Questions about pre- and post- days in Prague & Vienna

[Cousin Orville]

Again not on an ABD, but here's some thoughts on what could be done during the free time in....

Vienna

In Vienna, we took a tour of the Schoenbrunn Palace which you already do on the ABD. Because Schoenbrunn was the more recommended of the 2 major palaces, we skipped the Hofburg Palace apartments, but we did see the Treasury. It was interesting. I wouldn't put it on a Must Do list, but considering you can go through it as fast or as slow as you want, I don't think you'd be disappointed. The main attraction there is the Crown of the Holy Roman Empire which is over 1000 yrs old. I remember studying it in art history classes so I thought it was pretty cool to see it in person. Somewhat similar to the Tower of London Treasury.

We took a walking tour (like what we did in Prague) which was very nice. I don't see that that's done on the ABD, so I'd consider that. We walked a lot on our own particularly around the Graben and the Hoffburg Palace. We went out to the Prater (same day we went out to Schoenbrunn) to see the Ferris Wheel. Cool, but I'd only recommend it if you're a fan of the movie The Third Man (which it's featured in) and have a car to take you. Considering others have reported you have quite a bit of time on your own, I'm not sure I would devote as many extra days to Vienna as Prague. You're already seeing Schoenbrunn, the horses, and some extra activities. I'd say walking around the Graben (pedestrian st) and walking from the Graben up to the Hoffburg Palace and stopping at Demel's (cafe) for desert would be my must do's. The treasury was cool and fast. Again if I were without children and I could spend an extra night there, I'd pick a concert, opera, or some type of performance. Even (like me) you're not into that sort of thing at home, this area of Europe will put you in the mood.

 

[Cousin Orville]

Some pics of Vienna.

Hoffburg Palace

Demel's Bakery

Window decor at Demel's

Inside Demel's

Graben by day...

Ofenloch was a great restaurant for Austrian food. Reservations were required at all these restaurants I mentioned.

Plague monument

Graben by night...

Schoenbrunn

Hoffburg Treasury

Crown of the Holy Roman Empire ~ 1000yrs old

In front of the Hoffburg

The Graben by St. Stephens (also worth a visit)

The Prater Ferris wheel

 

[Cousin Orville]

Another option if you're willing to travel after the ABD is Bratislava and/or Budapest. Bratislava, Slovakia is about 45min-1hr east of Vienna and could be done as a day trip. We went on our way from Vienna to Budapest. If you go to Bratislava, I'd stay for about 2-3 hrs depending on lunch. I definitely wouldn't stay overnight. I kind of had the same feeling of Cesky Krumlov. I enjoyed it on our way from Prague to Vienna, and I'm glad ABD stops there, but I was ready to leave after a couple hours.

Budapest is well worth doing especially as the ABD ends so close in Vienna, but it requires another 3-4 days to enjoy. I liked Prague best. Between Vienna and Budapest, it's a tough call, but they are all very different.

I'll just post a few photos of Bratislava and Budapest. If anyone has any questions they can let me know or PM me.

 

[Cousin Orville]

Bratislava

 

[carpenta]

I have to agree with Kevin that Prague is an absolutely beautiful city. We spent a few days and are planning next year to return. Pilsner is our favorite beer also. in Vienna there is also the Lippizaner Horse group. In the Royal riding school (or such). They are military horses trained to perform. Really beautiful animals and quite impressive. General Patton sent a company after the war to rescue them from slaughter. Another option in Vienna.

 

[Cousin Orville]

Budapest

(again if anyone has any questions for a possible Bratislava/Budapest trip after the ABD, let me know)

 

[sayhello]

We just got back from Prague, Vienna and Budapest. Not on an ABD (we had our 5yo and 2yo which ruled out ABD). But still had a fantastic time. I’m strongly considering going back with my oldest on the ABD. My thoughts:

Prague -
My new favorite city in all of Europe. It’s just lovely to walk around and one of the prettiest cities in Europe for me.

