Go to Prague!

So I was maybe a bit too rough on the editors at Fodor's Travel Wire for posting a too-expensive-for-my-taste deal. However, they redeemed themselves by recommending Aria in Prague, a new, musical-themed hotel (also ranked #13 in TripAdvisor.)

Good job! (Although I might have to ask why do you advertise a Valentine's Day package on Valentine's day?)

Regardless, let's say this promotion (€690 for 2 nights, breakfast, and a dinner) is still valid next Valentine's day. Google tells me

690 Euros = 896.79300 U.S. dollars

I would say: if you are going to fly to Prague, you have to spend at least 3 nights. But why not - if you are still in a romantic mood next year - go to Paris first, stay 3 nights, then continue on (by air) to Prague, stay 3 more nights. Here's to Paris and Prague by air for 6 nights from $589!

The best Vienna is Prague

"The best Vienna is Prague," says location manager for The Illusionist Jaroslav Vaculik, as quoted in the December 2006/January 2007 issue of Budget Travel Magazine. (For the record, The Illusionist was apparently filmed on location in Prague, yet it is set in Austria)

Ouch. He must be receiving lots of hate-mail, in German, nowadays.

How about if you could have the best of both worlds?

Here's to a great price for a 6-night train package combining both Prague and Vienna!
If you travel in the low season (i.e. January - March), you will pay roughly $645 (you might want to add your own taxes, depending on your departure airport).

The World of Biedermeier

While I clearly had no idea what it was about when I came upon the book World of Biedermeier, I must say I am now tempted to travel to Vienna, Berlin, and Potsdam, where the authors have thoroughly explored numerous castles and royal residences, baths, museum attics in their quest for the ultimate Biedermeier guide.

Their goal (beautifully accomplished) was to bring together everything Biedermeier - furniture, decorative ornaments, paintings, porcelain, crystal, and fabrics. The result was a 416-page reference book filled with astonishing detailed photographs.

After you check the book out, you might also embark upon a trip to Germany or Austria. And while you are there, why not splurge with a detour to Prague as well?

Here's a trip idea from EuropeanDestinations: Berlin-Prague-Vienna for 9 nights

Royal Gardens of Europe: Royal Landscapes

What makes a Royal landscape....truly royal? Find out visiting the following:

Tsarskoye Selo (Pushking Palace during Soviet times) - St Petersburg, Russia

Konopiste - Prague, Czech Republic

Pavlovsk - St Petersburg, Russia

Wilanow - Warsaw, Poland


There are elements of landscape inspired from the English gardens and perfected in some exotic locations - Russia, Czech Republic, Poland.

The pride of New Europe - Prague

While the infamous "Old vs New Europe" remark is relatively new, expats of all colors have been tacitly gathering in Prague for the past decade, transforming this Czech Republic city into a vibrant European capital in its own right.

And for a good reason: at a fraction of the price, visitors can (still) enjoy Old Europe charm at New Europe prices. Although, when you think of it, everything in Europe is probably old, by American standards.

On a slightly different topic, I wish the NY Times published more articles on major European cities. After their April series that included Prague, I was left waiting for more. Regardless, Evan Rail, the author, correctly identifies Iris Praha as one of the best deals in town.

To that, I would add the following Prague best-selling hotels (once again, I must stress the importance of booking air + hotel together to enjoy real savings):

- Apollo
- Casa Marcello- Central Prague
- City Moran
- Golf
- Mucha
- Union Prague
- Waldstein

But what happens if you have 7-10 days to spend in Europe, want to visit Prague, but you don't want to stay for more than 2-3 days? For this, you might want to see my suggestions for Central European trips.