I am rating in 3 different areas. (Hotel, Transportation and the City/People. We were a group of six that visited Prague this past weekend. Although we didn%26#39;t have very much time in the city we did have a chance to take in some of the main sites.
HOTEL
We stayed at the Andel Apartments in Andel. Although it was not located in the main part of the city it was situated right next to the Metro Station. It only took us about 10 minutes to reach the heart of the city. We paid 250 euros for 2 nights for 6 people. The apartment was huge. It had 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, full kitchen and a large living room. Some of downfalls were: Linens were not particulary clean, Wood floors were very dull and unattractive, hot water ran out after a short time and we paid 15 euros per night for private parking within the courtyard of the apartment. What they fail to tell you before you pay for it is that the entrance does not accomodate large vehicles. Our vehicle would not fit and they would not refund the money. Overall, it was a decent place located next to plenty of stores and restaurants and public transportation. (Rating 6 out of 10)
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
Pragues public transportation was outstanding. We purchased a 24 hours pass that gave us access to the metro, trollies and buses all for one price. We paid 100 Kc for the ticket which was approximately $5.50. There were signs in English that explain how to use the public transportation which made it even that much easier. We did not use the buses but both the metro and the trollies were very simple to use. It seems as though Pragues public transportation operates more on an honor system than anything. I did not see any security personnel the entire 2 days that we used the systems. This was a nice suprise as we did not have to dig in and out of our wallets every few minutes to find our tickets to show security but I%26#39;m guessing the city loses a lot of money by dishonest people. Overall the public transportation was more than expected and easier to use then I thought it would be. (Rating 9 out of 10)
CITY AND IT%26#39;S PEOPLE
As I stated earlier we did not spend a lot of time in Prague. We were able to see some of the recommended sites I researched here on Trip Advisor. We went to the Cathedral, Petrin Park, Charles Bridge and Old Town Square. There were a lot more places we would have liked to go but there were 2 small children with us that kind of slowed down our day and limited us on moving more quickly. I personally thought the locals in Prague were the most friendly people that I have ever been seen in any European city. I%26#39;ve lived in Europe for 7 years and I%26#39;ve been to many European Countries and have never felt more at home than I did in Prauge. Our first experience on the metro came as a suprise when an elderly gentelman that could barely stand himself gave up his seat to a friend of mine that had a small child in a baby stroller so she could sit down next to the child and not have to stand. This made our day and set the mood for the rest of our short stay in Prague. Almost everyone we spoke to or asked help from spoke English and were more than happy to help us. Overall, along with everyone in my group...We loved the city! We look forward to returning in the near future to explore more the culture. (Rating 9 out of 10)
ENTIRE TRIP AS A WHOLE
Prague was a pleasant suprise with rich culture and pride. It more pleasant than what I expected it to be. I will return in the very near future to take in some more of the sites. Thank you to the people of Prague for making my short stay a memorable and welcome one. (Overal rating 8 out of 10)
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Thankk you for your report. It seemed very genuine and balanced. I look forward to my own visit.
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Thanks for the report. Very easy to get taken in with all the beauty and wanting to go back.
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Great and very well balanced report - Thank you!
One has to wonder reading the various trip reports - have all those people been to the same city?
Opinions ranging from - people totally dishonest, rude and cold - to admiring citizens of Prague for their warmth, friendliness and wiling to help strangers...
It has to be in the eye of the beholder...
I would like to offer my honest opinion and in advance apologize if I touch a sore spot:
Either you approach the locals with an attitude of respect or expect them to automatically serve you (%26quot;I am the tourist bringing money to your economy, be thankful%26quot;), that could account for reports with two completely different types of experience. Of course there is a number of dishonest, cold and rude people in Prague, there are places where they will enthusiastically rip you off - but that is I believe a story of every tourist destination. What is extremely unfair is the unflattering generalisation I have red here on TA several times recently.
In Prague, people are not hugging and kissing strangers, they are rather shy and keeping their distance, they are not %26quot;shiny happy people%26quot;, but when you show an effort (Dekuji, Dobry den as you enter every store, elevator or restaurant, or just smile across the language barrier:) you will find they are people with some of the biggest heart around.
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Thanks for you trip report. Will look forward to my break to Prague in March. I am staying at the Andels Hotel, next to the apartments.
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I completely agree with Ilsalmi.
Many of the people who complain about the rudeness of Praguers are those who actually create the problem. If you go to a posh hotel or restaurant and the staff does not speak at least English, it is their fault. If you go to a shop to buy tickets for the metro and the attendant doesn%26#39;t speak any language other than Czech, it%26#39;s your problem.
Learning a couple of phrases in Czech will open a lot of doors, and will make some people go out of their way to help you.
Czechs are aware that their language is very difficult, and they really appreciate when a foreigner is making an effort. At least most of them do.
I%26#39;ve been living here for almost six years. I have a decent communicative Czech and a lot of people in pubs, shops, buses, etc have sincerely complimented me about it, though I wouldn%26#39;t do it myself.
MAX
http://pivni-filosof.blogspot.com/
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hi ninety5eclipz great report, I am staying at the same apartments next week when i travel to prague i have heard they are difficult to find how did you travel from airport %26amp; were they easy/difficult to find, can you reccomend transport? thankyou :)
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