Czech Republic Overview ‘A new country with a glorious past’ Tourism in the Czech Republic really dates from the 1989 Velvet Revolution and has largely focused on Prague (near the middle of Bohemia), with its great museums, galleries, concerts and other attractions. Many day trips are possible from Prague, including the great western spa towns of Karlovy Vary and Mariánské Láznì, early settlements like Kutná Hora and castles like Karlštejn. However, the rest of the country has much to offer the independent traveller. Although prices have risen over the past decade, the country still represents very good value for money. The Šumava Mountains of south Bohemia offer excellent rambles and a range of sports, as well as well-preserved medieval towns like Èeský Krumlov. Northeastern Bohemia’s mountains, like the Èeský Ráj, offer superb hiking amidst unusual scenery. In Moravia, the eastern half of the country, life is even less hectic; Brno provides an excellent base for exploring important historic towns like Olomouc and Kromìøíž. The country possesses an immense number of fascinating castles, churches and other architectural gems. It has always been known for its musicians, and there are an enormous number of all types of concerts and festivals to choose from. Best of all, the Czechs are an extremely hospitable people, eager to make any visit as enjoyable as possible. Jon Gillaspie General Information Area: 78,866 sq km (30,450 sq miles). Population: 10,278,098 (1999). Population Density: 130.3 per sq km. Capital: Prague. Population: 1,186,855 (official estimate 1999). GEOGRAPHY: The Czech Republic is situated in central Europe, sharing frontiers with Germany, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Austria. Only about one-quarter of the size of the British Isles, the republic is hilly and picturesque, with historic castles, romantic valleys and lakes, as well as excellent facilities to ‘take the waters’ at one of the famous spas or to ski and hike in the mountains. Among the most beautiful areas are the river valleys of the Vltava (Moldau) and Labe (Elbe), the hilly landscape and rocky mountains. Bohemia, to the west, is one of two main regions. Besides Prague, the Czech capital, tourists are drawn to the spa towns of Karlovy Vary and Mariánské Lázne, and to the very beautiful region of South Bohemia. The Elbe flows through eastern Bohemia from the Krkonoše/Giant mountains, one of the most popular skiing regions. The eastern part, the rich agricultural area of Moravia offers a variety of wooded highlands, vineyards, folk art and castles. There are many historic towns such as Olomouc, Kromeríz and Telc. Brno is Moravia’s administrative and cultural centre. Government: Republic since 1993. Head of State: President (acting) Vladimír Spidla since 2003. Head of Government: Prime Minister Vladimir Spídla since 2002. Language: The official language is Czech. German and English are also spoken. Religion: Approximately 43 per cent Roman Catholic and 15 per cent Protestant, including churches such as the Reformed, Lutheran, Methodist, Unity of Czech Brothers and Baptist. There is a community of approximately 15,000 Jews, mainly in Prague. Time: GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 during the European/continental summertime). Electricity: Generally 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Most major hotels have standard international two-pin razor plugs. Lamp fittings are normally of the screw type. Telephone Full IDD is available. Country code: 420. Outgoing international code: 00. There are public telephone booths, including special kiosks for international calls. Surcharges can be quite high on long-distance calls from hotels. Most of the public telephone boxes take phonecards, which can be purchased at all Telecom points of sale and at newsagent and tobacconist shops. Mobile telephone GSM 900/1800. Network operators include Cesky Mobil (website: www.oskarmobil.cz), Eurotel (website: www.eurotel.cz) and RadioMobil (website: www.paegas.cz). Coverage extends all over the country. Fax Services are available. Internet There are Internet cafes in Prague. Local ISPs include Tiscali (website: www.tiscali.cz). Roaming agreements exist. Telegram Facilities are available at all main towns and hotels. Post There is a 24-hour service at the main post office in Prague at Jindrisská Street, Prague 1. Poste Restante services are available throughout the country. Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1800. Press The Prague Post (weekly) is published in English. The main Czech dailies include Mladá Fronta Dnes, Právo and Vecerník Praha (Evening Prague). BBC World Service and Voice of America frequencies: From time to time these change. BBC (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice): MHz 15.49 12.10 9.410 6.195 Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov): MHz 15.21 11.82 9.760 1.197 Passport/Visa   Passport Required? Visa Required? Return Ticket Required? British Yes No/2 No Australian Yes Yes No Canadian Yes Yes No USA Yes No/3 No OtherEU 1 No/3 No Japanese Yes No/3 No PASSPORTS: Passport valid for at least nine months from issue date of visa for visas up to 90 days, and valid for at least 15 months for visas over 90 days, required by all except: 1. nationals of Germany who can enter with a valid national ID card. VISAS: Required by all except the following: (a) 2. nationals of the UK and Slovak