Czech Republic & Germany
INTRODUCTION
GEOGRAPHY
HISTORY
SNAPSHOT
POTPOURRI
LOCATION
SHORE EXCURSIONS
SIGHTSEEING
RECREATION
SHOPPING
DINING OVERVIEW
PERSONAL SAFETY
HEALTH
DOS & DON’TS
Geostats
Currency Exchange
Taxes
Tipping
Weather
What to Wear
Telephone
Internet Access
Mail & Package Services
Newspapers & Magazines
Transportation
For More Information
Recommended Guidebooks
Additional Reading
INTRODUCTION
But if you really wish to discover the richness of this immensely cultured nation, venture beyond Prague. The magnificent, undulating landscape consists of mountains, upland plains, forests and farmland. Thanks to the fact that the country was spared widespread destruction during World War II, many of its cities and towns are a visual feast of medieval, baroque and art-nouveau architecture and sculpture. Bohemian spa towns and sleepy Moravian wine villages have a historical integrity and welcoming atmosphere that give visitors the feeling of being immersed in an open-air museum. The country also boasts more than 100 castles—from craggy fortresses to more refined, aristocratic chateaus.
Venturing off the beaten path doesn’t mean leaving comfort and service behind. The number and quality of restaurants and hotels throughout the country is very good. And with the help of local tourist offices, the task of arranging accommodations or gathering information about local sites is easy to accomplish.
GEOGRAPHY
The Czech Republic is internally divided into two geographic and cultural areas called Bohemia, whose capital is Prague, and Moravia, whose capital is Brno.
Bordered by Poland, Germany and Austria, Bohemia lies to the west and is split by the province’s primary river, the Vltava. Bohemia is characterized by low, rolling hills and farmland, but on its foreign borders it is almost entirely surrounded by mountain ranges. The rolling hills and thick forests in southern Bohemia, dotted with fairy-tale castles, typify the bucolic charm visitors imagine when they think of the area, and natural hot springs have made western Bohemia an internationally known spa destination. Northern Bohemia’s mountains are studded by dramatic sandstone rock formations, canyons and caves.
Moravia, situated to the east, is bordered by Poland, Austria and Slovakia. Split by the Morava River, it is known for its highland areas and lower mountains. The fertile hillsides in southern Moravia are covered with orchards and the vineyards that have made this region synonymous with wine-making. The limestone caves of the area are spectacular .
HISTORY
Since the Middle Ages, the region that is now the Czech Republic has been a major political and cultural force in the Great Moravian Empire, the Holy Roman Empire and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Partly as a reaction to the overbearing Hapsburg influence of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, a Czech nationalist movement emerged in the mid-1800s. It fostered new pride in Czech culture, history and language.
A Czech democracy was a tantalizing ideal through much of the 20th century. After the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire at the end of World War I, an independent, democratic Czechoslovak Republic was formed, but it was doomed by events over the next two decades. The 1938 Munich Agreement gave the Czech Sudentenland (located on the border with Germany) to Germany, and in 1939, the Nazis occupied all of Czechoslovakia. Independence was restored at the end of World War II with Germany’s defeat, but the country quickly fell under the dominance of the Soviet Union. In the mid-1960s, Czech communists experimented with a unique Czechoslovak socialist model that grew to be named “Prague Spring.” The movement was crushed by a Soviet military invasion in August 1968, ushering in one of the most oppressive and hard-line regimes in eastern Europe.
Resistance continued, and dissidents rallied to speak out against oppression. With Mikhail Gorbachev’s rise to power in the Soviet Union in the late 1980s, his perestroika policy opened the door to reform and loosened the hold of the Communist hard-liners. In 1989, mass demonstrations shook the government and finally brought about its collapse in what was called the Velvet Revolution. The 1989 election of dissident intellectual, playwright and former political prisoner Vaclav Havel catapulted the new democracy to world prominence.
