Gordon found the apartment we stayed in on VRBO: www.vrbo.com/507652
The apartment is also listed at: www.apartmentplan.cz along with the 40 other apartments owned by the same guy.
Rental of the apartment includes transport to and from the airport... a very nice detail to make arrival and finding the apartment very easy!
The owner is wonderful, helpful, walked us through the apartment showing us all the details. Everything had been thought of from a fully supplied kitchen with basic spices, salt and pepper, olive oil and balsamic vinegar, to a well stocked supply of tea and coffee. A few days into our stay we texted the owner to ask where we could buy more coffee for the espresso machine he refilled our supply that day.
The owner also had a local map for us and helped us get our bearings, recommended some restaurants and things to do with kids.
Money
When we arrived at the airport in Prague there were long lines at all the ATMs. Here's the deal... completely opposite of Sweden, many businesses do not take credit cards so it is necessary to have plenty of cash on hand.
Prices in Prague are in euros or Czech koruna. The apartment owner recommended that we always pay/negotiate in koruna. In fact when buying souvenirs always ask about a discount... most shop owners knock off a percentage right away.... and if you pay in cash you can knock off the VAT tax difference.
Money does go further in Prague (except in Starbucks which maintains its prices!). Dinner one night was $62 for the five of us... 3 entrees and 2 glasses of wine each (me and Gordon, not the girls). We were almost giddy!
Here's a basic comparison: $15 = 99sek or 300czk
Transport
Prague is very walkable. Our apartment was in Mala Strana close to the Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, Old Town, etc. We never used public transport (the trams running through town are always packed) and took a taxi to and from the Aqua Palace one day.
Restaurants
Sakura (sushi) - Namesti Svobody 1 (Nove Mesto area, near Wenceslas Square) tel: 774 785 077, www.sushisakura.cz
The guide book describes it as one of the best sushi places in Prague and family friendly. Definitely recommend a reservation although we didn't have one. It's in a mall so it doesn't feel very 'special' and the wait-staff definitely has an attitude. Sushi is not my thing so I can't speak to that but my red curry chicken was really, really good!
Noi (Thai) - Ujezd 409/19 (Mala Strana, near Petrin funicular), tel: +420 257 311 411, open daily 11 -01, www.noirestaurant.cz
We did not have a reservation but were able to get a table right away... reservations seem to be the way to go in Prague. Pro - the food was really good. Cons - smoking in the restaurant... it's nice that we've become accustomed to clean air with the occasional smoker this place however had more of a club atmosphere including inescapable smoke.
Cantina (Mexican) - Ujezd 38 (Mala Strana, almost across the street from Noi), tel: 257 317 173, www.restauracecantina.cz
Make a reservation! Fun decor/atmosphere, good food but nothing to write home about. A solid, safe bet.
Bohemia Bagel - Lázeňská 19 (Malá strana, just a few steps from Charles Bridge), tel: 257 218 192
Open: Mon-Sun 7:30-18:00
We were so excited to have real bagels! It's the real deal... sesame seed, everything, asiago cheese, plain, and so on.
Sight-seeing
Most things are open year round with different closing hours depending on the season. Only thing to be aware of is the Jewish Quarter in Stare Mesto (Old Town). In the winter the museums and synagogues close at 4pm on Fridays and are closed all day on Saturdays... something we'll have to go back to Prague to visit.
It is worth it to get up early one morning, grab a Starbucks and enjoy the Charles Bridge (Karluv Most) when it's not crowded.
More details are in my other Prague posts!
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