’t have thought of going there. Only locals go there. Food was good and relatively inexpensive.
After lunch, we took a very brief boat cruise on the … river. It basically went under the Charles Bridge, duck into a side canal with houses rising from the water a little like a miniature Venice. The view from the water level is priceless!
Back on land, we cross the bridge into Little Town again. Winter days are short and we were running a little shy of daylight. So we hurry to board the tram to the castle complex. Bit of a shame to skip Little Town, which also looks very lovely. But we know Prague Castle is the main tourist attraction for good reason. Up on top, we had a sweeping view of the city below!
The Castle area also has numerous museums and galleries but we wouldn’t have time today. We went into the St. Vitus Church, which was beautiful. I took a picture of the gorgeous interior with stain glasses.
As daylight fades, the churches and palaces turned on their outside flood lights. The whole castle area was then ablaze in soft glowing lights.
We slowly walked down the slopes and steps, back across another bridge to Old Town again.
(more later, I'm exhausted...)
)