All troubles did not end with the ousting of the Communists. Tensions between Slovaks and Czechs led to the creation of two separate countries at the end of 1992. Re-elected president of the new Czech Republic, Havel served as the country’s spiritual and moral leader in the face of widespread government corruption in the mid-1990s and guided the country to NATO membership in 1999. After two terms in office, he was succeeded by Vaclav Klaus in January 2003.
After an economic downturn in the late 1990s caused by corruption and lax financial regulation, the economy improved, and foreign investment brought new life to regions of the country decimated by privatization of state-run industries. High-tech firms cropped up rapidly, turning the Czech Republic—and especially Prague—into a prime technology center. Underlying all this revitalization was the government’s push for entrance into the European Union, which became a reality in May 2004.
SNAPSHOT
The foremost attractions of the Czech Republic are beautiful scenery, castles and quaint villages, skiing, health spas, limestone caves, beer gardens and beer halls, wine cellars, music festivals, fishing, hiking, mountain climbing, puppet shows, churches and monasteries, and folk costumes.
Prague is one of Europe’s most enchanting cities, but don’t expect to have it to yourself. The city is very crowded during summer—if possible, visit during the off-season. If you have the time and mode of transportation, don’t let the language barrier keep you from exploring the villages and castles that dot the countryside. You’ll find them peaceful, and you will gain an understanding of the country that continues to elude those who never venture outside the capital city.
POTPOURRI
Several Czech films have won Academy Awards in the category of best foreign film. These have included Kolya (1996), Closely Watched Trains (1968) and The Shop on Main Street (1966). Other nominees have included Divided We Fall (2001), The Elementary School (1992), My Sweet Little Village (1985), The Firemen’s Ball (1969) and Loves of a Blonde (1967).
The first Protestant faith has its roots in Prague. In 1414, Jan Hus, a priest and official at Prague University, protested corruption in the established Catholic Church—103 years before Martin Luther spoke out in Wittenberg, Germany. Hus was burned at the stake as a heretic, but his beliefs still survive in the Unity of Brethren (Moravian) faith.
The word robot is derived from the old Czech word for work (or compulsory labor). Author Karel Capek coined the word in his science-fiction novel R.U.R. (Rossum’s Universal Robots). Another noteworthy linguistic borrowing is the word dollar, which comes from the Old Czech tolar.
Prague’s Charles University, founded in 1348, was the first university to be established north of the Alps and east of the Rhine.
The Czech Republic is one of the least religious countries in the world. Census results showed 32.4% “had no religion.” Possibly, it can be traced to the Czech’s rejection of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy, which supported the church.
The 1618 Defenestration of Prague—in which nobles threw King Mattias’ vice-regents out the windows of Prague Castle to protest the king’s policies—was the event that sparked the Thirty Years’ War, which ravaged much of Europe until 1648.
The Nazis preserved many Jewish buildings in Prague and warehoused Jewish religious artifacts there because they wanted to have an ethnological museum of an extinct race. Czech Jews were rounded up and sent first to Terezin (Theresienstadt), which was a “model” concentration camp filled with music and other cultural activities. Many who passed through Terezin went on to the death camp at Auschwitz.
Prague’s Jan Palach Square was named after the Czech student who set himself on fire to protest the 1968 Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia. Maps printed before 1990 label it as Red Army Square.
UNESCO has designated many World Heritage sites in the Czech Republic. They include the historic center of Prague; the historic center of Cesky Krumlov; the historic center of Telc; the Pilgrimage Church of St. John of Nepomuk at Zelena Hora; the town center of Kutna Hora, with the Church of Saint Barbara and the Cathedral of our Lady at Sedlec; the Lednice-Valtice Cultural Landscape; the Holasovice village reservation; the gardens and castle at Kromeritz; Litomysl Castle; Holy Trinity Column in Olomouc; and Tugendhat Villa in Brno.
