Prague (Lonely Planet City Guide)

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Neil Wilson, et al.

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Pages: 292 (Paperback)

ISBN: 1741045134

Pub: Lonely Planet Publications

Pub date: 2009-01-01

Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 8124

Editorial Review:

Where Paris once led the way as the centre of Europe's bohemian lifestyle, Prague now comes out on top. The fourth edition of Lonely Planet: Prague manages to be both compact and comprehensive and is generally a good introduction to this city where European and North American wannabe poets now hang out.
Although the guide's structure follows the layout used by most books in the Lonely Planet series, there is more of a concentration on cultural issues than is often the case. As well as an illustrated colour guide to the city's memorable architecture, there are detailed sections on themes such as the history of the 1969 student rebellion against the Communists, the famous Karlos Most bridge, Franz Kafka and the vicissitudes of Prague's Jewish community. The sections on history and modern politics are perhaps a little weaker though, with no acknowledgement of the sizeable minority in the Czech Republic who have become disillusioned with Vaclav Havel.

The cultural side of the guide goes together with some hard-nosed advice on how to avoid scams in Prague's restaurants and foreign exchange bureaux. Only occasionally does the imperative of cost become a handicap, as when the authors make the inaccurate assertion that, when visiting Prague's "old-new synagogue", there is no need to rent the cheap yamulkahs as a bandanna will do. Still, this will be a very useful practical guide for anyone visiting Prague, with thorough accommodation and eating tips, colour photographs and some detailed and very well-researched maps. --Toby Green

Reader Reviews:

Could be better (0/0 people found this helpful)

Generally it's not a bad guide book, the recommendations were good but I had two problems with this guide. The first was the information provided for a recommendation as to it's location. It tells you the map page but does not tell you the map Ref. or item number so you have to search an entire map for a street name until you by chance turn over the page to find a key that is not mentioned anywhere. Would be so much better if they provide the map page + ref + item No. together with the main description.
The second gripe is the book fell apart on day one.

Perfect companion for a weekend away (0/0 people found this helpful)

This book is really excellent and useful.

Easy to navigate through the beautiful city using the easy to navigate book. Details of various areas and interests are kept brief in places, but with references to other more indepth material contained in the book.

The food and bar guide was also very useful and accurate.

I would recommend this book to anyone going for a weekend

The 2009 edition (0/0 people found this helpful)

Overall this is a good guide. It is especially strong on historical and cultural aspects. The descriptions of all sites of interest are well written. Also, the suggested walking tours for each city area (at least those I have followed) are well planned. However, the maps appearing in each of the sections devoted to the different city areas are graphically of low quality. It is very difficult to decipher the street names, and I therefore had to use a magnifying glass. (I happened to see the maps in the Time Out Prague Guide, and these are far superior and easy to follow). Although I visited Prague in September 2009, the 2009 edition of the guide contained some incorrect information, which needs updating. Thus, for example, the Prague Castle short tour ticket, contrary to what is stated in the guide, does not include the Story of Prague Castle exhibition. By the way, the authors' description of this exhibition as the most interesting exhibit in the entire castle will not suit the average tourist, but only those with an unusual interest in Czech history. Another, lighter example, in the restaurants section (which is generally very useful) the authors write that in the Beas Vegetarian Dhaba restaurant "the samosas are excellent". Unfortunately, from my experience, they do not have samosas in their menu.

Perfect for Prague (0/0 people found this helpful)

if you're going to Prague for a short city visit, this guide will set you right!

All the tips and advice were sound, and the restaurant recommendations were just perfect.

We followed most of the recommended walks (although we did them all in reverse!) and found them to be interesting and informative.

I would highly recommend this guide to anyone going to Prague for a short city break.

Alistair

Lonely planet Prague (0/0 people found this helpful)

Useful little book with very good coverage of the main sites to visit and some excellent up front guidance on getting about by public transport- the great tram system and the tubes. have used the rough guides before for Rome and Venice and I think they are still my favoured option. The pull out map that comes with the LPC guide was a definite positive so worth checking that is in place before purchasing second hand.

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