World Country Guide

Social Profile

Food & Drink
Food is often based on Austro-Hungarian dishes; (Wiener) Schnitzel and pork are very popular. Specialities include bramborak, a delicacy of a potato pancake filled with garlic and herbs and Prague ham. Meat dishes are mostly served with knedliky, a type of large dough dumpling, and zeli (sauerkraut). Western-style fresh vegetables are often missing in lower-class restaurants. There is a wide selection of restaurants, beer taverns and wine cellars.
Popular beverages include beers (lager, dark ales, pilsner), red, white and sparkling wines from Bohemia and Moravia, fruit juices and liqueurs. Particular specialities include becherovka (herb brandy) and two Moravian favourites, slivovice (plum brandy) and merunkovice (apricot brandy). There are no rigid licensing hours.

Nightlife
Theatre and opera are of a good standard all over Eastern Europe. Much of the nightlife takes place in nightclubs, bars and casinos which are to be found in major cities.

Shopping
Souvenirs include Bohemian glass and crystal, pottery, porcelain, wooden folk carvings, hand-embroidered clothing, and food items. There are a number of excellent shops specialising in glass and crystal, while various associations of regional artists and craftspeople run their own retail outlets (pay in local currency). Other special purchases include pottery (particularly from Kolovec and Straznice); china ornaments and geyserstone carvings from Karlovy Vary; delicate lace and needle embroidery from many Moravian towns; and blood-red garnets and semi-precious stones from Bohemia. Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1800 Sat 0900-1200. Supermarkets and food shops in large towns and cities are open from 0700 and often stay open until late. The number of shops also open on Sunday is constantly increasing.

Special Events
The Czech nation is one of the most musical in Central Europe. Throughout the year there are many occasions to enjoy music in concert halls, theatres, stately homes and churches. Regular music festivals and concert cycles also take place. Most towns have their own folk festivals, with dancing, local costumes and food. These tend to be in the summer months leading up to the harvest festivals in September. For further details, check with the Czech Tourist Authority and travel agencies (who can also arrange music festival tours). The following is a selection of special events occurring in the Czech Republic in 2005:
Jan FIS Cross Country Skiing World Cup. Jan-Feb 6th Music Theatre Festival, Prague. Feb 11-28 Shrovetide (celebrating the coming of Spring). Apr 14-24 Junior World Ice Hockey Championships, Èeské Budìjovice. May 12-Jun 6 60th International Prague Spring Music Festival. May 22 11th Prague International Marathon. May 23-28 Khamoro 2005 (Roma festival). Jun Royal Silver in Kutná Hora. Jun 3-5 Pardubice Folklore Festival. Jul 15-Aug 27 International Music Festival, Èeský Krumlov. Aug 12-14 Napoleon Celebrations. Aug 18-28 Jazz at the End of the Summer, Èeský Krumlov. Sep International Carlsbad Folklore Festival. Oct 1-2 22nd Jazzfest, Karlovy Vary. Dec Christmas Celebrations. Dec 31 New Year’s Eve Celebrations, nationwide.

Social Conventions
Dress should be casual, but conservative, except at formal dinners and at quality hotels or restaurants. Tipping: A 5 to 10 per cent tip is usual.