During
the past few decades the Czech Republic has slowly been
emerging as a popular tourist destination, favoured
particularly by the discerning traveller seeking culture
and charm rather than pizzazz and parties.
Still,
though, most visitors tend to explore no farther than
the capital, Prague. Fewer than 10 percent of tourists
venture into the countryside, which means they are missing
out on a treat. Prague, westernised and cosmopolitan,
is a beautiful city of spires and a visual feast of
medieval, baroque and art nouveau architecture. Leave
the city behind and visitors find a magnificent undulating
landscape of mountains and plains, forests and farmland.
The
Czech Republic is divided into two geographic and cultural
sections, Bohemia and Moravia. Bohemian spa towns and
laid-back Moravian wine villages seem to be in a time
warp, welcoming visitors as though they are living museums
of a refined and relaxed rural lifestyle. There are
more than 100 castles dotted around the countryside,
ranging from forbidding fortresses to elegant chateaux,
all open to the public.
The
Czech countryside is also a major drawcard for hikers,
cyclists and cross-country skiers, with hundreds of
kilometres of marked trails networking the landscape.
Czech
Republic
The Czech Republic's capital and international showpiece,
Prague is one of the most popular destinations in Eastern
Europe. Its attraction lies in the physical beauty of
the city with 600 years of architecture amazingly untouched
by war. The centre has been designated a UNESCO World
Heritage Site and it demands to be explored on foot,
an entire outdoor museum of history and a haphazard
mixture of splendid architecture.
In
the 14th century Prague enjoyed a reputation of being
one of the most important cities in Europe, but after
the Second World War it disappeared completely behind
the Iron Curtain. Since the 1989 Velvet Revolution and
the end of Communism, Prague has thrown off the years
of repression with alacrity and is returning to its
earlier grandeur, enticing tourists with its fairytale
quality and romantic atmosphere.
The
historical centre of the city is compact and its attractions
are all within easy reach. The core comprises the Castle
District (Hradèany) west of the River Vltava,
and the Old and New town (Staré Mesto and Nové
Mesto) to the east, joined by the famous Charles Bridge.
The Castle District situated on the hill overlooking
the city incorporates the main attractions, including
the Castle itself and the Cathedral. The Old Town is
a maze of alleyways, cobbled streets and passages winding
their way towards the beautiful Old Town Square, Staromestské
Námestí. Josefov Ghetto, the old Jewish
Quarter, is enclosed within the old town. The New Town,
in contrast, is modern and has been laid out in wide
boulevards, most famously Wenceslas Square, the fashionable
shopping boulevard leading up to the foot of the grand
National Gallery.
The
city’s cultural scene also features high on the
list of things to do in Prague, with classical music
concerts, opera and ballet, as well as the many art
galleries around the city. It is constantly adding small
new museums to its summertime list, often strange but
curiously interesting. This beautiful city, a ‘symphony
in stone’, built along the river and on the surrounding
hills, has never ceased to capture the hearts and imagination
of visitors, painters, photographers and poets.
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Time:
GMT +1 (GMT +2 from the last Sunday in March to the
last Sunday in October).
Electricity:
230 volts, 50Hz. Round pin plugs with a hole for a male
grounding pin are standard. Most sockets also take the
standard European two-pin plugs.
Language:
Czech is the official language but English and German
are also widely spoken.
Health:
There are no vaccination requirements for international
travellers, and no major health risks are associated
with travel to the Czech Republic. A reciprocal health
agreement with the UK entitles citizens with a passport
and proof of residency to free emergency health care,
however medical insurance is still advised. Visitors
to forested areas should seek medical advice about immunisation
against tick borne encephalitis.
Tipping:
Tipping in restaurants is optional and no service charge
is added to bills. Gratuities of 5 to 10% are expected
if the service is good. Taxi drivers are tipped by rounding
up the fare at the end of the journey.
Safety:
The majority of visits to the Czech Republic are trouble-free,
although the country has a risk of indiscriminate terrorist
attacks, which it shares with the rest of the world.
