The Czech Republic is a small country with a very eventful history. This small area of land has been home to the Czechs, Germans, Jews and Slovaks throughout the years, as well as being the base for many Italian stonemasons, French tradesmen and even deserters from Napoleon’s army.

The country is around the same size as Scotland, and is one of the newest nations in Europe, having been part of Czechoslovakia until the so-called 'Velvet Divorce' of 1993. The modern day Czech Republic encompasses Bohemia, which makes up the western two-thirds of the country, and Moravia in the east, and is rightly proud of its cultural heritage, which has been represented by the likes of Dvorak and Kafka.


Situated in central Europe, the Czech Republic shares its borders with Germany, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Austria, and manages to pack in no less than 11 UNESCO World Heritage sites. Prague, the capital city, is in central Bohemia and sits on the River Vltava, which flows into the Labe north of the city.

Moravia is on the Morava River basin. The Morava rises in the northern hills close to the border with Poland, flowing south to where it joins the Danube at Bratislava. The main city of Moravia is Brno, the second largest city in the Czech Republic, after Prague. The official language spoken in the country is Czech, and some English and German are also spoken.

History
The Czech Republic is one of Europe's youngest states, and has only been in existence since 1993. Prior to its formation, the Republic was part of western Czechoslovakia, a relatively new country in itself, which was created when the Hapsburg Empire collapsed after World War I.

The capital city of Prague has a fascinating history which stretches back to the days of the Celtic tribes, as early as 400BC, but the city's golden age was during the time of Charles IV of Bohemia - elected Holy Roman Emperor in 1346. The development of the city during this golden age was responsible for some truly stunning gothic architecture, including St Vitus’ Cathedral, Charles Bridge, the University, and the New Town, transforming Prague into one of the most powerful cities in Europe.

The 20th century was a traumatic time for Czechoslovakia as the country was occupied by the Nazis during World War II and was subjugated under Soviet communist rule for nearly 50 years afterwards.

Czechoslovakia managed to oust the communist regime which had been in place since 1948, during what was called the ‘Velvet Revolution’ in 1989. There had been failed attempts previously, in the 1960s, but this Velvet Revolution was successful, perhaps in some part due to its non-violence, and following the softly-softly revolution, playwright Václav Havel became president. He remained in power until 2003. In 1993, Czechoslovakia split into two independent republics - the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic. This division of countries was called, in true Czech style, ‘The Velvet Divorce.’ The Czech Republic became part of the European Union in 2004.

Getting There
Prague Airport is 20 kilometres northwest of the city. There’s a shuttle bus which runs into the city centre and public buses which run every 10 minutes or so to the Zličín and Dejvická metro stations. Minibuses and taxis are also available, and some hotels have their own private shuttle-bus services.
For the latest visa requirements visit www.projectvisa.com

Money
The Czech Republic currency is the Crown (Koruna) which is 100 Haler. For current exchange rates visit www.xe.com

You can easily exchange foreign currency and traveller's cheques in most banks as well as in authorised exchange offices. Bigger hotels also offer exchange services. Traveller's cheques are accepted as payment in banks, but not very often in hotels or restaurants. If you want to avoid being charged extra fees, take your traveller’s cheques in US Dollars, Euros or Pounds Sterling.

Most major credit and debit cards can be used to exchange currency and they are also accepted as payment in some hotels, restaurants and shops, and at cash machines.

Banks are usually open from Monday to Friday 8:00 am – 4:30 pm, although some banks close early on Fridays.

Shopping
There is a tax of around 14 per cent on all goods bought in the Czech Republic. To be eligible for a refund of this tax, you have to live outside the EU and take the goods out of the country within 30 days of purchase. Bills must be confirmed at the airport before you leave.

The Czech Republic has some good quality antique shops, which you’ll find dotted all Prague, including several near the Old Town Square on the way toward the Jewish Quarter. There are still bargains to be had, but don’t expect to find anything at the rock bottom prices of years gone by.

The Old Town Market, like most of the country’s markets, specialises in fruits, vegetables, and flowers, but you can also find some sweet wooden toys and a selection of ceramic pieces and household bits and pieces. The best markets for crafts, embroidery, leather goods and toys are Havelská, and the craft stalls in Staromìstské námìstí. It’s also worth visiting one of the Christmas Markets in December, but watch out for professional pickpockets who are out in force around the markets at this time of year.

