After an unusually warm October, November brings a sudden drop in temperature, marking the start of winter. Temperatures are expected to plummet to minus four degrees on Wednesday, with ice warnings issued in certain areas. Daytime temperatures ranging between three and minus one degrees are anticipated. Winter is set to make its presence felt from Friday onwards. On Saturday, the Czech National Weather Service predicts snowfall, especially in the mountains. Nevertheless, snow may grace Prague by the weekend. According to Weather.com, temperatures could reach as low as minus three degrees, with a 70 percent chance of snow showers. #pocasi Přijde od pátku zima?? 🙏V tuto chvíli to vypadá pro milovníky zimy velmi slibně! A co víc, zimní teploty by měly vydržet od pátku minimálně do začátku příštího týdne. Na tomto scénáři se aktuálně shodují oba střednědobé modely, GFS a ECMWF a to s poměrně slušnou… pic.twitter.com/KIMlRbYTUd — Český hydrometeorologický ústav (ČHMÚ) (@CHMUCHMI) November 20, 2023 Unfortunately, the joy of snow may be short-lived, as the snow cover is not projected to exceed two centimeters. Additionally, the snow is expected to mix with rain, resulting in potentially muddy streets.
The Czech government has proposed a document that, among other ideas, includes making visa issuance for Russian diplomats more stringent as part of negotiations on the 12th package of EU sanctions against Russia. The package is currently being debated by the Schengen countries and has yet to be approved by the respective governments. According to Czech officials, Russian diplomats should be able to obtain visas and residence permits that allow them movement only within one Schengen country instead of the whole area. The same points out that the measure is aimed at countering espionage. Over 70 Russian nationals were expelled from Czechia last year as an act of solidarity with Ukraine, which has been fully invaded by Russian troops ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin. In addition to restricting Russians to only one Schengen country, Czechia also believes that the EU should accept only biometric passports in hopes of harder-to-forge documentation and in an effort to limit links to fake identities. One of the issues that Prague mentioned was related to Russian officials who were obtaining Austrian visas to work for UN agencies in Vienna and then travelling elsewhere in the Schengen Area. By the middle of the month, the...
The Advent market on Old Town Square stands as an iconic symbol of the Christmas season, marked by the ceremonial lighting of the Christmas tree. This tradition, central to the holiday spirit, continues this year with the winning tree selected from the Tree Search competition. Experts will fell the tree for the Old Town Square market on Nov. 25 before transporting it overnight to Prague on November 27-28. The eagerly anticipated lighting ceremony at Old Town Square is scheduled for Saturday, December 2, at 4 pm. Attendees can expect the enchanting display of around forty angels, accompanied by four and a half kilometers of LED light chains. Post the initial lighting, the tree will be lit regularly at 4:30 pm, 5:30 pm, 6:30 pm, 7:30 pm, 8:30 pm, and 9:30 pm, continuing to grace the square until January 6, 2024. In 2022, the Old Town Market was named by CNN among the best to visit during that winter holiday season. Yet, the spotlight won’t be reserved for a singular tree. Karlínské náměstí will illuminate its tree on November 27, followed by Petrské náměstí on December 3 from 5 pm. St. Nicholas will make a grand entrance on December 5, ushering...
If you’re a fan of draft beer and find the prices in the Czech Republic too high, head to Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, or Romania. While in local pubs in July, the price averaged around 54 crowns, according to data from the Dotykačka cash register system, in the above-mentioned neighbouring countries it ranged from 25 to 40 crowns. It has become almost a tradition that during the summer months, the Czech Republic, especially Prague, is flooded with tourists from the Nordic European countries, not for sightseeing, but for cheap beer. However, if they were to read the comparison of prices for a pint across Europe, compiled by the British tabloid Daily Mail, they would avoid the Czech Republic in the future and find alternatives elsewhere. The UK’s widely read newspaper has come up with a comparative map of pint prices across Europe and has compiled a top ten. The cheapest beer in Europe is offered in Debrecen, Hungary, where a pint of beer costs an average of 92 pence or 25.89 crowns. Moldova’s capital, Chisinau, is second on the list, where you will pay a mere 31.86 crowns. In third place is Szeged, Hungary, where visitors can cool off with a...
