The Czech Republic nestles in a basin encircled with a wreath of border mountain ranges. In the past, the country was intersected by a network of ancient trade routes running from east, west, north and south along the narrow river valleys to meet deep inland. Over the centuries, the most important nations of Europe have met here and influenced each other's destinies. The Czech lands are virtually a showcase of architectural styles, as reflected in their historic towns, castles and manor houses, valuable relics of sacred and rural architecture, remarkable museum and gallery collections and unique examples of technical construction.

The most important locations - the historic core of Prague, the towns of Kutná Hora, Český Krumlov, Telč, Litomyšl, Olomouc, Třebíč and Kroměříž, the pilgrim church of St John Nepomuk at Zelená Hora near Žďár nad Sázavou, the Lednice-Valtice area, the village of Holašovice in southern Bohemia and the Tugendhat Villa in Brno - have rightly been entered in the UNESCO List of World Cultural Heritage.

The border mountain regions are a paradise for those who enjoy summer hiking or winter sports, whereas the landscape of southern Bohemia, embroidered with a pattern of lakes, offers enchanting venues for long contemplative walks. The highly characteristic Wallachian region with its wealth of rural folk architecture and the wine-growing areas of southern Moravia have also been much visited destinations.

North Moravia and Silesia are the parts of the Czech Republic offering varied countryside and remarkable folk architecture, an ideal place for rest and relaxation. The air in the Jeseníky mountains compares favourably with climate in the Alps, while the more easily accessible Beskydy hills are dotted with examples of folk architecture.

Whether you are looking for a place to relax, for sport or entertainment, if you want to become acquainted with history, art and the beauties of nature or need a suitable venue for conferences, scientific symposia, or commercial and training meetings, then the Czech Republic can certainly offer you a wide choice and favourable conditions.

Travelling in the Czech Republic

BY AIR:
Domestic air transport is provided by Czech Airlines (ČSA) and Air Ostrava, which operate flights between Prague, Ostrava, Brno, Karlovy Vary and Pardubice. Small airplanes can be hired from specialized companies for journeys to different places throughout the country or for observation flights.

BY TRAIN:
Czech Railways offer a network of domestic routes on which trains of various categories operate. The SuperCity trains, which offer the most extensive range of services, use exclusively modernized first-class carriages and restaurant cars with bar sections. The Express category bears comparison with InterCity trains. They consist of modernized first and second-class carriages and they all provide restaurants services. Czech Railway Lines operate specially modified carriages for wheelchair users. Bicycles and kayaks and oversized luggage are transported in special carriages.
Information on train and bus schedules in the Czech Republic can be obtained from www.jizdnirady.idnes.cz

BY CAR:
The Czech Republic is ideal for car transportation, boasting a high-quality network of motorways and roads with visible signs.

Traffic Regulations
The Czech traffic regulations are almost identical with those in effect in other countries.

Speed limitations
- the maximum allowed speed in built in areas is 50 km/hr. (nights included)
- the maximum allowed speed for cars and buses of up to 3,500 kg is 90 km/hr. on roads and 130 km/hr. on motorways
- the maximum allowed speed for motorcycles is 90 km/hr.
- the maximum allowed speed for cars above 3,500 kg on roads is 80 km/hr.
- the consumption of alcohol is not allowed before or during driving
- seat belts must be fastened during the entire journey
- motorcyclists and their pillion passengers must wear a helmet
The fee for use of motorways and roads by motor vehicles in the Czech Republic is paid in the form of the so-called motorway stickers which must be fastened to the inside of the windscreen (the same system is used in Austria or Switzerland). Stickers (annual - costing CZK 1500, monthly - CZK 440 and ten-day - CZK 310 for vehicles up to 3,500 kg) can be purchased at post offices, border crossings and selected petrol stations.

Car Breakdown Services
Long-distance centres of the Central Auto-Moto-Club (ÚAMK) provide a 24-hour service at the following tel.: 0/123
Autoklub Bohemia Assistance - 24-hour breakdown and towing service available for all broken-down vehicles. Ring 0/124 for attendance.

