The Swiss panoramic carriage, Apm61 Pano, is set to enchant Czech rail travelers until at least December 2024, as confirmed by České dráhy, the Czech railway company. Introduced to the Czech railway landscape in June 2023, the carriage is an integral part of the international train EC 106/107 Porta Moravica, linking Graz (Austria) and Przemyśl (Poland). The train’s route ensures mandatory stops in key Czech cities, namely Břeclav, Přerov, Ostrava, and Bohumín (Břeclav – Přerov – Ostrava – Bohumín). Featuring 54 first-class seats, the carriage stands out with its partially glazed roof and elevated floor, promising passengers a superior view compared to regular counterparts. Travelers can relish breathtaking vistas of Moravia and the Alpine scenery throughout their journey. The cars rode for 30 years in Switzerland and neighboring countries, most recently as part of the Gotthard Panorama Express. “Thanks to the large arched panoramic windows, passengers enjoy up to 90 percent larger views compared to regular cars, and the angle from which they can observe is increased by 25 percent, to 40 percent,” Czech Railways spokesperson Petr Šťáhlavský states in a press release. The cars were specifically designed for travel through regions known for their scenic mountain landscapes and river...
The Czech Republic’s unemployment rate held steady in November, figures from the labor office showed Friday. The unemployment rate came in at 3.5 percent in November, the same as in the previous month. Meanwhile, economists had expected the rate to rise to 3.6 percent. In the corresponding month last year, the jobless rate was also 3.5 percent. There were 263,226 unemployed people in November, up from 260,641 a month ago. The labor office reported that by the end of November, job offices had registered a total of 278,708 vacancies, indicating 1,788 less vacancies than in the preceding month. Minimum wage to increase to CZK 18,900 The minimum wage is expected to increase by CZK 1,600 to CZK 18, 900 from January, Labour Minister Marian Jurečka said at a press conference last Wednesday. Within a few years, it should stabilize at 45 percent of the average wage. According to the minister, the minimum wage should start rising from 2025 according to a formula, which is to be regulated by the Labour Code. Four of the eight levels of guaranteed wages should also increase next year. The proposal will be discussed by the government next week.
Winter is almost here and so is the upcoming ball season. Which ball shall we attend this time? A question that many of us may raise during the next months. Several beautiful balls can be attended in Prague, however, just one of them represents the peak of the ball season. The 22. Austrian Ball will be held on January 19, 2024, traditionally at the enchanting ballrooms of the Žofín Palace. The Austrian Ball in Prague preserves the genuine traditions of the Viennese Balls. The Ball begins with a festive opening ceremony followed by the first dance of members of a Committee of Young Ladies and Gentlemen. Right thereafter, all guests are invited to the dance floor by a traditional call “Alles Walzer!”. Large orchestras accompany the dancers all night long. If the guests had been thoroughly paying attention during the opening, the participation in the „midnight quadrille“ might have been much easier. There will, however, be no shortage of professional guidance enabling participation in the quadrille also to those guests who are not as experienced. Finally, each lady will receive a small present when leaving the ball, the so-called “Damenspende”. You will not only dance the Waltz at the Austrian...
Prague will not once again not hold its traditional New Year’s fireworks show on January 1, and the city is not planning any alternative event. The Czech capital did not host its annual fireworks show in 2021 or 2022 due to the pandemic and related restrictions. In 2020, the use of firecrackers and fireworks was banned in selected places, such as historic city districts, parks, nature-protected areas, around watercourses, near retirement homes and other social care facilities, and also in the vicinity of the Prague Zoo. However, the city is instead offering residents a discounted admission fee to several Prague attractions on New Year’s Day. Locals will be able to visit the zoo and botanical gardens for practically free, only paying a symbolic CZK 1 entry fee, and can see the Public Transport Museum and the seven towers managed by Prague City Tourism for a discounted price. Visitors will be asked to present a public transport card or ID to prove that they live in Prague. In view of the recent tragedy at the Faculty of Arts many Czech cities have scrapped their plans for fireworks displays or other boisterous celebrations. Fireworks will not be held in Prague, Brno and...
