More than 16 years after the end of Communist rule, and two years after joining the European Union, this small country appears to be¿a confident contributor to the prosperity and stability of the continent. Membership has indeed brought privileges in the form of massive foreign investment, especially in industries making up the lion's share of the Czech economy, like car manufacturing and tourism. Skodas, once the butt of many a joke in western Europe, have taken the EU by storm and are regularly chosen in expert surveys as some of the most innovative and good-value cars on the market. The company, now owned by Volkswagen, sells its Fabias and Octavias heavily into the EU and are even sold as a status symbol¿for Yuppies¿as far away as India.
The investment can also be seen by tourists in infrastructure projects. Brand new superhighways criss-cross the country and provide much better links with Germany and Austria, while high speed train services are expected to connect Prague with Berlin and Vienna, in a few short hours,¿by 2008.
By the end of the decade, the Czechs are expected to join the EU's common currency, the euro, but some nationalist politicians are doing all they can to save the Czech crown which they see as a symbol of the country's sovereignty.
Planning a Trip
The Prague Information Service (PIS) has closed its center at Na Príkope 20, Prague 1. You can now visit the one on Staromestské námestí 1, at the City Hall, Prague 1. Opening hours are April to October, 9am to 7pm, Monday through Friday, and 9am to 6pm Saturday and Sunday. From November to March it is open from 9am to 6pm Monday through Friday and 9am to 5pm, Saturday and Sunday.
The Prague Card pass which allows you to visit up to 55 top Prague attractions including Prague Castle is now valid for 4 days and costs 740Kc ($30.83) adults and 490Kc ($20.41) students. More information can be found on www.praguecard.biz.
Calendar of Events
Here are some additions to your Prague events calendar.
- Mozart Prague 2006 (www.mozartprague2006.com). 250th anniversary of Mozart's birth will be celebrated by various events held in the city's cultural venues throughout the year.
- 14th Prague International Marathon. Annual meeting of runners from all over the world will take place on May 14.
- One of the year's major cultural projects was introduced in Prague Castle in late February. Exhibition "Charles IV, Emperor by the Grace of God", which was also presented in The Metropolitan Museum in New York, is open until May 21, 2006. This is a unique display of the Luxemburgs and their important role in the world history of the 13th and 14th centuries. For more information, check out www.karel-iv.cz.
- Tanec Praha (Dance Prague). A festival of artistic dance, will be held from June 2 to 28.
- Slavnosti Petilisté ruze, in Ceský Krumlov, will invite visitors on June 16 to 18.
- The 47th Chopin Festival in Mariánské Lázne will take place between August 19 and 26.
- Prague Autumn International Music Festival. This festival features local orchestras from around the country and some international guests. Concerts will be held from September 12 to October 1.
- 41st Moravian Autumn International Music Festival will take place in Brno from September 22 to October 7.
- 30th International Jazz Festival will celebrate jazz music in several venues in Prague between October 22 and 29.
- If you will be visiting the Krivoklát Castle on October 14 and 15, you will witness the popular street festival Renaissance Days at Krivoklát.
- Prague will also host concerts of world-class musicians in Sazka Arena. For information, log on to www.sazkaarena.cz. Of particular note are:
- Zappa Plays Zappa. Dweezil and Ahmet Zappa present and perform the music of Frank Zappa. Ticket prices range from 799-1,100Kc ($33-$45). May 23.
- Eric Clapton. Tickets are available through www.ticketpro.cz from 799Kc to 1,110Kc ($41 to $81). July 20.
- Finally, the Rolling Stones are coming again! The Bigger Bang Tour will be stopping at Brno's Fairgrounds (Výstaviste). Ticket range 995-4,995Kc ($41-$208). More on www.ticketpro.cz. June 16.
Talk with fellow Frommer's travelers on our Czech Republic Message Boards today.