TAXIS:
Taxi fees, consisting of a fixed rate and rate for actual number of kilometres, differ from place to place. Rate per kilometre must be stated both on the taxi's coachwork and inside. Every taxi driver is obliged to issue on request a receipt of the fare paid. Passengers should require information on fares in advance. Taxis can be booked by telephone 24 hours in advance.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT:
Trams, buses and trolley buses are used for public transportation in Czech and Moravian towns. Three Metro lines operate in Prague, connecting the city centre and out-lying districts. There are different tariffs in individual towns. Tickets can be obtained at ticket-machines, newsagents and tobacconists. In Prague and several other large towns, tourist tickets are available, valid for a number of journeys. On entering metro stations, trams and buses, passengers are obliged to mark their tickets in the stamping machines. Information on Prague public transport is available at the website www.dpp.cz

Tourist Trade Services in the Czech Republic
LODGING AND FOOD
Tourists can choose according to their requirements and means from a large number of hotels of various categories, guest houses, cheap Bed and Breakfast places and interesting eco-agrofarms. Traditional accommodation is also offered in private houses and camp sites. The quality of services provided by these facilities is comparable to that of other European countries. Information about hotels can be obtained at the majority of travel agencies.
Information centres operate in larger towns with opening hours from 9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.

OPENING HOURS OF SHOPS AND SERVICES:
Shops
The opening hours of Czech shops vary, but are generally from 9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. on workdays and from 9.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. on Saturdays. Many shops are now open on Sundays and their number is increasing.
Credit cards are accepted in selected shops, e.g. Eurocard/Mastercard, American Express, VISA, Dinner's Club, Japan Credit Bureau, Access and Carte Blanche.

Banks
As with shops, business hours are mostly from 8.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. on workdays. Money can also be changed at foreign tellers in hotels, petrol stations, travel agencies, shopping centres, information centres and numerous small foreign exchange offices.

Telephone
Telephone boxes operating on telephone cards or coins can be found everywhere in the Czech Republic. Telephone cards can be purchased at post offices, newsagents and newspaper stalls.

Calling to the Czech Republic
The dialling code of the Czech Republic is +420, followed by the 9-digit telephone number. Numbers starting with 1 are used for telephone information, numbers starting with 2-5 belong to landlines, 6-8 are defined for mobiles operators and 9 belongs to certain official state institutions.

WHERE TO GO FOR DETAILED INFORMATION
Pražská informační služba
(Prague Information Service)
Na Příkopě 20
110 00 Prague 1
www.pis.cz

CzechTourism
Vinohradská 46
P.O.Box 32
120 41 Praha 2
Tel.: +420-221 580 111
Fax +420-224 247 516
E-mail: info@CzechTourism.cz
www.CzechTourism.cz, www.CzechTourism.com

Pražská asociace kongresové turistiky (P.A.K.T.)
(Prague Congress Tourism Association)
Rytířská 26
110 00 Prague 1
Tel.: +420-224 235 159
Fax: +420-224 234 399
E-mail:pakt@comp.cz
www.pragueconvention.cz

Asociace turistických informačních center (A.T.I.C.)
(Association of Tourist Information Centres)
Na Skalkách 937/2
277 11 Neratovice
Tel.: +420-315 684 039
E-mail: jahodova@mnet.cz

Asociace cestovních kanceláří ČR
(Association of Travel Agencies of the Czech Republic)
V tůních 8
120 00 Prague 2
Tel.: +420-224 941 649
Fax: +420-296 202 280
E-mail: ack@ackcr.cz
www.ackcr.cz

Asociace českých cestovních kanceláří a agentur
(Association of Czech Travel Agencies)
Vinohradská 46
120 41 Prague 2
Tel.: +420-221 580 256
Fax: +420-221 580 257
E-mail: accka@anet.cz
www.accka.cz

Národní federace hotelů a restaurací České republiky
(National Hotel and Restaurant Federation of the Czech Republic)
Senovážné nám. 23
112 82 Prague 1
Tel.: +420-224 142 676
Fax: +420-224 142 681
www.ahrcr.cz

ÚAMK-Ústřední automotoklub ČR
(Central Auto-moto-club of the Czech Republic)
Na Strži 9
140 02 Prague 4
Tel.: +420-261 104 256
Fax: +420-261 104 235
Centrála turistických informací
(Tourist Information Agency)
Tel.: +420-261 104 333
e-mail: sekretariat@uamk.cz
www.uamk.cz

Autoklub ČR
(Auto-club of the Czech Republic)
Opletalova 29
110 00 Prague 1
Tel.: +420-222 243 010
Fax: +420-222 246 275
E-mail: autoklub@autoklub.cz
www.autoklub.cz

Svaz léčebných lázní ČR
(Union of Curative Spas of the Czech Republic)
Jiráskova 17
351 01 Františkovy Lázně
Tel.: +420-354 542 225
Fax: +420-354 542 356
E-mail: r.salamanczuk@telecom.cz
http://www.lecebne-lazne.cz

AllPraha.com
www.allpraha.com
Mobil: +420-776 674 209
Tel&Fax: +420-224 256 141
E-mail: alzbeta.cram@allpraha.com
AllPraha.com is a listing of resources (restaurants, beer gardens, shops, doctors, mobile phone networks and everything else useful for someone in a foreign city)