Czech Republic Travel Guide
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.
Main Festivals in 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
Activities Guide:
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.
Czech Republic Star Guide:
Monuments ***
Shopping and souvenirs **
Walkability ****
Food Quality and Variety ***
Value for Money ***
Hotel Prices and Value ***
Beaches hah!
Wildlife **
Landscape ****
Local People ***
Architecture ****
Safety ****
Nightlife and Clubbing **
Health Problems few
Museums ***
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.
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, except Prague.
Service people are not friendly.
Where to go:
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.
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.