Republic for up to 180 days; (b) 3. nationals of EU countries (except UK, see above; includes nationals of French Overseas Territories for stays of between 30 and 90 days) and Andorra, Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Estonia, Hong Kong (SAR), Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Korea (Rep), Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Macau (SAR), Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, San Marino, Slovenia, Switzerland, Uruguay, USA and Vatican City for up to 90 days; (c) nationals of Bulgaria, Cyprus, Romania and Singapore for up to 30 days; (d) transit passengers continuing their journey within 24 hours and not leaving the airport, providing holding onward tickets and relevant travel documentation. Transit visas are, however, always required for nationals of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Congo (Dem Rep), Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, Sri Lanka and Syrian Arab Republic. Note: (a) Any traveller not requiring a visa may be asked at the border to prove they are carrying a minimum of £20 per day. (b) Travellers with visas must register with the police within three working days of arrival. Types of visa and cost: Single-entry, Multiple-entry, Single-transit and Double-transit. Prices vary according to the nationality of the applicant and according to currency rates. All types of visa cost £29 for Australian nationals; for Canadian £31 (single-entry and single-entry transit) and £62 (multiple-entry). For British, EU and USA citizens, single-entry visas cost £17 and multiple-entry visas £62, for periods of stay not over 90 days. There are no visa fees for nationals of Afghanistan, Albania, Cyprus, Ecuador, Japan, Pakistan, Seychelles and South Africa, or for children under 15 years of age. Validity: Single- and Multiple-entry: six months from date of issue for a visit of a specified period not exceeding 90 days. Transit: six months from date of issue for a visit of a specified period not exceeding five days. Application to: Consulate (or Consular section at the Embassy); see Contact Addresses section for details. Please note that some nationals must apply in person for a visa. Check with the Embassy for further details. Application requirements: (a) One application form (original not photocopy). (b) One recent passport-size photo per application form. (c) Passport valid for at least nine months from date of issue of visa, with at least one blank page and a photocopy of the data page. (d) Visa fee (payable in cash, by banker’s draft or by postal order only). (e) Proof of sufficient funds (eg recent bank statement or letter from host or sponsor). (f) Postal applications should be accompanied by a self-addressed envelope pre-paid for special delivery. Business: (a)-(f), and (g) Letter from employer or invitation letter from company in the Czech Republic. Student: (a)-(f), and (g) Letter from school or college confirming that you are a student and confirmation of available accommodation. Working days required: Seven if application is made in person; 14 application is made by post. Money Currency: Koruna (Kc) or Crown = 100 haler. Notes are in denominations of Kc5000, 2000, 1000, 500, 200, 100, 50 and 20. Coins are in denominations of Kc50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1, and 50, 20 and 10 hellers. Currency exchange: Foreign currency (including travellers cheques) can be exchanged at all bank branches and at authorised exchange offices, main hotels and road border crossings. Credit & debit cards: Major cards such as American Express, Diners Club, Visa, MasterCard and others may be used to exchange currency and are also accepted in some hotels, restaurants and shops. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available. Travellers cheques: These are widely accepted. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling. Currency restrictions: The import and export of local currency is limited to Kc200,000. The import and export of foreign currency is unlimited. Exchange rate indicators The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Koruna against Sterling and the US Dollar: Date Feb ’02 May ’02 Aug ’02 Nov ’02 £1.00= 51.65 48.37 48.19 48.48 $1.00= 36.12 33.19 31.69 30.66 Banking hours: Generally Mon-Fri 0800-1800. Duty Free The following goods may be imported into the Czech Republic without incurring customs duty by persons over 18 years of age: 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g tobacco; 1l of spirits; 2l of wine; 50g of perfume or 250ml eau de toilette; gifts up to a value of Kc6000 (if over 15 years of age). Note: The export of antiques is prohibited. Public Holidays Dec 24-26 2002 Christmas. Jan 1 2003 New Year’s Day. Apr 21 Easter Monday. May 1 May Day. May 8 Liberation Day. Jul 5 Day of the Apostles St Cyril and St Methodius. Jul 6 Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Jan Hus. Sep 28 Czech Statehood Day. Oct 28 Independence Day. Nov 17 Freedom and Democracy Day. Dec 24-26 Christmas. Jan 1 2004 New Year’s Day. Apr 12 Easter Monday. May 1 May Day. May 8 Liberation Day. Jul 5 Day of the Apostles St Cyril and St Methodius. Jul 6 Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Jan Hus. Sep 28 Czech Statehood Day. Oct 28 Independence Day. Nov 17 Freedom and Democracy Day. Dec 24-26 Christmas. Health   Special Precautions Certificate Required Yellow Fever No No Cholera No No Typhoid and Polio No No Malaria No No Food & drink: Mains water is normally chlorinated, and whilst relatively safe may cause mild abdominal upsets. Bottled water is available and advised. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are generally considered safe to eat. Other risks: Tick-borne encephalitis exists in rural forested areas during summer months. Immunisation against hepatitis A and B is sometimes advised. Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For further information consult the Health appendix. Health care: There is a reciprocal health agreement with the UK. On production of a UK passport and proof of residence, hospital and other medical care will be provided free of charge in case of illness or accident. Prescribed medicine will be charged for. Other international agreements exist for free health care and visitors are advised to check with their national health authorities. Medical insurance is advised in all other cases. Travel - International AIR: The national airline is Czech Airlines (OK). There are also several small airlines. Information can be obtained from Czech Airlines, City Service Centre, V Celnici 5, 11000 Prague 1 (tel: (2) 2231 9995 (reservations office); website: www.csa.cz). The airline also has an office in London (tel: (020) 7255 1898). Approximate flight times: From Prague to London is 4 hours 10 minutes; to New York is 10 hours 40 minutes. International airports: Prague (PRG) (Ruzyné) is 16km (10 miles) from the city (travel time – 30 minutes). Transport to/from city: CSA Coach every 20 minutes after flight arrivals (travel time – 30 minutes); 119 bus approximately every ten minutes, from 0430-2330, (travel time – 25 minutes); mini-bus taxis to the city centre (24-hour service, surcharge at night). Big hotels operate frequent shuttle-bus services during the summer months to the major hotels in the city. Airport facilities include duty-free shops; post office; banks/bureaux de change (24-hour service); restaurant and bar (24 hours); car parking and car hire (Avis, Budget, Eurodollar and Hertz). RAIL: The Czech Republic forms part of the European InterCity network. The most convenient routes to the Czech Republic from Western Europe are via Berlin, Würzburg or Frankfurt, Nuremburg, Munich, Zurich or Vienna to Prague. Kafka, Dvorák, Goethe and Einstein are the most famous and fastest EC trains with Pullman sleeping and dining cars available. The Vindobona Express is a once daily through train that travels from Vienna to Prague (main station) and on to Berlin. Rail travel information is available from Czech Railways (tel: (2) 5143 1111; e-mail: info@cdrail.cz; website: www.cdrail.cz). ROAD: The Czech Republic can be entered via Germany, Poland, the Slovak Republic or Austria. Bus: There is an international bus network covering most European cities. There are connections to Vienna, Munich, Frankfurt/M, Amsterdam, London and other main cities from the Florenc and Zelivskeho Bus Terminals (Metro stations). Kingscourt Express runs services Monday to Saturday between London Victoria to Prague and Brno (tel: (2) 6671 3032; fax: (2) 6671 2177; e-mail: doprava@geosck.cz; website: www.eurobus.cz). Eurolines (4 Cardiff Road, Luton, Bedfordshire, L41 1PP; tel: (08705) 143 219; fax: (01582) 400 694; website: www.eurolines.com or www.gobycoach.com) also operate services between Prague and other european cities. Travel - Internal AIR: Czech Airlines (OK) operates an extensive domestic service. There are regular domestic flights from Prague to Ostrava, Brno, Karlovy Vary, and Pardubice. RIVER: Navigable waterways can be found in the country and the main river ports are located at Prague, Ústí nad Labem and Decín. RAIL: The rail network is operated by Czech Railways (Ceské Drahy, see above). There are several daily express trains between Prague and main cities and resorts. Reservations should be made in advance on major routes. Fares are low, but supplements are payable for travel by express trains. ROAD: Traffic drives on the right. Motorways run from Prague to Plzen, Podebrady to Bratislava (Slovak Republic) via Brno. Users of the Czech motorways have to buy a vignette (season ticket) which costs approximately Kc800 for each year. A ten-day vignette is now available at a lower price. Bus: The extensive bus network mostly covers areas not accessible by rail and is efficient and comfortable. Car hire: Self-drive cars may be hired through Avis, Eurodollar, Hertz and other companies. Seat belts are compulsory and drinking is absolutely prohibited. Many petrol stations open 24 hours. There is a road emergency service available by calling 154. Documentation: A valid national driving licence is sufficient for car hire. URBAN: Public transport is excellent. There is a metro service in Prague that runs from 0500-0000. Three flat fares are charged. There are also tram and bus services (for which tickets must be purchased in advance from tobacconist shops, newsagents, metro stations, information centres or travel agents). Buses, trolleybuses and trams also exist in Brno, Ostrava, Plzen and several other towns. Most services run from 0430-0000. All the cities operate flat-fare systems and tourist passes can be purchased in advance that are valid for a number of journeys. Tickets should be punched in the appropriate machine on entering the tram or bus. A separate ticket is required when changing routes. There is a fine for fare