Czech Republic: Overview
The attractive Czech Republic is a landlocked country located in Central Europe which shares borders with Austria to the south, with Slovakia to the east, with Poland to the north and with Germany to the northwest and southwest. The country is divided in two regions, Moravia and Bohemia and offers, besides famous Prague, hundreds of unforgettable destinations and landscapes.
Climate
Czech climate is continental, characterized by humid and warm summers and cold and dry winters. In the mountainous and northern areas of the country winter is rawer with almost 50 days of snow. The finest months to visit the Republic are May, June and September; during April and October, in spite of being a little cooler, prices are lower. July and August are Czech holidays, so hotels and tourist resorts, especially the ones in mountain (Krkonose and Tatras) and the capital, are more crowded. However, low budget lodgings’ offers in the main cities increase during these months. Although mountain resorts and the main centres like Prague and Brno offer lodging the whole year round, many museums, castles and other tourist places are only open during high season.
Important information
According to their nationality each visitor will be allowed to stay in Czech Republic for a determined period of time without a visa. Nationals from Western Europe, Japan and New Zealand can stay for 90 days, while the nationals from the United Kingdom can spend 180 days in the country. A required visa will allow visitors coming from Australia, Canada and South Africa, among other countries, to visit the Republic for 30 or 90 days.
The official currency is the Czech crown (CZK), locally known as koruna. Most credit cards, especially American Express, Diners, MasterCard and Visa have an extended use, although it is recommended to carry some cash when you are outside the capital or the main tourist centers. Traveler's checks and foreign currencies can be changed in banks, official exchanging offices and even in some hotels (although with a higher rate). ATMs, also called "bankomats", are becoming more extended in Prague and they are the best option to get local currency without dealing with changing commissions.
Tipping in restaurants is optional and service is not included in the bills. A 10% of the total amount is enough as gratitude for a good service. Taxi fares are usually rounded up as a tip.
There are no vaccination requirements or important health issues for visitors to take into account. There is a sanitary agreement for citizens of the United Kingdom in hold of a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC); any other visitor should hire a medical insurance. Anyone visiting forest areas should take cautions against tick-born encephalitis. Some bird flu cases have been reported; although there is almost no infection risk for travellers you should avoid contact with birds and eat well cooked and hot any dish containing eggs or poultry.
There are no problems concerning safety and almost every visit to Czech Republic is trouble free. However tourists should be caution with pickpockets, especially in public transportations and crowded places.
Where to go
Famous Prague, of mysterious dead end-alleys and charming streets, offers hundred of possibilities to enjoy during weeks. One of the first things you must do in the capital city is visit the historical centre, where the different architecture styles tell a 900-years story. There you can see Staré Mesto (Old City), Vácklavské námestí, Hradcany (castle district) and Malá Strana (Chinese Neighborhood). Besides the Old City, there is also a New City full with museums, cafeterias and theaters worth visiting. You can also go to the districts of Holesovice, Vinohrady, Smíchov, Vysehrad and Troja.
Karst Moravo is an idyllic city of leafy hills located north of Brno. Besides enjoying its beautiful landscapes, it is also a good choice to visit the Punkevní area, where you can walk into deep grottos full with stalactites and stalagmites until you reach the foot of Macocha cliff, where the underground river Punkva ends. You can also go to the caves of Balcarka, Sloupsko-Sosuvské and Katerinská.
The magnificent Kutná Hour, located 65 km southeast of Prague, has many monuments commemorating the glory enjoyed by the city during the 14th century and a wide range of architectural styles. Some of the places you should take into account on your visit are imposing Saint Barbara’s Cathedral, the historical centre, a Gothic ossuary, the Ursulines Convent, Church of Our Lady and St. James, the medieval mines and Hrádek Mining Museum.
The Moravské Slovácko Region is one of Central Europe’s places where cultural traditions were better kept. Thanks to its welcoming and cheerful population, this region promises a pleasant stay to every visitor. Due to this it offers, besides attractive places to visit, many celebrations to enjoy as the festivals Vlcnov, Blatnice and Stráznice. There is also an important viticulture of vinné sklepy (family wine cellars) which can be visited, some of them underground.
The city of Krivoklát, built beside the Rakovnický Potok river, is another attractive tourist option. From there you can make a short trip to Krivoklát Landscape Protected Region, the forest-valley of Berounka, or to Krivoklát castle, which dates from end of the 12th century. Another short trip you can enjoy could be to Skryje holiday centre, going by the Nezabudice cliffs, the Týrov French castle and the town of Týro.
Karlovy Vary is the oldest thermal waters bathing resort in Bohemia and one of the most important in the country. Besides enjoying sulphur baths and many therapies, you can relax in the water of any of the twelve thermal springs, great for digestion and metabolism. Besides the thermal baths, this spa has important samples of imperial architecture as well as beautiful parks.
Festivals
There are several festivities to enjoy in the Czech Republic; among them, you can see the Paleni Carodejnic (Witches Excecutions) that takes place with bonfires in the outskirts of Prague on April 30th to keep evil spirits away. You can also attend the International Book Fair of Prague and the International Prazské Jaro (Spring of Prague)Music Festival, both in May; and the Prazsky Podzim (Autumn of Prague) in September.
