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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

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Original poster

Prague for my 40th in Dec?

15 replies

juneau · 22/07/2013 14:08

I've never been and I know it will be cold, but does anyone have any recent experience? Recommendations of somewhere nice to stay would also be very welcome.

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zontafer · 27/07/2013 19:12

We went in March and was quite chilly but amazing, really loved it. If you don't mind walking, you must do the Sandemans Free Walking Tours, it was great. We stayed in a lovely hotel 'hotel Louren' they were very helpful. Everywhere is pretty close and your only always a short metro or tram ride away or walk from everything. Have fun!

Original poster

juneau · 28/07/2013 09:26

Thanks zontafer. I'm so undecided about where to go - whether to embrace the cold season and go to Prague, or to fight against it and go back to somewhere like Barcelona, where it might be sunny. DH says it's my choice, so he's no help!

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Portofino · 30/07/2013 09:30

We went for New Year once and also in late november. It was freezing but lovely. The traditional food lends itself to the cold. There is an Xmas market. We stayed in the Golden Tulip close to the Obecni Dum the last time. I have been in the summer a number of times but the winter trips were just as fun.

SoldeInvierno · 30/07/2013 22:37

We went over Easter and stayed at the Art Deco Imperial. It was lovely

zontafer · 04/08/2013 17:30

I have also been to Barcelona but tbh preferrerd Prague! There was so much to do and explore if you wanted or perhaps book a spa hotel if you want somewhere to warm up after a day out! I think in Dec it'll be even better with all the xmas things too!

Original poster

juneau · 06/08/2013 18:33

I've booked the flights - we're going to Prague. So excited!

If you have any good tips for which area you would recommend to stay in, any must-see sights (not the obvious ones), restaurants, bars, etc, you liked - I'd love to hear them. It will be just me and DH going away for the first time since May 2010

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RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 08/08/2013 17:00

We went in December and it was gorgeous - freezing, but gorgeous. Take lots of layers - you'll need them! Take warm flat boots - you'll need them both for insulation and for walking on the cobbles!

My one top tip is to have honey cake and Viennese coffee in the cafe in the observation tower - it's gorgeous. You can take the little train up the hill to the tower (stupidly, we walked up and took the train down and it was a long, energetic walk in the snow).

The Christmas market looks so pretty. Try the hot bready stuff with either garlic butter or Nutella. I don't like mulled wine, but there was plenty of that around and another (even more revolting) hot drink which was some kind of honeyed mead or somesuch, and it does smell good and keep your hands warm, even though it tastes horrible. :)

We had an apartment, as we had the dds with us, so can't help re hotel recs,sorry.

Onlyconnect · 08/08/2013 17:03

I've been in December and it was lovely, helped bythe Christmas market. We stayed at a music themed hotel which was great caleed the Aria.

Original poster

juneau · 10/08/2013 08:29

Oooh I like mulled wine, but the honey mead does sound foul!

I also like the excuse to buy some new winter boots - my old Merrell ones must be getting on for 10 years old and they're falling apart.

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RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 10/08/2013 12:55

When we went it was minus 12, and dd1 was in tears as soon as we arrived because she was so cold. It was nothing that a huge hot chocolate with cream and another pair of gloves didn't solve though!

You can buy fleece lined tights, and they were excellent for wearing under a pair of jeans, then thermal socks on top and then warm boots. Don't forget a hat too!

Original poster

juneau · 10/08/2013 14:18

Minus 12? Bloomin' heck I hope it isn't that cold when we go!

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RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 10/08/2013 14:27

:) It was fine. Snow on the ground, but sunshine most of the time we were there - it was like Narnia!

Shanghaidiva · 10/08/2013 14:38

When I went 16 years ago it was minus 25 and water froze in our hotel. However, had a great time. I went to a great restaurant called the knights of the Maltese cross (worth a google to see if it's still there). Used to be a favourite with Pavel Havel.
There is a lovely Art Deco cafe in the centre and also remember going to a galley showing work by mucha.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 10/08/2013 14:45

Yes, we went to the cafe too - I can't remember what it's called but it looks very much of the 'European coffee house' model and is right in the centre, on or near Wenceslas Square. We also went to a bonkers modern art museum and the Kafka museum.

muppetthecow · 10/08/2013 14:54

We went the week before Christmas a few years back - it was amazing. Just make sure you leave plenty of extra space in your suitcase for all the stuff at the markets! I ended up wearing about four jumpers on the plane so I could fit in a few extra presents for people

I can't remember the name of the hotel we stayed in but it was about twenty mins out on the metro. The service on there was great and regular so you don't need to be right in the centre to be able to get the most out of your day.

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