Prague or Krakow in December?

[Pulse]

We're currently looking at both Prague and Krakow in December, but with no real knowledge of either, I was hoping someone on here could help.

Which would you choose, and why? Also, if there are better suggestions for that time of year, please let me know!

Planning between 3-5 days at either of them.

[Pulse]

Well, from a good look around, it looks like Prague is probably the best bet for a December/Christmas trip, with many people raving about it.

Will we be incredibly bored if we go for 5 days though? I've had a look at flights, and we'd get there on a Sunday evening (basically in time for some food and bed), then leave in the evening on the Friday. Or would we be better going over a weekend?

[Rude-boy]

Can't tell you much about Prague but we went to Krakow last year at easter time and it is a lovely place to visit.

[Ultuous]

Pulse said:

Will we be incredibly bored if we go for 5 days though? I've had a look at flights, and we'd get there on a Sunday evening (basically in time for some food and bed), then leave in the evening on the Friday. Or would we be better going over a weekend?

Can't speak for Krakow (somewhere I'd love to try)... But 5 days in Prague shouldn't be a drag - loads of good places to eat, drink, sight-see etc... I'd suggest during the week's better too, as that way you avoid the influx of stag do's (the people who whinge about them only find it such a pain because they've gone for a weeekend break and not moved from the centre at all!)

[Shay HTFC]

You'll be less bored in Prague after 5 days than Krakow

[Pulse]

Ultuous said:

Can't speak for Krakow (somewhere I'd love to try)... But 5 days in Prague shouldn't be a drag - loads of good places to eat, drink, sight-see etc... I'd suggest during the week's better too, as that way you avoid the influx of stag do's (the people who whinge about them only find it such a pain because they've gone for a weeekend break and not moved from the centre at all!)

Thanks. I guess we'll need to get some ideas racking up for a 5 day plan, as we're hopefully booking it later!

It'll work out 4 full days, because on the last day we'll be packing and travelling to the airport.

So, since we're pretty set now, does anyone have any suggestions of where to go and what to do? We'll be going for the Christmas Market, but we'll (obviously) want to do more than that - weather depending! It looks like it may be pretty cold!

[Rude-boy]

Got a bit of a day on hence the short posts but Krakow is a great place to go is you are the sort that likes walking around historic cities, a few drinks in the cafe's in the town square and so forth.

We also found a few art exhibitions to look at and went to a very small piano recital one evening on the first floor of one of the buildings facing onto the square which was fantastic.

If you have any interest in WWII it is also a must to try to get to Auschwitz one of the days. We went there by bus and so got to see a lot of the surrounding area as it is about an hour away. If you do this buy a return ticket and aim not for the last bus home but the one before - they are a bit of a law unto themselves and having a return ticket will give you priority when it comes to getting the bus back, saving you the mile walk to the train station and then having to play the game of what train to catch.

You can also go on Golf buggy trips around the city and to Schindler's factory and so on.

There are also the Salt Caves/mines which we didn't have time to see but which we will be visiting when we go back in a few years.

If you are party types I think I would go to Prague, if you are the sort who likes a little walking, a little culture and seeing the sights in your own time and way then I can't fault Krakow.

[Pulse]

I'm actually more the latter... I do like a beer now and again (more often on holiday), but love walking! Perhaps Krakow in summer next year?

[Rude-boy]

Pulse said:

I'm actually more the latter... I do like a beer now and again (more often on holiday), but love walking! Perhaps Krakow in summer next year?

I would look into it a bit regarding when you go as in high summer it is really hot and in deep winter really cold...

As said we went in Easter and found the weather just about right. Then again when can you ever predict the weather.

One thing we love to do, especially if we arrive at a hotel halfway through the day, is find a busy square with plenty of cafes and have a few drinks, a light bite and people watch/read - very relaxing and gives you chance to strike up conversation with waiters/other tourist who can give you an idea of what is on and to plan the rest of your trip.

Have a look at a map, centring on the Main Square in the Old Town and you can see that there are lots of places to walk and things to see if you like a bit of culture. You can also go on boat trips or go to one of the more modern buildings with a cafe on the top to look out over the city.

I would certainly look at booking it all myself rather than as a package if you can and the prices stack up. You will not need a transfer from the Airport to the City as there are buses every 30-45 mins from memory and the cost is peanuts. Most people speak English very well.

If you do settle on Krakow PM me the name of the Hotel you are thinking of going to. I can't remember the one we stayed at but we wouldn't go there again. It wasn't that bad but for the money there were far better places a few hundred metres away.

[Pulse]

Cheers RB, very useful! I appreciate it!

Travel-wise, I am confused! We're looking at staying here: http://www.vi-hotels.com/andels-prague/

It seems to be a bit out of the way though, so not sure if the distance would be a pain or not. I'm also completely lost on the best way to get to that location. We'd likely walk whilst there, with only transport needed to/from the airport.

Can anyone help?

[Rude-boy]

Not been there but Prague is on our list of places to go so have looked at it a bit.

