Is there a sea in the Czech Republic? Czech Republic: recreation and tourism in the Czech Republic. Climate and geographical features of the Czech Republic. Medical resorts and shopping in the Czech Republic

To apply for a visa, you must go through the procedure for taking biometric data (fingerprints and digital photography) at the visa center.

Czech Republic - heart old Europe. No country on the European continent has preserved so many buildings and cultural traditions in their original form. "Golden Prague" is not inferior to Vienna.
4 large rivers flow in the country, 2500 castles are located, more than 50 resorts operate, mountains and springs compensate for the absence of the sea. Tours to the Czech Republic are popular all year round: the capital and resorts, museums and palaces, restaurants and breweries are visited by millions of guests.

Sightseeing tours of cities and castles
The territories of the kingdoms of Bohemia, Moravia and the Principality of Silesia have preserved their pre-war charm; excursions to local cities, castles and nature reserves impress experienced tourists.

Prague is a city of 100 towers, gothic and baroque buildings, bright roofs and glossy pavements, majestic bridges, cozy gardens (local parks) and atmospheric restaurants. The romantic part of the city is located on the left bank of the Vltava - Mala Strana and Hradcany Castle. The right-bank part of the capital attracts tourists with the Old and New Towns, cathedrals and squares.

Brno - ancient capital Moravia is interesting for its luxurious cathedrals, squares that have preserved ancient monuments, museums and the Spielberg castle, the city hall and karst caves.

Traveling through the castles can be singled out as a separate route or included in sightseeing tours. Since medieval fortifications are excellently preserved in absolutely all regions of the Czech Republic, you can visit nearby fortresses in any city. It is worth seeing the interiors of palaces and well-groomed gardens, visiting museum expositions and viewing platforms.

Most beautiful castles Czech Republic:

• Deep-over-Vltava;
• Karlstein;
• Krumlov;
• Krivoklat;
• Konopiste;
• Orlik;
• Lednice;
• Telc;
• Chateau Baroque;
• Khvalsky;
• Litomysl;
• Mnichovo-Gradiste.

You can get acquainted with the sights of the Czech Republic at any time of the year, but the most picturesque period is spring and autumn.

Treatment and SPA in Czech spas
Rehabilitation and relaxation in hotels and spa resorts in thermal springs With mineral water takes place in Karlovy Vary and Marianske Lazne. Tours to the resorts of the Czech Republic have been popular with Europeans and Russians since the days of Austria-Hungary.

In Karlovy Vary, the composition of mineral water is identical in a dozen springs, and the saturation carbon dioxide and temperature is different. Vacationers drink water and take therapeutic baths in numerous sanatoriums and spa hotels. The city has a polyclinic, a balneological clinic, pump-rooms.

Marianske Lazne (ex Marienbad) is the second most popular balneological resort in the Czech Republic, located next to Karlsbad (less than 50 km). There are 40 springs here, and another 100 are located in the district. For wellness procedures, local peat and mud, inhalations with healing gas, and baths are used.

You can relax with the whole family, improving your health and gaining new impressions, at any time of the year. In summer, the number of tourists is much larger.

Gastronomic tours to the Czech Republic
During the winter holidays (from mid-December to mid-January), the number of travelers in the country increases, and gastronomic tours in the off-season will bring more fun. Gourmets will not be able to resist getting acquainted with local treats and iconic Czech drinks:

• beer;
• slivovitz (brandy);
• Moravian wines;
• fragrant Becherovka;
• herbal absinthe.

Taste pork knuckle, sweet and sour soups in bread, dumplings with cabbage and local cheeses are invited by city restaurants and pubs. At fairs and festivals, the squares of the old town, tourists can taste Czech pastries and sweets. For beer, you can go to the brewery and taste the best varieties, because the drink in pubs is seriously inferior to it in taste and often does not meet the expectations of tourists.

Winter tours
In winter, outdoor enthusiasts flock to mountainous areas countries, here the season begins in December and ends in the height of spring. Most often, tourists buy ski tours to the resorts of the Krkonose, Harrachov, Spindlerov Mlyn and Liberec. Well-equipped mountain slopes, pubs, baths and entertainment for the whole family attract sportsmen and amateurs from all over Europe.

The Czech Republic is located in Central Europe, bordering Poland in the north, Germany in the northwest and west, Austria in the south, and Slovakia in the east. The landscape of the country is quite diverse. Bohemia, western territory Czech Republic, located in the basins of the Vltava and Laba rivers, surrounded by low mountains.

The eastern part of the country - Moravia - mainly lies in the Morava river basin, hills and plains prevail here. Rivers from the Czech Republic flow into the Black, Northern and Baltic Sea. The territory of the country is 78.9 thousand square meters. km. .