The Pavilion Shopping Mall is Prague’s first enclosed shopping mall. It was opened in 1994 and now has more than 60 shops and boutiques, with good quality brand names and designer fashion being some of the attractions.
Czech garnets are one of the country’s finer exports, and you’ll find fabulous examples of these gems all around Prague. Costume jewellery is also popular in the Czech Republic, along with the world famous Bata shoes which were originally made in Czechoslovakia by the Bata family. The business was moved to Canada after World War II but has now returned, and Bata now has a five-floor store at the base of Wenceslas Square.

Food and Drink
Traditional Czech dishes are usually a feast of hearty fayre – mostly meat dishes with Austrian and Hungarian influences, and pork and potatoes are the favourite ingredients. One Czech favourite is smažený sýr, literally fried cheese, which you’ll find on the menu at many restaurants and also available on fast food stands throughout the cities. Also look out for Svičkova - beef in a sour cream sauce - which is the national dish, and typically served with cranberries and dumplings.

Pubs and restaurants normally serve traditional Czech food all day long, and cafés offer lighter bites, with rolls and pastries if you're looking for breakfast food. Tipping isn’t compulsory, but it’s becoming expected in Prague and the bigger cities. Expect to tip 10 – 15 per cent if you’re happy with your service.
The legal drinking age in the Czech Republic is 18.

Where to Go
Almost everyone who visits the Czech Republic will end up staying in or visiting Prague, and it’s a good base as many day trips are possible from here. Quite apart from that, Prague is one of the most stunning cities in Europe, the ‘City of a Thousand Spires'.

There’s so much to see in Prague, that you can just wander around the well-preserved historic centre all day, doing a bit of shopping, some sightseeing, sampling a local beer or two and investigating some of the many museums.
The Old Town Square is a delight, with its gorgeous, colourful facades and cobbled streets, and to be fair it’s probably what most people visualise when they think about Prague – or indeed most main cities Central Europe. Many of the facades look Baroque but in fact the majority of the houses date back to medieval times when the square was the centre of the Bohemian world.

The Old Town square is where many Prague's most famous attractions are located, including the Astronomical Clock on the Town Hall (Staromĕstská radnice) which dates from the 14th century. According to legend, when the Astronomical Clock was finished, the councillors had its creator Mikuláš z Kadaně’s eyes put out so that he couldn’t repeat the feat in another city. Much of the original structure of the clock was destroyed when the Nazis set fire to it in May 1945 during the Prague Uprising.

The spires of Prague Castle, which was the seat of Bohemian government for a thousand years, can be seen all over Prague. It’s a major complex of buildings which features no less than three courtyards, as well as fortifications and gardens, and the famous St Vitus’ Cathedral, the country’s largest church. St Wenceslas’ Chapel contains the tomb of the country’s most famous patron saint as well as paintings said to depict scenes from his life.

The Charles Bridge is quite possibly Prague’s most familiar monument. Built in the fourteenth century, it was only connection between the two parts of Prague for four centuries. Decorated with more than 30 Baroque statues, including a bronze statue of the martyr St John of Nepomuk who was thrown off the bridge, the bridge is thronged with craft stalls and buskers which all add to the lively atmosphere.

Brno
Brno is the biggest city in South Moravia, and the second largest in the Czech Republic by population. It was founded in around year 1000 and is home to the spooky Špilberk Castle, the famous fortress that was once used as a prison. It’s said that many people were tortured at the castle, from all over Europe, mostly during the reign of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The castle has since been turned from the top European torture destination to a fascinating, if macabre, museum with a restaurant and an attractive park for visitors to explore. The silhouette of Petrov Cathedral, which is just ten minutes walk from the city centre, is the defining feature of the Brno skyline.


The Brno Old Town Hall, which sits in between the Cathedral, and the main station, features some of Brno’s favourite symbols – the dragon and the wheel. The cathedral also has a lopsided tower above the entrance. According to legend, the city council tried to cheat the mason who built the cathedral, and he decided to get his own back on them by deliberately making the tower slightly wonky...

Kutná Hora
Kutná Hora was once as important as Prague and London, when silver ore was first discovered here in the 14th century, which led to the creation of the Royal Mint. As a result, the town became the political, cultural and economic centre of Bohemia. Beautiful gothic and Italianate buildings line the cobbled streets, the most famous of which is the fabulous St Barbara’s Cathedral, built between 1388-1565 by the town’s miners, and intended to rival St Vitus’ Cathedral in Prague. If you have a macabre streak, you shouldn’t miss the monastic church at nearby Sedlec. Charmingly, the interior of the church is made entirely of human bones!

