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Old 04-25-2017, 06:02 PM   #3641
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Are they pretty similar?
No, each is quite unique, though they each have a communist past.

Prague is like the Disney of cities, with pretty fairytale castles and turrets. Lots of street performance and a plethora of musical offerings. It has been "discovered" for some time, and can be crowded. Lots of places to see outside the city.

Budapest is perhaps more classical in its architecture, very elegant, though decadent too. Also a very cultured city. I highly recommend the Parliament Building, Fisherman's Bastion, Jewish Museum, Dohany Street Synagogue, House of Terror and Statue Park. Budapest is a little more economical.

I could happily spend a week in either city. It would be difficult to choose one over the other.
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Old 04-26-2017, 07:06 AM   #3642
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I could happily spend a week in either city. It would be difficult to choose one over the other.
+1 We chose Budapest by a relatively narrow margin.
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Old 04-26-2017, 08:59 AM   #3643
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We went to Prague together, but my wife has been to Budapest on a separate trip.

Now that we are retired, the next time we go to Eastern Europe, will revisit both. No choice needed.
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Old 04-26-2017, 10:15 AM   #3644
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I think I might do 4 days in Prague and 4 days in Budapest. I might have to lengthen my trip. I was planning 8 weeks but it could be 9 weeks now. But I like to do two weeks in Italy. 1 week in Switzerland. 1 week in Netherlands because I want to see Van Gogh and Rembrand museums. Now that I'm taking my art class, I have much better appreciation for these masters paintings and techniques. And then 4 weeks in UK. Too many things to see and do. Such a dilemma.
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Old 04-26-2017, 10:21 AM   #3645
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I think I might do 4 days in Prague and 4 days in Budapest. I might have to lengthen my trip. I was planning 8 weeks but it could be 9 weeks. But I like to do two weeks in Italy. 1 week in Switzerland. 1 week in Netherlands, I need to see Van Gogh and Rembrand museums, now that I'm taking my art class, I have much better appreciation for these masters paintings and techniques. And then 4 weeks in UK. Too many things to see and do. Such a dilemma.
Good plan! When I was in Prague in 2014, there was a gallery on the main square that had a (permanent?) exhibition of art by Alphonse Mucha, with a (temporary?) exhibition of works by Salvador Dali. Definitely worth an hour of my time.
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Old 04-26-2017, 10:56 AM   #3646
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I didn't visit anywhere outside of Prague but there may be interesting day trip options?

Of course Cesky Krumlov is a UNESCO Heritage attraction but it's 180 km from Prague, a 3-5 hour bus ride.
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Old 04-26-2017, 11:01 AM   #3647
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Of course Cesky Krumlov is a UNESCO Heritage attraction but it's 180 km from Prague, a 3-5 hour bus ride.
Train's a little better than 5 hours:

Day trip from Prague to Cesky Krumlov by train, €15, £13, $17

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New direct train! There's now a direct train to Cesky Krumlov, leaving Prague Hlavni at 08:02 & arriving Český Krumlov at 10:50.
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Old 04-26-2017, 11:05 AM   #3648
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I didn't visit anywhere outside of Prague but there may be interesting day trip options?

Of course Cesky Krumlov is a UNESCO Heritage attraction but it's 180 km from Prague, a 3-5 hour bus ride.
+1 Cesky K. We hired an excellent private guide (Oldfiska Balouskova--email oldriskab@gmail.com) who is a life long resident and professionally trained. She works for most of the major tour groups but was readily available in Oct. CK is really exceptional--the only castle never to be bombed or attacked so it is pretty much in its original state as when constructed in 1600's (?). Not a huge castle so you can enjoy without being exhausted with "one more" stone room. Hired a driver from the Prague Shuttle (turned out to be owner) for the day trip. Entire day was less than $300 US.
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Old 04-26-2017, 11:06 AM   #3649
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Near Prague you simply must visit Kutna Hora.

The ossuary and the church are both well worth your time.
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Old 04-26-2017, 11:33 AM   #3650
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Near Prague you simply must visit Kutna Hora.