Ancient castles, neat streets with houses from the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm, world-famous Karlovy Vary, elegant porcelain figurines - all this is the Czech Republic. A strict culture and unshakable traditions reign here, joining which you can feel like a real native European.

The Czech Republic is one of the ten most visited countries in the world. Czech resorts - Karlovy Vary, Marianske Lazne, Podebrady and others are known for their healing waters, gases and mud, favorable climate and modern equipment. The landscape of these places is amazing in its beauty and diversity.

Wide valleys with a dense network of rivers and lakes are replaced by dense forests, hills and mountain ranges, keeping the age-old freshness and coolness of stalactite caves.

But, despite the popularity of Czech resorts, the main type of tourism in the Czech Republic is sightseeing and educational. Fortunately, there is no shortage of historical heritage. Most Popular tourist sites- architectural monuments. At the same time, it is difficult to find a tour that would provide a pure view of castles and other architectural sights. An indispensable attribute of sightseeing tours is beer tasting and acquaintance with Czech cuisine. Very popular are visits to breweries and Jan Becher's factory in Karlovy Vary, where the drink of the same name is produced - Karlovy Vary Becherovka.

Today, about 130 historical complexes take vacationers in the Czech Republic, each of which is unique in its own way. Some accommodation facilities are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List - for example, Cesky Krumlov, Telch, Kromneriz, Litomysl.

Brno is the second largest city in the Czech Republic, with a rich historical heritage. The administrative center of the South Moravian region. The main attraction is the architecture.

Kutná Hora is a city listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is famous, first of all, for its architectural heritage.

The main attraction is the Church of All Saints. This unique building is luxuriously decorated with human bones and skulls. In total, the remains of 40 thousand people were spent on "inlay"! Another grandiose monument of architecture - the Gothic Cathedral of St. Barbara - the second largest in the Czech Republic.

Kutna Hora is also famous for its "silver" history. Thanks to the deposits of silver ore, the city at one time mined a third of all European silver. Of course, it was not without the creation of a mint here, which is now a museum.

Český Krumlov is another UNESCO World Heritage Site. Perhaps the second attraction of the Czech Republic, after Prague. The city has not changed much since the 18th century. On a rather narrow S-shaped cliff along the Vltava River, over six centuries, about 40 buildings and palace structures were built, united in a single complex around five castle squares and a castle garden. One of the main attractions of the complex is the three-tiered bridge "On the Square", which is a covered corridor, 40 m high and 30 m long, connecting the castle with the garden and the court theater.

Czech Sternberg- Gothic castle on a rocky cape in the valley of the Sazava River, founded in the 13th century. Included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Over time, after a series of reconstructions, it absorbed many different styles into its architecture and interiors - from baroque to renaissance. The castle has a unique collection of guns and hunting trophies.

Pilsen is a historical city, the "beer capital". Administrative center of Western Bohemia. The main attractions are architecture and beer.

Liberec is the administrative center of the Liberec region, with the remnants of German flavor. The main attractions are one of the largest zoos in Europe, the zoological and botanical gardens, an ancient castle, the town hall of the late 19th century, a local history museum, and an art gallery.

Olomouc is one of the oldest and most beautiful cities in the Czech Republic, the administrative center of the Olomouc region. The city is often referred to as the quieter and more peaceful Prague. The main attraction is the architecture.

In the town of Jablonec, at a glass factory, skillful glassblowers will create real masterpieces before your eyes, and in the town of Melnik you will try yourself as a wine taster.

České Budějovice is a historical city, the administrative center of the South Bohemian region. The main attraction is the architecture. For example, there is the Castle Hluboka nad Vltava, made in the English style, graceful and beautiful, like its creator, Eleonora Schwarzenberg, the most beautiful woman of the 19th century.

And finally, Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic. Prague is one of the most beautiful cities peace. At the beginning of the 19th century, Bernardo Volzano counted 103 towers in Prague and thus the city acquired the name "City of a Hundred Towers". There are currently over 500 of them! The ancient core of Prague is well preserved and forms a unique protected architectural ensemble. The center and the historical part of the city are the complex of the Prague Kremlin - Hradcany on the left bank of the Vltava River, the colorful Mala Strana, and on the right bank - romantic and mysterious Old city(Stare Mesto) and the New Town (Nove Mesto), which is the commercial heart of Prague. These historical places, plus Vysehrad and the Jewish Ghetto, have been included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List.

The "common" attraction of the Prague "cities" is the Royal Road. According to the rule established by Charles IV, the coronation procession of the new king began at Vysehrad and followed this path to Prague Castle. In Stare Mesto Royal the road goes from the Powder Tower along Celetnaya Street to the Old Town Square and along Karlova Street leads to the Charles Bridge.