Český Krumlov
Český Krumlov is a beautiful town in Southern Bohemia. Similar to the city of Prague, it’s situated on the Vltava River and is full of charming Baroque buildings, some of which house lovely cafes and bars to relax in. It’s famous for its spectacular castle - the second largest in the Czech Republic - and the Old Town Square. Not much seems to have changed in this quaint little town since the 18th century, because the original buildings have all been so well maintained and restored where necessary. In 1992 Cesky Krumlov was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List and it’s another very popular tourist destination – in summer time it’s said that the tourists outnumber the residents.


Český Krumlov State Castle and Chateau is the most visited attraction in the town. There’s no charge if you just want to walk through the castle complex, but you can pay for a guided tour if you fancy seeing the interiors and the unique Castle Baroque Theatre, or want to walk up to the top of the castle tower. Before you get to the castle itself, there’s the Bear Moat, where you can see the famous Krumlov bears. The castle tower is hard work, but once you’re up there, you get a 360-degree view of the town.

Olomouc

Olomouc has a reputation for being one of the undiscovered gems of the Czech Republic. A visit to this gorgeous city will reward you with countless beautiful buildings, great culture (the town is also home to the Moravian Philharmonic Orchestra), and hundreds of restaurants, bars, and pubs. Although pretty much overlooked by most tourists, this charming university town has one of the largest and oldest historic preservation zones in whole of the Czech Republic. Olomouc lies astride the Morava River and was capital of Moravia until 1641. Legend claims that the city was founded by Julius Caesar, and the city was originally a Roman military camp.

Bouzov Castle

Bouzov castle, which is around 38 kilometres west of Olomouc, has stood on its hilltop for almost 700 years, and although there was some reconstruction in the 20th century, it’s still picturesque enough to be a popular location for filming fairytales.

A trip to the castle from Olomouc makes a great day out, combined with a visit to the Javořičko caves. There’s a 5 kilometre-long marked walking trail connecting the two, much of which is along a roadside through forest.

The Javořicko caves
The Javořicko caves were only discovered in the 1930s and they have since become a popular tourist attraction. Visitors are able to access around 800m of the caves using the concrete paths and steel staircases. The average temperature of the caves is a chilly 7.5 degrees so take something warm with you or you’ll spend the entire 45 minute tour shivering! The caves are also home to bats.

Helfštýn Castle

Helfštýn Castle is one of the largest castle ruins in central Europe and it’s also a cultural centre – the complex puts on a range of cultural events all over the summer, including Hefaiston; the International Blacksmiths’ Seminar and Festival.

The Litovelské Pomoraví nature park

The Litovelské Pomoraví nature park stretches around 18km from the city of Olomouc right through to the town of Litovel, along the Morava River. There are some lovely walking and cycling trails across the flood plains and through the forests, which tend to be very popular with locals. If you’re feeling weary along the way, you can always stop off at U Tri Mostu – a clearing with a horse riding ranch and an outdoor restaurant.

Karlovy Vary
Karlovy Vary is the most famous spa town in the Czech Republic, where you can choose from no less than 12 hot springs, as well as an open air thermal pool and the Castle Spa. The town’s name quite literally means ‘Charles' Bath’ – it was named after Charles IV, King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor, who founded the city in 1370.

The towns most famous past visitors are said to include Tsar Peter the Great, Emperor Franz Josef I, Beethoven, Wagner, Brahms, Tolstoy, and Marx. Along with Prague, Karlovy Vary was the location for many of the scenes in the Bond film ‘Casino Royale’ in 2006, even though they were supposed to have been set in Montenegro.

The delightful Church of St. Peter & St. Paul in the town is particularly photogenic, with its five golden domes and colourful exterior. The inside of the church is decorated with paintings and icons, all said to be gifts from wealthy Russian aristocrats.

There is certainly more to the Czech Republic than just Prague. Prague is an amazing city and if you only have time for a few days in the Czech Republic, it’s definitely a must-see. But if you’re lucky enough to be able to stay a little longer, make a point of exploring the charming little towns full of historical treasures, investigating the old castles, and making the most of a country that manages to combine centuries of history with being one of the newest countries in Europe. For information about the weather in the Czech Republic visit www.worldweather.org