Czech Republic
Time
The Czech Republic is located in the same time zone as the rest of Central Europe, so here is valid CET (GMT) + 1 hour, ie lagging behind Moscow time - 2 hours. In colloquial language, one can find such examples of determining the time as 8:00 am, 10 hours before the dinner, 6:00 in the afternoon or 8:00 in the evening.
When to come to the Czech Republic?
Czech Republic offers visitors a variety of ways to take your time in the year. However, tourists from Russia and b. USSR should not buy into the conventional bait called "Christmas in Prague". from 20 to 30 December in the Czech capital life fades, and from 23 to 26 December is not working no one and nothing, including theaters, shops, museums, supermarkets, swimming pools, cinemas and more. Therefore in this period of time in Prague quite boring for visiting rights, to count on the active implementation time. Rather, it is necessary to come to the New Year, as it is the night of December 31 to January 1 is celebrated in Prague only in the streets, violently and noisily.
If you want to see historical monuments and castles to visit, it is best to visit during the period from early May to late September. Some castles and major museums and galleries are open year-round, but it is in the summer time in the castles often hold different events and activities that are worth visiting. In winter many locks can be closed.
As for winter sports, snow covers the Czech mountains usually from December to March. The temperature on the mountains is below zero, and it can drop down to -20. In the major winter ski resorts slopes, if necessary, covered with snow with snow cannons.
For most other activities, such as walking in nature, hiking and biking, or at the spa, the season does not matter. Just depends on you, whether you prefer warm and hot days (July and August), blooming in spring (April - June), fragrant and flowery autumn (September and October) and cold winter (half of November - March).
Holidays and vacations
Saturday, Sunday and public holidays - these are the days when most of the institutions and banks do not work during the holidays and on Sundays often closed and shops (except for large shopping centers, which operate on weekends). However, most of the restaurants, bars and tourist attractions are working. It must be borne in mind that the city's transport is not as frequent as on weekdays.
Holidays
New year (1.01).
Easter Monday (at the turn of March and April)
Labour Day (1.05.)
Victory Day (8.05.)
Day of the Slavic missionaries Cyril and Methodius (5.07.)
Burning of Jan Hus Day (6.07.)
Day of Czech Statehood (28.09.)
Day Independent Czechoslovak State (28.10.)
Day of Struggle for Freedom and Democracy (17.11.)
Christmas Holidays (24.-26.12.)
For more information on public holidays for the Czech Republic can be found here.
Language
In the Czech Republic speak Czech language, which belongs to the Slavic group of Indo-European languages. Closest to the Czech are other West Slavic languages, namely Slovak. More information can be found in the head of the Czech language and literature, a couple of useful words and phrases you will find here.
Currency
The official currency in the Czech Republic - Czech Koruna (Kč). It is divided into 100 hellers, although at present only used 50 gellerovye coins and stores the total is rounded up. Other coins are in denominations of 1 Kč, 2 Kč, 5 Kč, 10 Kč, 20 Kč and 50 Kč. There are banknotes in denominations of 50 Kč, 100 Kč, 200 Kč, 500 Kč, 1000 Kč, 2000 Kč and 5,000 Kč.
Credit Card
Withdraw money through your credit card, you can through the ATM network. Most advantageous to pay directly to the card. In Prague, this will have no problem in most shops, restaurants and hotels.
Phone calls
If you want to call to the Czech Republic, first dial the country code 00420, and then the rest of the numbers. In the Czech Republic there are no city codes, all landline numbers already include them in yourself.
If you want to call from the Czech Republic abroad, first dial 00, then the country code and phone number (for example, to call the UK, dial 0044 758 866 7949).
Currently, the Czech Republic offer their services three mobile operators: «Vodafone», «T-Mobile» and «Telefónica O2». All mobile operators in the Czech Republic are dual - operate at frequencies of 900 and 1800 MHz, ie in the bands for which adapted most
vehicles.
More on your phone, see here and here.
Before you start to use your cell phone in the Czech Republic, consider it more profitable to buy a local SIM-card. With your phone in this case should be unlocked. Price of new SIM-card with the credit ranges from 200 to 500 euros, and the amount of the loan is fully consistent with the amount paid - the very card with the number means nothing.
Postal services are provided in the Czech Republic Czech Post. The level of these services is quite high, and at the same time they are inexpensive. Sending postcards or letters (up to 20 grams) of the European countries is 17 euros, in other countries - 17-18 crowns. Card or letter can be sent directly from the post office, or you can buy a stamp at the booth and drop a letter in orange mailbox.
Internet
As in most European countries, the Czech Republic, an Internet connection - an ordinary phenomenon. You can connect to your hotel or Internet cafe. Connect to the Internet more and more often in data centers and public libraries. In Prague, the majority of cafes in the center have a point of access to the Internet via Wi-Fi.
Hours of operation
Most shops are open Monday to Friday from eight (products) or nine hours on Saturday before lunch, shops closed about six. Large department stores and supermarkets are working longer, usually up to 22 hours, including weekends, some work around the clock (eg Tesco).
Banks and institutions operate only on weekdays (Monday - Friday), usually from 9 to 17 hours. Time of the branches of individual organizations differ from each other. Mail is usually open on Saturday morning.
Most restaurants and cafes open every day from 9 to 23 hours. In small towns, restaurants and coffee shops usually open from lunch, that is, approximately 11 hours. Similarly, working with many pubs and bars.
Bars and clubs begin to work normally in the afternoon. They are open to about the morning, sometimes up to three or five, depending on the guests. On Friday and Saturday, the work can be quite long and often close on the second day at 8 am.
Favors
The most favorite souvenirs from the Czech Republic are traditionally skilled craftsmen products, including glassware, porcelain and ceramics. Shops with glass and porcelain will accompany you to the center of Prague, at almost every step. You will also find in Prague enough shops with pottery, ceramics except sometimes they can also buy hand-made clothing and fashion accessories. Famous product of the Czech Republic are the semi-precious stones - Bohemian garnets.
For the Czech Republic are also characteristic products of food industry. You have to take home at least one bottle of Czech beer or wine. Karlovy Vary is also unique liqueur Becherovka, memories of southern Moravia can leave Elinkova plum. Sweet lovers recommend Carlsbad wafers produced by a unique recipe, which is inherited from generation to generation, or Czech chocolate.