Tourism - How we do it
(Very) Important Information
Here you will find a number of suggestions and information to help you with your travel preparations.
A short extract from our Infosheet
How to get here
- By plane with a variety of companies, such as Czech Air, or a low cost provider such as Sky Europe or Smart Wings. (Details under www.volagratis.com www.skyeurope.com www.smartwings.net).
- By train, a somewhat expensive option.
- By bus with Eurolines, a little less comfortable, but economic. www.eurolines.it
- By plane with a variety of companies, such as Czech Air, or a low cost provider such as Sky Europe or Smart Wings. (Details under www.volagratis.com www.skyeurope.com www.smartwings.net).
- By train, a somewhat expensive option.
- By bus with Eurolines, a little less comfortable, but economic. www.eurolines.it
- By car:
different routes are possible. The ticket for Czech motorways costs 250
Crowns (about 10 Euro) and is valid for 15 days.
Necessary papers
Passport or national Identity Card. These should be valid for at least three months from the date for entry. Children should either be registered under a parent’s passport or have their own. Check the latest details in your country of origin.
Currency
The currency of the Czech Republic is the Czech Crown (korona). Despite joining the EU, the Euro is unlikely to be adopted before about 2010. Currently 1 Euro is worth about 25 Crowns. You should avoid changing money at the airport, in the hotel or in most of the bureaux de change and certainly on the black market. The best solution is to use a bank card in an automat or a credit card.
Crime
Prague is a very safe city from the point of view of personal safety; you can walk almost anywhere in perfect safety. You should beware of pickpockets however, who are very common in the most crowded streets and markets, and who are very adept at abusing the inattention of tourists (usually by causing some distraction, while a partner robs you). Some are obvious to see, but some are remarkably professional, with normal clothes and dressed with a camera around their necks to look like tourists themselves. Simply be attentive to your possessions and you will avoid unpleasant surprises, so: eyes open, Backpack and bags should be worn to the front and do not keep any wallet in your back pockets!
Health
Inform yourselves through your insurance system before departure how to avail of the Czech health system, should it be necessary.
Passport or national Identity Card. These should be valid for at least three months from the date for entry. Children should either be registered under a parent’s passport or have their own. Check the latest details in your country of origin.
Currency
The currency of the Czech Republic is the Czech Crown (korona). Despite joining the EU, the Euro is unlikely to be adopted before about 2010. Currently 1 Euro is worth about 25 Crowns. You should avoid changing money at the airport, in the hotel or in most of the bureaux de change and certainly on the black market. The best solution is to use a bank card in an automat or a credit card.
Crime
Prague is a very safe city from the point of view of personal safety; you can walk almost anywhere in perfect safety. You should beware of pickpockets however, who are very common in the most crowded streets and markets, and who are very adept at abusing the inattention of tourists (usually by causing some distraction, while a partner robs you). Some are obvious to see, but some are remarkably professional, with normal clothes and dressed with a camera around their necks to look like tourists themselves. Simply be attentive to your possessions and you will avoid unpleasant surprises, so: eyes open, Backpack and bags should be worn to the front and do not keep any wallet in your back pockets!
Health
Inform yourselves through your insurance system before departure how to avail of the Czech health system, should it be necessary.
Purchases
Bohemian crystal, amber and granat are the most typical tourist purchases, together with local handcrafts and Communist souvenirs: even if there isn’t so much to buy as their was just after the Velvet Revolution, there are still some beautiful things to be found.
Bohemian crystal, amber and granat are the most typical tourist purchases, together with local handcrafts and Communist souvenirs: even if there isn’t so much to buy as their was just after the Velvet Revolution, there are still some beautiful things to be found.
Eating and Drinking
Czech food is very tasty but quite heavy, being based mainly on meat of various kinds. Those with a sweet tooth will be very happy; those who rarely eat meat are recommended to eat in an Italian or vegetarian restaurant. The Czech Republic is a beer-drinker’s paradise: good quality, tasty and at an unbeatable price. The national drink is Becherovka, a sort of sweet medicinal drink, that some people like and others do not.
Weather
Typical continental climate, with long, cold winters and warm summers. Not particularly wet. In winter a fair deal of snow.
Language
Czech is a Slavic language and is not remotely like English, German or Italian, You will probably understand next to nothing, but do not panic, at least in the tourist areas of the City centre most people can speak enough English and German
Bars
The is one for every taste
What to see
As much as possible!
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