Surviving Czech Republic

You will find that the people of the Czech Republic can be conservative, but they are very friendly and polite, so follow their lead and be friendly and polite in return. In the Czech Republic, greeting people is very important. If you're at a pub and some people join your table, say hello, or "Dobrý den ", which means "Good day " in Czech. If you're in an elevator and there already people inside, say "Dobrý den". Upon entering a store, say "Dobrý den!". Before you know it, it will become second nature and you'll be saying hello to everyone, even after you go home. The people of the Czech Republic are very proud of their heritage, language, and rich history. Most of the bigger cities are used to seeing tourists, but in order to respect them and not stand out as a foreigner, remember the following don’ts. Below are some tips on Czech etiquette to take with you on your trip to the Czech Republic.

A Taste of Czech Republic

Traditional Czech food is not exactly what one would call dietary, however it perfectly goes with the flavourful Czech beer. Most Czechs enjoy their food very much and mealtimes are special occasions. Czech food is rich and hearty, but if you've never tried it, there are a few things worth knowing. It mostly consists of pork or beef meat with sauce and a side dish, the most common and liked being dumplings. The knedlík or dumplings is the most common side dish made from wheat or potato flour, boiled in water as a roll and then sliced and served hot with gravy. Other side dishes are: rice, potatoes (boiled, baked or fried). Get ready to eat lots of potatoes. Czech people love Svičková (read “svitch-co-va”) or Rajská (read “raiska”), a somehow interesting combination of meat with sauce and whipped cream. "Svíčková" is the national dish. Most dishes are pork, or beef, but chicken, turkey, fresh-water fish, duck, lamb and rabbit are common, too. On menus you often see the word "Medallions": it just means a piece of meat, sliced flat, like a medal. A "spis" is like a shish-kebab, grilled meat and vegetables on a spear. A good choice can be the Guláš (read like in English, “goulash“), even though it basically belongs to traditional Hungarian cuisine.

Prague Shopping Guide

The main Prague shopping area runs down Wenceslas Square, along Na Prikope and into Republic Square. Parizska Street has luxury international boutique shops. While the Old Town Square and the Lesser Town (Mala Strana) have small shops & art galleries. The quantity and quality of products available in the Czech Republic has improved dramatically since the early 1990s. The most prominent changes are noticeable in Prague where many new hypermarkets and shopping malls have appeared in the last several years. The increased competition and consumer demand have resulted in a better selection, improving customer service and lower prices, making shopping a more enjoyable activity. Prague is a great place to shop for Czech souvenirs. The center of Prague is filled with souvenir shops offering all kinds of typical Czech products, from wooden toys to jewellery to expensive cut crystal and glass items. There are a number of regional associations of regional artists and craftspeople along with some excellent shops of glass and crystal. Other shopping choices include pottery (particularly from Straznice and Kolovec), geyser stone carvings from Karlovy Vary, needle embroidery and delicate lace work from many Moravian towns, as well as china ornaments, semi-precious stones from Bohemia and blood-red garnets. The Bazaars are fascinating to wander around, and you never know what one-of-a-kind treasures you may find. However, you must allow plenty of time as they are not always very well organized. Before setting off on your day shopping in Prague, it is advised to ensure that you have thoroughly researched their times of operation.

Arts in Czech Republic

The territory of the Czech Republic traditionally has been between the German and Slav lands, and Czech cultural traditions are a mixture of both. Influences from farther afield also have been strong. Visually the most striking influences are Italian—in Renaissance and Baroque architecture, for instance—while literature, music, the visual arts, and popular culture also are indebted to a variety of external influences. Most of the Western cultural influences on the Czech Lands have passed through a German filter, and for this reason Czech traditions in popular culture are marked by a strong sense of national identity. The Czech Republic ranks among the most attractive tourist destinations in all of Europe thanks to numerous monuments which display a rich variety of artistic styles, combined with high preservation standards. After the fall of the Great Moravian Empire (905), which was artistically influenced by Byzantium, Czech art developed within the scope of West European artistic styles, though these styles were often adapted in unique ways. Czech Gothic painting in particular developed its own distincive style (anonymous Master of the Vyssi Brod Altar, Master Theodoricus etc.). 

Czech Republic: Culture and Society

Czech Republic culture has held true through centuries of change. Whether it be government changes, war or protest, the hearts of Czechs have held fast to their values, traditions and interests. Czechs are private people until they get to know you. They are formal and reserved. Once you develop a personal relationship Czechs open up a bit, but they are never overly emotional. Although always polite, they seldom move to a first-name basis with people outside their extended family or very close friends. Czechs tend not to acknowledge people whom they do not know as they walk along the street or ride the train. Czech Republic culture is filled with arts and cultural events. Czechs are mad about football (soccer) and hockey. The national teams for both sports are well respected worldwide and always have a huge following locally. The national pastime of Czech Republic is Mushroom Picking. Czechs hunt the forests for free mushrooms every year. Czech Republic has the highest beer consumption in the world. Czech beer is like water to many citizens - it's just a basic way of life. Prague has hundreds of pubs and places to have a drink. From a beer in the morning to wine at dinner, Czechs like to drink.

