John,
Thanks for the pointers! I'm at the Astoria Hotel (Rybna 10 seems to be the
address). Booked too late to get into the Hilton (as usual). I'll be coming in
at 1030 Sunday morning, so I guess I'll have most of the day to kick around. I
appreciate the info on pickpockets; I got my wallet lifted on the train in
Paris once. Really a bummer getting the Driver's License, Health Insurance, and
credit cards re-issued.
Regards,
Stan
-----Original Message-----
From: aodvv2-discuss-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:aodvv2-discuss-
bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of John Dowdell
Sent: Thursday, July 09, 2015 5:49 AM
To: AODVv2 Discuss; Rick Taylor
Subject: [aodvv2-discuss] Prague travel
Hi all
Some notes on Prague if you've never been. It's one of my all-time favourite
cities and I've been lucky enough to have been dragged there many times by
the sales guys.
The airport is not big and has two terminals. Terminal 2 for Schengen
countries and terminal 1 for everyone else. Pass the passport check and
collect your bags, if any. Turn left and head for the exit. Yes you can take
public transport if you want, but I've never been brave enough; you do have
to change at the outer limits of the main city transport system, and then you
can use the tram or underground rail system. I'm told the latter is easy and I
might give it a go this time just to see.
Anyhow, on exiting the terminal you will immediately be faced with a shuttle
taxi (MPV size) that calls at all hotels for a flat fee. Tell the driver
which you
want and when the taxi is full you will leave.
Alternatively, turn right and go to the taxi that will be parked and pay your
own fare. The website below says the official fare from the airport to the
Hilton is 570 CZK, equals 15 GBP, 21 Euro or 23 USD (according to Google). The
shuttle fare might be less.
A word on taxis. There is really only one taxi company in Prague, that is AAA
taxis, usually yellow Skoda estates. Visit the website http://www.aaataxis.cz.
They have apps and all now, as well as a brilliant telephone order line (dial
14014) which allows you to select your language, order the taxi and be told
the number of the taxi that will arrive. Accept no substitute. Rogue taxis are
parked at the main tourist spots and will overcharge you. I note AAA taxis
have a discount coupon for airport transfers on their website. However
everywhere in the city centre is within walking distance so you are unlikely
to
need a taxi except when going home.
I have seen pickpockets at either end of Wenceslas Square (which is actually
highly rectangular), they wait in pairs and take you from both sides. Keep a
lookout and they'll probably lose interest. I haven't seen pickpockets
anywhere else but another spot to look out is when crossing the pedestrian-
only King Charles Bridge (Karlov Most) that links Old Town with the castle.
Places to go: Old Town Square (especially the town clock on the hour), the
castle (nice gardens to walk through, sometimes outdoor theatre).
Wenceslas Square sometimes has a stage at the north end with some music
or theatre going on. The southern end is the palace which is the official
residence of the President. An area I've never been but want to is the Jewish
Quarter which apparently has some great tea rooms. There are various
walking tours available, ask at your hotel.
Places to eat: everywhere you look, serving most types of food. Don't be
frightened of Czech local food, which is a kind of stew with very dense and
filling dumplings, which I think are made of bread rather than suet.
There's a couple of Irish bars serving food, and a couple of micro-breweries
including http://en.ufleku.cz/ which I was taken to during a NATO
conference some years back. This brewery serves a dark lager which is quite
dense.
Rick and I will be staying in the Mgallery on Na Porici and will arrive on
Sunday
evening. See you there!
Regards
John
