Dobry den!

The last few weeks has been very busy for us as we prepared a new section for our web site that focuses on helping students find a low-cost holiday here. Although we have built this facility to support the UK's National Union of Students (NUS), we will, where possible, extend the offers to all students. So, if you have a student child, friend, or neighbour - and they would like half-board in a Prague hotel for as little as £9.90 per night - send them to:
http://www.czechpoint.co.uk/nus/index.htm

Prague is a very popular tourist spot. And the views from the Castle and Charles Bridge are stunning, however, if you visit during the high season, be prepared to endure the formidable crowds of International visitors.

Statistics indicate that 75% of tourists stay in the capital for 4 days, then move on. Sadly, they don’t move into the countryside, which offers breathtaking beauty, and 2000 Castles and places of historic architectural interest. Our advice is to take a longer holiday. Spend your 3 days in the city, and then hire a car (about 16 GBP a day) and leave Prague behind you. If you don’t drive, there is a vast public transport network, but as you venture deeper into the countryside be prepared to spend some time on the large fleet of old and slow trains, stopping at every village.

Depending upon the time of year, you can head North, East, South or West and be exploring the ‘real’ Czech Republic within 30 minutes. As you may expect, the accommodation and food will be considerably cheaper, and it is the opinion of most that the people are friendlier. Prague residents are generally not unfriendly, but they tend to be busy people who do not always welcome the annual tourist invasion. However, in the villages, you are more likely to be viewed as an object of interest, particularly as you struggle to pronounce the unpronounceable off the pub menu! Please try it. We promise, you will not be disappointed …

Until next time, "Na shledanou"

Ian and the Czechpoint team