evasion. Blue badges on tram and bus stops indicate an all-night service. Taxis are available in all the main towns and are metered, higher fares are charged at night. For further information about public transport in Prague contact the Czech Tourist Authority (Prague Information Line); see Contact Addresses section. TRAVEL TIMES: The following chart gives approximate travel times (in hours and minutes) from Prague to other major towns/cities in the Czech Republic. Air Road Rail Brno 0.45 2.15 4.45 Karlovy Vary 0.30 2.00 4.45 Ostrava 1.00 6.45 6.00 Accommodation The Czech Republic is able to offer a full range of accommodation to suit every pocket. There is a wide range of hotels, graded from one to five stars, boarding hostels and private apartments. Many campsites are also open during the summer. For further information on the range of accommodation available, contact the Czech Tourist Authority (see Contact Addresses section). Introduction Although for most visitors, Prague is the Czech Republic, there is far more to see and do throughout the country. Tourism is still in its infancy but the strides forward since the Velvet Revolution in 1989 have been remarkable. There are over 3000 castles, palaces and other historic monuments throughout the country. Equally characteristic are the country’s many important churches from the Gothic to the Baroque periods. Spas have been an important cultural phenomenon since the 19th century and, indeed, there are 176 spas in the country today. Considering that most have only been founded since 1990, the Czech Republic has three National Parks, 24 Protected Landscape Areas, 113 National Nature Reserves, 453 Nature Reserves, 99 National Nature Monuments and 850 Nature Monuments. The country is divided into two provinces: Bohemia in the west and Moravia in the east. Prague Picturesquely sited on the banks of the Vltava (Moldau) River, Prague has always played an important part in the history of Europe. It is noted for magnificent Gothic, Baroque, Romanesque, Belle Epoque/Art Nouveau and Cubist architecture as well as its cultural scene of elegance. Since the fall of Communism, Prague has rapidly regained its cafe culture and is again very much the ‘Paris of the East’. The city’s historical centre, never bombed in World War II, is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. This includes the Hradcany complex of Prazsky hrad (Prague Castle), including Palace rooms like the Vladislavsky sál (Vladislav Hall) which was once used by Bohemian knights for jousting, the Katedrála sv Víta (St Vitus Cathedral) and the Basilica of sv Jirí (St George Basilica). Views over the Vltava, spanned by many bridges including the famous medieval Karluv most (Charles Bridge), contribute to Prague’s reputation as a ‘fairytale city’. The Lesser Town (Mala Strana) beneath the castle is a quarter of winding, narrow streets with palaces from the 17th and 18th centuries and small artisan houses. The Old Town (Stare Mesto) across the Charles Bridge includes important tourist sites like the Old Town Hall (Staromestska radnice) with its astronomical clock and the Gothic Tyn Church behind the square. The area around Vaclavske namesti (Wenceslas Square) is the principal shopping area of the city. To the south is Vysehrad with its Slavin Cemetery honouring the intellectuals and artists, and its Cubist villas. Excursions: Near to Prague is a grim reminder of the horrors of World War II – the site of the ‘show’ concentration camp at Terezin, which is now a museum. Also in the area are the castles of Karlstejn, Krivoklat and Konopiste. Near Karlstejn is the Cesky kras (Bohemian Karst), a region of limestone caves, of which Konepruské jeskyne is open to the public. The historic silver mining town of Kutna Hora with the dominating Gothic cathedral of sv Barbora (St Barbara) is another UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site. North of Prague at the confluence of the Vltava and the Labe rivers is Melník with its Zamek (Castle) built by the Lobkowitz family; this area is now returning to its former role as an important wine-making region. Bohemia Heavy industrialisation in Northern Bohemia has taken its toll and many of the forests suffer greatly from the effects of acid rain. A start to correcting this situation has been made but it will be many years before significant results are shown. However, the north remains a popular destination with Czech and German tourists. Much of the area’s interest lies in the sandstone ‘rock-cities’ (spectacular mini-canyons and steep bluffs of volcanic rocks in a densely forested area) of the Cesky Svycarsko (Bohemian Switzerland) especially around Tisa, the Cesky raj (Bohemian paradise) between Turnov and Jicin and the area around Broumov. The Krkonoše (Giant) Mountains National Park of northeast Bohemia offers superb scenery, excellent hiking and many downhill and cross-country ski and snowboarding facilities; Spindleruv Mlyn, on the banks of River Labe, is the most visited mountain town in the park. Southwest of Prague, Plzen, the second largest city in Bohemia, boasts eclectic architecture from the Gothic to Art Nouveau, interesting museums and galleries like the Brewery Museum and the Západoceské Galérie (one of the best art galleries outside Prague), and the world famous Pilsner beer to which the town has given its name; beer had been brewed since the town’s foundation in 1295 but it was only in 