Things that we enjoyed that do not appear to be on the ABD itinerary are going inside St. James Cathedral, going inside St. Vitus Cathedral, walking into some of the Synagogues in the Jewish Quarter. We went into the Pinkas Synagogue which has the names of the Czech victims of the Holocaust written on it’s walls, and they had an exhibit (not sure if it was temporary or not) of pictures drawn by children in the concentration camps that no doubt most likely died soon after. Picture a child’s drawing of a grassy field and flower with a sun in the corner, and replace it with a drawing of prison fences and a guard tower in the corner. Makes you want to cry. Very moving. The famous Jewish cemetery is behind the Pinkas Synagogue. On the same comprehensive entrance ticket we also walked over a couple of blocks to the Spanish Synagogue. Absolutely stunning. For reference, I have never been inside a Synagogue before, and a visit to these was a highlight for us.

We ate at a number of good restaurants/taverns. I’m a new found lover of Czech food (very hearty) and pilsner. We also had coffee, apple strudel, and strawberry crepes over at the Cubist Grand Cafe. That was cool and a bit different from the standard central European cafes. Everything is very Cubist in style - very geometrics, lots of right angles. I wouldn’t make it a high priorty, but it was a nice place to relax and wasn’t crowded when we went. If you’re around the area, it’s worth a visit.

We also went to the Mucha museum. I had never heard of him prior to this trip and I’m not sure I fully appreciated what Art Nouveau was before visiting Prague, but the museum is small and beautiful and worth a visit. This was another highlight for me. Both seeing the museum and walking seeing all the building facades in the Art Nouveau style was a pleasure. The best examples of buildings are around the Jewish Quarter. There is a street with Louis Vuitton and Burberry off the old town square and Jewish Quarter. Those buildings on that street (and adjacent streets) are amazing.

Other than that, we walked around a lot. You could walk around Prague for a couple of days without getting bored. The one thing I would also try to do, but couldn’t with children would be to see a concert at night. Especially at the Prague Municipal Hall. As a newly converted Art Nouveau fan, that place is looks beautiful.

Oh, Kevin! Thanks so much for this! If there's one thing I love, it's a great walking city! Sounds like I'll definitely be doing multiple pre-days in Prague! Who did you book your tour with? Would you recommend them?

And Vienna looks lovely. I'm so looking forward to that, too! I have to admit, Budapest and Bratislava look amazing, too!

Thanks again. This is info I'll definitely use! And I always love your photos! That 1000 year old crown is SO COOL!

Sayhello

 

[sayhello]

I have to agree with Kevin that Prague is an absolutely beautiful city. We spent a few days and are planning next year to return. Pilsner is our favorite beer also. in Vienna there is also the Lippizaner Horse group. In the Royal riding school (or such). They are military horses trained to perform. Really beautiful animals and quite impressive. General Patton sent a company after the war to rescue them from slaughter. Another option in Vienna.

Thanks, carpenta! The ABD actually does go to the Spanish Riding School to see the Lippizaners. Good to know it's impressive!

Really looking forward to Prague!

Sayhello

 

[Cousin Orville]

Oh, Kevin! Thanks so much for this! If there's one thing I love, it's a great walking city! Sounds like I'll definitely be doing multiple pre-days in Prague! Who did you book your tour with? Would you recommend them?

And Vienna looks lovely. I'm so looking forward to that, too! I have to admit, Budipest and Bratislava look amazing, too!

Thanks again. This is info I'll definitely use! And I always love your photos! That 1000 year old crown is SO COOL!

Sayhello

I used Caput Regni Private Tours. They were great. Our guide was Alena. I would recommend her. We did 2 half day (3hr) private tours keeping it short for the kids. One day focused on a walking tour around the old town and Jewish quarter (but not inside the synagogues). The 2nd day was around the castle. We also did private tours in Vienna and Budapest. In Vienna it was also very good, but I don't think its worth the higher cost with the ABD. Our guide in Budapest was not enjoyable. It was the first time on any private tour I was looking at my watch waiting for it to end. Thankfully we only did one half day. The city was wonderful, but the guide was dull. Just bad luck.

