first time in PRAGUE

Any reqsonable guides for about 4 hours to ORIENT us????ENGLISH is nice but can also speak SLOVENIAN GERMAN etc., Christmas markets how many in PRAGUE???close together is there a tram that links them?how does one get from hotel to airport????any help is appreciatted.Good place to eat and drink beer and wine reasonable priced. ANYONE THERE WHO IF iIHAVE A PROBLEM COULD ANSWER ME ON THE PHONE WHILE THERE VISITING. pEOPLE FRIENDLY? camera safe on my person, any nite cruises available to see lights etc., THANK YOU for your help all....Dusko

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you can find group walking tours on offer under the astronomical clock in the old town square. But to orientate yourself, you don%26#39;t need a guide - Prague is compact, walkable and easy to find yourself around and if you get lost in the back streets of the old town, you normally stumble across some amazing architecture you wouldn%26#39;t otherwise have seen. Buy a guidebook and a map - that is all that you need, or look at the online guide www.inyourpocket.com

Most people you will encounter in the tourist centre will speak English. There are a number of Christmas markets in Prague - the main one is in the old town square, but there is also one at the foot of Wenceslas Square (about 10 minutes walk apart).

How you get from the airport to the hotel will depend on where your hotel is - it is no good advising taking public transport if your hotel is miles away from public transport. Similar for food and drink - tell us where you are staying and people will give suggestions of places nearby.

finally on night cruises in the winter - I wouldn%26#39;t bother. too cold on the deck to look out and from the inside, you can%26#39;t see anything - the windows steam up. Take a walk on the riverbank instead

There is a petty crime issue in the tourist parts of Prague, but if you take sensible precautions, you should have no problems

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If this is your first visit and you want to be near The Christmas Markets, I would advise you to stay as close the heart of The Old Town as possible Dusko.

It gets dark very early and although I visit often, still find it easy to get lost as streets/alleyways look very similar in Prague, and so do many street names!

Wander around the back streets of Old Town and over The Charles Bridge to Mala Strana for cheap bars and cafes.

Loads of choices.

Beer is the cheapest booze over there.

Avoid eating/drinking in the tourist areas like Old Town Square itself or Wencelas Square.

Street food or that sold on Market stalls is usually excellent (snacks).

If your budget allows K and K Central Hotel is in a good Old Town location and provides stunning breakfasts.

I have to admit I do not find the local people friendly on the whole.

Reserved, aloof sometimes, but not downright rude.

The younger generation seem more accepting of tourists.

So hopefully Prague will get better in this respect, with time.

But dont let it spoil your enjoyment of this beautiful city.

I would definetely suggest you pre-book an airport transfer.

We always do.

Someone will meet you holding up a sign with your name on.

This usually costs around 40 euros return.

Book a company that dont ask for money up-front.

Get e.mailed confirmation and give them a tip.

Lots of pick-pockets around, especially on trams, Charles Bridge, and Wencelas Square.

Take the usual precautions when visiting a big city.

Avoid alleyways, especially at night and stick to well-lit areas,

Fine to carry your camera.

Just be careful and dont display wallets etc. in public places,rendering yourself vulnerable.

These people often operate in gangs and employ very clever tacticts.

Hope you have a fantastic time!

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Your hotel will have addresses of good guides, I agree with Peb that a guide book would do nicely, but a tour with a private guide is way better; s/he an give you a better insight and lots of stories. I think it is worth it.

People are not naturally friendly, it seems. But there is a smile underneath most of the times. We have had tourists here even through communism, all the Russians and Eastern Germans came, so that is not new after the revolution.

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don%26#39;t think you need to book an airport transfer unless you are staying way out. The taxis and minibuses at the airport door are reliable and safe.

I would suggest walking round Prague at night is a lot safer than pragueophile suggests. You need to take sensible precautions, as in any city, but the crime is opportunist petty pickpocketing - mugging is very rare

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