Travel guide Czech Republic

In the Czech Republic, beer is sacred. It is the national pride. It must be said that the quality of the barley gives Czech beer that special, attractive taste that makes you want to have more. Among the best known are Budsvar (Budweiser) and Pilsen Urquell (Pilsener). Every village has its own pivnice (tavern) and the Czechs are all great beer lovers: the average consumption is estimated at one bottle per day and per @font-face {font-family: "Cambria Math"; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin:0cm; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family:Arial;}.MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-size:10.0pt; mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family:Arial; mso-fareast-font-family:Arial; mso-hansi-font-family:Arial; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;}div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;}

In the Czech Republic, beer is sacred. It is the national pride. It must be said that the quality of the barley gives Czech beer that special, appealing taste that makes you want to have more. Among the best known are Budvar (Budweiser) and Pilsner Urquell (Pilsener). Every village has its own pivnice (tavern) and the Czechs are all great beer lovers: the average consumption is estimated at one bottle per day per inhabitant.

#Beer

In the Czech Republic, beer is a national pride. It must be said that the quality of the barley is exceptional. Among the best known are Budvar and Pilsner Urquell. Every village has its own pivnice (tavern) and the country has hundreds of microbreweries. Often they serve you a pint before bringing you the menu.

#Bohemia

This term seen and heard everywhere especially evokes the historical region of Europe that covers the western half of the present Czech Republic. In Czech, it is said Čechy, a root very similar to the word Český meaning Czech. Bohemia is indeed the origin of the country we know today, known for its ancient kingdom, forests and crystal

#Castles

Few countries have such a vivid medieval heritage as the Czech Republic. The southern landscape is dotted with numerous castles and chateaus. According to some sources, there are more than 2,000 of them. The most beautiful of these are undoubtedly the fortresses of Karlštejn and Pernštejn, the most curious being Lednice Castle

#Dlažební Kostky

The cobblestones as far as the eye can see are the hallmark of the capital. Pragians call them Kočičĕhlavy (cat heads). It's true that it looks nice, but in winter they are cursed: with a light morning frost, it's an ice rink! Stiletto heels are a no-no if you haven't come to Prague to spend the day at the cobbler's

#Grenat

Who has never heard of Bohemian garnet? The geological wealth of the country has allowed the development of an economy based on the production of jewelry that continues to this day. Bohemian garnet is a semi-precious stone of burgundy red color that can be found everywhere at affordable prices. Beware of tourist traps!

#Ice hockey

More than a sport, ice hockey is a national religion and its great stars Jaromir Jagr and Dominik Hašek are idolized. In Prague, people thrill to the World Championships, which the Czech Republic has not won since 2010, and cultivate a visceral sporting contempt against Canada and Russia, their eternal rivals on the ice

#Knedlíky

Made from bread, water and flour, knedlík is the basis of Czech culinary art. Popular throughout Central Europe, its original recipe is attributed to Prague kitchens. It is the favorite topping of Czechs and accompanies all the most typical dishes

#Krtek

The most popular character in the history of Czech cartoons. "Molek," in French, was born in the early 1950s from the imagination of illustrator Zdeněk Miler. So endearing, this little mole, who walks awkwardly on two legs, had many adventures and marked several generations of Czechs until 2002

#Puppets

An important part of popular culture, puppets have been used since the Renaissance to educate children. Some of them, like the mythical Hurvínek, are the symbol of the first television programs for children. They have also often been used to "educate" adults, offering political and social caricatures

#Opera

A favorite mode of expression for the great minds of the 19th and 20th centuries, it brings together legends, myths and political messages. The greatest Czech opera composer is undoubtedly Bedřich Smetana, often considered the "Bohemian Verdi" thanks to his traditional, allegorical and patriotic creations. To be heard in Prague or Brno.

#Škoda

The ambition of many Czechs was to own one: a Škoda (or Škodovka to the friends). Despite the takeover of the brand by Volkswagen, the Škoda remains dear to the hearts of the population. The city of Mlada Boleslav has long been a vibrant place for the carmaker; the former central factory, now a museum, is located 40 km from Prague

#Švejk

The symbol of the Czech mentality in all its facets and clichés: quiet, ironic, political, sometimes lazy, bon vivant. A literary creation of Jaroslav Hašek, who in his novel Dobrý voják Švejk ( Brave Soldier Chvéïk ) describes the adventures of a sergeant, drinker and impostor before and during the First World War