SIGHTSEEING
Filled with many castles and historical sites, the Czech Republic is a great place to explore European roots. Besides this, it is also home to many parks and gardens. Both indoor and outdoor sightseeing activities abound in this diverse country.
Two excellent sites not to miss are Prague Castle and Spilberk Castle. Prague Castle today is the political hub of the Czech Republic as well as a historical center and home to the Czech Crown Jewels. Additionally, six exquisite gardens surround the castle grounds. Established in the 13th century, Spilberk Castle now houses the Brno City Museum, which features various permanent and temporary cultural and historical exhibitions.
Oenophiles should visit the National Wine Centre, located in South Moravia. It has information on the wine industry in the Czech Republic, as well as tastings from such wineries as Dvoracek, located south of Brno.
RECREATION
The Czech Republic boasts a landscape ranging from rolling meadows to snow-covered mountains, allowing for a wide variety of recreational activities. Visitors enjoy walking through castle grounds or kayaking along river bends. Camping is available throughout the country. Hundreds of miles/kilometers of well-marked trails cover the entire country, making it an ideal location for hiking, biking and cross-country skiing.
BOATING & SAILING
The Czech Republic is crisscrossed with rivers and is a great location for canoeing. Major watersports centers are found in Cesky Krumlov on the Vltava River and in Tynec on the Sazava River.
HIKING & WALKING
The Czech Republic’s landscape is ideal for hiking, for both beginners and more experienced climbers. Most villages have trails around lakes or rivers that can provide exercise and stunning views. You can go on your own or with one of the many guided tours.
Some of the most spectacular and popular areas for walking are Cesky Raj (Bohemian Paradise) near Turnov, Arspach Rocks near Nachod on the border with Poland, Cesky Svycarsko (Czech Switzerland) near Dresden on the border with Germany, and the Moravian Karst region near Blansko.
SKIING
Although skiing in Czech Republic doesn’t come close to the Alps in neighboring Austria, there are still plenty of opportunities for both downhill and cross-country skiing as well as snowboarding. The Krkonose mountains are the main area for skiing in Czech Republic, and the main center is Spindleruv Mlyn, near the highest mountain in the country, Snezka. In Moravia, the Jeseniky mountains are the highest, and at Praded you can stay in the fairy-tale wooden chalets at Karlova Studanka.
SHOPPING
Shop for Bohemian hand-cut crystal, garnets, antiques, jewelry, handmade tablecloths and puppets, peasant frocks, hand-knit shawls, wooden toys, embroidered clothing, hand-painted eggs, caviar, fur hats, classical music, ceramics and china. Be on the lookout for sidewalk vendors—they often have interesting collections of small antiques for sale. We recommend shopping in Prague, as nowhere else offers as much selection.
Today, Western-style department stores, boutiques and shops containing quality, name-brand products have become the norm and are taken for granted by locals. It is not uncommon nowadays for Czechs to visit the local “hypermart,” usually on the outskirts of town, and load up the car with purchases.
Especially in small towns, visitors often find it strange that in many shops, such as potraviny (small supermarkets) and drug stores, customers tell the shop assistant their order and remain at the cash register as the assistant fetches it from the shelves. The practice of counter service dates from Austro-Hungarian times. However, larger samoobsluha (self-service shops) now dominate.
Shopping Hours: Generally, smaller shops are open Monday-Friday 8 or 9 am-6 pm, Saturday 9 am-noon. Expect shops in the center of most larger towns to be open until 8 or 9 pm daily. Some hypermarts are also open 24 hours a day.
DINING OVERVIEW
Czech food once consisted of many variations of gravy, meat and dumplings. Today, an increasing number of restaurants, especially in Prague, serve not only imaginative variations of local dishes, but also foreign delicacies—including Italian and Asian dishes. These cuisines are represented on the menus of many local restaurants, and virtually every town, large or small, offers a pizzeria or Chinese bistro. Roast pork, sauerkraut and dumplings constitute the traditional national meal—it’s served almost everywhere, in more- or less-elaborate versions. Other favorites are potatoes, beef and duck.
