I am debating a one week trip at the beginning of March to either Paris or Prague. I%26#39;m coming from the US so the weak dollar is a bit of an issue. We would like to stay in relatively nice hotels and go to moderately nice restaurants. Can anyone say if Prague would be significantly cheaper? And recommendations about costs and things to do in either city would be much appreciated!
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Even though thjings are ghetting much more expensive here, compared to Paris it is a lot cheaper (if you avoid the hot touristy places).
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Prague, Prague, Prague. I am one of those few who do not enjoy Paris much (except for the fabulous food). Prague is less ostentatious yet boasts spectacular architecture. March would be a perfect time to go in my opinion. Rural Czech Republic is cheaper than Prague. To be honest Prague can be nearly as expensive as other European cities (though less than Paris).
Our favourite things to do in Prague are simply walking the gorgeous streets. And Charles Bridge is stunning (especially early in the morning or evening). The castle is delightful and the views from several vantage points is absolutely amazing. We go to a symphony or opera - Prague is very much into arts and culture. Wenceslas Square in my opinion isn%26#39;t that fabulous but may be worth a look. There are interesting museums as well.
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Oh dear - this is a difficult one!
Paris is superb in so many respects, particularly in its wonderful town planning and wealth of cultural institutions %26amp; great stylishness - definitely one of the world%26#39;s best. Having said that, although I have meant to return again, I have never found it a particularly fun city to be in %26amp; always seemed to end up going somewhere else instead. Difficult to say just why I feel like this, but there you are!
As to Prague, well, as it happens I am just back from there myself %26amp; this is what I thought:
Very cold weather but blue skies %26amp; sunshine throughout with temperature on or below freezing most of the time, though usual temperature at the time of year is apparently -10! [You%26#39;ll probaby find it still quite cold in March too.] Very, very inexpensive holiday destination, especially with budget flights. Excellent self-catering apartment - the best we have stayed in to date, with grandstand view of famous Staropramen Brewery! Lots of lovely cozy bars serving gluhwein %26amp; great beer. Superb tram %26amp; metro transport. Absolutely stunning architecture, with everything from the medieval, to Baroque [easy to see why it was film location for Amadeus] to the biggest collection of Art Nouveau buildings I have seen anywhere. There is just so much that is decorative. [A bit Eastern bloc in the suburbs but, then, where isn%26#39;t?] Also, being the capital of Bohemia %26amp; seat of the Habsburgs, absolutely jam packed with history, of which we only managed to touch the surface. All in all, definitely the most beautiful city of its size that we have visited. Now, does that help?
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Paris in the Spring!
Can%26#39;t make a case for Prague, yet, as my first trip there is not until late February. However, with you being from DC, should you choose Paris (and you haven%26#39;t been before), you will gain an appreciation for the origins of Washington%26#39;s street layout, long monument corridors, and finer architecture. Only, Paris is on a much grander scale. L%26#39;Enfant, anyone?
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While Paris, in absolute terms, might have more to offer than Prague (museums), for a first-timer with one week time, both cities have plenty to offer and should both be wonderful trips. The weather in early March can be rather bad in both. So the questions comes to money and there Prague is definitely much to be preferred over Paris. It has been said that the great food would be a reason to go to Paris. Unfortunately, in Paris, the good food comes at prohibitive prices, especially at the current exchange rate. Prague might not have as many fabulous restaurants, but with a bit of research on this site you%26#39;ll find more than enough fine places for the week you%26#39;ll be there and chances are all your meals together will be cheaper than one dinner at a top-restaurant in Paris!
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Just a thought, if you are planning a trip for a week, why don%26#39;t you go to both? I%26#39;ve never been to Paris but love Prague and would welcome your views on which is best when you return. Just had a quick look on www.skyscanner.net and you can get one way flights for less than £35 ($70) from Paris to Prague (or vice versa). Is it feasible for you to fly from America to one airport and return via another? In terms of what to do in Prague for a first time visit you can%26#39;t beat all the central tourist attractions - the castle, st vitus cathedral, charles bridge, old town square and the famous clock, the jewish quarter, a walk up Petrin Hill and the Strahov monastary - all these are within walking distance of each other (or use tram/metro/funicular if you get tired). A touch further from the centre is Vysehrad with it%26#39;s old castle walls, fantastic view, %26quot;artists%26quot; graveyard and lovely church (can%26#39;t remember the name). The National Technical museum is really interesting (even for a girlie) and the modern art gallery at Veletrzni Palac is superb - grey concrete outside but the inner atrium is wonderful (and that%26#39;s before you spend hours and hours walking round the exhibits) Day trips I%26#39;ve tried (using public transport) are to Melnec with it%26#39;s %26quot;in course of being restored to pre occupation splendour%26quot; chateau and the sombre reminder of just how bad humanity can be at Terezin. I enjoyed both for different reasons! Have a nice trip whatever you decide to do.
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Been to both and prefer Prague. I really didn%26#39;t care for Paris. I think its overhyped.
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Paris is a great city (have notb een to Prague yet, but will be going there in March...) but all I can tell you is EXPENSIVE!!!! I thought it was teribly expensive if you want to enjoy nice restaurants and hotels.
Wait for the dollar to be stronger to go to Paris :-)
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I have been to both cities and I very much prefer PARIS!
In my opinion Paris is much more beautiful and offers a lot more to see. I also prefer the atmosphere of the city in Paris, full of spirit.
Prague is quite nice, but in my opinion overrated. Obviously it was kind of %26quot;in%26quot; in recent times to go to Prague as it is a former Eastern European capital. But it is already very touristy and a rip off.
I personally also prefer Vienna to Prague(and not only because I live here).
Have you thought of coming here? It is very beautiful, historic, but lively city and offers and excellent choice of hotels and restaurants.
info.wien.at/article.asp?IDArticle=10063
info.wien.at/article.asp?IDArticle=10451
Nice hotels are:
http://www.jjwhotels.com/en/grandhotelwien/
starwoodhotels.com/lemeridien/…
http://www.hollmann-beletage.at/
hotel-rathaus-wien.at/en-rathaus-rathaus.sht…
Nice restaurant:
f.e.
http://www.oesterreicherimmak.at/
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Paris is a great city to visit but I agree with Memorino,:
In that the reputation for food in Paris is very out dated. Paris was once the culinary capital but IMO that%26#39;s changed. If you are on a budget, Paris is not great for a %26#39;foodie%26#39;. Even at high end places, I don%26#39;t think it represents value for money compared to many other capital cities. In terms of quality,
London %26amp; Madrid have over-taken France IMO.
Waiting for howls of french protest LOL :-)
Money no object, then Paris is a must see IMO with Prague a %26#39;would like to see%26#39;.
Stoofer
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