I wouldn't say it's critical to do a private tour in any of these cities. I think you could follow a Rick steves walking guide and get most of the same info on your own. But they are enjoyable. I didn't do as much pre planning or reading guide books as I often do so the guides were helpful for us.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

Kevin -- your pictures are stunning. Did you visit any of the Christmas markets in Vienna? I was so wishing there would be there some hint of them in the summer, but no luck. Since the Viennese waltzes are held in the winter, this and the Christmas markets gives me a good reason to go back!

We also hired a private guide in Prague. I find it much easier and informative to hire one for at least half day in each city we visit. We get a taste of the history and cover a lot more ground than we could on our own.

I don't know if I'd recommend the company we used. She was a good guide, but spent the first 45 minutes of the tour going over the various political powers that have ruled, which well interesting, I had already read about in guide books. She then added on an additional 45 minutes at the end (since the Jewish cemetery was a *must* for us) and charged us for the overrun without asking if it was okay. Not that it was overly expensive, but I only had enough cash to pay for the tour and tip, so had to find a bank machine to pay the difference. I also reminded her several times in St. Vitus that we needed to pick up the pace so we could get a comprehensive tour of the Jewish quarter, but it seemed as though she wasn't listening. We were fascinated to hear about her childhood and schooling under the Russian regime and what it was like for their rule ended.

Ds had such a good time in Prague that he says he wants to live there when he finishes college lol!

 

[Calfan]

Loved all your pics, Cousin Orville, especially Prague. Definitely our favorite city in Europe as well. How was the Christmas market in Old Town Square? We are considering a river cruise to the European Christmas markets within the next few years. If the trip we choose doesn't include Prague, we plan to do a few days there pre or post. Was there snow in Prague? I couldn't really tell from the photos.

 

[Cousin Orville]

Loved all your pics, Cousin Orville, especially Prague. Definitely our favorite city in Europe as well. How was the Christmas market in Old Town Square? We are considering a river cruise to the European Christmas markets within the next few years. If the trip we choose doesn't include Prague, we plan to do a few days there pre or post. Was there snow in Prague? I couldn't really tell from the photos.

The Christmas markets were great. They had music and various food and of course souvenir stands. The main one was in Old Town Square, but there were several around town. I'd love to do another trip to the Christmas markets again. Vienna's looked amazing, but it was being taken down by the time we got there on the 27th. It wasn't snowing in Prague, but it certainly snowed in Vienna and a bit in Budapest!

 

[Calfan]

The Christmas markets were great. They had music and various food and of course souvenir stands. The main one was in Old Town Square, but there were several around town. I'd love to do another trip to the Christmas markets again. Vienna's looked amazing, but it was being taken down by the time we got there on the 27th. It wasn't snowing in Prague, but it certainly snowed in Vienna and a bit in Budapest!

Awesome. Thanks!

 

[AZ Mom]

My son and I were there a few years ago as he prepared for a summer study abroad program there. We also took used Caput Regni for a 1/2 day tour of the city - well worth it! Our guide, Katerina, was a professor at Charles University and had a wealth of knowledge to share. I would highly recommend them. We also saw the Lobkowicz Palace, which was fascinating. It's in the Castle District, which also includes Prague Castle. Not sure if you see this on the ABD tour. As others have said, Prague is very walkable and accessible. The architecture is just stunning and there is so much to see. I would concur that Wenceslas Square is not really a highlight - lots of fast food places, tourists, etc. If you're looking for a reasonable hotel in a great location, I can recommend the Ventana Hotel. It's a small boutique hotel right outside the Tyn Cathedral and around the corner from the Old Town Square (and Astronomical Clock). Service was great and our room was well-appointed and plenty big for the two of us. Hope to be able to return with ABD and bring the rest of the family!