During the past few decades the Czech Republic has slowly been emerging as a popular tourist destination, favoured particularly by the discerning traveller seeking culture and charm.

However, most visitors still tend to explore no farther than the capital, Prague: fewer than 10 percent of tourists venture into the countryside, which means they are missing out on a treat. Prague, westernised and cosmopolitan, is a beautiful city of spires and a visual feast of medieval, baroque and art nouveau architecture. Leave the city behind and visitors will find a magnificent undulating landscape of mountains and plains, forests and farmland.

The Czech Republic is divided into two geographic and cultural sections, Bohemia and Moravia. Bohemian spa towns and laid-back Moravian wine villages seem to be in a time warp, welcoming visitors as though they are living museums of a refined and relaxed rural lifestyle. There are more than 100 castles dotted around the countryside, ranging from forbidding fortresses to elegant chateaux, all open to the public.

The Czech countryside is also a major drawcard for hikers, cyclists and cross-country skiers, with hundreds of kilometres of marked trails criscrossing the landscape.

Winters in the Czech Republic tend to be very cold with snow, while summers are often mild and wet. The best time to visit is from May to September when days are warm and nights cool. The European summer is the tourist high season.

Czech is the official language but English and German are also widely spoken.

GMT +1 (GMT +2 from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October).

The official currency is the Czech crown, locally known as the Koruna (CZK), which is divided into 100 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.

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, Sweden, and Switzerland. All these countries issue a standard Schengen visa that has a multiple entry option, and which allows the holder to travel freely within the borders of all the aforementioned countries. 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. They must also fill in and sign a border-crossing card, and be able to show proof of the following at the request of the Authority of Aliens Police Service: (i) sufficient means of support for the duration of their stay: (a) at least CZK 1,010 per day, if stay does not exceed 30 days, (b) at least CZK 34,300 if stay exceeds more than 30 days (amount increases by CZK 4,640 for each additional month of intended stay), (c) CZK 101,000 if stay is for business purposes and exceeds 90 days; (ii) documents confirming financial security (credit cards, bank statements, etc.); (iii) documents confirming accommodation for the period of stay in the Czech Republic, unless another accommodation arrangement is provided; (iv) valid health insurance, with complete coverage. Requests concerning finances and accommodation can be confirmed by an official invitation verified by the Authority of Aliens Police Service, not longer than 180 days from its verification. Nationals of Switzerland and EEA Member States, as well as holders of diplomatic visas or travel documents, are exempt from these considerations. NOTE: It is highly recommended that your passport has at least six months validity remaining after your intended date of departure from your travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.

Ireland

Irish nationals must have a passport (or emergency passport) valid for the period of intended stay in the Czech Republic. No visa is required.

Irish Embassy, Prague: +420 257 530 061.

United Kingdom

British citizens must have a passport valid for the period of intended stay in the Czech Republic. Passport exemptions apply to holders of identity cards issued by Gibraltar authories, and endorsed 'Validated for EU travel purposes under the authority of the United Kingdom', as well as to holders of emergency passports issued to nationals of the United Kingdom. A visa is not required for passports endorsed British Citizen. No visa is required for stays of up to three months in a half-year period for holders of passports endorsed British National (overseas), British Overseas Territories Citizen (containing a Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode issued by the United Kingdom), and British Subject (containing a Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode issued by the United Kingdom).

British Embassy, Prague: +420 257 402 111.

Canada

Canadians must have a passport valid for the period of intended stay in the Czech Republic. No visa is required for a stay of up to three months in a half-year period.

Canadian Embassy, Prague: +420 272 101 800.

United States

US citizens must have a passport valid for the period of intended stay in the Czech Republic. A visa is not required for stays of up to three months in a half-year period.

United States Embassy, Prague: +420 257 022 000.

New Zealand

New Zealand citizens must have a passport valid for the period of intended stay in the Czech Republic. No visa is required for a stay of up to three months in a half-year period.

New Zealand Embassy, Berlin, Germany (also responsible for Czech Republic): +49 (0)30 206 210.

South Africa

South Africans require a visa, to be arranged prior to arrival, as well as a passport valid for the period of intended stay in the Czech Republic. Note: family members of EU nationals can obtain a short-term visa on arrival (free of charge), provided they are holding reliable proof of this status (e.g. a marriage certificate).

South African Embassy, Prague: +420 267 311 114.

Australia

Australian citizens must have a passport valid for the period of intended stay in the Czech Republic. A visa is not required for a stay of up to three months in a half-year period.

Australian Consulate, Prague: +420 221 729 260.

There are no vaccination requirements for international travellers, and no major health risks are associated with travel to the Czech Republic. A reciprocal health agreement with the UK entitles citizens with a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to free emergency health care, however medical insurance is still advised. Visitors to forested areas should seek medical advice about immunisation against tick borne encephalitis.

The majority of visits to the Czech Republic are trouble-free, although the country has a risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which it shares with the rest of the world. Petty theft is on the increase, especially in Prague, and visitors should be vigilant about their belongings particularly on public transport and around the main tourist sites.

Electrical current is 230 volts, 50Hz. Round two-pin plugs with a hole for a male grounding pin are standard. Most sockets also take the standard European two-pin plugs.

Punctuality is vital in the Czech business world and dress should be smart and conservative. Initial greetings are usually formal, with a firm handshake. Titles and surnames are used, unless otherwise indicated. There is generally some small talk to establish rapport at the beginning of meetings; be polite and courteous. German is the most common foreign language used in the Czech Republic but English is widely spoken by younger generations. Translators are available and any attempts at speaking Czech will be appreciated. Deals can take a long time to manifest due to significant bureaucratic red tape and it is important to be patient. Business hours are usually 8am to 4pm Monday to Friday and some businesses close during the month August.

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.

Travellers to the Czech Republic over 17 years and entering from the EU do not have to pay customs duty on 800 cigarettes, or 400 cigarillos, or 200 cigars, or 1kg tobacco; 10 litres of spirits with alcohol content over 22%, or 20 litres of alcoholic beverages with alcohol volume less than 22%, or 90 litres of wine or 60 litres of sparkling wine, or 110 litres of beer. Travellers arriving from non-EU countries do not have to pay duty on 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g tobacco, or a proportional assortment of these; 1 litre spirits or 2 litres wine; 50g perfume or 250ml eau de toilette; and food, fruits, medications and flowers for personal use. Other goods to the value of EUR175 per adult and EUR90 per child under 15 years are allowed.