On 1 August 2004 an explosive device in the centre of
Prague injured 17 people, including tourists. Petty
theft is on the increase, especially in Prague, and
visitors should be vigilant about their belongings particularly
on public transport and around the main tourist sites.
Communications:
The international access code for the Czech Republic
is +420. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant
country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). There
are high surcharges on international calls from hotels;
it is cheaper to use the public telephone boxes - phone
cards can be bought from newsagents. The local mobile
phone operators use GSM networks and have roaming agreements
with all major international operators. Internet cafes
are available in the main towns.
Currency:
The official currency is the Koruna (Kc), which is divided
into 100 haler. Most credit cards including American
Express, Diners Club, Visa and MasterCard are accepted,
but it is best to have cash handy when travelling away
from Prague and the main tourist centres. Travellers
cheques and foreign currency can be exchanged at banks,
change bureaux and some hotels; commission is highest
in hotels. Banks are closed on weekends. ATMs (known
as 'bankomats') are becoming more common in Prague and
are probably the best way to obtain local currency at
a good rate and without commission. The Czech Republic
is still cheap compared to the rest of Europe, though
the gap is closing.
Visa
and Passport:
Entry requirements for Americans: }US
citizens must have a valid passport (must be valid for
at least 90 days beyond period of intended stay). A
visa is not required for stays of up to three months.
Entry requirements for UK nationals:
British citizens must have a passport. No visa is required
for a stay of up to six months for travellers holding
a British Passport endorsed British Citizen or 'holder
has the right of abode in the UK' or 'holder is entitled
to re-admission to the UK'. In all other cases, passports
must be valid at least 90 days beyond expiry date of
the visa. A visa is required.
Entry requirements for Canadians: Canadians
must have a valid passport (must be valid for at least
90 days beyond period of intended stay). No visa is
required for a stay of up to three months.
Entry requirements for Australians:
Australian citizens must have a valid passport (must
be valid for at least 90 days beyond period of intended
stay) required. A visa is not required for a stay of
up to three months.
Entry requirements for South Africans:
South Africans require a visa as well as a valid passport
(must be valid for at least 90 days beyond expiry date
of the visa).
Entry requirements for New Zealanders: New Zealand citizens
must have a valid passport (must be valid for at least
90 days beyond period of intended stay). No visa is
required for a stay of up to three months.
Entry requirements for Irish nationals:
Irish nationals must have a valid passport or a special
(Emergency) passport. No visa is required for a stay
of up to 90 days.
Passport/Visa Note: All visitors must
hold an onward or return ticket and all documents required
for onward travel, and proof of sufficient funds to
cover period of intended stay. These must be produced
on request at border crossing points. Visitors must
sign a border crossing card.
Note: Passport and visa requirements are liable to change
at short notice. Travellers are advised to check their
entry requirements with their embassy or consulate.
Airports:
Prague Ruzyne International
Airport (PRG)
Location: The airport is situated 10
miles (16km) north west of Prague. Time: GMT +1 (GMT
+2 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).
Contacts: Tel: +420 220 113 314. Transfer to the city:
Cedaz minibus shuttles leave regularly for the city
centre; they can drop passengers off at hotels throughout
the city. Public buses have regular services to all
areas of Prague, however they are only advised for those
who know the city well. Taxis are also available.
Facilities: There are a number of shops,
bars, cafeterias and restaurants in the main terminal.
Bureaux de change, ATMs and a bank are also available;
the Travelex in the transit section is open 24 hours.
Mobile phones can be rented from the Arrival hall of
Terminal North 1. Conference and meeting rooms can also
be hired. Disabled facilities include wheelchairs and
a transit car; passengers with special needs should
contact their airline in advance. Parking:
There
are abundant short and long term parking facilities
at the airport. Short-term parking is available in front
of the north terminal, and there are more than 3,000
long term parking bays.
Departure
tax: None. Website: www.prg.aero
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