Czech Republic
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Language: Czech (a Slavic language). English is widely spoken in Prague and tourist areas, less so in rural regions.
Currency: Czech Koruna (CZK). Cards are widely accepted in Prague and major towns, but smaller pubs, markets, and rural guesthouses may prefer cash. ATMs everywhere -- always decline the "convenience" conversion rate.
Transportation:
Train: České dráhy (ČD) runs the national rail network connecting Prague, Brno, Olomouc, and České Budějovice. RegioJet offers competitive private service on major routes.
Bus: FlixBus and RegioJet buses serve domestic and international routes.
City transport: Prague's tram and metro system (DPP) is excellent -- buy a 24/72-hour pass and use contactless ticket validators at stations.
What To Expect
The Czech Republic has mastered the art of being both deeply historic and refreshingly unpretentious. Prague is the obvious star -- a city where every turn reveals a Gothic spire, a baroque church, or a bridge that seems plucked from a fairytale. Walk the Charles Bridge at dawn before the crowds arrive, then climb to Prague Castle for a view that explains why this city has enchanted visitors for centuries.
But there's more to this country than its capital. Head south to Český Krumlov, a UNESCO-listed maze of Renaissance architecture wrapped around a meandering river, or east to Kutná Hora, where a church decorated with thousands of human bones challenges everything you think you know about sacred spaces. For a slower pace, the colonnades of Karlovy Vary offer thermal springs and a glimpse of a grander era.
And then there's the beer. Czechs drink more beer per capita than any other nation, and one sip of a properly poured Pilsner Urquell -- at the source in Plzeň or from any honest pub -- makes the reason obvious. Pair it with a plate of svíčková (marinated beef in cream sauce) and you'll wonder why you ever eat anywhere else.