The Czech Republic is a small country in the heart of Europe, which has an appeal for visitors. Thanks to its location at the crossroads of various cultures, the Czech Republic has countless cultural and historical points of interest. Despite the complicated visa rules, these destinations attracted a relatively high number of foreign tourists even before the velvet revolution.

Bohemia, the official name of the region, is derived from Celtic tribe Boii; who were the first inhabitants of the place we now call Bohemia. There is also definitive evidence that the area was once occupied by the Slavs in the 6th century A.D. The long history of Bohemia and Moravia can be traced through Samo´s empire, the Great Moravian empire, the reign of the Premysl´s, the Luxemburg and Habsburg dynasties, the Catholic expansion leading to the Thirty year war, the decline of the Austro-Hungarian empire up to birth of the Czechoslovakia Republic led by the first president, Tomas Garigue Masaryk. After surviving German occupation and forty years of communist rule, the Czech Republic is now experiencing yet another stage of transition, this time to a completely restructured free-market.

Over the centuries a whole number of Czech men and women have become famous throughout the world - Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV, reformer John Huss (Jan Hus), the "Teacher of Nations" Comenius (Jan Amos Komensky), composers Bedrich Smetana, Antonin Dvorak and Leos Janacek, writers Jaroslav Hasek, Karel Capek and Franz Kafka, Nobel Prize winners Jaroslav Heyrovsky and Jaroslav Seifert, opera stars Emmy Destinn and Jarmila Novotna etc.

The Czech Republic is a country of great historical and cultural importance, a country where historic monuments and entire towns have been included on the World Heritage List. Of course, when discussing tourism in the Czech Republic, one can not overlook the overwhelmingly  popular tourist destination of Prague. The city is generaly considered to be one of the most beautiful world capitals with an exquisitely preserved historical center.

Many other towns and  historic monuments in the Czech Republic are well-preserved and are noted in the UNESCO register as world cultural landmarks: Kutna Hora, Telc, Cesky Krumlov, the Church of St.John of Nepomuk on Zelena Hora, the Lednicko-Valticko area, monuments in Kromeriz, Holasovice village, the castle and historical center at Litomysl and some rare monuments and areas in Brno, Olomouc and Trebic. Some of the towns are also known as glowing assets of the Czech Republic due to the existence of curative mineral spring spas there. Spas like Karlovy Vary (Karlsbad) and Marianske Lazne (Marienbad) acquired their international eminence  many years ago. Jachymov, another town in the countryside, is well known  for its rare radioactive springs. Terezin is also often explored by tourists, but unfortunately its history is stained by war. Terezin was a fort town from the end of the 18th century which, during the war, was transformed into a Jewish ghetto by the Nazis.

For more information about Czech Republic please visit Czech Republic Official Website.

Prague

Prague, the capital city of the Czech Republic, lies in the heart of Europe and ranks amongst the most impressive historical cities in the world. The city has always played an important part in the history of the nation, country and Europe. Since medieval times, Prague has been distinguished as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Prague is not only a centre of cultural movements dating back for centuries (Art from every period in history can be found here), it also exhibits a unique collection of historical monuments, dominated by Prague Castle.

Since 1992, the historical core of the city (866 hectares) has been listed in the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage Register as a town with a unique and lively blend of Roman, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Art Nouveau and Cubist architecture.Prague was one of nine European cities awarded the title European City of Culture in 2000.Prague has around 1.2 million inhabitants. Since May 1st , 2004 the Czech Republic has been a member of the European Union. For more information, visit the website http://www.pis.cz/en. Prague remains the greatest tourist magnet.

It is beautiful all year round, but it is most beautiful in spring, when it comes alive with blossom.With the opening of the Prague Spring Festival, the concert halls and gardens of the city attract music-lovers from all over the world. Winter, however, is a time for people to visit the mountains. The Giant Mountains (Krkonose) are the highest and most beautiful range in the country. Summer is a time for hiking in the countryside or swimming in the countless lakes and reservoirs. At this time of year South Bohemia, with its lakes and extensive forests, is the place to visit. Autumn is best during the wine festival in South Moravia after the grapes have been harvested. The Czech Republic has much to offer to tourists from all around the world.

Prague Transportation
The most recent information on Pragues' transportation system can be found on the official website: http://www.dpp.cz/en/

Metro
The Prague Metro network consists of 3 lines designated by letters and differentiated in colour:  A - green colour (Skalka station - Dejvicka station),  B - yellow colour (Cerny most station - Zlicin station),  C - red colour (Ladvi - Haje station), with transfers possible at Museum station (lines A and C), Mustek station (lines A and B), Florenc station (lines B and C). Metro operates daily from 5 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Trams
Daytime operation is from 4:30 a.m. to 24:00 a.m. Nighttime operation is from 00:30 a.m. to 4:30 a.m. and is provided by tram numbers 51 to 58 with traffic intervals 30 minutes. The central transfer-station for nighttime lines is Lazarska stop. Tram schedules are located at individual stops. 

Buses
The daytime and nighttime operation of buses is similar to tram operation. Nighttime service is provided by bus numbers 501 to 514. Bus schedules are located at individual stops. 

Taxi
When taking a taxi, make sure the taxi is equipped with a permanently installed yellow roof lamp with the TAXI sign in black letters. The registration number, company name and price list including the base rate, rate per kilometre and one-minute-waiting rate must be displayed on both front doors of the cab. These prices must correspond with the prices set on the meter in the cab. Customers are recommended to order a taxi with non-stop dispatching offices where the information on fares is available in advance.

Prague City Transport Fares
Travelling by city transport is possible with a valid ticket only. Passengers have to obtain their tickets before boarding the vehicle or entering the Metro system. The ticket is valid only if marked in the validation appliance.  

Fares
Transfer ticket 26,- Kc (discounted children 6 to 15 - 13,- Kc)
Nontransfer ticket 18,- Kc (discounted children 6 to 15 - 9,- Kc)
The ticket is valid for 75 minutes after marking. During off-peak hours, i.e. 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. on working days and all day Saturdays and Sundays ticket validity is lengthened to 90 minutes.
In trams and buses a nontransfer ticket is valid for 20 minutes after marking and does not allow changing of lines. In the underground the nontransfer ticket is valid for 5 stations after marking (excluding the starting station) and allows transfers between the underground lines. Time validity of the nontransfer ticket in the underground is limited to 30 minutes.
nontransfer tickets are not valid on night trams and buses and for the Petrin Funicular.
The prices may be increased during the year. 

Ticket Inspection
The validity of tickets can be checked by the ticket inspectors of Dopravni podnik at any time during travel or stay in the Metro system. The ticket inspector is entitled to ask the passenger to produce his or her valid ticket, to confiscate invalid tickets, and to collect a penalty (1000 Kc, if paid at once 500 Kc) in case of travel without a valid ticket. In case of unpaid freight the inspector collects a penalty 50 Kc. To prove their identity, inspectors produce yellow-and-red badges. They issue receipts for the penalty amounts.