Sample dishes from both Moravian and Bohemian restaurants—there’s a difference. We did enjoy Prazska sunka (Prague ham, best served with cream and horseradish), gulas (the Czech version of goulash) and palacinky (dessert crepes filled with chocolate, jam or ice cream). Don’t be shy about trying the street food—the sausages with mustard on rye bread served from tiny windows along the sidewalk make a greasy but good lunch, as does smazeny syr (fried cheese). For a quick meal, a plate of cheese and salami with rye bread is available at many beer and wine bars. A standard Czech fast-food item is langos (fried dough brushed with garlic sauce or topped with ketchup).
Under the communist regime, restaurants offered meals according to the official cookbook and at the official prices (creative chefs wanting to offer their own dishes had to apply for permission). Now, restaurants frequently feature international cuisine, and the Czech offerings include a lot more wild game, with dishes such as venison with plum sauce or wild boar.
One good thing about eating local dishes is that you can wash them down with Czech beer (the locally brewed Pilsner Urquell and Budvar are among the best beers in Europe). Beer plays a major role in Czech social life, so the beer halls are good places to take in some local color. As well as the beer bars (called hospoda or pivnice), there are also vinarnas (wine bars). The better Czech wines come from Moravia. Because of the country’s location farther north than many wine-growing regions, Czech whites such as Muller-Thurgau tend to outshine the reds. Frankovka is the restaurant-standard red and quite average, though some of the region’s Modry Portugals are exceptional.
The national spirit, Becherovka, is a herbal liqueur that makes for a great before- or after-dinner drink. Although the healing atmosphere of Karlovy Vary (where it is distilled) seems the most appropriate place to sip it, it is available at restaurants and bars across the country. Strong slivovice (plum brandy) is also served frequently. Many village Moravians will proudly offer you a taste of their home blend, which is usually much smoother than the store-bought variety.
ETIQUETTE
Since the country has joined the European Union, Czechs have been very receptive to free-market forces and have put them to work for their own benefit. Although some issues still distinguish the Czech Republic from countries in western Europe or North America, visitors from those areas will find many familiar customs. Within larger cities, it is easy to survive without knowing any Czech, although in smaller towns and villages, it becomes more difficult. Even there, however, sites oriented toward tourists will likely have information in English or staff members that speak the language.
Appointments—Punctuality is the norm. Appointments should be made well in advance. Be aware that many Czechs are on vacation in midsummer, so meetings are difficult to arrange at that time.
Personal Introductions—Greet everyone with a firm handshake and direct eye contact. Men and women sometimes greet each other with kisses on both cheeks, but this should be initiated by your Czech companion. Unless you’re familiar with Czech titles, use English titles (Mr., Ms.) along with the person’s last name until instructed to do otherwise. Since Czechs treat the formal mode of address as a sign of respect, do the same until you get to know your Czech associate. It’s not necessary to have your business cards translated into Czech.
Negotiating—Czechs regard small talk preceding negotiations as a part of establishing good personal relations. Although Czechs are interested in foreigners, especially Westerners, they also enjoy talking about themselves; the older generation especially likes discussing sports, vacations abroad or theirchatas (cottages). Younger people, especially those in Prague, have traveled abroad more and tend to be more pragmatic and business-driven than others in the country. A good personal relationship is very important in business dealings.
Overall, negotiations tend to move at a pace that’s slower than is common in many countries, since a lot of people may be scrutinizing the details of the deal. Get legal advice regarding the intricacies of government regulation.
Business Entertaining—Business meals have become a common part of deals. During the course of the meal, it is often a good idea to let your Czech associates be the first to broach the topic of business.
Body Language—Generally, personal space is respected, and there is little direct contact when speaking. The proper way to get someone’s attention is to say prosim (pronounced PROH-seem), which means “please.”
Gift Giving—Business associates do not expect to receive gifts, but giving presents does not create awkwardness. Giving flowers, wine or candy is always a welcome gesture if you’re invited to a home.
Conversation—In conversations with those you don’t know well, avoid discussing sensitive topics, such as your own political views, or Czech relations with other nationalities—especially Germans, Russians or Gypsies. Safer subjects include sports, vacations, cultural events, art and above all, beer—the Czechs are considered the inventors of the pilsner style of beer and also make several other tasty varieties.
PERSONAL SAFETY
The threat of violent crime in the Czech Republic is generally low. By exercising the same caution as you would in any city, you can feel safe walking the streets; however, be more cautious when venturing out to areas not frequented by foreigners or tourists.
Also be aware that petty crimes can occur, including pickpocketing, especially in Prague and the larger cities. Dial 158 for the police; dial 150 for a fire.
For the latest information, contact your country’s travel-advisory agency.
HEALTH
Adequate hospital facilities are available in larger cities, with clinics and doctors in many of the small towns and villages. Though lekarna (pharmacies) are well-stocked with quality medicines, it is a good idea to take any needed medications with you. Tap water is safe to drink. Be sure to pack a comfortable pair of walking shoes.
Dial 112 in case of an emergency; dial 155 for medical first aid.
For the latest information, contact your country’s health-advisory agency.
DOS & DON’TS
Don’t expect everyone to speak English. Many Czechs do speak English, especially younger people. In Prague, many speak it well. Those who deal with visitors regularly know enough to be helpful. The older generation will most likely speak only German or Russian as a second language. Nonetheless, most people will go out of their way to bridge the language gap.
Do learn a few words in Czech, such as prosim (pronounced PROH-seem), “please”; dekuju (pronounced DAY-koo-yoo), “thank you”; and prominte (pronounced PROH-min-tay), “excuse me.”
Don’t park in the blue zone if you have a car. It will be clamped very quickly.
Do put a beer mat down in front of you if you are in a bar or restaurant and want a beer. This small action shows exactly what you want and will likely improve your status with the bar staff from “tourist” to “in-the-know out-of-towner .”
Do expect to take your shoes off if visiting somebody in their home. They will typically provide you with a pair of slippers.
Geostats
Passport/Visa Requirements: Passport required for U.S., Canadian, Australian and European Union citizens. However, citizens of the U.S., Canada, Australia and EU countries do not need a visa and may stay for up to 90 days.
Visitors are also technically required to show proof of sufficient funds for the duration of their stay, although this appears to be rarely checked. Reconfirm travel document requirements with your carrier before departure.
Population: 10,190,213.
Languages: Czech, Slovak, Hungarian, Russian, German, English.
Predominant Religions: Atheist, Christian (Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Orthodox).
Time Zone: 1 hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (+1 GMT). Daylight Saving Time is observed from the end of March to the end of October.
Voltage Requirements: 220 volts. 50 Hz.
Telephone Codes: 420, country code; 2, city code for Prague;
Currency Exchange
The currency is the Czech Koruna (CZK). Exchange rates vary throughout the country, with the for-profit exchange booths located in most major and minor cities generally offering the worst rates. The best rates and lowest commissions are usually at commercial banks.
ATMs are prevalent across the country and accept major credit cards and some bank cards. Credit cards are widely accepted, but many smaller shops and restaurants only accept cash.
Taxes
Tipping
Tipping is not mandatory for service personnel, but it is appreciated. For good service in a restaurant and when driving with a taxi, you can tip approximately 5%-10% of the total bill. In hotels, tip bellhops about 30 CZK per piece of luggage.
Weather
The weather is best May-September, when days are warm and the nights are cool (take a sweater). Spring is preferable to summer for avoiding crowds, but summer is preferable to spring for avoiding rain (take along an umbrella). October, usually a little chilly and wet, is an excellent time to go if you’re primarily interested in museums, indoor activities or just driving around. Winters are very cold, damp, snowy and often foggy.
