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InfoCzech is protected by Czech anti-virus software, Grisoft
AVG, which I fully recommend.
If you are a non-commercial user the product is free!
If you want a second opinion on the Czech Republic do check (applause!) Czechitout, a New Zealand equivalent to InfoCzech, made by the journalist Peter de Graaf, who lived seven years in the Czech Republic.
It is more expensive to buy tickets in advance through an agency than
it is to buy them on the spot. On the other hand are you sure to get
a seat. We have bought tickets to Laterna Magika through TicketPro;
it is, we ordered per e-mail, paid by credit card and collected the
tickets when we arrived to Prague. Convenient - there was sold out
when we arrived at the theatre. Tickets for Laterna Magika cost at
the entrance CZK 4-500,- and we paid CZK 550,-
Laterna Magika is deservedly famous why it is often sold out when
there is a proper amount of tourists in town.
On the other hand, if you want to go to the opera, the National
theatre or to a (classical) concert, we have by experienced Prague
travellers been told, that there is no reason to by the tickets in
advance; on the opposite you save a portion of money by buying them
on site.
TicketPro
Agency also with information and tickets to events outside Prague.
Covers a broad spectre of events and not just the classical.
Bohemia Ticket International
See (classical) concert and theatre plans, for Prague, month by month.
Tickets may also be ordered here.
A selection of Czech online bookkeepers and alike. Quit fynny most of them are in ecxellent Czech (alphabetically):
Knihy.cz
Knihy means books, so I consider the name self-explanatory.
Knihy Trávnícek
Rather clear shop.
Levné knihy
Levné means cheap and it seems to be right.
Nakladatelství
Computer Press
Sells books in many other areas than just IT.
Portal knihy
A portal with books!
Pozoruhodné knihy
The name means "Remarkable books". Look for yourself.
Svet knihy
The association of Czech bookkeepers and -editors.
vltava.cz
Sells books, videos, DVD's, watches and more.
Laterna Magika
What I consider the most famous theatre in Prague has its own site.
Do not miss a fantastic performance with no spoken words, but with a
unique mix of theatre and film.
IMAGE black theatre
Black theatre is mandatory if you visit Prague! But watch out: There
are a lot of them and almost as many aim at defenceless tourists!
This one at least has a nice site.
You may get the actual currency rate by this converter:
Timetable is available for
Czech Railways
(CD, Cesky Drahy)
The link makes it possible to plan travel destinations and times from
the most convenient place - by your PC!
Does it have to be more convenient there are a couple of planners, one for trains and one for combined trains & busses.
If you want to go by plane you may select the Czech Airlines, CSA.
Prague Airport has online information on arrivals and departures.
The political system and the political situation
The Czech Republic is a parliamentary "democracy" like most other (western) European countries.
For a quick introduction to the political system and - parties try the official from The Czech Foreign Ministry. Though it is not fully updated - it is almost impossible - it gives a fine overview.
The Czech Parliament
Information on the Czech parliament and its members, political
parties and more.
The Czech senate
Unfortunately in plain Czech.
The Czech Foreign Ministry has an excellent website in English with a lot of relevant information on the country.
CZSO's election server
Shows results from various elections.
The Constitutional
Court of the Czech Republic
Is just what it claims to be.
Economic Chamber of the Czech Republic
Union of cities and
communities in the Czech Republic
An independent organisation for communities.
"Just" administration:
Customs administration
If you are a bit of a masochist.
Czech Television
Is in principle controlled by the government.
Institute for Information on Education
The ministries are in alphabetical order:
Ministry of Agriculture
Ministry of Education, Youth & Sports
Ministry of Industry and Trade
Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs
Ministry for Regional Development
Ministry of Transport and Communications
Following is a list of museums I have met on the net and found interesting.
Castles
Here you may find all the castles in alphabetically order
Karlstejn, Konopiste, Kost, Melnik, they are all included.
As well descriptions as photos are very good.
One castle I do want to mention specifically, Deteníce,
southeast of Mlada Boleslav. There is museum, conference centre,
restaurant, brewery and more.
If you are interested in an overview of castles and cultural heritage
I may recommend one book:
Pruvocde po hradech a zámcích
Author/editor: Ludek Sládek
Publisher: Druhé rozírené vydání,
Praha 2001
ISBN: 80-86516-04-0
The book holds an alphabetical over castles, mansions (the title) and other national cultural heritages. The text is in Czech with an English summary, and at every entry there are some very clear pictograms. I do not consider it an issue it is of 2001 (at least my copy is), as the landscape hardly can cope with more castles!
