Czech Republic - Tips for Medical Tourists

Although the Czech Republic is one of the safest destination countries, one should at the very least keep a steady eye on one's valuables as property crime is extremely common. Most thefts occur in the form of pickpocketing or automobile break-ins. The most common items taken are cell phones, video cameras, and photography equipment. Therefore, one should not keep any exposed valuables lying in one's automobile and should, if at all possible, park their automobile in a parking area with surveillance. Pickpockets are naturally most commonly encountered where there are many people, such as near places of interest, train stations, and in public transportation vehicles.

Regarding telephone conversations, for lengthy long-distance conversations, public telephone boxes are considerably cheaper than phones found in hotels, for example. The necessary telephone cards can be purchased at any Czech Telecom sales outlet and at many newspaper stands.
The traffic infrastructure in the Czech Republic is indeed capable of further development, but is already at a high level in principle - the 160-year old tradition of rail traffic is especially remarkable. The national Czech Railway commands an extensive and dense travel network. But traveling by plane or automobile is also possible. Recently, the D5 and D8 highways were completed and made available. The use of the highway is tied to the purchase of a ticket. These tickets can be purchased at border crossings, selected filling stations, or at the Czech Post Office. Additionally, one can travel into the country via one of the four transport airports. The largest airport is in Prague. Further airports are in Brno, Ostrava, and Carlsbad.
It is recommended that you access up-to-date information regarding the hours of operation for banks and offices prior to travel.

You are not required to pay duties on tobacco in your personal luggage provided you are carrying less than 200 cigarettes, 100 cigarillos, 50 cigars, or 250 grams of tobacco. For alcohol, either 1 liter of spirits or 2 liters of wine may be carried duty-free. For tobacco, the carrying person must be at least 15 years old, and for alcohol at least 18 years of age. Medications proportionate to personal use necessities can be carried. For works of art or other antiquities, you should contact the duty office.

The Czech Republic has a number of culinary offerings. The traditional Czech national dish is roast pork with bread dumplings and sauerkraut. This food is as much a part of a visit as traditional Czech beer. Beer itself in the Czech Republic has a tradition that stretches back over 500 years and is considered to be a drink of the people. The most well-known Czech labels internationally are "Pilsener Urquell" and "Budweiser", which is not to be confused with the American beer of the same name. What may be even more interesting, however, is to try out the smaller Czech breweries or what are called "house breweries" which have each developed their own distinctive tastes over time. Further special dishes are various roasts (geese, deer, or rabbit). With these one drinks the digestive herbal bitters "Becherovka" or the peach schnapps "Sliwowitz". For dessert, coffee and cake are offered. Fruit dumplings and a variety of strudels also enjoy great popularity.

International credit cards are accepted at many places, so it is not necessary to travel around the Czech Republic with large amounts of cash on hand. Only in smaller locations and in the countryside will you need to pay with cash. In the Czech Republic, wall outlets emit 200 volts AC. Only in Prague do some outlets emit 100 volts. Through standardised GSM cell phone transmission technology and roaming contracts.
But it's not just about traveling, eating, and drinking in the Czech Republic - culturally, this nation is the birthplace of a number of well-known figures. First and foremost are Franz Kafka and Milan Kundera in literature and Bedřich Smetana and Antonin Dvořák in classical music. The Czech film industry also points to significant successes and outstanding personalities such as director Miloš Forman.