What to Wear
Standard business dress is a suit and tie for men. For women, a skirt and blouse is perhaps the most common outfit, but you’ll often see women wearing dress slacks.
For casual wear, virtually anything goes. Shorts and T-shirts are fine for summer, as are jeans, slacks or skirts with sweaters in winter. It’s always a good idea to have a waterproof jacket or umbrella for rain showers, and you’ll appreciate sturdy walking shoes on cobblestoned streets and country paths.
Telephone
To dial a phone number within the Czech Republic, you must dial the area code. You can find pay phones in most of the larger cities. Although there are some that accept credit cards, most use phone cards, which can be bought attabak (newsstands), post offices, hotels and hypermarts.
Cell phone coverage is good across the country, though the thickness of walls in older buildings and the number of restaurants that are located in cellars means you might need to step outside to make calls in some cases.
Internet Access
Internet cafes are widespread. Particularly in the larger cities, you will have no problem finding a cafe with Wi-Fi.
A popular Internet spot in Prague is the Globe Bookstore. Pstrossova 6, Prague. Phone 4202-2493-4203. http://www.globebookstore.cz.
Wi-Fi is also starting to take off as Czech business owners realize that providing the service attracts customers to their core business. Thus, Wi-Fi typically is free to customers.
Mail & Package Services
The Czech mail service is reliable for sending regular letters, postcards and packages. In Prague, the main post office is located at Jindrisska 909/14. Open daily 24 hours except midnight-2 am. Phone 4202-2113-1420. http://www.cpost.cz.
The biggest disadvantage is likely to be a language barrier, so if you don’t speak Czech and have special delivery requests, you might want to use a courier such as DPD. http://www.dpd.com/cz_en.
Newspapers & Magazines
Outside of central Prague (and the airport), it is not that easy to find English-language press. In Prague, you can get all the major international titles such as theInternational Herald Tribune, The New York Times, USA Today and most U.K. dailies.
The Prague Post is the one English-language, Czech-based title that has stood the test of time, having been in circulation as a weekly since 1991. News items are tilted toward business, but there is always a “Night & Day” section that gives cinema, theater, club, concert and gallery listings as well as restaurant reviews. http://www.praguepost.com.
Transportation
Many major international carriers as well as budget airlines serve Prague Airport (PRG), which is 10 mi/17 km northwest of Prague (http://www.csl.cz). Three terminals serve both domestic and international travel and provide a variety of services to passengers, including shops, restaurants, hotels, and car rental and travel agency services. Additionally, domestic carrier Czech Airlines flies into Brno’s Turany airport, which is just a 20-minute bus journey from that city’s center. http://www.airport-brno.cz.
Train and bus transportation is relatively inexpensive compared with service in western Europe. The European East Pass is valid for rail travel in the Czech Republic, but it’s worth the expense only if you are planning to travel outside the country, as well. Although a Czech Flexipass for rail travel is available, it is unlikely that it would be worth buying unless you really plan to travel a lot by train. http://www.raileurope-world.com/rail-products/rail-passes/article/european-east-pass.
An alternative option is to buy the In-karta card, which is valid for a minimum period of three months and offers discounts on rail travel as well as on entrance to sporting and other events. For additional information on purchasing requirements and fees, see http://www.cd.cz/en/vyhody-pro-cestujici/in-karta/co-je-in-karta/-9130.
Bus travel is also efficient, especially if you’re heading to small towns. Eurolines CZ offers dependable international bus service as well as domestic service between Prague and Brno, and Prague and Hradec Kralove. Phone 4202-4500-5245. http://www.bei.cz.
If you want the flexibility of your own car, the Czech road system is fairly easy to navigate. Note, however, that you will be required to purchase a toll sticker for your car if you will be traveling on highways throughout the country. If you will be driving a rental car, ask whether this sticker is provided with the car.