Prague Castle(Hradcany) is the third chronologically Prague district, stretching along the top of a hill on the high left bank of the Vltava. Here is the majestic Prague (formerly Royal) Castle - the largest fortress in the Czech Republic, historical, political and Cultural Center Prague and the whole country, founded in the 9th century. One of the most favorite places of Hradcany among tourists is the Strahov Premonstratensian Monastery on Pogorzelec (founded in 1140, rebuilt in the 17th century) with the Museum of Czech Literature (1679). On the territory of the monastery are the majestic churches of St. Roch and the Ascension of the Virgin, as well as the famous Baroque library, which contains more than 30 thousand manuscripts, incunabula and books.

Gradchanskaya Square, which lies at the entrance to the Kremlin, has still retained its medieval layout, although after the fire of 1541 its buildings changed radically - the houses of the townspeople were replaced by the houses of the nobility and church hierarchs. On the square in the Schwarzenberg-Lobkowitz Palace (1563) there is now the Military History Museum, and on the opposite side of the square there is the Sternberg Palace (XVII-XVIII centuries) with National Gallery, which has a large collection of European art. The architectural pearl of the square is the archbishop's palace of the 16th century.

The famous Teresian Palace, built in the style of Viennese classicism, is located in the first ("Honorary") courtyard of the Castle. Matthias gate leads to the second courtyard - the first baroque construction in Prague (1614). There is a chapel of the Holy Cross (1763) and two fountains - in the Baroque style and a modern one (1967), as well as a well with a forged domed lattice - a work of the Renaissance (1719).

In the third courtyard (the oldest part of Prague Castle) is the famous Cathedral St. Vitus is the "visiting card of Prague", an impressive Gothic building, the oldest part of which is considered the chapel of St. Wenceslas, in which this "folk Czech saint" was buried in 932, this grave soon became a center of pilgrimage.

After visiting the Cathedral of St. Vitus, it is worth taking a look at the "Golden Lane" - several tiny houses, almost built into the fortress wall and painted in bright colors. According to legend, the alchemists of Rudolph II lived here, trying to find " philosopher's Stone". Franz Kafka lived in house number 22 in 1912-1914.

In the Royal Garden of the Kremlin is the Summer Palace of Queen Anne ("Belvedere"), built in 1538-64. - the best example of Italian Renaissance architecture. In front of it there is a "Singing Fountain", the falling drops of which supposedly repeat the ringing of Prague bells. The ancient Powder Bridge, originally wooden, led across the moat to the garden outside Prague Castle. At the entrance to the bridge there is a tower, which now houses a permanent exhibition of handicrafts from the time of Rudolph II and an exhibition on the history of the Powder Tower itself - one of ancient structures capital Cities. Nearby is the building of the Lion's Court (1583), where forest predators were kept during the time of Rudolf II.

The Prague City Gallery today occupies a number of buildings - the house and villa of the Czech painter and sculptor Frantisek Bilek (1872-1941), the old town hall and special rooms in the municipal library, as well as ancient architectural monuments with typical Czech tempting names: House of the Stone Bell ( used as an exhibition hall), the House of the Golden Ring (20th-century Czech art) and the Troyan Castle (19th-century Czech art).

The People's Technical Museum tells about the invention and development of the telephone, television, radio, camera, and cinema. The museum has an equipped television center where everyone can try himself as a cameraman or TV presenter. Museum wax figures in the very center of Prague, next to Wenceslas Square, is proud of its collection of "copies" of many historical figures - the Czech princess Libushi and Charlie Chaplin, the brave soldier Schweik and Stalin, Lenin and Albert Einstein, and many others are represented here. The Czech Glass Museum is open on the Old Town Square.

The Prague Castle Picture Gallery is located in the second courtyard, opposite the Chapel of the Holy Cross. Here you can see paintings from the Rudolf Gallery and the collection of Ferdinand II - best work Jacobo Robusti, Titian, Brandl, Veronese, Rubens and other great masters. The Museum of Czech Literature is located in the Strahov Monastery on Pogorzelec.

Prague is the city of the oldest pubs in the world, between which special "beer routes" are laid. This is the city of the soldier Schweik, paved bridges, stone houses and Charles Bridge. Of all European cities, it is perhaps the friendliest.

Having studied tourism potential Czech Republic, it can be concluded that given country has all the necessary resources for organizing sightseeing and educational tourism and attracting foreign tourists. That is, the Czech Republic, as the direction of the Belarusian outbound tourism is a very popular destination.

Based on the foregoing, we can conclude that sightseeing tourism is playing an increasingly prominent role in the regional economies of states, and Czech Republic is no exception. The tourism industry is one of the economic forwards, creating an impressive part of the gross domestic product.