1842 that the Pilsner style was established. Guided tours of the Plzensky Prazdroj brewery are available. The Trebonsko region of south Bohemia is made up of peat bogs and marshes, with linked fish-farming ponds dating from the 15th century; carp is the traditional Christmas Day dish in the Czech lands and fish farming still dominates the region. Trebon is a perfect medieval spa town right in the middle of the area of fish ponds. The enormous Zamek (Castle) was built by Peter Vok, the last Rozmberk heir, who was fond of alchemy, sex and drugs; its large ‘English park’ now provides walks for the spa patients. Southern Bohemia, with its lakes and woods, has for a long time been a favourite holiday place for families, since it has many recreation facilities and points of historic interest. The country is also famed for its caves: the rock formation of the mountain ranges form underground rivers and chambers decorated above and below with stalactites and stalagmites. Ceske Budejovice (Budweis) whose wealth was founded on silver mines and the salt route from Linz to Prague boasts one of Europe’s largest town squares. However, it is the local beer, Budvar (Budweiser) which is the town’s main claim to fame. The medieval town of Cesky Krumlov (a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site) has its enormous castle perched on a ridge above the young River Vltava, and the region to the border is full of castles, monasteries and churches. The Sumava/Bohemian Forest towards the German border is the country’s largest National Park, and with the Bavarian Forest across the border forms the largest forest complex in Europe. The park includes glacial lakes, many areas of virgin forest and important historic monuments. Good wintersports centres include Zelezna Ruda, Spicak, Zadov, Churanov and Kramolin. The northern shore of Lake Lipno has many small popular summer resorts and is a good location for exploring the Sumava. In western Bohemia, the health resorts or spas remain one of the country’s primary attractions, with their many springs, graceful colonnades and parks, spectacular houses and hotels. By the 19th century, the combination of their cures and their position at the meeting point of the two German-speaking empires made them the focal point of central Europe. Beethoven, Wagner, Edward VII and Goethe all admired the resort of Marianske Lazne (Marienbad), whilst the town of Karlovy Vary (Karlsbad), the king of the spas, has attracted the crowned heads of Europe to bathe in its sulphurous waters. Frantiskovy Lazne, however, is the most typical spa town, laid out in perfect symmetry with delightful parks and 24 springs used to cure heart disease and infertility. There is also a nature reserve near the town. Moravia Brno, the capital of Moravia, dates from the 13th century and has the fine Moravian Museum, an important Augustinian Monastery where the great geneticist, Mendel, was Abbot, the Capuchin Church with its mummies, and the Gothic Špilberk Castle. A large number of international trade fairs take place in the Brno Exhibition Centre. To the northeast is the Moravsky krás, the area of great limestone caves around Blansko. To the northwest the Gothic castle of Pernstejn is probably closest to most people’s idea of what a medieval castle should look like; the hour-long train journey to it up the Svratka Valley is an attractive trip. Southwest of Brno, three towns in particular stand out as tourist locations: Moravsky Krumlov with its Mucha Gallery including great pictures, such as ‘Slovanska epopej’ (The Slav Epic), Slavkov (Austerlitz), near the Napoleonic battlefield, and Bucovice, whose castle features the remarkable zajeci sal (The Hall of Hares) with murals of hares revenging themselves on men and dogs. In the Vysocina (Bohemian-Moravian Uplands) to the east, the towns of Telc (a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site) and Slavonice are two of the most perfect examples of Renaissance towns in Europe. Telc, including the Zamec (Castle), was completely rebuilt after the fire of 1530; medieval arcades surround the town square with its gabled and pedimented houses. Slavonice is another old town founded on silver mining. In Zdar nad Sazavou about 40km (25 miles) northeast of Jihlava, the Cistercian monastery and pilgrimage church dedicated to sv Jan Nepomucky (St John of Nepomuk) was designed by Prague-born Giovanni Santini, one of the greatest artists of the Czech Counter-Reformation, who married Gothic and Baroque forms, often with a humour lacking in other architects. Nearby in Ostrov nad Oslavou he designed a hostinec (pub) shaped like the letter ‘W’ to honour a fellow architect, and the village church at Obyctov, shaped like a turtle, one of the Virgin Mary’s more obscure symbols. The area between the small wine-making towns of Lednice and Valtice was once a possession of the Grand Dukes of Liechtenstein. Several impressive castles, landscaped parks and structural follies are dotted over an area of 250 sq km (96 sq miles) broken up by numerous ponds and forests. To the west, the area between Znojmo and Vranov on the River Dyji (Thaya in German) is an area of untouched river valley, now a joint National Park on both sides of the Austrian border. Northeast of Brno, Kromeriz (also accessible as a day trip from Prague) is a beautifully preserved Baroque town; its great Bishop’s Palace includes an important art collection (including paintings from the auction after the execution of the English Charles I), and superb water gardens which run down to the banks of the Morava river. Despite many ecological disaster zones and the great – and unpleasant – industrial centre of Ostrava, northern Moravia has much to offer the independent traveller. Olomouc, now happily recovered from its era as a Soviet garrison, is once again an attractive university town noted as much for its parks as for its Baroque churches, sculptures and fountains. The surrounding Haná region is strongly agricultural, with many villages having attractive harvest festivals in late September. In the extreme north, the Jeseniky Mountains are an eastern extension of the Bohemian Krkonose. Lazne Jesenik is one of the many famous Czech Silesian spas founded in the 19th century; this area is excellent for hiking, with rocky outcrops, cave systems and monuments. To the east of Ostrava, the hilly Beskydy region (which extends through Poland into the Ukraine) is the area of the Vlachs (Wallachs), whose culture still survives in folklore and architecture. This area is excellent for hiking and winter sports. The excellent open-air skansen (Folk Museum) at Roznov pod Radhostem, begun in 1925, is the largest in the country; another good skansen is at Velke Karlovice. Valchs architecture in situ can be found to the south in the villages in the Vsetinska Becva valley, including Bzove, Jezerne and Ratkov. Sport & Activities Outdoor pursuits: The Czech Republic has a wealth of beautiful areas to explore. More than ten per cent of the country’s surface area is occupied by the three national parks and the 1200 protected natural areas. Skiing is a very popular activity, and there are many well-established resorts. The most frequented areas for downhill skiing are in the Krkonoše (Giant Mountains) in northern Bohemia, where Pec pod Snezkou, Spindlorov Mlyn and Harachov are the main resorts. Facilities are also to be found in the Jeseniky and Besniky ranges, and in the Orlické Hory (Eagle Mountains). Cross-country skiing is also a widespread sport, and facilities and tracks are to be found not only in the Krkonose, but also in the Šumava (Bohemian Forest) in southern Bohemia. In summer, these areas become havens for hikers, and contain well-marked trails. The Krkonoše are the Czech Republic’s highest mountain range, with the country’s highest peak, Snezka (1602m/5255ft). Several other peaks exceed 1500m (4920ft). Less strenuous walks can be pursued in other natural areas, such as the Beskidy range. Rock climbers should go to the sandstone rock formations in the north (Cesky raj, Andršpach Rocks and Ceskosaské Švycarsko). Cavers should go to the Moravsky Kras (Moravian karst) near Brno, where there are interesting caves. Cycling is emerging as a popular pastime, and the network of cycle tracks is growing. Southern Bohemia is a good region for this. Watersports: There are many lakes, both natural and artificial, and a variety of watersports can be pursued there. South Bohemia and Lednice-Valtice (south Moravia) contain extensive fishing lakes. Canoeing is done on rivers such as the Luznice, upper Vltava and Sazava. Spas: The many thermal springs and mineral baths in Bohemia and Moravia have been frequented by patients seeking cures for various ailments for centuries. Nowadays, advanced medical techniques are combined with traditional methods of treatment. The best known spas are at Karlovy Vary, Marianské Lazne and Františkovy Lazné (see the Resorts & Excursions section for details). There are world-famous radioactive springs in Jáchymov, which specialises in the treatment of disorders of the nervous system, while Janské Lazne in the Krkonose is also a very popular resort. In northern Moravia, the most significant spas are at Jesenik and Luhacovice, where Vincenc Priessnitz, a local doctor developed methods of treatment which are still followed today. All the spa resorts are located in beautiful surroundings. For further information on spa stays, contact the Czech Tourist Authority (see Contact Addresses section). Social Profile Food & Drink: Food is often based on Austro-Hungarian dishes; (Wiener) Schnitzel and pork are very popular. Specialities include bramborak, a delicacy of a potato pancake filled with garlic and herbs, and Prague ham. Meat dishes are mostly served with knedliky, a type of large dough dumpling, and zeli (sauerkraut). Western-style fresh vegetables are often missing in lower-class restaurants. There is a wide selection of restaurants, beer taverns and wine cellars. Popular beverages include beers (lager, dark ales, pilsner), red, white and sparkling wines from Bohemia and Moravia, fruit juices and liqueurs. Particular specialities include becherovka (herb brandy) and two Moravian favourites, slivovice (plum brandy) and merunkovice (apricot brandy). There are no rigid licensing hours. Nightlife: Theatre and opera are of a good standard all over Eastern Europe. Much of the nightlife takes place in nightclubs, bars and casinos which are to be found in major cities. For further information about musical and theatrical programmes check online (website: www.barokng.cz). Shopping: Souvenirs include Bohemian glass and crystal, pottery, porcelain, wooden folk carvings, hand-embroidered clothing, and food items. There are a number of excellent shops specialising in glass and crystal, while various associations of regional artists and craftsmen run their own retail outlets (pay in local currency). Other special purchases include pottery (particularly from Kolovec and Straznice); china ornaments and geyserstone carvings from Karlovy Vary; delicate lace and needle embroidery from many Moravian towns; and blood-red garnets and semi-precious stones from Bohemia. Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1800, Sat 0800-1200. Supermarkets and food shops in large towns and cities are open from 0600. The number of shops also open on Sunday is constantly increasing. Special Events: The Czech nation is one of the most musical in Central Europe. Throughout the year there are many occasions to enjoy music in concert halls, theatres, stately homes and churches. Regular music festivals and concert cycles also take place. Most towns have their own folk festivals, with dancing, local costumes and food. These tend to be in the summer months leading up to the harvest festivals in September. For further details, check with the Czech Tourist Authority and travel agencies (who can also arrange music festival tours). The following is a selection of major events held in the Czech Republic during 2003: Feb 1-28 2003 The Ball Season, during this time balls take place in the finest venues of Prague and are attended by the young and old alike. May 8-11 Book World 2003. May 12-Jun 7 Prague Spring International Music Festival, Prague. Jul 4-13 Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. Jul 4-Sep 23 Prague Folklore Festival. Aug 1-23 Ceský Krumlov International Film Festival. Sep 23-27 International Jazz Festival. Sep 13-Oct 1 Prague Autumn Festival. Nov 28-30 International Festival of Advent and Christmas Music. Dec 31 New Year's Eve Celebrations, this is an eventful time in Prague. Social Conventions: Dress should be casual, but conservative, except at formal dinners and at quality hotels or restaurants. Tipping: A five to ten per cent tip is usual. Business Profile Economy: Under Soviet control, the former Czechoslovak economy was subject to a particularly high level of state control, lacking even the small-scale private enterprise that existed to some extent in all other Eastern European economies. In the aftermath of the ‘Prague Spring’, especially, economic development was concentrated for political reasons on heavy industry at the expense of traditional strengths in light and craft-based industries. In the immediate post-Soviet era at the beginning of the 1990s, these inefficient and, in some cases, redundant industrial monoliths appeared to be a considerable impediment to the growth of the economy. The other problem was a dearth of natural resources – the country relied heavily on the former Soviet Union for most of its raw materials, particularly oil. After a period of political and economic crisis, which ended with the separation of the Czech and Slovak republics and a dispute with the Soviets over oil supplies, the Czech government pushed ahead with a rapid programme of market reforms, including a programme of mass privatisation and a major overhaul of the country’s financial system. The Government identified priority industries for development. These included: aircraft and vehicles, electronics, nuclear energy, gasification of coal, transport and communications, as well as traditionally strong light industries such as textiles, leather, ceramics and glass, and a variety of agricultural and service industries. Although more than three-quarters of economic output is now in private hands, the State retains a major influence through minority shareholdings and state-owned banks (which in turn own parts of major corporations) in the economy. The results have been fairly good, with the exception of a period around 1997-98, when the economy experienced a recession. The Czech Republic has recorded steady growth within, on the whole, a sound fiscal and monetary environment. As of mid-2002, growth is three per cent and inflation less than four per cent. The country has negotiated associate membership with the European Union and in 1998 began the lengthy process of negotiation that may allow it to achieve full membership between 2003 and 2005. Trade links with Austria and Germany in particular, and with the EU generally, have grown substantially. The Czech Republic has already acquired membership of the IMF, World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Business: Businessmen wear suits. A knowledge of German is useful as English is not widely spoken among the older generation. Long business lunches are usual. Avoid visits during July and August as many businesses close for holidays. Office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1600. Commercial Information: The following organisation can offer advice: Hospodárská Komora Ceské Republiky (Economic Chamber of the Czech Republic), Seifertová 22, 130 00 Prague 3 (tel: (2) 2409 6111; fax: (2) 2409 6222; e-mail: info@komora.cz; website: www.hkcr.cz). Conferences/Conventions: The Prague International Congress Centre can seat up to 15,000 people. There are also facilities in many hotels throughout the country. Trade fairs are held in Brno. Information can be obtained from the Brno Trade Fairs and Exhibitions, Výstaviste 1, 647 00 Brno (tel: (5) 4115 1111; fax: (5) 4115 3070; e-mail: info@bvv.cz; website: www.bvv.cz); or Prague Convention Bureau, Rytírská 26, 110 00 Prague 1 (tel: (2) 2423 5159; fax: (2) 2423 4399; e-mail: