Czech Travel Info

VISTING:

Southern Bohemia
South of Prague you will find many charming towns that look like they are right out of a fairy tale. This area is known for the pretty man-made lakes used to raise their traditional Christmas carp.

Towns
Don’t miss Cesky Krumlov, a UNESCO World Heritage site, Ceske Budejovice, Jindrichuv Hradec (home of the original Budweiser), spend an afternoon strolling through picturesque Trebon, Pelhrimov, Tabor, Pisek, and Strakonice.

To be visited
There are many castles and chateaux to visit in Southern Bohemia: Hluboka, Orlik, Rozmberk, Cervena, Lhota, and Kratochvile. Also, be sure to check out Lake Lipno and the Sumava mountains.

Southern Moravia (Jizni Morava)
Southeast of Prague the small towns and villages of the area have retained their old world charm. You will see houses neatly painted with bright colors, as well as folks dressed in traditional folk wear. And if you are a wine lover, Southern Moravia is the place to be, as it is the country’s wine growing region.


Geography/terrain
The Czech Republic's central European landscape is dominated by the Bohemian Massif, which rises to heights of 3,000 ft (900 m) above sea level. This ring of mountains encircles a large elevated basin, the Bohemian Plateau. The principal rivers are the Elbe and the Vltava.

Climate
The climate of the CR is continental in character with hot and dry summers and very cold winters. The Palava area is the warmest and driest region of the CR and is said to have a subtropical microclimate. May through to September is the best time for cycling and walking in the CR. May is perfect for birds and wildflowers. If you are coming in May you cannot miss the bright yellow fields of rape. Views of the sunflower fields in July are amazing too. By mid June the water in lakes is warm enough for swimming. Hot summer days often bring spectacular, evening thunderstorms. The Baroque Opera Festival is held the last weekend in August in Valtice Castle. Late September is the time of the grape harvest with many wine festivals and burcák – young wine is widely available.

Food/beverage
Among meats, pork is the most traditional, but duck, goose and game are also extremely popular, especially on festive occasions. Many traditional Czech entrées are meant to be served with beer.
Potatoes have always been a staple of the Czech diet, despite the fact that Czechs are now eating less meat (to which potatoes are the traditional accompaniment) and more poultry, fish, fruits and vegetables. Potatoes are still the main ingredient in many popular Czech dishes, e.g. the savory potato pancake bramborak. Apple strudel and various kinds of bundt cake (babovka) are considered as traditional in Prague as they are in Vienna, and constitute one of the more cherished parts of a shared imperial heritage.

Public holidays
January 1 – New Year / Founding of the Czech Republic (1993)
April 20 (2006) – Easter Sunday
April 21 (2006) – Easter Monday
May 1 – Labor Day
May 8 – Liberation Day (1945)
July 5 – Day of Cyril and Methodus - bearers of Christianity to the Slavs
July 6 – Martydom of Jan Hus (1415 - burned at the stake)
September 28 – Day of Czech Statehood
October 28 – Founding of the Czechoslovak State (1918)
November 17 – Fight for Freedom and Democracy Day, "Velvet Revolution" (1989)
December 24 – Christmas Eve
December 25 – Christmas Day observed
December 26 – Christmas

Electric current
The electrical current in Czech Republic is AC - the cycle is 50Hz 220 V. A tourist carrying electrical appliances to Czech Republic should have a transformer, either obtained before leaving your country or bought at an electrical appliance shop in Czech Republic. Plugs have round prongs, not flat, therefore an adapter plug is needed.

Money: The Czech Republic is not yet in the European Monetary Union, therefore the local currency is still the Koruna, or Crown. CZK has the approximate value: 100 CZK is 3 EUR/4 USD.