Travel Guides: All Countries / Europe / Czech Republic
 |  | Destination Guide : Czech Republic |
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| | | Stunning architecture |  | Why go on holiday to the Czech Republic?
To explore the beautiful city of Prague with its world famous architecture, to see spectacular castles and chateaux throughout the country, to go hiking in Cesky raj National Park, take in the lakes and forests of South Bohemia and chill out in the spa towns of West Bohemia.
How much does it cost?
Prices have crept up, so shop around. At time of writing, flights to Prague can cost from £100, city centre hotels from £30, return coach travel from London (a 23-hour journey) is from £80. A nine-day escorted coach holiday is from £350. A three-night city break to Prague is from £280 outside the main tourist season. An eight-day walking holiday taking in Prague and the Tatras mountains is from £570.
When should I go?
May, June and September are the best months for uncrowded sightseeing and decent weather. April and October may be cooler but they're also cheaper. July and August are busy and expensive, both in the cities and the mountains.
Prague is open for business year-round but castles and museums in other parts of the country usually close from October or November to March or April. The Prague International Music Festival takes place in May and June and the Mozart Festival in September.
April 30 is bonfire night, when the pagan festival of Paleni Carodejnic (Burning of the Witches) takes place.
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| | | Back to nature | | What should I do when I'm there?
Prague has a stunning collection of architecture spanning 900 years and it has provided the backdrop for many a film including Mission: Impossible, starring Tom Cruise, and the award-winning Amadeus, about the life of Mozart.
Prague Castle is a highlight - it's said to be the largest ancient castle in the world. Dating back to the ninth century, it contains a royal palace and St Vitus cathedral. Pause for a coffee at one of the many pavement cafes in the baroque Old Town Square (Staromestske namesti) with its famous astronomical clock.
Visit Wenceslas Square (Vaclavak), scene of much Czech history including student Jan Palach's fatal protest against the Warsaw Pact invasion in 1969. Stroll across the busy Charles Bridge with hundreds of other tourists for some good river views and watch the sun set over the island of Kampa. One of the loveliest buildings in the city is the Municipal House (Obecni Dum) with its art nouveau interior.
What's outside Prague?
Don't miss the lovely medieval town of Cesky Krumlov in South Bohemia, with its well-preserved historic centre and the imposing chateau, perched on a hill above the river Vltava. In Central Bohemia, visit the medieval castles of Konopiste, Karlstejn and Cesky Sternberk. Heavily restored in the 18th and 19th centuries, they're all pretty impressive. See the spooky Sedlec Ossuary in Kutna Hora, decorated with thousands of bones of monks and plague victims - there's even a chandelier made from bones. Kutna Hora itself was Bohemia's most important town after Prague in medieval times and still has some fine architecture in the compact, pedestrianised historic centre.
Visit the spa town of Karlovy Vary on the edge of the Slakov Forest Protected Landscape Region.
Where's good for walking?
One of the best places for walking is in the Cesky raj National Park in East Bohemia with its rolling hills, farmland, woods and castle ruins, rising into the foothills of the Krkonose mountains.
In North Bohemia there are good hiking trails in the steep gorges and rock formations of the Sandstone Rocks of Labe near the German border - this area is known as the Czech Switzerland.
Sumava National Park in South Bohemia has lots of walking trails within its heavily wooded, mountainous region which runs along the border with Austria and Germany - one of the most scenic is along the Vydra river, especially in the Povydri area.
If it's just a stroll you're after, try the 250-acre landscaped Pruhonice park in Central Bohemia with its exotic gardens, lakes and woods.
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| | | Arty fare | | Where's good for nightlife?
Prague is full of bustling bars and cafes, clubs (especially around Wenceslas Square) and cinemas. The Czech Republic has a huge cultural heritage and music is very much to the fore - there are regular concerts held around Prague - among the most popular are the summer concerts in the Lichtenstein Palace. Theatre is also high on the agenda, with some plays performed in English - this is a country which chose a playwright (Vaclav Havel) for a president.
Puppetry is an art form here as is black-light theatre where performers in phosphorescent costumes move against a black background combining mime, puppetry and drama. Several of the castles, including the chateau at Cesky Krumlov, stage open-air theatre in summer.
What's the food like?
Czech cuisine is hearty, with lots of meat, potatoes and dumplings - not just plain old dumplings but many varieties including plum or apricot, sprinkled with poppy seeds or topped with cottage cheese. Vegetarians should beware as non-meat dishes may be cooked in animal fat or contain small pieces of ham or bacon for flavour - check before you eat.
Seafood is not widely eaten - the most popular fish dishes are carp and trout. Fat sausages are the top snack, served on a roll with mustard, and frankfurters feature high on the list too.
Czech beer (pivo) is among the world's best and is served almost everywhere. Budvar is the biggest exporter of Czech beer, also known by the German name Budweiser but a lot stronger than the American beer of the same name. For something to really take your breath away, try slivovice, a fiery plum brandy.
What should I buy?
Bohemian glass, jewellery made from locally mined semi-precious stones including amber, rubies and Czech garnets, Czech liqueurs, including the herbal spirit Becherovka and Fernet, painted eggs and wooden toys, lacework and embroidered blouses. Browse the many antique shops in Prague but be careful about what you take home - there are strict export rules.
What is there for children to do?
Children should enjoy rambling round the numerous castles. Find out more about how people used to live at the Wallachian Open Air Museum at Roznov pod Radhosterm, one of many such folk museums around the country.
Puppetry is a real art in Prague, so visit the Museum of Marionette and Puppet Cultures in the cellar at Karlova 12 showing how puppets developed from the 17th century onwards. Also in Prague try the Toy Museum and the Transport Museum. Petrin Hill park in the capital has paddle boats, a planetarium and a funicular railway.
Tourist office
Czech Tourist Office, Suite 29-31 Morley House, 320 Regent Street, London W1B 3BG Tel. 0207 631 0426. Brochure line (60p a minute) 09063 640641.
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| | Available rental properties in Czech Republic |
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| |  | | Villa Vranov 55
NEW COMFORTABLE VILLA,NEAR PRAGUE,POOL,SAUNA,FITNESS,FIREPLACE,PARKING,GARDEN,BILIARD,BEAUTIFUL NATURE,HORSE RIDDING,CYCLING,GOLF,TENNIS,MINIGOLF,FISH
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The GREENVALLEY PARK with a surface of approx. 25 hac. is located outstretched over the undulating green hills, in the middle of the unripe nature, at
|  | | Landhuis Blanka
Not far from the forest in the middle of several vacation properties, lies this spacious, good standard split-level property (100 m²). It is set in la
|  | | Landhuis Friml
Cenkovice lies 9 km. southeast of Jablonne nad Orlici. This detached house (50 m²), which is for your sole use, is situated in a sunny location at the
|  | | Bartackova
Chalet Bartackova is peacefully situated at only 500 m. from the holiday village Cenkovice at the foot of the eagles mountain range. Cenkovice lies 80
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