My husband %26amp; I will be travelling to Prague to enjoy their Christmas Markets. We will be staying about 3 km away from Wenceslas Square. We do not understand nor speak the language.
Is it safe to use the Public transportation late at night or would taking a taxi be more prudent.
Are there any very good Christmas markets near the Dorint Novotel Don Giovanni?
Your feedback is appreciated.
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Your hotel is not near any of the Christmas markets, but there is a metro station (called Zelivskeho) close to your hotel which will take you close to the two main ones - one is at the bottom of Wencelas Square (metro station Vaclavske namesti), and the other is in Old Town Square (metro station Staromestka). You can get the metro (Metro line A) into the centre of Prague in about 10 minutes. It is quick and simple - ask your hotel where to buy tickets as they may sell them. If not, you can find ticket machines in the metro station which have a button for English instructions, or in any tabak (tobacconist) - most people speak basic English. Don%26#39;t forget to validate your ticket in the yellow machine at the top of the escalators, and don%26#39;t be tempted to ride without a ticket as inspectors can appear at any time of the day - they will have a small metal badge and a blue uniform and will ask to see your ticket. You will be fined if you haven%26#39;t got a valid ticket, and being a foreigner is not a good enough reason!
The metro runs until midnight, and is not dangerous - I am a young woman and travel on it alone without any problems. The only thing to be careful of is pickpockets during busy times of the day, particularly if there are large crowds of people. Keep a close eye on your personal belongings.
Taxis are also fine, as long as you use a reputable company - AAA Taxi are the best company although many hotels have their own taxi company. If you want to get a taxi back from the centre, don%26#39;t hail a taxi, but go to a taxi rank instead - you%26#39;ll usually find them near to metro stations. Only pick up a taxi from a rank with a big yellow sign that says TAXI as some less scrupulous companies pretend to be authorised taxis by creating their own rank. AAA are the main company which operates these ranks.
Enjoy Prague at Christmas, and don%26#39;t forget to sample Svarak (hot mulled wine) whilst there!
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I will be in Prague for a long weekend 17 - 20 Nov. Is it too early for Christmas market?
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I like hot wine - vin chaud, Glühwein to drink outside in winter. Will surely taste some in Paraha, I had one but it was quite some time ago!
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Yes, will be too early although the Christmas decorations have started to appear in some places....
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xmas markets in prague 2december to the 1 january 2007, whilst it is nice to wander the markets with a glass of gluwein, do not expect the markets to be as good as say germany or belguim.
dave
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Klarka, thanks for the info, I have just read the same on prague tourist info site. Oh, well, it doesn%26#39;t change a thing. I will enjoy Praha anyway.
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As Klarka says, the metro is easy and safe to use and many tourists use it. There are a few pickpockets about and just zip your handbags up, put your vakuables safe and avoid the full carriages and you should be safe, even at night
The Don Giovanni is mtero distance from the centre anyway and so you will need to use this to visit the city and the castle, so buy either a 3 or 7 day metro ticket from the Prague Transport Authority offices you will see at the airport once you have cleared customs - at least there you speak english.
There is a reasoanbly good neighbourhood christmas market at namesti miru 3 stops down from zelivskeho where the giovanni is with some good neighbourhood restaurants nearby with cheaper prices than in the centre
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Good website with Christmas market info here http://www.vanocnitrhy.cz/default.htm
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Klarka - thank you so much for the detailed info and advise. I was quite anxious about staying far from the city centre. Now you have greatly relieved my anxiety.
Peb7- Your advice about the 3-day pass is a very good one. I%26#39;ll definitely take time to see the nearby christmas markets. Thanks a lot for the feedback.
travelgirl14- I%26#39;ll check out the web page you mentioned. Thanks.
Hope to %26quot;talk%26quot; to all of you again.
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