The Best of Prague

Jack Messenger & Brigitte Lee
New Holland Publishers / Globe Pequot Press Inc. (2006)
ISBN 1845374339
Reviewed by Olivera Baumgartner-Jackson for Reader Views (10/06)

If you were looking for a perfect pocket-size guide to the magical city of Prague, look no further. “The Best of Prague,” by Jack Messenger & Brigitte Lee, is just that.

The format is perfect for tucking into a pocket or even the smallest handbag, and both front and back covers fold out. That’s where you will find some really useful maps, including such detailed ones as the floor plan of the St. Vitus cathedral, the statues on St. Charles Bridge and even the Prague Bridge. There are great transportation maps as well as detailed maps of several sections of the city.

The ‘Overview’ section is brief, but it should give you enough information for initial exploration of this magnificent city. There are detailed sections on ‘Highlights,’ ‘Sightseeing,’ ‘Activities,’ ‘Shopping,’ ‘Accommodation,’ ‘Eating Out,’ ‘Entertainment,’ ‘Excursions’ and ‘Travel Tips.’ Each of them offers a wide range of choices, and one should easily find something that would fit their budget. Every page holds a “shadow box” with additional information. In case of attractions those boxes provide a wealth of information, from the exact location to the opening hours, telephone numbers, web site address, closest Metro station and whether there is a fee being charged for the visit of the attraction. Most every page also has a photograph of either a building or a scene discussed in the text. The photographs are on the small side – which is consistent with the format of the guide – but they are beautiful and I am certain that they will prove to be very useful for the first time visitor who is trying to find his or her way through the virtual labyrinth of Prague’s winding streets.

All of the sections are well-researched and judging by my last visit to Prague in May 2006, also very current. That’s definitely a great thing and very much appreciated in a travel/guidebook.

I particularly loved the ‘Excursions’ section. Very often the visitors to the Czech Republic limit themselves to Prague alone, and in spite of the fact that one could easily spend a couple of weeks there, it would be a shame not so see some more of this fascinating country. The tips on where to go and how to get there from Prague should prove invaluable if one decides to do so.

I can definitely recommend this guidebook, “Best of Prague,” for anybody who wants to visit this golden city of hundred spires – or is it a thousand?

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