Travel in Czech Republic

Taken from the new Rough Guide to Prague , here's our guide to Czech beer – and where to drink it.

So what is it that draws us to Vienna? The waltzes? The white horses? The cakes? Let’s be honest, it’s the sex.

Eastern Europe has become a popular, mysterious even, destination for the intrepid backpacker. While it’s undoubtedly impressive in its diversity, there are a number of universal lessons that every traveller will learn at some point during their time here.

Founded by students in 2012, Pragulic – a social enterprise that helps the city’s homeless find work as tour guides – is seeing a growth in interest. Led by Robert, who has been without a permanent address for 12 years, Andrew Day veers off the Czech capital’s well-worn cobblestones to experience homelessness firsthand. But is it tourism or voyeurism?

This week, pictures have emerged of Italians enjoying al-fresco meals in pizzerias, sun-baked Greeks heading to the beach, and hikers taking to the wide-open expanses of the USA’s national parks. This is not business as usual – social-distancing measures and other hygiene regulations are strict – but there’s a thrill in seeing life creep back into cities and towns around the world. Of course, for those of us still under lockdown, it’s bittersweet watching the world resume some semblance of normality (we’re craving our turn), but here at Rough Guides, it’s provided one thing in bucket loads: hope.

UNICEF estimates that a hefty 116 million babies will be born during the coronavirus pandemic. Under social distancing rules, many will have to wait weeks before meeting their wider families © Asada Nami/Shutterstock

With the 75th anniversary of the Liberation of Europe in the final years of WWII in 2019–2020, Rough Guides is releasing a new, comprehensive and inspirational guidebook: Travel the Liberation Route Europe. Rough Guides editor Helen Fanthorpe introduces the book and explains what it’s all about.

The word's been out for some time now: the Czech Republic does not begin and end with Prague. A little further over to the east, for example, the region of Moravia stands out for having all the rural Czech hallmarks you could possibly hope for – while at the same time still being within easy reach of the average traveller.

As you shuffle along with your fellow tourists round the chancel of Prague’s main cathedral, there’s not a lot to see beyond the remains of a few medieval Czech kings with unpronounceable names – Břetislav, Spytihněv, Bořivoj. That is, until you find your way virtually barred by a giant silver tomb, which looks for all the world as if it has been abandoned by a bunch of Baroque builders upon discovering it was too big to fit into one of the side chapels. Turning your attention to the tomb itself, you’re faced with one of the most gobsmackingly kitsch mausoleums imaginable – sculpted in solid silver, with airborne angels holding up the heavy drapery of the baldachin; and you notice the saint’s rather fetching five-star sunburst halo, and back to back with him, a cherub proudly pointing to a glass case. On closer inspection, you realize the case contains a severed tongue.

Prague is one of Europe’s most visited cities. Millions of tourists come to the Czech capital each year for its romantic hilltop castle, its intricate astronomical clock and its statue-lined medieval bridge.

Taken from the Rough Guide to Europe on a Budget , here's our pick of the best hostels in Europe.

This article covers May 2020. Visit our up-to-date article with the latest news on Corona virus and travel here: Corona virus travel updates .

Think Germany and you think beer. It’s a country whose beer culture is so ingrained and recognised that Oktoberfest (16 September–3 October 2017) is celebrated around the world.

If you’ve fallen for Prague’s undeniable allure, it might be time to consider branching out to explore some of the Czech Republic’s less-trodden paths. Paths that deliver a richly rewarding blend of fine wine, fascinating folk culture, and exhilarating landscapes that are ripe for outdoor adventuring - both above and beneath the earth. If that sounds like your kind of trip, if you’re looking for a fresh destination that remains tantalizingly under the radar, South Moravia might just be your new favourite place. Read on to discover why.

Majestic mountains and fairy-tale forests. Riverside has rambling routes and charming spa towns. Czechia is a dream destination for hikers looking to enjoy culture and history (and world-beating beer) alongside outdoor adventuring. And with 40,000 km of marked trails, hiking is arguably the most rewarding way to experience its diverse delights.

Germany is the country for fairytale castles and nowhere does this become more obvious than in Saxony. Featuring a good 1,000 palaces, castles and fortresses, often coming with beautiful parks and gardens, the region which borders both the Czech Republic and Poland provides rich grounds for lovers of magnificent architecture and beautiful landscaping.

Discover winter destinations in Eastern Europe. Prepare for freezing temperatures and look forward to frosty cities, frozen rivers andsnowy ski resorts. Take a look at our 10 top wintery destinations.

This article is sponsored by money experts Compare Forex Brokers – helping Forex traders find the best brokers.

Taking in stunning chateaux, epic hiking and biking trails, enchanting cruise routes, and wild water-sports spots, the Czech Republic’s Vltava River delivers an abundance of historic and natural beauty. Connecting South Bohemia and Central Bohemia through impossibly picturesque Prague, and taking its name from the old Germanic term for wild water (Wilt-ahwa), at 430km the Vltava is the Czech Republic’s longest river. It’s also a national symbol that was immortalised by the esteemed Czech composer Smetana in his stirring Má Vlast (My Country) composition. For independent travellers who like to get off the beaten track, touring the Vltava presents a uniquely enriching experience that rewards culture vultures and outdoor adventurers alike. In addition, trips exploring the Vltava are also ideal for visitors who like to travel responsibly, with plenty of environmentally-sound ways to get around (think bikes, boats and trains). Read on for some top experiences to enjoy along the vibrant Vltava.

Travelling by train is one of the best ways to explore Europe, and there are few places that offer train adventures quite like the Czech Republic. Prague may lure a traveller in, but other cities and towns in the country can truly capture a traveller’s heart, as bloggers Megan Starr and Aram Vardanyan discovered when they embarked on a rail adventure through the Czech Republic.

Cultural delights, stunning nature, curious traditions. Saxony Germany — which borders Poland and the Czech Republic — is much loved for its diverse attractions. Here are 10 reasons why the region is a great choice to discover (yet) another side of Germany.