Returning after 15 years

Hi

I am visiting with a friend who i backpacked with 15 years ago and we are revisiting old haunts. I am sure Prague has changed considerably since my last trip and wondered if anyone could offer any ideas on %26#39;hidden gems%26#39;, something a little different to the usual? Also, as it was a long time ago i dont really remember too much but do recall visiting the Jewish quarter where i recall a graveyard which was built upon another upon another etc to save space, can anyone provide directions?

Thanks.

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Go to the Old town Square, the Jewish Cemetery is signposted ,about 8 mins walk down Parizska street.

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Just got back from a trip to Prague. Afew things we enjoyed that were slightly different: Went to the Museum of communism - above Mcdonalds! Also didn%26#39;t do the Cathedral but went to Loreto and St`Agnes Convent. Also went to puppet theatre doing Don Giovanni. Don%26#39;t forget Museum of torture! We used little guide book Top ten of Prague most bookshops have it. Got good ideas and good little map. Have a good time - prices will have gone up a bit!

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You might find that the Jewish cemetery is different now - you used to be able to wander around it at will, but now it is all nicely roped off. It also costs considerably more than it did then to get in - you can%26#39;t miss it - it is the one with the queue that stretches around the corner :)

As for %26#39;hidden gems%26#39; you really have to think outside the box nowadays, and it all depends on personal preference. For example I was there a couple of months ago with a friend on the way to Brno - all he wanted to see was Strahov stadium (largest in the world), so I was happy to oblige :)

I personally like the %26#39;Baba%26#39; project in the Hanspaulka district (only if you are an aficionado of the functionalist movement) - there are some fantastic examples of pretty much unspoiled 1920s villas, many of which are still lived in by the original families and their descendants, which were built as a competition between the leading functionalist architects of the time. There are some fantastic views from up there and there are absolutely no tourists (up until now, that is :) ) - bus no. 131 from Hradcany - get off at the Spitalka stop at the top of the hill - you go past the old Dukla Prague (of Half Man Half Biscuit fame) stadium on the way, if you are interested.

Another point of interest that I find fascinating is the orthodox church on Karlovo Namesti - more info here www.pragueexperience.com/places.asp… , which was a milestone in the Second World War and is extremely moving and atmospheric - you can still see the bullet holes in the wall where the Germans tried to shoot the partisans out of the crypt after having tried unsuccessfully, to drown them out.

Other than that, Karlovo namesti is quite pleasant on a nice day - and it is the largest square in Prague, for what it%26#39;s worth :)

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Hi Thanks for the responses, very much appreciated.

I%26#39;m really looking forward to the trip and also staying in a bit more luxury than the ten bed dorm i had the pleasure of last time! Greta ideas, thanks!

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You can still find pints for around a £1 on the back-streets. How much was it 15 years ago?

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15 years ago, as far as I remember, beer was 5.50 Crowns or thereabouts, and the exchange rate was 56 to the pound, making it 10p a pint.

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Must of been an exciting time to visit.

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The old grey matter is a bit hazy these days but i remember we were backpacking around eastern europe and a very good night out could be had for around £2.00, including a meal. It was a surreal time and a real culture shock. Something which sticks in my mind was the complete absence of any advertising anywhere, which shows just how much it invades our lives here in the UK.

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Best pint i have found on my visits to Prague was at U Medviku, on Na Perstyne (between the Old Square and Wenceslas Square. The Bud is perfect!

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About 20 years ago I paid an equivalent of CHF0,20. for a single metro ticket. That%26#39;s how I remember it. CHF0,20 is today about CZK3.-. And today a single ticket cost : CZK26.-. Wow...