If you go on that site you linked to and then click on the Google Directions tab in the middle of the map you can get directions from there to Wenceslas Square which is one of those points everyone/thing directs you to. Your hotel is looking to be 3km from there and on the 'wrong' side of the river, although you are on the same side as the Castle.

Haven't looked at the hotels there too much as we have decided it is going to be a boat pushing trip when we go there so it will either be the Buddha Bar or the Prague Castle Hotel.

[apotek]

Shay HTFC said:

You'll be less bored in Prague after 5 days than Krakow

I certainly agree with this but Krakow in December gives you even more idea how grim Auschwitz was if you visit.

[Rude-boy]

apotek said:

certainly agree with this but Krakow in December gives you even more idea how grim Auschwitz was if you visit.

5 days is enough to do the whole of Krakow properly, but I wouldn't want to spend 10 there. 1 day for the camps, 1 for the Schindler tour/jewish quarter, a day on the river, one in the salt mines and another to look around the old market and to seek out a few of the proper local markets.

If you like art there are a few places to slake your thirst.

I am looking forward to going to Prague but after finding so many hidden gems like Talinn, Poznan and Leurven (SPs all round I expect!) I have a strange feeling that it might be one of those places best left visited in my head than in reality.

[Shay HTFC]

Rude-boy said:

I am looking forward to going to Prague but after finding so many hidden gems like Talinn, Poznan and Leurven (SPs all round I expect!) I have a strange feeling that it might be one of those places best left visited in my head than in reality.

Is Poznan good then? I spent an hour or so there by the train station and it didn't half look grim. I couldn't help but wonder if it was just the typical Polish city design though, where the outskirts are grim beyond belief, but the centre is ridiculously beautiful.

[Lost soul]

Pulse said:

We're currently looking at both Prague and Krakow in December, but with no real knowledge of either, I was hoping someone on here could help.

Which would you choose, and why? Also, if there are better suggestions for that time of year, please let me know!

Planning between 3-5 days at either of them.

Krakow is a great little city

[Ultuous]

I've only been to Prague a couple of times and it was a few years ago now, but my favourite stay was in Malá Strana - just the other side of the river from the centre, near Charles' bridge (perfect for a 'Christmassy' break... It was a nice short walk into the old town, plus the restaurants around the bridge were amazing and AFAICR surprisingly inexpensive compared to Wenceslas Square etc. (which was the most uninspiring place I've ever seen - apart from a certain entertainment venue that will always stick in my mind, but that's probably not for a holiday with the missus! )...

Having said that, my folks stayed quite a way out and still found it cheap and easy to get around on the trams etc!

One of the most enjoyable things to me was just walking around and exploring - I'm not one for roughing it, but wondering slightly out of town and seeing the more suburban 'Eastern Bloc' side of things was fascinating!

[Pulse]

Rude-boy said:

Not been there but Prague is on our list of places to go so have looked at it a bit.

If you go on that site you linked to and then click on the Google Directions tab in the middle of the map you can get directions from there to Wenceslas Square which is one of those points everyone/thing directs you to. Your hotel is looking to be 3km from there and on the 'wrong' side of the river, although you are on the same side as the Castle.

Haven't looked at the hotels there too much as we have decided it is going to be a boat pushing trip when we go there so it will either be the Buddha Bar or the Prague Castle Hotel.

By 'wrong side of the river' do you mean in terms of distance or quality? We can stay on the other side, much nearer to the centre, for not a lot more (£80 more for the stay).

[Rude-boy]

Shay HTFC said:

Is Poznan good then? I spent an hour or so there by the train station and it didn't half look grim. I couldn't help but wonder if it was just the typical Polish city design though, where the outskirts are grim beyond belief, but the centre is ridiculously beautiful.

The train station has the certain "Soviet Chic" about it doesn't it We were staying at the Sheraton which is just over the road from the main station.

If you were to walk down into the town (ie walking away from the hotel with your back to the font of it and the station) you will find loads of little gems dotted around the place. The art gallery there also has some great stuff to see. In the subway under the road by the station and the hotel there is also a very small little underground car museum – surprised you didn’t spot it!

ETA it's another one of those places you can 'do' in 3 days, see everything in 5, and be scratching around for new things by day 6.

Edited by Rude-boy on Thursday 10th May 14:38

[Rude-boy]

Pulse said:

By 'wrong side of the river' do you mean in terms of distance or quality? We can stay on the other side, much nearer to the centre, for not a lot more (£80 more for the stay).

From what we have looked at in terms of attractions and maps only the Castle is on that side of the river, all the 'touristy' bits are the other side. Not an issue other than you are adding to your daily walk - nothing in the morning, a bh in the driving rain when you still have 1.5km to go from the river and have dragged your sorry arse around day long and are dreaming of a nice hot bath with the Mrs and the bottle of bubbly in the back pack.

[Pulse]

Cheers RB. I don't think it's an issue, so have booked that hotel... It was too cheap not to! Seems a nice walk along the river is in order most days!

The only negative is no WiFi in the room, which we're used to - but then it was half the price of what we usually pay!

Really looking forward to it now.