The castle
- of Prague.
Technical Museum of Prague
Technical Museum is worth paying a visit for more reasons. In the
modest entrance fee is included a guided tour (in English, Czech or
German), duration about half an hour, in a special mining museum,
that in tableau's, models and shafts shows the history of mining in
Bohemia. The rest of the museum is placed around a big hall with
three galleries. In the hall are exposed cars and locomotives while
planes are hanging from the ceiling along with a balloon and
helicopter. On the galleries are among other things descriptions of
the history of the bicycle, the motorcycle, ships and aircraft. The
exhibits are worth seeing alone because most of them are from Eastern
Europe. Outside the hall are exhibitions on making movies, sound,
electricity and time plus more.
The Jewish Museum
Here you may experience the Jewish part of Prague, Josefov, or more
accurate, the Jewish Museum. This virtual tour is for free. If you
enter the physical part of Prague you are economically ripped off!
Technical
museum of Brno
Worth a visit on a rainy day in Brno?
An art museum in the outskirts of Prague of which I know nothing (the museum!) is Hvezda, which means star, and that is exactly what the building is!
I admit I have a weakness for zoos - especially if they have wolves -
and other animal parks.
Unfortunately I visit them too rarely, but do not hesitate to visit a
Czech Zoo. Though we just have visited the gardens at Liberec,
Prague, Decin, Chomutov and Plzen plus the aquarium at Hradec
Kralove, I happily recommend the rest too, as they all work actively
to preserve nature.
In general the sites have a list of animals in the garden.
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Brno
Chomutov
Decín |
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Dvur
Králové nad Labem |
Hodonin
When I popped by the site was entirely in Czech, so I do not know
exactly which species are represented, but wolf is not on the list.
It seems they breed orang-utans and do look closer: There is an image gallery.
Hradec Kralove
This is not a Zoo but an amazing giant aquarium. It is not very large
but if you have an interest in specially cichlidae it is worth a
visit. No wolves.
Jihlava
The garden looks very attractive, though wolves are missing.
As something unique you may rent a box for your dog.
Liberec
Traditional garden that made a worn impression when we visited the
place in -93, but a lot may have happened since. Wolves are
scandalous missing!
On the positive side is that it is the only place I have met a skunk.
Ohrada
A nice looking garden with wolves.
Olomouc
A civilised zoo with two wolf species. It does not look big but it
does look friendly.
Ostrava
It looks all right, but wolves are completely missing. The site is
very friendly.
Prague
The flooding 2002 was literally a catastrophe to the garden. More
animals died and damages for about 150 million CZK were done. Do
support the garden by visiting it if you come to Prague - do remember
to visit the wolves!
They have a pack of giant tortoises and they are a funny, noisy
experience when they breed in the springtime.
This is also the only place I have been 5 cm close to a rattlesnake.
Fortunately we were separated by glass.
Plzen
The attraction - apart from the wolves - must be the komodo dragons.
Judged by the web site it is one of the bigger zoos.
Usti nad Labem
Do not take anything for granted, but this site is entirely in Czech
and does not give me any sense of the garden. Do they have wolves? An
important question!
Zlin-Lesna
Looks like a traditional zoo with the Lesná Chateau as a
significant point.
I have not got any idea whether they have wolves or not. A major
error on the site :-)
-123
min.
-123 min. is a band that plays funk-rock, sings in English, and they
would, if they originated from the US or UK, be placed on the Top10
charts worldwide! Before you read any further, please visit their
homepage and listen to som music examples.
The dominating figures in the band are:
- Zdenda Bína, Guitar & vocals;
- Fredrik Janacek, Acoustic and electric bass;
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The debut album, Shooba Dooba, was released in the Autumn of -99. The label is Intermusic and the # is int-9910-03-10-2 |
The second album, Try, was released 19 March 2001, also on Intermusic and has # int-0003-02-12-2 |
The third album, Home?, was released late 2002. |
Finally, there is released a live album in 2004. |
All CD's are for sale at CDmusic.cz - at Czech prices!
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We heard them in concert in Prague in an over crowded jazz club
Zelezna at the end of October -99 (the picture at the left). The
audience went crazy and would hardly let the band leave the stage
even after 3 extras!
We attended another concert in July 2000 in Cerna music Bar (the
picture at the right) made for Czech television - the audience were
still crazy!
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Jauvajs |
Online music store
Buy Czech music online. All styles. Czech prices!
MusicServer
Czech site for Czechs.
Prague
Music News
Everything about the life of Music in Prague.