pakt@comp.cz; website: www.pragueconvention.cz). Climate Cold winters, mild summers. Required clothing: Mediumweights, heavy topcoat and overshoes for winter; lightweights for summer. History and Government History: Czechoslovakia’s independence was established in 1918. Previously, Moravia and Bohemia had been under Austrian rule, while Slovakia came under the aegis of Hungary. During World War II, Bohemia and Moravia together became a German protectorate. After the war, a reconstituted Czechoslovakia was established under the supervision of the occupying Red Army. By 1948, as planned, the Communists had become the dominant political force in the country and took effective control, following elections that year. Soviet-style political and economic systems were put in place and Czechoslovakia became a firm Soviet ally, joining the Warsaw Pact and COMECON. The Government adhered closely to Soviet policy in all respects, until the emergence of a new leadership group under Alexander Dubcek in the late 1960s. In what became known as the ‘Prague Spring’, the Dubcek governments introduced a series of liberalising reforms. After several months, the Soviets decided that the reforms had gone too far and, after failing to persuade the Czechoslovaks to desist from their chosen course, sent the tanks in. Dubcek and his allies were deposed in favour of a hard-line leadership led by Gustav Husak. For the next two decades, Czechoslovakia barely deviated from the Soviet line. That was until the appointment of Mikhail Gorbachev as Soviet leader and his promotion of glasnost and perestroika. The Husak Government aligned itself with those, such as East Germany’s Honeker, who were opposed to such reforms. But four years later, as Eastern Europe was engulfed by political upheaval and massive demonstrations, the Communists were swept from office. The main opposition movement, Civic Forum, became the principal political force in the country; its most celebrated member, playwright Václav Havel, was appointed president, as the country set about introducing a pluralistic political system and market economy. Multi-party elections for a new National Assembly were won by Civic Forum, in June 1990. However, divisions within the victorious party quickly emerged. The decisive split occurred in January 1991, when right-wing federal Finance Minister Václav Klaus, the architect and chief engineer of the privatisation programme, left the Forum with his supporters to create the Civic Democratic Party (ODS, Obcanské Demokratická Strana). Klaus emerged as the most powerful figure within the federal government. Meanwhile, there was a growing clamour in Slovakia, the eastern part of the country, for greater autonomy and, among a vocal and growing constituency, full independence. Despite the firm opposition of President Havel, who considered that the country could ill afford a split at that stage, the positions adopted by Czech and Slovak nationalists were endorsed by the people at the June 1992 national election. Klaus’ ODS won a substantial majority in the Czech part of the country, just as the main Slovak party – the Movement for a Democratic Slovakia (HZDS), led by an ex-communist turned nationalist, Vladimir Meciar – won the lion’s share in Slovakia. Division into two independent countries was quickly accepted as the only mutually acceptable option and took place formally on 1 January 1993. Under Klaus’ premiership, the Czech Republic pursued a comprehensive programme of market-oriented reforms and social policies designed to reduce the role of the state. A period of economic growth and rising prosperity for most of the population followed. After re-election in 1996, the ODS administration eventually fell to popular disillusionment and an economic slowdown in June 1998. The Czech Social Democratic Party (CSSD), under Milos Zeman, managed to form a minority government with, improbably enough, the support of Klaus’ ODS. Also in 1998, Václav Havel, the country’s towering political figure, was comfortably re-elected to a second term as president, despite chronic ill health. Against expectations, the Social Democrats not only completed its term, which ended in 2002, but also won the ensuing general election in June. Zeman ceded the premiership to Vladimir Spidla, whose new administration will no longer have to rely on ODS support. Abroad, the government’s priority remains securing membership of the EU – an application that was lodged in January 1996 – to go with the its recently acquired membership of NATO. The negotiations are pursuing reasonably smoothly and the Czech Republic is now on course to join the EU in 2004. Nonetheless, Prague remains concerned to maintain good relations with its former Warsaw Pact partners and has signed a friendship and co-operation treaty with Russia. The Czech Republic also has joined Hungary and Poland in the Visegrad group, which aims to promote regional economic and security co-operation. Government: Under the Czech Republic’s constitution, legislative power rests with the bicameral legislature, comprising a 200-member Chamber of Deputies (Poslanecká Snemovna) and an 81-member Senate (Senat), which are elected for four- and six-year terms respectively. The legislature jointly elects the President of the republic for a five-year term. The President appoints the Prime Minister as head of the Government. Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.