Czech Republic

SAFETY: excellent
The country is generally considered safe. No particular risks are reported other than petty crime (city outskirts, large cities, etc.).

TRANSPORT SYSTEM: good
The transport system, fairly modern and covering the entire country (air, rail, bus), makes it possible to reach any destination. The country is well connected to Italy and to all neighbouring countries by air, rail and bus. It is also easy to reach from Italy by car.

Main airports: Prague.
Main ports: Prague (Vltava).

HOSPITALITY: very good
The Czech Republic offers a good choice of accommodation of every kind, category and price. The international classification (one to five stars) applies, alongside farm stays, B&Bs, guesthouses, hostels, campsites and wellness or spa centres. The range of restaurants is also varied.

COUNTRY FACTS: Full name: Czech Republic – Location: Central-Eastern Europe. Borders: Germany and Poland to the north, the Slovak Republic to the east, Austria to the south, Germany to the west – Time zone: UTC +1, the same as Italy, with daylight saving time – Area: 78,800 km² – Capital: Prague – Population: 10,200,000– Religion: 26% Catholic, 2% Protestant, 3% other – Language: Czech (official language)– Measurements: metric system.

CURRENCY: Czech koruna (CZK). There are no currency formalities – Credit cards: the major credit cards are accepted in the main centres and in the larger hotels and establishments; elsewhere, local currency –Exchange: bring euros, which are easy to exchange and often accepted for payment.

ELECTRICITY: 230 V and 50 Hz – Electrical sockets: three-pin type, bring an adapter.

DOCUMENTS: identity card valid for travel abroad. Children up to the age of 14 must be entered on the passport of one of their parents (the identity certificate may not be recognised). There are no customs restrictions on personal luggage (Schengen) – Driving: Italian driving licence – Car: Italian third-party motor insurance is sufficient for Italian vehicles.

COMMUNICATIONS AND TELEPHONES: Int. dialling code: 00420 – GSM: extensive network covering the whole country. Standard: GSM 900/1800 and 3G 2100 (as in Italy). Local operators: T-Mobile Czech Republic, Telefonica O2, Vodafone – Internet: fairly widespread service – Web domain: .cz – Emergency numbers: single emergency number 112; police 158; fire brigade 150; emergency medical services 155; roadside assistance 00420 1230. 

RULES, LAWS AND CONDUCT: as regards the laws on the use or trafficking of drugs and offences against minors, very severe criminal penalties are in force. The legal age of consent is 15, prostitution is legal from the age of 18, and registered gay and lesbian couples enjoy many rights.

HEALTH: hygiene and health conditions are fair and no vaccinations are required. The standard of public health facilities is acceptable. There are also private facilities of European standard. Italian citizens on temporary visits who hold a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) receive the care provided by the local public health service.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS: 1 January, New Year’s Day; Easter Monday; 1 May, Labour Day; 8 May, Liberation Day; 5 July, Sts Cyril and Methodius; 6 July, anniversary of the burning of Jan Hus; 28 October, Proclamation of Independence; 24-25-26 December, Christmas holidays.

OPENING HOURS: Post offices: Mon-Fri 8.00-18.00 – Banks: Mon-Fri 8.00-16.00 – Shops: Mon-Sat 8.00-19.00 (variable) – Closing day: Sunday.

CLIMATE: predominantly continental, owing to the mountain ranges that enclose the region on every side. The seasons are therefore clearly distinct, with sunny, hot summers and very harsh, snowy winters. Altitude affects temperatures, tempering the summer highs. Rainfall is more frequent in the summer months and tends to take the edge off the heat.

Monthly max/min temperatures (in °C)

Rainy days (at least 1 mm of rain)/monthly rainfall in mm

USEFUL ADDRESSES IN ITALY

Embassy of the Czech Republic
via dei Gracchi 322
00192 Rome
tel. 06 3609571
fax 06 3244466
www.mzv.cz/rome
rome@embassy.mzv.cz

USEFUL ADDRESSES IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC

Italian Embassy
Nerudova 20
11800 Prague 1
tel. 00420 2 33080111
fax 00420 2 57531522
www.ambpraga.esteri.it/ambasciata_praga
ambasciata.praga@esteri.it

Consulate General
Nerudova 20
12531 Praha 1
tel. 00420 2 33080111
fax 00420 2 57531522

CzechTourism Information Centre
Staroměstské náměstí 5
110 15 Prague 1
tel. 00420 861476
www.czechtourism.com
info@czechtourism.cz