Bus tickets and backpacks...

When using public transportation make sure to buy a ticket and run it through the 'validation' machine at the station or else it is not validated which means although you have a ticket you can still get a fine. Public transport in Prague is really easy to use and extremely cheap. If you are staying for more than a couple of days get a weekly ticket; it is worth it.

Don’t take a backpack. At a busy market, my friend had the unfortunate incident of someone putting his hands into her bag. Luckily she had put her purse into a zippered part in the backpack so she did not lose anything. After this episode she proceeded to carry the backpack on her front even though she got a few laughs!!
Christine, Sydney, Australia

Hotel and restaurant recommendation...

My husband and I just came back from Prague where we were there for the first time. I love this opportunity to share our favourite finds and tips there. We'd go back in a heartbeat! I'd like to tell other women about Crowne Plaza Prague. This beautful hotel was located 20 minutes by foot from Prague Castle and a five minute ride by tram. The #8 tram is located right outside the hotel and tickets can be purchased at the newspaper stand on the left side of the tracks. I would recommend this hotel for anyone who would like a 'quieter' place outside the downtown core. We had a Junior Suite which was a nice size room. Address: Koulova 15, 160 45 Prague 6. Tel: +420 296 537 111

Pizzeria Grosseto was a 10 minutes walk from the Crowne Plaza Hotel where we stayed. They have a wide selections of made to order pizzas, homemade pastas etc. We loved it so much we went there twice! Address: Praha 6 - Dejvice. Tel: +420 233 342 694. Website: www.grosseto.cz. Like many restaurants in Prague this was cash only. Be prepared.
Stephanie, Guelph, Canada

Brad Pitt and Angelia Jolie dined here...

I, too, recommend the Crowne Plaza Prague. It's located right next door to a lovely monastery. It opened in April '07 so it is very modern and comfortable, but is in a very old building, so it also has character. And it's quiet as a tomb - I sleep so well there. The staff is very helpful and nice. Now for the juicy part...

There's a good restaurant just a short walk downhill from the hotel: Restaurant Usevce Matouse located at Praha 1 - Hradcany, Loretanske Nam 4. I love their salmon and eat there every time I'm in town. Good prices for the quality. Brad and Angelina have dined here.
Sharon, Atlanta, USA

Editor's Note: Sharon is a great supporter of women travellers and a special friend of Journeywoman. See: http://www.travelaloneandloveit.com

A tiny hotel and lovely shop...

Pension Dientzenhofer is a little gem of a hotel in a historic building, in the most perfect location location. It's within easy walking distance to everything, and yet in an incredibly quiet and charming neighborhood, right next to a beautiful park. It's tiny, so book well ahead. Website: http://www.dientzenhofer.cz/index_en.html P.S. They can arrange airport pickups for you.

Botanicus is a great place to shop for souvenirs. They carry foods and skin care made from Czech-grown botanical ingredients. There is an outlet in the airport, but it is very small and did not seem to have the full selection of goods found in the main store. Website: http://www.botanicus.cz/ P.S. Scroll to the bottom of the homepage for the English version.
Christy, Boston, USA

I was posted in Prague...

My name is Yvonne and I'm a member of the US Foreign Service. I was posted at the US embassy in Prague for two years and frequently go back to visit. Here are my personal must-sees and restaurants when you visit this city. St. Vitus Cathedral, St. Nicholas Cathedral, Charles Bridge, Clock Tower, Old Town Square, Prague Castle, Lobkowitz Exhibition at Prague Castle, Rudolfinium (concert hall), Obeci Dum (Municipal house), Estates Theatre, Wenseslav Square (large Christmas market), Pariska street (Paris street--great highend shopping), Narudova Street for shopping

Restaurants I recommend are Blue Duck (Czech food), Kampa Park on the Vltava River (International food), Slavia Cafe for best apple strudel in town and view of castle and river, any street vendor for grilled sausages and hot wine, Pivovarsky at Stupanska metro stop (a brewery/restaurant for Czech food and beer), Olympia at Ujezd metro stop.
Yvonne, Paris, France

Apartment rentals and walking tours...

Several years ago I was fortunate to stay in an apartment in a delightful area three tram stops from the famous Historical Centre. Staying here we felt that we had an insight into the real Prague where the prices in restaurants and shops were suited to the locals and not just 'monied tourists'. The best tour we went on was run by Katelina who leads small groups on 'alternative walks' to the Old Jewish Town and around authentic markets and residential areas ($US12 in 2005). She spent over three hours with us, answering all our questions and giving us a huge amount of good information in a very light-hearted way. Katelina starts daily from the steps of the Rudolfinum at 1.30 or 3.30. Her contact number is +420 608 748569 if you need it. I hope she still does it. In a city which gets over 6 million visitors a year it's a real treat to be able to get under the veneer and in touch with the heart of Prague. Apartment rental website: http://www.accommodation-prague-cz.com Enjoy everybody!
Cristina, London, England

Frommer's suggests this veggie stop...

'Vegetarians will like Country Life, Melantrichova 15, Praha 1, a health-food store run by the Seventh Day Adventists: it offers a strictly meatless menu to go. You'll find tofu, tomato, cucumber, and shredded cabbage salads; zesty wheat-bread pizzas tipped with red pepper, garlic. and onions; and vegetable burgers on multigrain buns with garlic-yoghurt dressings. Inexpensive meals on the run! Mon-Thurs. 9am-8:30pm, Fri. 9am-6pm, Sun. 11am-8:30pm. No credit cards accepted.
Frommer's Prague Guide & the Best of the Czech Republic

A wonderful female guide in Prague...

Last May I went to Prague. I contacted Dana Chaloupka, one of Journeywomen's recommended guides. Not only was she an excellent guide, we have since become friends. She knows both the city, surrounding areas, and the entire country. She would be more than happy to give out advice and tips of where to go and what to do. Her life history is quite fascinating having lived under Communism and now freedom. She is quick to respond to emails. Her email is danachal@volny.cz.
Peggy, Atlanta, USA