Opera, Prague
This link is brought to you to show that I do not suffer from prejudices!
North
Czech Philharmonic Teplice
Programme, ticket ordering and more.
Schola
Gregoriana Pragensis
Gregorian church music.
Czech
Art Index
Hire a Czech band!
If you consider to form a Czech company Czechpoint101 may be useful.
Czech
Information Service
A good choice of contacts to the most different companies divided
into business groups. Are you looking for a Czech detective, you have
come to the right place!
Czech Trade
Promotion Agency (CzechTrade)
The Czech Trade Promotion Agency - CzechTrade - was established in
1997 as a government agency of the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
The Agency’s main task is to assist in the development of mutual
trade and co-operation.
Confederation of
Industry of the Czech Republic
Confederation of Industry of the Czech Republic is a voluntary
organization uniting employers and entrepreneurs in the Czech
Republic in the field of industry and transportation.
DoingBusiness.cz
Surprise: A portal for those who want to - Do Business in the Czech Republic.
Trade Links
Want to know about Czech regulations, but your Czech is a bit rusty?
Buy them in plain English for an affordable price.
The stock
exchange in Prague
Follow what happens online or participate!
Or just watch the capital market.
Inform Net
Seeking a Czech company? Try this!
Are you looking for a job in the Czech Republic?
The try either one or more of these recruitment agencies/job portals:
InterSearc
Recruitment Center
Jobs
Jobmaster
Jobshop
Robert Half
International Inc.
Synergie
Recruitment
ACCR, Autoklub
of the Czech Republic, has a site with various information on driving
in the Czech Republic. Even most regard motor sports ordinary car
drivers like myself may find useful information.
Another general page is Svetmotoru,
which among other items also maintains a list of car museums.
An independent page is the one for the Sports
car Museum at Lany, a village outside Prague.
There is a motorcycle museum for Czech motorcycles in two parts close to Benesov. The first part is right beside the parking place by the castle Konopiste, while the other part is in the small town Netvorice about 20 km away. Absolutely worth to visit.
I guess these are the most famous Czech producers of vehicles?
Skoda
The Skoda museum is very German, not large and gives almost the
impression of a sales exhibition. You may give it a visit if you are
in Mlada Boleslav, or if you have a Skoda.
If you prefer Denmark, we have a skoda museum situated almost in the middle of the country!
Tatra
A lot has happened since this history took place:
I no nothing about cars. I just drive them, preferably as comfortably
as possible. This because I shortly after -89 read, that Tatra
expected to be able to export a - according to the factory - luxury
car with rear engine that weighted more tons, to the West. I think
the driving properties are about the standard of a Skoda 120, and the
project tilted. I remember the car because I overtook one in -82 with
a heavy loaded old Simca 1307on a hill while the Tatra driver looked
amazed at me. Whether the "apparatnik" behind the curtains
noticed this humiliation of the socialist workers own car brand, I do
not know.
The lorries may be all right according to the TV programs from the Paris-Dakar Rally!
If you are interested in primarily Tatra passenger cars, try to have a closer look at the site of the Slovakian Tatra Club and the Dutch International Streamlined Tatra Site by Paul Schilperoord.
Jawa
- the to the enthusiasts famous motorcycle
Here you may see products, the grand-prix history, find distributors
and more.
Veteransalon
Sells restored old-timers. Has also restaurant and camping site.
Bohemia is famous for the crystal glassware and art produced in the area. Crystal is defined as glass containing at least 18% lead. When in the Czech Republic it is hard to avoid shops with these often very beautiful glasses, but you may also enjoy them in the more modest hemisphere of the web.
A place to start can be "A Guide to Czech & Slovak Glass". A site, which promotes the book by the name mentioned but also holds useful information on the subject.
A catalogue with more than twenty glass
and jewellery producers is here together in one shop.
It is possible to do business with a credit card.
Crystal of the more artistic kind is found at Frantisek
Halama that has produced crystal for three generations.
The artistic business has blossomed again after the Velvet Revolution.
A Company with the ostentatious name Caesar Crystal has something to live up to, and so they do. Do be patient as the pages slowly load and enjoy the roman inspired glass art. You are invited to visit the company.
Pavel
Makalous Crystal has a rather original site.
There is a nice catalogue and you also find the necessary contact information.
Brans Bohemia produces drinking glasses and is also willing to sell the products.
Do you search for a supplier of more bizarre items made of crystal? Your prayers are heard when you visit Preciosa!
Is your favourite sport missing? Send a mail and I will try to correct it!