Czech President Petr Pavel during the meeting with the commanders of Czech Armed Forces warned the public that the supply of weapons needed for the success of Ukraine is being obstructed and does not meet expectations. Source: Pavel’s speech cited by a Czech information agency ČTK, as reported by European Pravda. “This is not the best starting point to survive a hard winter and achieve success against an opponent who used all his time, learned his lessons, increased military production, enhanced military production plans and is able to achieve the same quantity or even more of military equipment and ammunition than we are able to send from the West.” Pavel remarked that the Ukrainian counteroffensive is not developing in the way Ukrainians had expected: among other things, the Western support was not sufficient and quick enough, and the time spent on preparations allowed Russia to prepare for the offensive by the Ukrainian forces “very well”. Pavel added that the supply of armament needed for Ukraine to achieve success is still being obstructed and does not reach the necessary level. And the Ukrainian soldiers are not only understandably tired but also more and more disappointed with the Western support. The Czech...
Pařížská Street in Prague has once again been ranked among the 20 most expensive shopping streets in the world in terms of rents, according to data from Cushman & Wakefield. The survey, which compares nearly 50 countries worldwide based on the level of rents in retail space, places Pařížská Street in the Czech Republic at the 19th position. As of the third quarter of this year, the highest rent reached EUR 2,700 (more than CZK 66,000) per square meter annually, equivalent to about EUR 225 (more than CZK 5,500) per square meter per month. This positions the street as the 19th most expensive shopping destination globally, 11th in Europe, and the top spot in the Central and Eastern European (CEE) region. “Pařížská has long been a primary destination for luxury brands entering the CEE region. Every year, we witness the opening of a store for one of the world’s luxury brands here,” says Jan Kotrbáček, Partner and Head of Retail Leasing, CEE, Cushman & Wakefield. This marks the second inclusion of Pařížská in the ranking, surpassing Na Příkopě Street, which represented the Czech Republic in previous years in terms of retail rents. The Czech Republic consistently stands out as the...
A lengthy trolleybus has been delivered to Prague, marking a significant addition to the city’s transportation. The vehicle in question is the first Škoda Solaris-24m trolleybus, obtained by Prague’s transport company. Scheduled to start operations in 2024, it will run between Václav Havel Airport and Nádraží Veleslavín metro station. This new addition will be showcased at the Czechbus exhibition hosted at the PVA Expo from November 21 to 23. A total of 20 Škoda Solaris-24m trolleybuses have been procured by the city, replacing buses on the current route 119 (to be renumbered as route 59). Construction of the contact line, connecting the metro to the airport, began in February and is expected to conclude in early 2024. The network’s overall length will be 11.6 kilometers, covering only half of the metro-airport-metro route with intermittent segments. In unequipped sections, the trolleybus will operate as an electric bus utilizing built-in batteries. Impressively, the articulated Škoda Solaris-24m spans three sections and measures 24.7 meters in length. It features electronic assistance for the driver during cornering, controlling the position of the rear wheels. Equipped with two electric motors boasting 217 horsepower each, the trolleybus includes a battery designed for 12 kilometers of autonomous travel...
The traditional and popular Charity Advent Market 2023 is set to return, continuing its legacy of giving back. Hosted at The Mozart Prague hotel, known for its picturesque setting, the charity market is organized by the socially committed foundation “Act for Others,” promising an immersive Christmas experience. Collaborating once again, The Mozart Prague, Bontonfilm, and Act for Others unite to bring international LIVE MUSIC, handicrafts, high-quality products, and a plethora of culinary delights during the first weekend of Advent. Families, Prague residents, expats, and tourists are all warmly invited to partake in this festive event. Proceeds from the market will continue to support the facilities in Neratov (Sdružení Neratov) for disabled children and adults, a cause championed by Act for Others over the years. The primary goal of Act for Others is to aid projects for the integration of people with disabilities in Neratov. Established by Baroness Melanie von Schilling and managed by four other dedicated board members, the Prague-based foundation has been organizing this cherished charity Advent market since 2014. It initially took place at the Malteser Palais until 2017, moved to the Senate in 2019, and has been held at The Mozart Prague since last year, alongside other...