Old Town Square will again serve free fish soup from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to anyone who wants some. On Christmas Eve, 24 December, you can enjoy the traditional Christmas fish soup for free in the center of Prague. The traditional event will last from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Originally the soup was intended for the homeless, but with growing interest from the public, it became something of a social event with scores of people turning up to enjoy the Christmas atmosphere. A part of the Czech holiday tradition is fasting all day before the Christmas Eve meal in the hopes of seeing a magical golden pig in the sky. The idea is popular among children. It will also be possible to join the tradition in your own neighbourhood. It is customary for individual municipalities to hold their own Christmas soup distributions for their inhabitants each year. The exact time and place will be communicated to each unit. Roughly three thousand portions will be prepared, and the first customers will be served an hour before noon, although the exact time and other organisational details are still being worked out. In addition to 160 kilograms of carp, which come from...
On December 8th, the Dolní Morava mountain resort, nestled in the picturesque village of the same name in the Pardubice region, marked a milestone by unveiling the longest ski run in the country. Stretching an impressive 3.7 kilometres, this newly inaugurated slope promises a unique experience for winter sports enthusiasts. Connecting the mountain’s summit, Slamník, with the lower section of the U Slona resort, the trail’s expansion involved both lengthening and widening the pre-existing slope, a cherished resource for skiers since 2018. Boasting a unique altitude difference from 1,232 metres to 666 metres above sea level, guests can anticipate an extraordinary skiing adventure. Emphasizing safety as a top priority, Martin Palan, the general manager of the resort, assured that the piste is at least 25 metres wide, clearly visible, and equipped with all necessary safety features. “Dolní Morava aims to provide skiers with a diverse winter experience, offering a total of 10.4 kilometres of interconnected pistes with various difficulty levels throughout the upcoming winter season,” commented Palan. As winter sports enthusiasts prepare to conquer the extended slopes, the Dolní Morava mountain resort emerges as a prime destination for those seeking a thrilling and safe skiing escapade.
For the fifth year in a row, Prague can enjoy holidays with a strong Caribbean and South American accent. Christmas in Venezuela is a whole congregation of traditions: dozens of dishes and recipes, celebrations throughout the country and an endless musical repertoire of Creole Christmas carols, better known as “Aguinaldos” which of course, include the iconic “Burrito Sabanero” (Little Donkey from the Savannah). Those who come to the Venezuelan Christmas Market at the Saint Thomas parish on Sunday, December 10th, will be able to taste a lovely sample of this particular way of living Christmas, typical of Venezuelans. The “hallaca” (big sister of the tamale) is a dish exclusive to Christmas time and deeply connected to Venezuelan identity. Its history and symbolism attest to the colonial past and its ingredients are a melting pot of cultures, races, and regions. Its preparation ritual is on the other hand very emotional, with families gathering for a whole day and dividing different tasks to give shape to a complex dish in process and flavor. With the Venezuelan migratory crisis of the last decade, in which more than 7 million people have had to leave their country, today hallacas are prepared and eaten in...
In a notable move, major retail chains Lidl and Billa in the Czech Republic have opted against selling live Christmas carp outside their stores, marking a significant shift in their approach. The decision aims to prioritize both customer satisfaction and environmental responsibility. This isn’t the first time Lidl has taken such a stance. In 2022, the company emerged as the trailblazer in the Czech market by becoming the sole retail chain to refrain from live carp sales. According to Lidl’s spokesperson Tomáš Myler, “Responsible business means offering customers the highest quality goods while ensuring our operations remain sustainable in the long term. That’s why we’ve chosen to ban the sale of carp outside our supermarkets. Fresh, already packaged fish will now be conveniently available in the sales area.” Joining this ethical initiative for the first time, Billa’s decision aligns with their broader strategy to show respect for animals and the environment. Last year, the company also ceased selling amateur pyrotechnics as part of this commitment. However, rival chains Tesco, Kaufland, Albert, and Penny are not following suit. They intend to continue selling live carp outside their supermarkets through partner companies. It’s crucial to recognize that in the Czech Republic, carp...