Excursion tourism, in particular outbound tourism, in turn, occupies a significant place in international relations and is not only a popular form of recreation, but also an actively developing area of ​​the world economy.

Excursion tourism has come a long way in its development and today is one of the most successfully developing branches of tourism. Like any other area economic activity, the tourism industry is a very complex system, the degree of development of which depends on the degree of development of the country's economy as a whole.

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Holidays in the Czech Republic in 2019

Holidays in the Czech Republic in 2019

Holidays in the Czech Republic

The Czech Republic is one of the most popular countries among Russian tourists. It attracts, first of all, with its amazing architecture and mentality, very close to Russian. Rest in the Czech Republic turns out to be quite budgetary, and no less interesting than holidays in other European countries.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages

Flaws

• Not far to fly from the European part of Russia
• Very beautiful architecture
• It is interesting to relax even just in Prague without going to other cities
• There are opportunities for therapeutic and active recreation
• Culture very close to Russian
• In many places they speak Russian, some moments from the Czech language are generally understandable to Russian speakers
• Unlike other European countries, there are practically no problems with refugees
• Delicious local food and beer
• Quite low prices for tours in comparison with many other destinations

• There are not so many places where to relax in the Czech Republic, basically everyone stops in the capital or Karlovy Vary
• There is no special exotic, the culture is very close to Russian
• Many Czechs do not know either Russian or English, so there may be problems in communication
• No worthy beach resorts
• On New Year's Eve May holidays and in the middle of summer there are a lot of tourists
• Tourists are often deceived when exchanging currency
• IN Lately, according to tourists, the attitude of locals towards guests from Russia has worsened
• The level of service is not always high enough, especially in shopping centers

Climate

The country is located in the temperate zone, at the point of transition from continental to maritime. Almost everywhere the climate is even, mild, warm in winter and not too hot in summer. There are no pronounced seasons with precipitation, so the Czech Republic is suitable for recreation all year round.

Prague

Where to relax in the Czech Republic, if not in Prague? The capital of the country, one of the most big cities in Central Europe has been attracting tourists for many years. Prague was hardly damaged during the Second World War, and this makes it even more interesting. At the same time, antiquity and modernity are organically combined here, which makes the city attractive to young people.

Attractions

Staroe Mesto is the main historical district of the city. You should definitely visit the Old Town Square with its sights - the town hall and the temple. And it’s definitely worth just strolling through the streets - visit the Josefov quarter and the Jewish cemetery, look at the St. Nicholas Cathedral and be sure to climb the Charles Bridge.

It will definitely not be possible to list all the sights of the city within the framework of the article, so we will turn your attention to the Prague Castle, Vysehrad Fortress, Wenceslas Square, the National Theater and monuments of modern architecture - the Dancing House and the Petrin Tower. In general, you can walk around Prague in any direction - and you will definitely find something interesting.

There are a lot of museums in the capital, of which the largest is the National Museum. Interesting to visit the museum of Mozart, Czech music, technical, wax figures, Czech glass, medieval history, literature. Adults are advised to visit the Museum of Erotic Toys and the Museum of Torture Instruments. But with children you can go, for example, to the Chocolate Museum, alchemists and magicians, ghosts and legends and the Toy Museum.

In general, there are a lot of opportunities for families with children in the capital. Great place there will be Children's Island - real island with many attractions. Children and adults will have fun in the Aquapalace or Dinopark water park.

If you want to admire the animals, then you should visit the city zoo, which is truly unique, or the Morsky Svet Aquarium.

shopping

Shops in Prague look very nice, even ordinary souvenir shops. Shopping here can be done in different ways. If you want to buy something traditional, then go to the Lapiz Diamond factory, where they sell cheap pomegranate jewelry and Bohemian glass. European brands can be bought on Parizhskaya Street, in shops on Wenceslas Square and in the shopping centers Palladum, Kotva, Chodov, Letnany and others. Cheaper shopping is available on Přikope Street. It is also interesting to buy sweets and toys at Christmas markets if you have chosen the Czech Republic for Christmas and New Year holidays.

Sales in the capital are mainly in April, July, October and the end of December.

Karlovy Vary

Many tourists answer the question “Where to relax in the Czech Republic” - definitely in Karlovy Vary. This perfect place in order to improve your health and spend time in peace and quiet.

Treatment

A variety of diseases can be treated at the resort, but local water is the best way to cope with problems in the digestive system. There are various geysers and springs, water is used for baths, hydrotherapy and drinking. Also, the local nature and climate have an additional healing effect - doctors even prescribe walking along specially designed routes.

