Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we visit the Czech Republic! We love the culture of the Czech Republic and all of the fun things to do in the Czech Republic; it is a fantastic place to visit. As you know, here at Wolters World, we like to prepare travelers with the good, and the bad, of visiting a new travel destination. So these are the five things you’ll love, and the five things you’ll hate on your Czech Republic vacation.
Hate #1: Lack of Tourist Information
Chances are, you don’t know much about the Czech Republic. When I was in school, I may have known that a country called Czechoslovakia existed, and then it became the Czech Republic and Slovakia, but that’s about the extent of many Americans’ knowledge of the Czech Republic. Aside from Prague, then, it ‘s hard to know about all the things to do in the Czech Republic. So, you will likely have to do a bit more research about things to see and do on your Czech Republic vacation.
Hate #2: Public Transport
Compared to other cities in Europe, public transportation in the Czech Republic isn’t as good. There are trains and buses that go all over, but they are slow and outdated. Buses end up being faster and cheaper, so I recommend the bus over the train in most instances. For example, if you want to take a day trip to Cesky Krumlov from Prague, the bus is about 30 minutes faster than the train, which can add an hour to your round-trip transportation.
Hate #3: Language Barrier
If you stay in the main tourist areas of Prague and Cesky Krumlov, there will be people who speak English. But if you travel to some other parts of the Czech Republic, you’ll have a lot fewer English speakers to interact with. Speaking Czech is not similar to Spanish or German, so it’s really hard to even muddle your way through like you might be able to with some of the more common languages in Europe.
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Hate #4: Driving in the Czech Republic
Whether you are driving or a passenger in a car, it can be a nerve-wracking experience. Some of the traffic laws are seen as suggestions rather than instructions. This is something to look out for, even as a pedestrian. If you are driving between cities of the Czech Republic, the highways are a bit old and rough, so be prepared for some literal bumps in the road.
Hate #5: Service
I mention service a lot in Europe. For example, service in Germany and Austria is brisk and unfriendly, but very professional. In the Czech Republic, the service is less friendly and less professional. The people are friendly, but the service is less so.
Love #1: Natural Beauty of the Czech Republic
As you travel through the countryside, you’ll see beautiful landscapes and quaint villages all over. It’s a really beautiful country to enjoy, with mountains and lakes and rivers. While the cities are great, it’s nice to get out of the cities, too and enjoy a hike. You’ll be surprised at all the hidden castles in the Czech Republic, too.
Love #2: Historic Towns
The Czech Republic has some amazing well-preserved historic towns and villages, like Cesky Krumlov. It’s been a “hidden gem” of Europe for a long time and the word is finally getting out about this picturesque medieval town. But there are tons of other similar towns you can escape to that are just as quaint. The Czech Republic didn’t receive as much damage during WWII so there are many more historic pre-war buildings that remain.
Love #3: The Beer & The Food
The Czechs are famous for their beer because it’s really good. You can visit Pilsen and see where Pilsner beer was first invented. Even if you don’t drink, give it a shot because it’s a big part of the Czech culture. Czech food is also really tasty, hearty food. You’ll see a lot of dumplings, pork, and duck. You have to have the duck! A lot of restaurants in the touristy areas will serve Italian or American food, so be sure you’re getting some authentic Czech food while you’re there.
Love #4: Culture of the Czech Republic
I love the culture of the Czech Republic. The Czech people are so friendly, especially in the smaller towns and villages. Prague and Cesky Krumlov get the bulk of tourists, so they love having visitors in other areas, and they’ll want to show you around. They also won’t “BS” you, they’ll tell you the good and the bad about their history. They don’t sugarcoat anything.
Love #5: Prices in the Czech Republic
Traveling in the Czech Republic is super affordable. It’s not cheap like Eastern Europe but it’s very affordable compared to other countries in Central Europe. It’s about 10% less expensive than Germany or Austria but adds up to a nice amount of savings and it’s more money you can spend on Czech beer!
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The Czech Republic is a great country and we love visiting over and over again. The “hates” are really just a few things to keep a head’s up on rather than a reason not to visit the Czech Republic. Want more tips on travel in central Europe? Check out these other blog posts: