THE CZECH REPUBLIC TRAVEL GUIDE
The landlocked Czech Republic in Central Europe is a fascinating country with a rich history and some of the most enchanting towns and cities in the region. Prague is the capital and the main draw, with a fun old town and massive castle as well as a bustling nightlife and the country’s best hotels. Many people also come to the Czech Republic for its spa towns in Bohemia while the countryside is awash with mountains, rivers, lakes, forests and canyons which make for great walking and wildlife spotting.
* * * * * * * *
CZECH REPUBLIC WEATHER - When To Go
The Czech Republic’s mid-continental positioning brings a typical continental climate, with boiling hot summers and cold winters. Spring and summer - March to May and June to August - are traditionally wet while a fair amount of snow falls in wintertime (December to February). For the heat, get here in the summer. For fewer crowds and mild temperatures, visit in late spring and early autumn, while the wintertime is when you can enjoy the snow.
* * * * * * * *
CZECH REPUBLIC HIGHLIGHTS - Places to Visit
- Prague is the main attraction of the Czech Republic, as it is the largest and by far the most happening city. It has a comprehensive collection of museums and galleries and its fascinating old-world buildings display Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Art Nouveau styles. The town is split in two, with the Old Town (Stare Mesto) having most of the architectural highlights to the west and the New Town (Nove Mesto) with numerous shops, cafés, and theatres to the east. Other must-see parts of town are the Jewish quarter and Petrin Park.
The centre of Prague is pedestrian-friendly and is best seen from the walls of the lofty castle (Hradcany). The castle is the main landmark in Prague and the largest in the world, while at its base is a network of alleys ideal for exploring. The 14th century Charles Bridge (Karluv Most) is another major sight and has some excellent shopping at the market here, while St Vitus Cathedral and the University of Prague are also worth exploring.
Meanwhile, the River Vltava is plied by boat cruises, a wonderful way to take in the city from a different perspective. Entertainment options in Prague are diverse, featuring a multitude of bars and clubs as well as opera and other disciplines of the performing arts.
More details about Prague including useful web links can be found at our Visit Prague site.
- Bohemia is actually a region of the western part of the Czech Republic and encompasses the capital, Prague. It is essentially a huge basin featuring mainly mountains, rivers and quaint villages and offers fine opportunities for trekking and driving. Mountains inhabit the north, a gaggle of pleasant villages and great fishing mark the south, renowned spas are in the west and the Teplice-Adršpach Rocks are in the east. Bohemia completely surrounds Prague, making it accessible at all compass points.
- Karlovy Vary: located in the west of the Czech Republic and bordering Bavaria, Karlovy Vary shares its name with the region at large and is the oldest of the Bohemian spas. It is a very popular spot with tourists who mainly come to sample the health-giving properties of the hot springs. The town itself is attractive and set along a string of hills, with woods all around and canals running through it. Art Nouveau architecture is ubiquitous while outside town is excellent trekking country. Karlovy Vary is two hours from Prague and numerous day-tours are available from Prague-based travel agents.
- Kutna Hora: just east of Prague, Kutna Hora is another possible day-trip destination from Prague. Why visit here? To see something very bizarre, namely the Sedlec Ossuary. This basically is a small Roman Catholic chapel, located under the Cemetery Church of All Saints in the Sedlec suburb of Kutná Hora. Thousands of human bones and skeletons have been artistically arranged to form decorations and furnishings for the chapel. Defintiely a memorable sight! The nearby Mining Museum and the Santa Barbara Cathedral are also worth exploring while you are in Kutna Hora. Day-trips are available, but it is easy to get here yourself by train or bus from Prague in around an hour and then walk to the ossuary.
- Telc: the small 13th century World Heritage town of Telc in the southern Czech Republic is one of castles and narrow lanes. Many of the old Renaissance buildings in Telc town centre have never been changed and if there ever was a fairytale town, then along with Toledo in Spain this is it. An arched walkway and colourful two-storey houses encircle the town square while surrounding the town are shallow manmade lakes perfect for rowing on in the summer.
- Brno: located in the south, Brno is the country’s second largest city. The town centre is loaded with ancient buildings, churches, fountains, restaurants, theatres and pubs. The best thing about Brno is that it is very compact and foot power is the preferred mode of transport. One of the main attractions here is Špilberk Castle, a famous fortress where numerous people were tortured in its days as a prison. Brno has its own airport and is two hours southeast of Prague by road.
- Other Czech Republic highlights include the beautiful old town of Český Krumlov in South Bohemia; Pilsen (Plzen) in West Bohemia or Ceske Budejovice in the south for beer lovers and the vibrant riverside university town of Olomouc.
* * * * * * * *
CZECH REPUBLIC HOSPITALITY - Eat, Drink, Sleep
- Food and Eating Out: Czech food is hearty and heavily influenced by surrounding countries. All types of meat are commonly available but fish is somewhat scarce on most restaurant menus. Svickova (sirloin with sauerkraut and dumplings) is a Czech speciality, along with potato soup and apple strudel. Café culture is pretty big in most Czech towns. And the beer is great everywhere – and cheap! Make sure you try the dark beer for something a bit different.
- Entertainment and Nightlife: Many people come to the Czech Republic, and especially the Bohemia region, for the world-famous spas owing to their health-giving waters. On the nightlife front, all towns and cities buzz with bars and clubs and the beer drinking culture here is strong. Prague is a big hit with those in search of a party.
- Accommodation: Plenty of accommodation is available in Prague, keeping prices relatively low by Western standards. Prague is a backpacker-Mecca, so plenty of hostel accommodation is also available for those on a budget. Further afield, accommodation is less plentiful, so it pays to plan ahead, especially in the summer months. Overall, accommodation in the Czech Republic is good value for money.
* * * * * * * *
CZECH REPUBLIC FLIGHTS - Flying from the UK
To compare flight prices from UK airports to the Czech Republic, try the useful Skyscanner website.
Also try travel sites such as Expedia.co.uk or Netflights for flight deals to Prague and the Czech Republic.
|