Attractions

The city has several ancient buildings, for example, the Castle Tower - however, it has been restored and is much more elegant than in antiquity. The symbol of the resort is the sculpture "Deer Leap". There is also an Orthodox church here, since the resort was very popular with Russians in the 19th century. Also noteworthy is the Geyser Colonnade with the largest geyser source in the city. The Mill colonnade, built in the 18th century, is also interesting.

If you want a more cultural holiday, then visit the local history museum or the Jan Becher Museum.

It is not very fun to relax at the resort with children or teenagers, but if you are relaxing with the whole family, you can send offspring to a special children's sanatorium. If you want something active, then you can go to the climbing wall, conquer rope park or take a dip in one of the city's pools. Family tourists are recommended Loket Castle and Diana funicular. A zoo is opened at the top of the funicular in summer. Well, in general, for entertainment and children's recreation, you can go to Prague.

shopping

There are few entertainments in Karlovy Vary, but the shopping here is very good. You can buy products from Czech glass, or you can buy things from European brands. Luxury shops are located in resort area, on the streets of Trziste, Divadelni Namnesti, Stara Louka. You can buy cheaper things on Masaryk Street. Well, for economical shopping is suitable shopping mall Variada or Tesco.

Spindlerov Mlyn

Interested in an active holiday in the Czech Republic? Then Spindlerov Mlyn, the best ski resort in the country, is right for you. It includes several villages and ski centers.

Skiing

Most of all, tourists like to ride in the regions of St. Peter and Medvedin.

The first is located on Mount Plan, at an altitude of about 1000 meters. 11 runs, of which two are black, four are red and five are blue. There is an area for cross-country skiing and snowboarding.

The second region, Medvedin, is a little less popular. One black slope, five red and one blue - the place is suitable for skiing more experienced skiers.

The lifts are open until 16:00, there are lifts to the pistes for evening skiing that are open until 9:00 pm.

Children can be left in local kindergartens, where they can be put on skis if desired. Of course, there are equipment rental points.

Attractions

There are not too many interesting places here. You can climb to the Kozi hrbety observation deck, go to the Snezhka mountain past the Lucni bouda shelter. Some tourists visit the source of the Elbe, one of the largest rivers in Europe.

You can actively take a break from skiing in the local water park with swimming pools, water slides and attractions for children.

Brno

Brno is the second largest city in the country after the capital. It used to be the capital of the Great Moravian Principality, and now it attracts tourists with its diverse architecture, beautiful squares and narrow streets.

Attractions

The city is interesting architectural monuments, some dating back to the 11th century. Tourists especially love the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, Spielberg Castle, Villa Tugendhat, Freedom Square and the old town hall, the oldest architectural monument. The local theater and the Parnassus Fountain in the city center are also very beautiful.

From interesting places you can go to the city planetarium, Botanical Garden, the City Museum at Spielberg Castle, the Moravian Museum and the Technical Museum.

If you like natural attractions, then take a walk to the Brno Reservoir or visit the caves of the Moravian Karst.

And the city is also famous for festivals, for example, a fireworks parade in early summer, a festival of flights to balloons or international festival Spielberg dedicated to symphonic music.

shopping

If you want to buy expensive brands, head to Galerie Vankovka, with its luxurious showrooms. Souvenirs are best bought at Olympia. If you need food and alcohol, be sure to visit Paneria, Interspar and Billa, or the Zelny trh summer market.

Cesky Krumlov

Attractions

The whole city is one big attraction, you can walk endlessly along its streets with elegant houses. Of course, there are places that are definitely worth a visit, for example, St. Vitus Church, Concorde Square with the town hall building, Latran district, Budejovice Gate, castle complex and others. You can also visit museums, for example, the Wax Museum, the Vlatvin Museum (a unique mineral), the Museum of Local Lore, the Fairytale House and the Graphite Mine.

shopping

There is no special shopping here - basically you can make purchases in souvenir shops. You can buy beautiful calendars at the Seidel Photo Studio Museum. And for a beer, you can go to the local brewery Eggenberg.

Question: Many Russian tourists have a very limited understanding of the Czech Republic - if they go somewhere, it is to Prague or Karlovy Vary. Are there any less popular, but no less interesting resorts which would you recommend to visit?

Galina Dekhtyar, Professor of the Department of Management and Service of the Institute of Industry Management (IOM) of the RANEPA answers:

“Choosing a place to spend a holiday in the Czech Republic is based on the purpose of the holiday and financial possibilities. You can stay at major city with a lot of tourists, where the main attractions of the country are located, or in a quiet corner surrounded by mostly locals, away from the hustle and bustle. Travelers looking for relaxing holiday, you can visit one of the towns of the Czech Republic (Karlovy Vary, Brno, Cesky Krumlov, Ostrava, Pilsen, Liberec, etc.) or on the outskirts of Prague.