Czechs are increasingly choosing Polish swimming pools as their preferred destination, but cultural differences sometimes result in awkward situations. A notable incident occurred in Prudnik, as they opted to change in common areas instead of the designated cabins. Concerns were raised, especially regarding the impact on children sharing the changing rooms. The management of the Sójka swimming pool addressed the issue, emphasizing the need for separate changing spaces for different genders, a practice not adhered to by some Czech swimmers. The incident highlights cultural differences in attitudes toward nudity, with Czech pools often having more liberal policies. “Undressing in front of children is not considered offensive by Czechs,” says a young Czech woman quoted by Nowa Trybuna Opolska. However, this behavior is quite unusual for Poles. “I didn’t witness anyone undressing in the communal shower at the Prudnik swimming pool. People feel embarrassed,” mentioned a Polish visitor to the same source. According to the Polish account, Czechs generally have a more liberal attitude towards nudity, whereas Poles are accustomed to changing behind curtains. When Poles put on their swimsuits, they take their clothes behind the curtain and then proceed to the lockers to store their belongings. Bazén v polském Prudniku...
The Czech town of Žatec received the certificate of inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List on Saturday, two months after the organisation’s committee decided to inaugurate the town and its surrounding hop-growing landscape. Interest in the hop-growing landscape increased this year, with more tourists visiting the information center and the nearby Steknik Castle, located in the middle of the hop-growing area. Žatec and its surrounding landscape represent a centuries-old tradition of hop growing. The new UNESCO site consists of two parts. The first is the landscape, with its hop farms and the villages of Trnovany and Steknik, including the castle. The second part is the historic center of Zatec and its 19th-century industrial quarter, which has the highest concentration of buildings connected with hop processing and trade. The two parts are connected by the Ohre River. It is the first hop-growing landscape in the world to be awarded UNESCO status. “For us, this is a confirmation of the exceptional quality of the hops we grow here,” Michal Kovarik, secretary of the Czech Hop Growers Association, told CTK. The Žatec district is where most of the hops in the country are grown, comprising 3,744 hectares, or 77% of the total...
Anything involving bureaucracy in Czechia can be a horror experience for many foreigners residing in Prague. Whether signing a rental agreement for your new apartment, registering with the foreign police, applying for a visa, or even simply mailing a letter to the post office, overcoming the obstacles of language barriers and cultural differences can cause a roadblock in expat integration. For some of us who may not have a close Czech friend to rely on to assist us in these troublesome procedures, it may be important to look elsewhere for help before signing the contract, opening a business, or compiling the necessary documents to apply for residency. That’s where PRAGate comes in, providing translation and consulting services specifically catered to help you in these situations. Alexander Mikolas, head of PRAGate, expressed that navigating various matters can be challenging for foreigners in this environment. “This difficulty is amplified by the language, which acts as a protective barrier for the nation. It determines one’s inclusion or exclusion in Czech society, making interactions with offices, bureaus, and landlords especially challenging for those who find themselves excluded.” Alexander moved to Prague from his hometown of Karlovy Vary to study law after graduating from high...
Did you know that the Czech Republic is one of the most favorable countries to invest in when it comes to taxation? Preceded only by Luxemburg or Switzerland, the Czech Republic offers perks such as no acquisition tax, tax benefits for residents, favourable deductions for rental income, and even no tax to pay on profit if you own the property long enough. One of the most positive parts when it comes to property investments is actually the tax systems. Yes, I do mean positive… I am not mistaken. Speaking to foreigners from all around the world, I often get surprised looks when I explain there are almost no taxes to keep in mind when buying a property here. If we compare to other acquisition costs like solicitor fees in the UK or annual property taxes in the US, here we have really nothing to complain about. Let’s take it step by step: Before 2020, there was a 4% acquisition tax paid to the country’s financial office and which was an obstacle to purchasing property for many people. Luckily this requirement was removed during the Covid pandemic so now you do not need to think of extra 4% to pay from...
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