Football
If you are interested in Czech football I recommend that you visit
Ceskomoravsky Fotbalovy Svaz, the Football Association of the Czech
Republic. The site is also in English.
Golf
Though it may not be common to associate the Czech Republic with the
noble game of golf the country offers plenty of excellent golf
courses, keen golfers have told us. Below is a selection of golf
clubs. Most sites are entirely in Czech, but they do have contact
addresses so it is possible to get in touch.
Golf &
Country Club Karlstejn
Close to Karlstejn, close to Prague.
GC Praha
I suppose it is close to Prague.
Golf Club Nová Bystrice
Close to - yes, you are right!
Mariánské
Lazné Golf Club
The famous spá town is also known under the German name Marienbad.
Golf Resort Karlovy Vary
Grand Hotel Pupp is the right accommodation if you want to play golf
in Karlovy Vary instead of enjoying the nature.
Golf Resort Konopiste
I have been told that the accommodation is more than adequate at a
reasonable price.
And let us finish this section on golf with the real thing for us who does not want to swing with it over several hundred yards - minigolf:
Cesky
Minigolfový Svaz
The official site of The Czech Minigolf Association.
Sdruzení SV GOLF
SV GOLF Association produces complete courses and other minigolf equipment.
Ice hockey
Read all about Czech hockey on the site of the association,
Cesky Svaz Ledniho Hokeje.
If I am in the Czech Republic during the season I do always check if
there is a match in the area, where I stay. Czech hockey is worth
looking at no matter the league.
The site is just in Czech but it is very intuitive to navigate through it.
More foreign companies have entered the Czech grocery market and
build monster big Hyper Markets.
Often there are rather big shopping centres around these malls and
indeed it is convenient for a tourist to shop at these places.
But please do not forget that it is much more charming to shop in the
smaller local shops.
Billa
Billa is a German owned chain of markets and is represented all over
the country, and let us just admit that if Czech is not the best
tongue self-service in a supermarket is very convenient! There is a
map, which shows the exact location of the stores and it is easy to
get an overview of the prices for most common groceries.
Billa accepts international cards for payment.
Carrefour
Carrefour, which is French, is according to themselves the largest
retailers in Europe. They have stores in the major Czech cities.
Coop
Coop is the Czech co-operation and was in the good old days known as
Jednota (Unity). This is perhaps why I feel good, when I enter one.
Delvita
The Delvita stores feel very Czech though it is the Belgium
Delhaize-group, which is behind.
Globus
A chain of stores of which I know nothing except that I remember to
have been in a hyper marker in Pardubice. Obviously they want to sell
meat to the Germans.
Hypernova
This is also a good choice if you want to place your money in the
region. The stores are rather big and owned by Ahold Central Europe,
which has a share holding company in the Czech and Slovak Republics
and Poland.
Interspar
Stores are in different sizes from small to big Superspars.
Kaufland
Is an old German chain, which also owns Lidl.
Tesco
Tesco is a big British chain about to dominate the region.
If you cannot find what you are looking for in a Hyper Market, you
have bad luck. An overview on the site shows the position of the stores.
The Hyper Markets are open around the clock.
Tesco accepts international cards for payment.
Naturally there are a lot of Czech shops, portals, auctions and so on.
Most of them are in purely Czech, but why not give it a try?
InShop
A regular web warehouse. How about a puzzle with 3000 pieces for less
than DKK 100?
Online supermarket
You may buy every goods as far as I can guess; it is all in Czech.
E-Store
Sells music, DVD's, books..
Seznam
A Czech pendant to Yahoo.
Centrum
Another portal.
Philashop
Shop for philatelists. Do also have auctions.
TV Products
If it is going to be bad, do look at the crap that is heavily
advertised in the TV shops.
Auctions
Do you want to bid? Then look at one of the following:
iAukce
Did not have many options when I popped by, but it may change!
Ceská
Aukcní A Drazební
Czech auction company.
Start21
Tries to establish web auctions.
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Ballooning
Bicycles |
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Bohemia
Piano
Want a Bohemian Grand Piano or just a piano bench?
Philately
If you like the often small pieces of paper. Also see the the Czech
mail services, Ceska posta.
Wooden
toys
Czech (actually Moravian in this case) wooden toys are something
special and certainly different from the plastic junk you buy in most
toy stores!
Visit the Simons family and have a look at what they offer. May be
you want to distribute the products?
Tents
Do you want to have your own tee-pee or another kind of high quality tent?
Then this is the place to get value for money! They have dealers in
more countries.
If you have suggestions to this page, do send me an email with the link.
