Hotels in the Czech Republic:

Country information:

Prague is known as one of the most beautiful cities in Central Europe – but the Czech Republic has much more to offer: those who start a voyage of discovery through nature, culture and history, will be surprised throughout the country.

For centuries, the Czech Republic was situated in the centre of the European events: The imperator Charles IV. made Prague to the capital of the Holy Roman Empire, the Defenestration of Prague precipitated the Thirty Years’ War and the producing of characters like Goethe, Schiller, Kafka, Werfel and Rilke gave not only new impulses for the literature. With the end of the Second World War, the country disappeared behind the Iron Curtain and returned to the European scene as recently as with the so-called “Velvet Revolution” of 1989. The Czech republic, a member of the European Union since May 2004, was established in the year 1993 as a result of the peaceful dissolution of the former Czechoslovakian Federation.
Moravia in the East and Bohemia in the West are the both main regions, which form the Czech Republic. They hardly differ scenically and are dominated by rolling hills, dense woods and agriculture.

The Czech states are particularly rich in historic and cultural monuments. Of over 2.000 surviving castles and palaces, twelve sites are listed in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

One of the highlights of every trip to the Czech Republic is a visit to Prague, its capital. The Golden City of Prague is one of Central Europe’s most beautiful cities, booms for years and acts as a magnet to visitors. However, the Czech Republic is a lot more than just its capital. Also, beyond the metropolis, in the many smaller, historical cities, which also deserve attention, history becomes alive.

One of the most beautiful of these cities is Český Krumlov, a typical, well-preserved medieval town and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Egon Schiele, a famous Austrian painter, lived and worked here, and the Egon Schiele Art Center is now a tourist attraction.
Telč, a moated fortress that was founded in the 13th century (it was often called the Venice of Moravia), can lay claim to one of the Europe’s most magnificent piazzas, which is lined by the arcades of the Renaissance houses boasting sweeping gables, sgraffito façades, and southern loggias
The time-honored cities of Cheb (which is located near the western border of Bohemia), Olomouc (and its monumental Holy Trinity Column with its 18th century Baroque sculpture and architecture), Kromĕříž (with the spacious summer residence for the Moravian bishops) and Litomyšl (home of Central Europe’s largest Renaissance castle) are also worth a visit. It is almost impossible to list all the interesting towns and attractions.

The hilly landscapes, river valleys, and mountain ranges running along the Czech border are ideal locations for both active and restful vacations. The Krkonoše (Giant Mountains), Šumava (in the Bohemian Forest), and Dyje Valley National Parks are national wildlife refuges for its rare plants and animals. More than 10 percent of the country’s territory is occupied by the national parks and more than 1,200 protected areas and nature reserves. These protected areas offer visitors the opportunity to go hiking, horseback riding, cycling, hunting, or fishing. The Czech Republic has more than 20.000 ponds and lakes.

Thanks to the diverse and complex geological conditions, numerous mineral water and thermal springs originate in the Czech Republic (a natural phenomenon that was well-known many years ago and was used as therapeutic cures). There are a total of 36 therapeutic baths and spas in the Czech Republic. The largest and oldest spas are located in Western Bohemia; the so-called “Western Bohemian spa triangle" and offer, tucked away in beautiful, natural settings, a traditional and perfect cure service.

Decorative glass, porcelain, and jewelry have been typical Czech and Bohemian products for centuries and are popular souvenirs.

Altogether, there are 15 Best Western Hotels in the Czech Republic, nine in the capital, the others planely spread over the whole country.

Facts Czech Republic:

Capital: Praha (Prague)
Area: 78.660 km2
Inh.: aprox. 10,3 mio
Int. Dialing Code : +420

Daylight savings time (CET +1): 28. 3. – 31. 10. 2010

Currency:
Czech Koruna (CZK) divided into 100 hellers

Rate of exchange:
1 US$ ~ 24,70 CZK 1 CZK ~ 0,036 US$
1 € ~ 29,70 CZK 1 CZK ~ 0,030 €

All rates are quoted in Euro (€).
Invoices will be in CZK at the applicable exchange rate at that time.

Road subject to toll: on highways and expressways a toll sticker (vignette) is obligatory (available for 15 days, 2 months or 1 year)

Helpful links:

• International Airports in the Czech Republic: Praha (20 km from city center, www.csl.cz), Brno (8 km from city center, www.airport-brno.cz), Ostrava, Karlovy Vary (www.airport-k-vary.cz)
• National carrier: www.csa.cz
• Automobile club: www.oeamtc.at
• Train timetables: www.cd.cz
• Rental cars: www.hertz.cz