Home:

»

Prague City Breaks

Prague City Break

Take a Prague city break to one of the most popular destinations in Eastern Europe, as Prague is the international treasure of the Czech Republic and is home to over six hundred years of beautifully preserved architecture. Amongst the many attractions of the beautiful city, the enchanting city centre itself creates an excellent outdoor museum filled with historical delights.

Historically Prague was one of Europe's most significant cities in the fourteenth century, which became lost beneath the Iron Curtain after World War II, where it remained until 1989 and the Velvet Revolution. Prague was restored to its former glory at the end of Communism and today a Prague city break holds promise of an adventure in a fairytale city, boasting a romantic atmosphere amidst ancient and beautiful architecture.

The compact city centre means that Prague city breaks are an ideal getaway, with historical and cultural attractions just a short walk away. The heart of the city contains the Castle District, which lies to the west of the River Vltava and is called Hradèany, while the famed Charles Bridge joins the old and new towns of Prague in the east. The majority of attractions on a Prague city break can be found in the Castle District, which is situated on a hill overlooking the city. The area is home to an ancient castle and cathedral to explore and some enchanting landscapes. In the Old Town a maze of cobbled streets and passages lead to Staromestské Námestí (the Old Town Square) and the old Jewish Quarter of Josefov Ghetto is rich with historical gems. In the contemporary New Town, wide boulevards and chic shopping centres attract tourists, on their way to the famous Wenceslas Square and the magnificent National Gallery.

Prague city breaks also offer an array of cultural pursuits, with classical music concerts, an impressive ballet and some wonderfully performed operas to experience. The city also boasts many famous artists over the centuries, including the literary genius Franz Kafka and an array of artists who's collections are displayed in the many art galleries and museums. The city offers all the enchantment of a fairytale, a rich and interesting history and has been the inspiration of artists and poets for centuries.

 

 


Essential Information on Prague

Money

The official currency is the Czech crown, locally known as the Koruna (CZK), which is divided into100 haler. Most credit cards including American Express, Diners Club, Visa and MasterCard are accepted, but it is best to have cash handy when travelling away from Prague and the main tourist centres. Travellers cheques and foreign currency can be exchanged at banks, bureaux de change and some hotels; commission is highest in hotels. Banks are closed on weekends. ATMs (known as 'bankomats') are becoming more common in Prague and are probably the best way to obtain local currency at a good rate and without commission. The Czech Republic is still cheap compared to the rest of Europe, though the gap is closing.

Source: www.wordtravels.com

Passports / Visas

The borderless region known as the Schengen area includes the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden. All these countries issue a standard Schengen visa that has a multiple entry option that allows the holder to travel freely within the borders of all. All visitors must hold an onward or return ticket or proof of sufficient funds to buy a ticket, and all documents required for onward travel. Proof of sufficient funds to cover stay, as well as complete health insurance may also be required. These must be produced on request at border crossing points. Visitors must sign a border-crossing card. Passports of all visitors must be valid at least 90 days beyond expiry date of the visa, or 90 days beyond period of intended stay for visa exempt nationals. EEA members just require a valid passport on entry. Visitors must register at the 'Authority of Aliens and Border Police' (can be done by hotels).

Source: www.wordtravels.com

Communications

The international access code for the Czech Republic is +420. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). Area codes are not required, and the first two digits of the number indicate geographical location. There are high surcharges on international calls from hotels; it is cheaper to use the public telephone boxes - phone cards can be bought from newsagents. The local mobile phone operators use GSM networks and have roaming agreements with all major international operators, except those in the USA. Internet cafes are available in the main towns.

Source: www.wordtravels.com