The ossuary and the church are both well worth your time.
+1

We stayed in a downtown Prague hotel, and walked to the bus station to take a bus to Kutna Hora. Walked through town, and the Bone Church was the last stop, before taking the train back at the end of this day trip.

It was raining when we got out of the church when they close it. So, we walked around in the dark and rain, looking for the train station. We only had a paper map, and no GPS (there were no smartphones then).

We went to Prague in late November (or was it early December) to take advantage of an airline ticket sale. The days were so short that it got dark soon after 4PM, if my memory serves, and we could not do a whole lot. So, no more winter trips for me, even if tickets are cheap. Spring and fall will be much better times to go.
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Old 04-26-2017, 11:44 AM   #3651
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I didn't visit anywhere outside of Prague but there may be interesting day trip options?

Of course Cesky Krumlov is a UNESCO Heritage attraction but it's 180 km from Prague, a 3-5 hour bus ride.
Cesky Krumlov is a day trip from Prague. I didn't go there, but friends who did said it was beautiful. I did visit Terezin, site of the infamous concentration camp and Potemkin village. It was intense but very interesting.
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Old 04-26-2017, 12:04 PM   #3652
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I plan to see a lot of castles in England, thanks to Netflix and its great British Castles show.
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Old 04-26-2017, 12:15 PM   #3653
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I plan to see a lot of castles in England, thanks to Netflix and its great British Castles show.
The Edward I castles in Wales are well worth visiting also.
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Old 04-26-2017, 12:29 PM   #3654
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Forgot to say, Kutna Hora and Sedlec, the latter the location of the Bone Church, are also a UNESCO Heritage Site. I knew of Cesky Krumlov, but did not have time to visit. So, I have got to come back.

Yep, one visit to most places is never enough. Some places in the US, we have visited more than half a dozen times, and can still find something new to do. I certainly have not visited foreign places that many times. This upcoming trip, we will be together in Paris for the 3rd time. It will be the 4th time for my wife (but she never remembers in details all the places that she has been, not having my "superior" memory).
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Old 04-26-2017, 12:38 PM   #3655
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I'm glad I went to a Paris with my husband before I got married. It was in the winter, I had lovely roasted chestnuts, chocolate crepe, 9-course New Year Eve dinner. I loved the large tulips that I purchased for 99 Fr. I've been back a few more times since but it's not the same.
But I've been to England for about 15-20 times but have never been to Stonehenge. Maybe I'll manage to do that on my next trip. So I don't plan to see everything, I want to leave a little bit for me to come back.
But it depends on the place. I've spent 3 days on the Colloseum alone. I'm still in awe of that place, especially with the movie Gladiator flashing through my mind as I was touring the place.
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Old 05-12-2017, 02:41 PM   #3656
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Heading to the Galapagos, so will most likely be out of internet access for a couple of weeks. Cameras, binoculars, snorkels, etc. all set. May post a few pictures when we get back. One of those "trip of a lifetime" deals, I think.
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Old 05-12-2017, 03:04 PM   #3657
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Heading to the Galapagos, so will most likely be out of internet access for a couple of weeks. Cameras, binoculars, snorkels, etc. all set. May post a few pictures when we get back. One of those "trip of a lifetime" deals, I think.
Be safe, have fun
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Old 05-12-2017, 03:16 PM   #3658
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We just booked an All Inclusive resort in Playa del Carmen for our 30th and DW's
Birthday as they fall within a week of each other 8 nights total. we booked not for December.
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Old 05-12-2017, 03:36 PM   #3659
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Booked our Annual Food and Wine Festival at Epcot. Waiting to book Party of the Senses....Adult Disney...Love it......Hopefully will see Jefferson Starship at Eat to the Beat Concerts....
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Old 05-12-2017, 04:01 PM   #3660
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Going to Wooster, Ohio this weekend to watch DS graduate from college. This represents the end of 12 consecutive years of paying for college for DD1, DD2, and DS. We thought we were through, but we've decided to help DS with his master's for the next two years at Ohio State.
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