Jetlag and Touring Question

[Marthasor]

Hi! Trying to put the finishing touches on our pre- and post-ABD trips and, boy am I glad ABD is taking care of the majority of our vacation. So many details!!

We are flying into Prague two days prior to the start of our ABD (arriving the morning of July 10 for a July 12 ABD start). It will be 3 adults and a 6-year old. I have decided to book one private Prague tour prior to ABD to supplement the short Prague tour provided by ABD. I just don't know when to book it?!

I was about to book it for July 11 (the day after we arrive), but I'm concerned we won't have fully recovered from jet lag by that day and don't want to create a miserable day for everyone. I was thinking, perhaps, if we started the tour in the afternoon it might be ok? I could also book for the morning of July 12 prior to the ABD officially starting - maybe that's a better idea?

I have not been to Europe in 8 years and I simply don't remember how long it took me to recover from the flight! I also have no idea how my son is going to react.

Any thoughts or advice is greatly appreciated!

 

[pihanettie]

Kids seem to recover pretty quickly. A few years ago when they were around 5 I remember them wanting to go out and play immediately while I was suffering from jet lag. I couldn't keep up. I am a firm believer in not taking medication (I like my body to have a strong natural defense) but since I didn't want to spoil the vacations I decided to break down and get Nuvigil. You can read about it. It was recommended by my doctor and is prescription only. I take it when I land and I am good to go. Just something you can think about. Don't give it to the children, though.

 

[Marthasor]

Kids seem to recover pretty quickly. A few years ago when they were around 5 I remember them wanting to go out and play immediately while I was suffering from jet lag. I couldn't keep up. I am a firm believer in not taking medication (I like my body to have a strong natural defense) but since I didn't want to spoil the vacations I decided to break down and get Nuvigil. You can read about it. It was recommended by my doctor and is prescription only. I take it when I land and I am good to go. Just something you can think about. Don't give it to the children, though.

Thanks so much! This is very helpful! I just googled nuvigil and the side effects sound a little scary, but I will talk to my doctor. Sounds like we could really go either way on the dates for the tour.

 

[pihanettie]

No side effects for me. You can take it here for a couple of days to make sure you don't have a reaction.

 

[Cousin Orville]

I think everyone will be fine the day after you arrive. I'd take the tour on the 11th. That way the following day you can see any places that you didn't get to see on your private tour.

 

[paddles]

Agree - kids recover pretty quickly and I'm also a big believer of not taking medicine either.

I think the key is to try and stay awake until ~8pm the day you get in, and then sleep in a little the next morning.

If you schedule your sightseeing around ~10am the next morning, then you should be fine. Kids will likely be full of energy and you can have cup or two of coffee if you're dragging

My kids have done great on the last 2 Europe trips we took them to.

 

[carpenta]

If you are staying in one of the larger hotels in Prague they will offer a large number of tours at the concierge desk. We were in Prague a year ago and booked a tour the same day. They even picked you up at the hotel. We did a tour that went around the city as well as the castle that overlooks the city. Then we had a little boat tour on the river. Our guide was really good. Loved Prague....great city to walk....I agree with the previous posts on time to recover. Have a great trip.

 

[Marthasor]

Thanks everyone! I'm going to book it for July 11. That was actually what I was leaning toward for the very reason Cousin Orville mentioned - use July 12 to wander around ourselves and revisit places that looked interesting. Really looking forward to this trip!

 

[RSM]

Thanks everyone! I'm going to book it for July 11. That was actually what I was leaning toward for the very reason Cousin Orville mentioned - use July 12 to wander around ourselves and revisit places that looked interesting. Really looking forward to this trip!

Hi Marthasor--which private guide are you going to tour with. We are going in a day early and are researching guides for a private tour of the city. Thanks.

 

[Marthasor]

Hi Marthasor--which private guide are you going to tour with. We are going in a day early and are researching guides for a private tour of the city. Thanks.

We are going to book with Caput Regni Private Tours. I found them on trip advisor and she adjusts her tours to engage younger children. She is going to design a half-day tour for us that will cover some areas in Prague that the ABD walking tour does not - most likely Lesser Town and possibly the castle interior.

In case you are interested, I contacted ABD to see what we will see on their walking tour and got this info:

"We visit the sites listed on the website and only go into St. Vitus Cathedral. We are on the grounds of the Castle (can’t go inside), walk down the Golden Lane, across the Charles Bridge, through the city streets. This is a 3 hour walking tour that also includes a short boat cruise down the river."