Why
Travel to the Czech Republic?
Due to its location at the crossroads
of Europe the Czech Republic has a fascinating mix of tempestuous
history and varied, colourful culture.
It has many spectacular buildings and monuments scattered around
the country and more than ten places - including some entire towns,
Prague for instance - have been listed as UNESCO's World Heritage
sites.
Prague, the capital, is one of the Europe's most visited cities
but the rest of the country is still well off the regular tourist
route so its unspoiled nature is a great asset for outdoor activities.
The Czech Republic is relatively safe, good value, has excellent
transport, superb sights and both outdoor and indoor activities
in good supply.
Downside:
- Crowds in Prague, especially in July/August, are barely tolerable.
- The country is not a party place, other the wild and stag-ridden Prague.
- Service people are not, generally, brimming over with the milk of human kindness.
Czech
Travel Guide, climate:
Best: May - June, September
Worst: November - March [Many sights are closed, except Prague.] Avoid
July- August in Prague if possible, screamingly crowded.
Winter months can be fun in Prague if you don't mind extreme cold.
OK: April, October.
Length
of stay:
Minimum worthwhile stay, not incl. flights: Prague only or including
a quick whizz around the Bohemian states - 3 days
Recommended: Prague & nearby towns/Bohemian Spas - 7 days.
Czech main attractions:
Bohemia [the west]
***Prague, one of the world's most
photogenic cities, a lively, living museum of 900 years of central
European culture, with an superb mix of Gothic, Romanesque, Baroque
and Art Nouveau buildings. Full
info
***Kutna Hora is a small version
of Prague, with the finest Gothic masterpiece in Europe, Santa Barbora
[Barbara] Cathedral - even more spectacular than St Vitus. 1 hour
train ride from Prague.
***Cesky Krumlov, one of the Europe's
prettiest medieval towns, with streets lined with fairly-tale buildings.
A UNESCO World Heritage site. Better to take a bus, 1 hour from
Prague. [The train is slower.]
**Karlovy Vary, one of Czech's famous
trio of Bohemian spas, this is the oldest, largest and the most
popular, though overrun with tour groups.
Known for its therapeutic mineral waters since the 19th century,
many historic celebrities have benefited from it including Beethoven,
Bismarck, Karl Marx, Chopin and many more. The perfect place for
winding down after intensive sightseeing in Prague.
**Krivoklat [Krivoklatsko], a small
medieval town free from tour groups, with an imposing Krivoklat
Castle. It's worth a trip by train along the Berounka Valley through
the Bohemian forests - a UNESCO 'biosphere preservation' area.
There is a 18 km walk along the valley. 27 miles west of Prague.
*Tabor, an historic town formerly anti-Catholic,
Tabor has well-preserved Gothic and Renaissance architecture along
beautiful winding streets.
The word 'Bohemian' came from its excessive nonconformism.
Moravia
[the east]
** Moravske Slovacko [South Moravia]
One of the richest regions of central Europe for genuine, undiluted
folk traditions - and a lovely place to boot.
The area is an open air museum of local arts and culture in typical
villages, including colourful architecture, costumes, cuisine, folk
music and dance.
Try to go Straznice for its annual folk festival.
The local wine [especially white] is said to be the best in the
country, though not suited to the Bugbog palate.
** Moravsky Kras [Moravian Karst]
One of the most scenic area of densely forested hills, sliced by
gorges and with hundreds of caves, including some of the most spectacular
- Punkevni and Macocha Abyss.
A boat trip on the underground river is a popular way to explore
these caves.
**Telc, another UNESCO World Heritage
site, is the most picturesque town in the country, with a gorgeous
town square and a glorious Renaissance Castle. Founded in the 13th
century, it hasn't changed much since. It's a 2.5 hour bus ride
from the capital.
Activities:
Walking and Hiking: Nature in the Czech
Republic is still unsullied and its gentle hills, low mountains,
wild woodlands, lakes and canyons are great for hikes. Pretty much
everywhere is walkable, but the Sumava National Park in southwest
Bohemia and the Krkonose National Park in northern Bohemia are ideal
areas. Both area are on the list of UNESCO Biosphere Reservations.
Bohemian Spas: Karlovy Vary and Marianske
Lazne are best for spa culture, including architecture.
Alternatively try Frantiskovy Lazne, known for healing heart and
vascular diseases, gynecological diseases and infertility.
Or there's Jachymov for rheumatism and disorders of the nervous
system and the metabolism.
Climbing: The Sandstone Rocks of
Labe in northern Bohemia is ideal.
Caving: There are about 12 areas
of caves in the Czech Republic, connected by underground rivers.
Try Punkevni and Macocha Abyss in the Moravian Kras area north of
Brno, or near Olomouc.
Skiing: Downhill skiing [Jan- early
April] is cheaper than the rest of Europe, though facilities are
a few years behind the norm. The Krkonose [Giant Mountains] bordering
to Poland are the best-known ski resorts and among the best and
largest is Spindleruv mlyn, or Klinovec in the Krusne Hory mountains,
bordering to Germany. Try Sumava, Liberac or Novo Mest for cross
country skiing.
Night life: There are plenty of things
to see and do in Prague, but the rest of the country is quiet.
Main
Festivals in the Czech Republic:
May- June: Prague Spring International Music Festival, classical
music concerts in various venues; this is one of Europe's best musical
events, a must-see.
June: The Straznice folklore festival.
The best-known and the biggest feast of folk tradition, with music
and dance.
July: International Film Festival
in Karlovy Vary.
Sept, Mozart Festival, appropriate music played in the gorgeous
Bertramka Villa often visited by the M man himself.
For
some precise dates, more suggestions and information see
European Festivals
or Arts Festivals
Visas:
EU citizens and nationals of USA, Japan and New Zealand do not need
visas for visits up to 90 days.
Electricity:
Czech Republic electric sockets are mostly 220v and take 2 round
pin plugs.
Safety:
Violent crime is rare, but pickpockets and bag snatchers may take
advantage of carelessness in cities.
Language:
Czech is not easy to pick up, but do learn a few words...your effort
will be appreciated by locals. Otherwise you might try German since
it is the most widely-spoken alternative language.
Cuisine
Guide:
Chunky soup followed by meat [pork or beef] in a sauce served with
dumplings, potatoes or rice is a heavy but essential part of old
Czech cuisine. It's available in many pubs.
Beer [pivo]: Pilsner is the most popular local brew, but Budvar
- the original and tastier Budweiser - is Bugbog's choice!
Many pub/restaurants in Prague now serve dishes excluding dead animals.
There are plenty of good pizzerias, too.
If
you plan to travel in the Czech Republic you may find these other
Bugbog guides to Europe useful:
Hungary
Guide | Germany
Guide | Austria
Guide | Belgium
Guide
Italy
Guide | France
Guide | Romania
Guide | Czech Republic Tours
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