Although the legal driving age in the Czech Republic is 18, you must be at least 21 years old and have held your license for one year in order to rent a car. If renting a vehicle, drivers younger than age 25 may also incur a driving surcharge.
For More Information
Czech Tourist Offices in Other Countries
U.K.: Czech Tourist Authority-CzechTourism, 13 Harley St., London W1G 9QG. Phone 44-207-631-0427.
http://uk.czechtourism.com.
Canada and U.S.: Czech Tourist Authority-CzechTourism, 1109 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10028. Phone 212-288-0830. http://usa.czechtourism.com.
U.S.: Embassy of the Czech Republic, 3900 Spring of Freedom St. N.W., Washington, DC 20008. Phone 202-274-9100. http://www.mzv.cz/washington.
Foreign Embassies Serving the Czech Republic
Australian Consulate, Solitaire Building, Sixth Floor, Klimentska 10, 11000 Prague 1. Phone 4202-2172-9260. http://www.dfat.gov.au/missions/countries/cz.html.
Canadian Embassy, Muchova 6, 16000 Prague 6. Phone 4202-7210-1800. http://www.canada.cz.
British Embassy, Thunovska 14, 11800 Prague 1. Phone 4202-5740-2111. http://www.britain.cz.
U.S. Embassy, Trziste 15, 11801 Prague 1. Phone 4202-5702-2000. http://prague.usembassy.gov.
Recommended Guidebooks
Czech Cooking: Traditional Main Courses by Jana Mladek (Amazon Digital Services).
Additional Reading
The Magic Lantern: The Revolution of ’89 Witnessed in Warsaw, Budapest, Berlin and Prague by Timothy Garton Ash (Vintage).
The Good Soldier Svejk and His Fortunes in the World War by Jaroslav Hasek (Penguin). In this Czech classic written in 1923, Hasek’s bumbling Svejk offers a humorous satire of the last days of Hapsburg rule.
Love and Garbage by Ivan Klima (Vintage). Delves into the contradictions of Czech life in prerevolution days.
Letters and essays by Vaclav Havel, especially Living in Truth (Faber & Faber), Disturbing the Peace (Vintage) or Open Letters (Vintage). They provide insight into the mind of the Czech political leader and writer. Havel has published other books under the pseudonym Ferdinand Vanek.
The Joke, The Unbearable Lightness of Being, The Book of Laughter and Forgetting and other works by Milan Kundera.
Works by Franz Kafka, especially The Trial and The Castle, which offer a bizarre indictment of the Austro-Hungarian Empire through the eyes of this German writer living in Prague.
The Little Town That Stood Still, I Served the King of England and Closely Watched Trains by Bohumil Hrabal, one of the best Czech novelists of the 20th century, known for his mischievous sense of humor.
War with the Newts, Talks With T.G. Masaryk and R.U.R. (Rossum’s Universal Robots) by Karel Capek, one of the most influential Czech writers of the 20th century. He wrote science fiction (before it was established as a genre), novels, fairy tales and detective stories.
The Czechs in a Nutshell by Terje B. Englund. This book is a quirky and often amusing guide to the idiosyncrasies of the Czechs and highlights some interesting trivia.
Tourist Offices
Cedok
This tourist agency offers information on sightseeing, tours and accommodations, as well as international train, bus, plane and ship information. Tickets are also available.
Na Prikope 18, 11000 Prague, Czech Republic.
Phone 4202-2144-7242.
Prague Information Service
This company offers tourist information, tours and calendars of cultural events for Prague and information on the Czech Republic as a whole. Other branches in Prague include Staromestske Namesti 1 (Old Town Hall) and the Main Railway Station. You can also purchase the Prague Card (http://www.praguecitycard.com), which offers discounts on entrance fees to many of Prague’s attractions. The card is valid for two, three or four days. Prague Card costs 790 CZK adults,
530 CZK students. Arbesova Namesti 4, 15000 Prague, Czech Republic.
Phone 4202-2171-4444.