I just returned from an 8-day trip to Prague and wanted to mention one particularly great guide I had. I did a 12-hour day trip with Michal of Real Prague Tours to Saxon Switzerland and Bohemian Switzerland, which are two nature areas north of Prague. Michal was the best of 7 guides (between regular tours and food tours) I experienced in Prague. He is young (in his 30's), and his family has lived for generations in the lands that make up the current Czech Republic. He is knowledgable, energetic, and personable; he possesses a pleasant, patient, kind disposition. His mother comes from a farmer's family who lost their land due to the Communists, and his paternal grandfather was a Communist party member. As we engaged in the nature activities of the trip, Michal shared his experience of modern life in the Czech Republic and his family's experience of life in Czechoslovakia. To me, it is so much better to get personal stories from a knowledgable native than to get second-hand stories from a non-native guide.
As for the day trip, we visited the gorgeous Bastei Bridge in Saxon Switzerland, hiked to a natural arch in Bohemian Switzerland, took a boat ride in a gorge, and ate some tasty Czech food. The activities were absolutely great, but Michal's guiding and stories made the day trip a very special experience.
Michal arranged a custom trip for me the following day with one of his colleagues. I wanted to visit Konopiště Castle to see the home of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Sarajevo 1914 fame and Tabor to see the fortified town of the Protestant Taborites. Michal worked hard to create a itinerary that allowed me to see what I wanted to see while having time to get back to Prague in time for an opera performance.
Michal also does transfers to/from Prague with stops along the way in his very comfortable van.
I hope to return to Prague in the next year or two. I will definitely look up Michal to do some additional private tours.