Prague
Prague can truly be considered a fantastic European jewel. It's a city that has come into age. Mixing the old with the new. It’s no wonder that millions people come to visit every year from all parts of the world.
It is located on the Vltava River in what is central Bohemia and is populated by approximately 1.3 million people. Public transportation includes the metro, buses and trams. They are safe, clean and efficient. They will take you just about anywhere you want to go. Prague is one of the safest cities in Europe by western standards. Violent crime is extremely rare and almost non existent, but just as in any metropolitan city, theft does exist. Particularly in the form of pick pockets and seized opportunities by less than savory characters.The city itself is divided into districts from 1 to 10. Prague 1 is the central district and most popular with visitors. It includes Mala Strana (lesser town), Hradcany (The area around the Prague Castle),Stare Mesto (Old Town), and Nove Mesto (New town) which spills into Prague 2. Its all one large playground.
With a good pair of walking shoes and a bit of energy, these main areas are all easily explored by foot.
Facts
Flag:
Population: Approx. 1.3 million +
Official language: Czech
Currency: Koruna or Czech crown ( kc )
Weights and measures: Metric
Electricity: 220-230 volts AC, 50Hz
Plug: 
Time Zone: GMT + 1
Internet Domain: .cz
Weather
Money and Costs
| Currency: | Czeck crown or koruna | ||
| Denominations: | Paper money-5000, 2000, 1000, 500, 200, 100, 50 | Coins-50, 20, 10, 5, 2, 1 | |
| Costs (Euro): | small bottle of water 20-40kc | candy bar 15kc | scoop of ice cream 25kc |
| capuccino 40kc | liter of petrol 30kc | Metro, tram or bus ticket good for one hour 28kc | |
| Average nightly room prices (Euro): | Low 500-1200kc | Medium 1200-2500kc | High 2500-3500kc |
| Average dinner prices (Euro): | Low 80-160kc | Medium 160-220kc | High 220-450kc |
Food/Beverages
Czech cuisine is usually very focused on chicken, pork and beef, and tends to be very heavy but vegetarian restaurants are becoming very popular.
Some local dishes are:
Bramburak - A potato like pancake similar to hash browns.
Goulash and dumplings - Beef with a gravy sauce.
Goulash soup - A beef style stew.
Fried or pickled cheeses - Usually very pungent.
Beverages:
Slivovice- liquor
Becherovka- liquor
Wine- The Moravian region is a well known for its wine production.
Burcak: A very sweet wine in the process of fermentation with low alcohol content. Usually only found in the first months of winter.
Beer: The Czech Republic has the highest consumption of beer in Europe and produces some of the best in the world. The most common and popular beers are Pilsner, Kozel, Staropramen, Gambrinus and Budvar.
Customs/Etiquette
Tipping- Czech law states that a service charge be included even though some menus may say it isn’t. It’s a good idea to check the bill. If it is and service is good, giving some small change to the waitor (and not left on the table) is appropriate. If the service charge is not on the bill, a 10% gratuity is standard. Czech service is expected to be accurate and not always friendly but it isn’t expected to be rude and ill mannered. For taxi drivers, small change is approriate as well.
Dress- Shorts are usually not worn unless practicing a sport or swimming.
Invitations- When invited to a home, a small gift is always appropriate and it’s important to take off shoes when entering someones home.
Other- It’s considered polite to refuse a gift so it’s common to insist that it’s accepted and vice versa.
Modesty, politeness and being on time is very important.
Always carry some cash as small credit card purchases are frowned upon.
It’s common to give your seat to the elderly or disabled, or to help someone with a carriage when using the public
transportation.
When dining, don’t leave money on the table. Always give it to the waitor or waitress.
Bank Holidays
Jan 1- New years day
May 1- Labor day
May 8- End of German occupation in 1945
July 5- Apostles Cyril and Methodius
July 6- Jan Hus- Burning at the stake in 1415.
September 28- Czech statehood day and celebration of St Wenceslas. Czech Patron.
October 28- Establishment of the Independant Czech Republic in 1918.
November 17- Freedom and Democracy day. End of Communism.
December 24,25,26- Christmas
Day Trips
Cesky Krumlov and Karlovy Vary are towns located with in a couple of hours from Prague and make for worth while day trips.
Helpful Links