A major tourist center is Prague, with its museums, parks, churches, bridges and many other ancient and modern sights. All other cities in the Czech Republic are neat and small, where you can find housing on your own.

Young and active tourists should go to Prague, closer to tourist places, to the center of entertainment and vibrant nightlife.

In addition, you must consider the purpose for which you are going to go to the Czech Republic.

If the main task is to see the main attractions of the state, then definitely you need to stay in Prague. No less interesting are such tourist places as Czech Budejovice, Karlovy Vary, Brno, Czech Krumlov, etc.

If you have a Schengen visa, you can travel and visit other countries: Austria and Slovakia from Brno, Austria and Germany from Cesky Krumlov, Karlovy Vary close to Germany, Liberec - to Poland and Germany, etc.

In addition to the famous health resorts of Karlovy Vary, you can visit Marianske Lazne.

Among the ski resorts, it is worth noting Liberec and Spindlerov Mlyn, where there is a good infrastructure for winter sports.

However, it is worth recalling that a visit to Prague will be a bright addition to the knowledge of the Czech Republic for any traveler.”

Souvenirs

To make your stay in the Czech Republic memorable for a long time, you definitely need to bring a few souvenirs from here. Here are the most popular options:

Albums, calendars, T-shirts, magnets

Featuring local attractions. Tourists also love caps, bags and sweatshirts with prints.

Prints, watercolors and mini-paintings

By the way, it is better to buy the latter not on the Charles Bridge - they are very expensive there

"Stone" flowers from Karlovy Vary

Works by local craftsmen

Cosmetics

Used in the manufacture thermal waters

Crystal and Bohemian glass

Vltavin stone

Bijouterie

Hedva men's silk ties

Shoes, belts, gloves

And other genuine leather accessories

Medieval antiques, coins, silver, pipes

Art supplies for creative people

Czech beads are especially good

Dollhouses and the dolls themselves

Czech beer and local wines

Becherovka

Mole figurines from a children's Czech cartoon

Visa and customs

Russian citizens need a Schengen visa to visit the Czech Republic. Getting a short-term visa to the Czech Republic is quite simple, it allows you to stay in the country for up to three months.

Customs regulations standard. You can import and export currency unlimitedly, but large amounts must be declared. Goods for non-commercial use can be imported duty-free. It is forbidden to import products containing milk and meat (except for baby food and food for the sick). It is forbidden to export cultural monuments, antiques, art and products made of precious metals and gold require a special permit for export.

How to get there

By plane

The most convenient way is by plane - there are direct flights from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk, Yekaterinburg, Rostov-on-Don and many large cities. As a rule, everyone flies to Prague. Sometimes it is more profitable to fly with a transfer in some European country, but any transfer is associated with the time spent.

By bus or taxi

You can get there by bus from Moscow. There are flights to Prague, Karlovy Vary, Brno. Buses also run from St. Petersburg. On the way, you will spend almost two days. By car from Moscow or St. Petersburg to Prague, you will have to drive at least two thousand kilometers, which is not very convenient. Moreover, it is much more pleasant to walk around the capital on foot, rather than driving a car.

Transport

The transport network in the Czech Republic is very developed, there are no problems with movement around the country and in cities. The country is small, so almost no one flies by plane - the maximum is between Prague and Brno. But rail transport is very profitable. There are four categories of trains:

• Osobni. Slow, stopping at every station;
• Rychlik and Express. The fastest;
• InterCity and EuroCity - comfortable and fast trains. Tickets for them are expensive;
• Pendolino - very fast trains, tickets are also expensive, but the cars are very comfortable.

Train tickets are sold in vending machines almost everywhere, you can buy them online. Various bonuses help you save.

Bus transport is very developed, there are state cars and buses of private companies. The latter are more convenient, with additional services. Tickets are sold at the box office or from the driver. Buses can take you almost anywhere.

In cities, transport is also well developed. In Prague, it is represented by metro, trams, buses and a separate cable car. The tram is especially loved by locals and tourists. There are many night flights. Buy single travel tickets - save. On weekends and holidays, there are noticeably fewer cars on the routes.

IMPORTANT: Sometimes tourists are given a banknote of 50 crowns - do not take it, it is no longer in use.

Cuisine and restaurants

Many people choose to relax in the Czech Republic in order to try the local varied and plentiful cuisine. Here is a list of must-try dishes:

• Garlic - garlic soup, which in different regions cooked differently. It is sometimes served in a loaf of bread;
• Dumplings - steamed bread made from regular or potato flour;
• Bamboraki - potato cakes with marjoram, reminiscent of potato pancakes;
• Baked boar knee - a specially baked pork knuckle, a very satisfying dish, ideal with Czech beer;

• Vepro-knedlo-zelo - pork with cabbage and dumplings;
• Pork ribs. Portions are usually huge;
• Svichkova on sour cream - a beef dish with a sauce of mashed stewed vegetables with milk or cream;
• Goulash, both pork and beef. Served with dumplings;
• Utopenets - marinated sausages, an ideal snack for beer;
• Fried cheese;
• Karlovy Vary waffles - real ones are served only in Karlovy Vary, cooked on local water.

