Destination: Czech Republic

Odyssey travels by coach and occasionally uses local transport, including trains and ferries. Specifics are always outlined in your tour itinerary. The Czech Republic has one of the largest rail networks in Europe, with fairly affordable train services operating across the length and breadth of the country. Bus services are also widely available, and are often less expensive than trains. Taxi cabs can be found in many cities and towns, although beware of being ripped off by unscrupulous unofficial cab drivers.

In major cities, Odyssey stays in centrally located 3-4 star hotels, with easy access to public transport. In smaller towns or rural areas, we usually stay in family-run hotels or guesthouses. On our longstay tours, during which you spend the length of the tour in a single location, we use serviced apartments.

Odyssey always engages local guides with regional knowledge to ensure an authentic experience during which you can learn as much as possible about the history and culture of places you visit.

The landlocked country of the Czech Republic covers a total area of 78,867 square kilometres. Two thirds of the country is occupied by the by the river basin of Bohemia, through which the Elbe and Vltava rivers flow. Low mountains and hills ring the Bohemian river basin, with the country’s highest point, Snezka, situated in the Krkonose mountains in the northeast. The region of Moravia in the eastern half is hilly, and is drained predominantly by the Morava river.

The Czech Republic has a mostly temperate oceanic climate, with warm summers and cold winters. Depending on when you intend to travel, check the weather reports and dress accordingly.

There are 12 properties in Czech Republic listed on the World Heritage List. You can view the listed properties here: (https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/cz). The Czech Republic’s listed properties include:

Lednice-Valtice Cultural Landscape, which features classical and neo-Gothic design principles and holds one of the largest artificial landscapes in Europe

Holy Trinity Column in Olomouc, the ornately decorated monument which stands in the town of Olomouc

Pilgrimage Church of St John of Nepomuk at Zelená Hora, which features a truly unique architectural style.

The Czechs love to celebrate, with many different festivals and events held across the country throughout the year. Pagan rituals and and traditions that predated the arrival of Christianity in Czech lands are still preserved through distinctive festivals such as the Burning of the Witches, whereupon effigies of witches are burned to ward off evil spirits, and the Harvest Festivals, whereby a successful harvest was traditionally celebrated with singing, dancing, and feasting. The performing arts are celebrated in the Czech Republic, with events such as the Prague Spring International Music Festival and the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival showcasing the country’s love for the creative arts. Given the Czechs love of beer, it would only be natural that an entire festival would be dedicated to the creation and consumption of the most popular beverage in the Czech Republic. The Czech Beer Festival is held over 17 days in May, with over 120 different beers on offer, and features people dressed in traditional Czech costumes and live music performances.

A History of the Czech Lands, by Jaroslav Panek and Oldrich Tuma
Magic Prague, by Angelo Mario Ripellino
Gottland, by Mariusz Szczygiel
The Metamorphosis, by Franz Kafka

Like much of Central Europe, the fare in the Czech Republic is generally hearty, with soups and stews prominently featuring in Czech cuisine. Meats and vegetables are often cooked in the form of soups, with notable soups including kulajda (potato soup made with mushrooms, dill, vinegar and a poached egg) and rajská omáčka (tomato soup served with cooked beef and onions). The Czech Republic shares the guláš (goulash) dish with its Hungarian neighbours, though the Czech version tends to be more meat heavy and is more of a sauce than a soup. Sweeter offerings include palačinky, thin pancakes served with jam, fruit, or cream, and trdelník, a pastry made from wrapped around a stick, heated over an open flame and coated with sugar, nuts or cinnamon.

Beer consumption is an integral part of socialising in the Czech Republic, with the Czechs ranking as the biggest per capita consumers of beer in the world. Pilsener lager is the most common type of beer in the Czech Republic, though wheat beer and other types are also available. Other notable beverages in the Czech Republic include Fernet Stock (herbal bitters) and Slivovitz (a fruity brandy made from plums).

Generally speaking, Czech Republic is safe to travel in, though always exercise common sense while travelling. Beware of criminals using fake police ID asking to check the authenticity of your foreign currency and passports. Aslo be advised that pickpocketing does occur, so keep your valuables close and pay close attention to your personal security.

Whenever you travel overseas, it’s always wise to take an appropriate travel adaptor. The electricity supply in Czech Republic runs at 220V and 50Hz. Czech Republic uses the Type D and Type M electric plug types, so make sure you have the right travel adaptor with you.