On the evening of Wednesday, December 6, an unusual incident took place in Prague’s Hlubočepy district. Placing excessive trust in their navigation system, a driver followed its guidance onto the tram tracks. The peculiar event happened around 18:20 on Hlubočepská Street, resulting in no injuries but causing damage to the vehicle and the separation barrier. Law enforcement promptly arrived at the scene and conducted an alcohol test on the foreign driver, yielding a negative result. As a consequence of the incident, tram services on the street were halted for approximately an hour. Similarly, curious accidents related to navigation are far from unique. Earlier this year, a young female driver, also relying on navigation, followed the instruction to turn, only to find herself on the tram tracks. Likewise, a Polish lorry driver, who failed to notice that the road had been diverted for reconstruction, ended up overturned behind the barriers in a dug-up road due to confusion caused by the navigation instructions. V ulici Hlubočepská jsme spolu s kolegy z @DPPOficialni vyprostili navijákem osobní auto, které najelo do kolejiště tramvaje. pic.twitter.com/UeOplm9LNC — Hasiči Praha 🚒 (@HasiciPraha) December 6, 2023
A recent STEM study indicates that while Czechs have historically embraced Slovaks and individuals from developed nations as neighbors, their acceptance of Vietnamese neighbors has surged over the past decade. Senior analyst Kateřina Duspivová notes, “In 2023, 71% of Czech citizens are open to having Vietnamese neighbors, a significant increase from the 40% recorded in 2014, suggesting widespread acceptance of the Vietnamese community in Czech society.” The conflict in Ukraine has also reshaped Czech attitudes toward neighbors with Ukrainians now viewed more favorably than Russians. Prior to the conflict, the sentiment was the opposite. However, acceptance of Eastern nationalities such as Arabs, Syrians and Afghans remains consistently low. The TRENDY research series, which gauges Czech attitudes toward foreigners, reveals a continued positive disposition towards Slovaks (91%) and individuals from developed Western countries, including English, American, French and German citizens. Croatians also enjoy relatively high acceptance at 71%. Conversely, geographically and culturally distant nationalities, such as Arabs, Afghans, Syrians or Sudanese, are perceived as problematic or even unacceptable neighbors by less than a quarter of Czechs. While long-term preferences for Western neighbors remain unchanged, there are interesting shifts in the middle of the hierarchy. Due to the Ukraine conflict, acceptance of...
The Czech Environment Ministry recently announced plans to enforce compulsory textile waste collection from 2025. The initiative, announced at a press conference by environment minister Petr Hladik, aims to align with the European directive on waste management. Producers will assist municipalities in bearing the collection costs. The priority is to foster textile reuse and efficient recycling practices, the minister said. Textiles often get discarded now into mixed waste bins, significantly affecting recycling efforts. The proposed strategy targets enhancing citizens’ engagement by setting up collection points across municipalities. Nearly 10,000 textile containers dot the Czech Republic, but the existing Waste Act merely mandates collection points, not recycling. Hladik underscored the lack of financial compensation to municipalities for establishing these collection points under the previous government, according to a Czech media outlet. The aim is to expand beyond containers, integrating collection points in varied locations like town halls and retail outlets. Recycling fees could potentially be shared between sellers and manufacturers, with eventual implications for consumer pricing. There has been a yearly rise in textile waste production in the country. Around 180,000 tonnes of textiles are discarded annually, with a mere 3-4 per cent entering mixed waste bins and 39,000 tonnes being...
Following a comprehensive and meticulous evaluation process, Luxury Lifestyle Awards is delighted to bestow its esteemed honor upon The Julius Prague. The residence celebrated for its unwavering commitment to excellence and outstanding service, has been announced as Best Luxury City Hotel in Prague in 2023. The Julius Prague isn’t just a hotel; it’s a home away from home, where guests can stay, live, and be free. With a commitment to providing more than just accommodation, The Julius offers a series of beautifully designed spaces in the center of Prague. These spaces allow guests to immerse themselves in the local culture, connect with the community, and experience the freedom to explore and simply be themselves. What sets The Julius Prague apart is its rich history as part of the House of Julius Meinl, a family-run company with a legacy dating back to 1862. The brand seamlessly combines 160 years of tradition with a spirit of innovation to create dynamic, authentic, and intimate spaces in vibrant neighborhoods. Located at Senovažné náměstí 3, in the heart of Prague’s Old Town, The Julius Prague offers guests easy access to the city’s historic landmarks and excellent public transportation connections, including a 30-minute drive from the...
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