Sightseeing in Prague

One of Europe’s most charming and beautiful cities, Prague is a magical city with cathedrals, bridges, gold tipped towers and church domes. Almost undamaged by WWII, Prague's compact medieval centre remains a wonderful mixture of cobbled lanes, walled courtyards, cathedrals and countless church spires all in the shadow of her majestic 9th century castle that looks eastward as the sun sets behind her. Prague is also a modern and vibrant city full of energy, music, cultural art, fine dining and special events catering to the independent traveller's thirst for adventure. The view of Prague from the Vltava river is a unique experience, as the historical centre is visible from a different perspective, presenting unusual prospects to the watcher.

Stunning Prague

Prague ( Praha in Czech ) is the capital and the largest city in the Czech Republic. It is their most valuable historical city reserve. In 1992 the historical core of the city covering 866 hectares was listed in the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage Register. Prague represents a unique collection of historical monuments dominated by the Prague Castle which towers high above the city. It is a display of all artistic styles and movements. The River Vltava splits this wonderful city into two halves while Charles Bridge links them together. The historical core of the city is situated on both banks of the Vltava river and consists of 6 parts - formerly independent urban units unified in the 18th century. They are as follows: Stare Mesto (Old Town), Josefov (the preserved part of the former Jewish Town - today a part of the Old Town), Nove Mesto (New Town), Mala Strana (Lesser Town), Hradcany and Vysehrad. Naturally, most of the historical monuments, museums and galleries are concentrated right there. The word ‘Bohemia,’ which stands for the west region of Czech including Prague, is commonly used today as a term to described people, lifestyle and appearances which escape from social customs to enjoy maximum freedom. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million. While the city centre is a mélange of stunning architecture, from Gothic, Renaissance and baroque to neoclassical, art nouveau and cubist, beyond the medieval lanes of the Old Town and the Castle District, there’s an entire other cosmopolitan city to explore. Search out the riverside parks, lively bars and beer gardens, music clubs, museums and art galleries. Harness Prague’s excellent public-transport system to explore emerging suburbs such as Žižkov, Vinohrady, Smíchov and Holešovice.

Surviving Spain

Every country has its own culture and if one is smart, one should study the etiquette of that country before visiting that country. One always wants to show that he is a good ambassador of his own country and one does not want to offend the people of the country one will visit. By knowing what some of the written and unwritten rules are, one can have a successful and enjoyable trip.

Spanish Food

Madrid is a melting pot for the cuisines from all over the peninsula. Gourmets sometimes argue whether Madrid cuisine exists or not, but the truth is that the capital of Spain has enriched its gastronomy with the contributions of the Andalusians, Galicians, Asturians and other immigrants who have settled here. Eating food out in Spain is often cheap and meals are substantial rather than gourmet. One of the best ways to sample Spanish food is to try tapas, or snacks, which are served at any time of day in local bars. In Spain food ranges from cheese and olives to squid or meat delicacies and are priced accordingly. Many of the specialities of Spanish cuisine are based on seafood, although regional specialities are easier to find inland than along the coast. Madrid's own cooking is the proud cuisine of the Castilian high plains, and often the despair of the visiting vegetarian. The most celebrated dish is Cocido Madrileño, a stew that mates chickpeas, potatoes and other vegetables with chicken, pork cuts, and beef. Cocido is poor farmers' food in that it economically produces several courses, starting with its broth and culminating in the meats. A close second is Callos, in which a tripe casserole is enlivened with chorizo and chillies. From the mountains just north of the city, there are also roast lamb and suckling pig. Some of the Madrid region's favourite dishes: Cocido Madrileño, Callos a la Madrileña, Sopa de Ajo (garlic soup), Tortilla de Patata, Bacalao a la Madrileña (Salted Cod in a sauce) and Potaje de Garbanzos (chick pea stew). Restaurants and cafés in Spain have table service. In Spain the thing to drink with tapas is a dry (fino or manzanilla) sherry, or a glass of tinto (red wine). "Tienda" is Spanish for "boutique" or "shop", and this food shop for Spain has really interesting Spanish food such as fresh and dried chorizo sausages, beautiful Serrano hams, Spanish saffron, and canned goods. So you can prepare Spanish food at home.

Madrid: A Shopper’s Paradise

Madrid is the capital city of Spain and the beating heart of Spanish culture. Visitors to Madrid are spoilt for choice for things to do, including  museums and sightseeing. Many people, however, visit Madrid specifically for its shopping opportunities, whether its fashion or food. Like any modern metropolis, Madrid has several shopping centres or malls to choose from, dotted about the city. But Madrid is also a historical city, and small family-run shops selling traditional goods are still to be seen. The more upmarket Salamanca neighbourhood, based around the streets of Serrano, Velazquez and Goya, is the place to go for the top designer boutiques and more expensive stores. For more avant-garde tastes, areas such as Chueca, Fuencarral and the Rastro Flea Market are excellent choices. Whatever you wish to buy, Madrid has everything under the sun. Shop opening times in Madrid are quite standard in all shops in Madrid and Spain, although some variations do occur. Generally, shops in Madrid open at 10 am and stay open until 2 pm. Between 2 – 5 pm there is nowhere to shop in Madrid as the shops all close for lunch and an afternoon siesta. Shops in Madrid open in the evening at 5 pm and remain open until 8 pm. Spain is a predominantly Catholic country and although religion in Spain is not as important as it used to be ,Sundays are still respected as a holiday. Many shops in Madrid do not open at all on Sundays although there is a chance to do some shopping at a few shops that stay open until about 2 or 3 pm on Sundays.