You can try the local cuisine almost anywhere - everywhere there are cafes and restaurants, many stalls with street food. To save money, it is better to move away from tourist routes and eat at an institution for locals - both cheaper and tastier. Menus are usually displayed outside so prices can be compared beforehand.

How to save money in Prague

1. Even if you plan to stay here for only a week, buy a monthly pass - it costs like two three-day tickets, and with no time limits. No need to constantly look for ticket offices, worry that tickets have expired - saving time and effort;
2. Children under three years old and one accompanying person travel free of charge, but only with a special ticket;
3. It is very convenient to use Sberbank cards when withdrawing money at local branches. The course is normal, the commission is small;
4. From 11 to 14 in restaurants you can have an inexpensive and delicious business lunch;
5. If you do not pretend specifically to the local cuisine, then the cheapest way to eat is in Vietnamese and Chinese restaurants;
6. Souvenirs can be bought cheaper at the Havelska ulice market;
7. Near Franz Kafka Square there is an official exchange office without commission.

The "Big Three" of mobile operators in the Czech Republic includes O2, T-Mobile and Vodafone. As a member of the EU, the Czech Republic has ratified an agreement to abolish roaming between European countries. Therefore, now calls within the European Union are charged as local.

As for communication with Russia, a tariff from Vodafone applies specifically for tourists from outside the EU. This is an absolute favorite among guests of the Czech capital: a call to Russia will cost only 5 crowns per minute (about 15 rubles), within the country - 3.5 crowns. The cost of the SIM card itself is 200 kroons. The only drawback is the expensive internet on the tariff: 100 megabytes will cost 50 crowns. Therefore, if you plan to communicate in instant messengers, it is better to pay attention to the offer from T-Mobile: you will need to pay 12 kroons for a minute of conversation with Russia, and 100 kroons for 500 megabytes of traffic.

Buying a local SIM card allows you to save a lot, although prices in roaming of domestic operators have recently decreased, and you can find tariffs of 10 rubles per minute of conversation.

Language and communication

Despite certain similarities with Russian, Czech is not an easy language to learn. Some features make it unusual for our ear - for example, the absence of vowels in some words.

But it is quite possible to communicate with the locals. First, many words are similar in pronunciation. Secondly, almost all Czechs of the older generation understand Russian tolerably well - the fact that the country was in the socialist bloc after the Second World War is having an effect.

Features of the mentality

Czechs are typical Western Slavs. Throughout their history, they were in close proximity to Germany, and were also part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. This could not but affect the national character: the Czechs are hardworking, rational in everyday life and very thrifty in relation to money. Add to this the traditional European diplomacy and restraint, and you get a portrait of an average Czech.

Good nature (but not innocence) is another distinguishing feature of the Czechs: to be convinced of this, it is enough to visit one of the Prague pubs once. But not "tourist" - just there you will hardly find residents of the capital. "Untwisted" places can tell much more about the Czechs. This is a hospitable nation in a good way: having learned that you are Russian, first of all, they will kindly try to remember the last hockey match between the national teams, rather than the “Prague Spring”.

By the way, about pubs and restaurants - a nation that is so sensitive to the quality and size of dishes, it is simply impossible to suspect coldness or distrust of visitors. Come in and see for yourself.

Shopping. What is worth bringing?

There are a huge number of options, but let's pay attention to the main thing!

Czech crystal from Bohemia. That says it all. The Czech Republic really has the best crystal in all of Central and Eastern Europe. The possession of such a vase or glasses was the cherished dream of every housewife in the USSR. There is everything on sale - from cups to sets of wine glasses. Excellent products from the Moser factory and Karlovy Vary factories.

National products and dishes. First of all, cheese, but vacuum-packed. Be sure to buy a round of emmental or gouda - these cheeses are considered national treasure. Special attention give waffles, Czech sausages, strudel and large gingerbread in multi-colored glaze.

Alcohol. Original beer, Becherovka, Smikhovka, Slivovitz, cider - each region of the Czech Republic has its own local alcohol brand.

Jewelry. First of all, choose with a blood-red garnet: this stone is one of the symbols of the Czech Republic, and jewelry with it is simply magnificent.

Local kitchen. What to try?

Boar baked knee. Czech cuisine is always as satisfying as possible, but so much so! Huge pork knuckle (less than 1 kg - just bad manners), soaked in beer and baked with ginger and garlic. Garnish to taste: from stewed cabbage and boiled potatoes to baked apples. Accompanying - of course, beer.
Naturally, it is simply not possible to eat such an amount of pork alone, so usually a boar knee is ordered for 3-4 people. Connoisseurs choose the right knuckle: drumstick and part of the thigh with fat. Insanely delicious.

Svichkovo on sour cream. A real ceremony dish: beef tenderloin marinated in sour cream was stuffed with bacon and served at the very beginning of the “meat” season by candlelight, hence the name. A special role is played by the sauce - stewed vegetables in meat broth with the addition of cream. In this combination, Bavarian and French motives are felt - the proximity of these countries has significantly influenced the development of local cuisine. But still, this is one of the most delicious and tender meat dishes with a Czech character, because it goes well with dark beer.

Knedliks. An independent dish that has no analogues in Russian cuisine. It is easy to mistake it for bread without a crust (especially if it is served with sauce), and in some cases this is true.
Knedlik - perhaps the most versatile dish Czech cuisine: molded from flour or potatoes, steamed and has a variation in the form of dough balls with filling. In addition, they are often added to soups, as dumplings are very reminiscent of the familiar dumplings.

Fried cheese. Everything ingenious is simple, and in the case of fried Czech cheese, it is doubly so. Dip the cheese in a beaten egg, flour and send it to the pan - what could be tastier ?!
However, there are some secrets here: not any cheese is suitable for frying. Czechs are crazy about fat Hermelin and specific Olomouc varieties, which, after roasting, acquire a refined taste. Grilled cheese is the perfect snack for beer: you should definitely try it.

Trdelnik. A traditional pastry that is sure to be served with every tea party, especially at Christmas. You probably know what it is: a strip of yeast dough wound on a skewer has recently been gaining more and more fans in Russia.
With cinnamon, sugar, poppy seeds, chocolate paste filling or just confectionery topping - freshly baked trdelnik is great in any way. Gourmets recommend it as a substitute for a croissant for aromatic morning coffee. Try it!

Holidays and events

The Czech Republic has a large number national holidays associated with gaining independence and cultural and historical heritage of the country. Here are the main ones:

January 1 - New Year
May 8 - Victory Day
July 5 - Day of the Slavic Saints Cyril and Methodius
July 6 - Day of the execution of Jan Hus
September 28 - Czech Statehood Day
October 28 - Day of the emergence of the Czechoslovak Republic
November 17 - Day of Struggle for Freedom and Democracy
December 25 - Christmas

Unlike the countries of Western Europe, almost all establishments in the sphere of trade and services are open on public holidays. With a visit to the sights, too, there will be no problems. The only inconvenience may be related to non-working mail and banks.

Safety

The sharply increased standard of living in the Czech Republic has become a prerequisite for the so-called "migration crime". But even despite this, Prague is considered a safe city for tourists.

Most of the crimes recorded by the Prague police are fraud and theft. Keep an eye on personal belongings and do not communicate with strangers. Especially, oddly enough, with those who speak Russian well - the trust of our tourists in them, for obvious reasons, is especially high.

Do not take all the money with you: just in case, leave some in the safe in the room or at the hotel reception.

When exchanging currency, you also need to be careful: the euro / kroon exchange rate is very often unfavorable. We advise you to compare several exchange points and choose the one with the lowest commission. Count money immediately, as they say, without leaving the cash register!

"False police" fraud in Prague also takes place. Fraudsters demand documents from tourists, and then money for their return. In order not to be deceived, pay attention to the speech: real policemen will only turn to Czech and do not require documents from tourists. As a last resort, you can always call the police (number 158) or contact the Russian consulate in Prague.

1. The most favorable exchange rate for euros for crowns is in "Arab" exchangers. These stalls are painted blue and are easy to find. However, the money still needs to be counted.

2. If you walk around Prague on your own, pay attention to the payment system public transport. The cost of tickets depends on the duration of their validity - for 30, 90 minutes, 1 and 3 days.

3. Until 2017, smoking was allowed in public places in the Czech Republic. However, it has now been banned. At the same time, tobacco products are sold freely. Be careful: the fine for breaking the law is 5,000 crowns (about 15,000 rubles).

In conclusion…

The Czech Republic is unique not only for its sights and cuisine, but also for its well-deserved place in European history. It was here that the opening of the oldest university in Central Europe took place, and it was Prague that was one of the capitals of the Holy Roman Empire. The atmosphere of these and many other events of that time is preserved and preserved in Prague. Touching this amazing world is much more than just relaxing and eating delicious food!

The material used photos of praguecitytourism, pixabay and prague