The number of Czech tourists, who passed away while traveling overseas, has been increased during the year 2005, reaching 421 deaths. This means 120 deaths more than in 2004, and 142 deaths more than in 2003. In addition, 258 Czechs were hospitalized during their vacation.

The most common causes of death are: scuba diving, swimming, mountain trekking, car accidents and challenging sports. The highest number of Czech tourists who passed away during their vacation is estimated at: 90 (in Slovakia), 88 (Germany) and 26 (the USA).

The history of Czech, which origins date back to the 2nd century BC, is fascinating and is full of legendary migration events, pursuits, religious conflicts and empires’ falling and rising. The entire Czech history can be artificially divided into 15 separate periods:

1. The First Permanent Settlement in the Modern Czech Republic Territory: 2nd century BC to 9th century AC. The main events: the Boii settlement, the Slavic migration (7th century), the beginning of Christianity (9th century).

2. Bohemia History in the Middle Ages: 10th century to 14th century. The main events: Prince Václav’s murder (10th century), Jewish migration (11th century), Strahov monastery’s founding, Judith Bridge founding (12th century), Otakar’s II rule (13th century), pursuits and murder of Prague Jews (13th – 14th century), at the end of Přemyslid dynasty.

3. Medieval bohemia and the House of Luxembourg’s rule: 14th century. The main events: Charles IV rule, founding of: Nové Mesto, Vyšehrad, Charles Bridge (Karlův most), Hladová zeď.

4. Hussite Wars: 15th century. The main events: the first defenestrating, reform movement in Bohemia.

5. Jagiellon dynasty rule: 15th century - 16th century.

6. Habsburg dynasty and its conflict with czech nobility: 15th century - 17th century. The main events: driving Jews out of Prague (16th century), granting freedom of worship to the Protestants by Maximilian II (1562), Rudolph II rule, strengthening of Catholic influences (16th century), announcing the freedom of worship to everyone (17th century), the “Golden Age” of Prague’s Jewry.

7. Thirty Years’ War: 17th century. The main events: the second defenestrating, Bohemian Revolt, execution of 27 Czech Protestants was held in 1621 in the old town square, Viennese rule, expansion of Catholicism and pursuits of Protestants, Swedish invasion and students and Jewish resistance.

8. History of Bohemia During Baroque Age: 17th century - 18th century. The main events: Jesuits influence in education, launching of Jan Nepomucky statue on the Charles Bridge (17th century), Prussian invasions, Josef rule.

9. Czech Republic History in the Period of National Revival: 19th century. The main events: Establishment of the National Museum, Slavic resistance to the German Rule, Jewish emancipation, establishment of the National Theatre.

10. Czech Republic History in 1905 – 1917: the WWI period The main event: the WWI.

11. The founding of Czechoslovakia. The main events: announcing of independent Czechoslovakia in Obecní dům (1918), removal of Habsburg-Lothringen dynasty.

12. Depression in Czechoslovakia. The main events: depression in czechoslovakia (1929-1930s), Nazi invasion (1939).

13. Czechoslovakia (Czech Republic) during the WW2: 1939 – 1945.

14. The Communist Era: 1945 – 1987. The main events: the Communist revolution (1948), liberalization (1960s), Prague spring (1968), Jan Palach’s protest, Gorbachov rule in USSR (1987).

15. The birth of Czech Republic. The main events: Announcing Czechoslovakia’s independence through a peaceful “Velvet Revolution” (1989), splitting of Czechoslovakia into Czech and Slovak Republic, joining NATO (1999), joining the European Union (2004).

Heavy rains during the last weekend caused a significant rise in water level in two rivers at the Western Part of the country, Berounka and Mze. In several settlements evacuations were held, such as the displacing of residents of the institution for mentally ill in Cheb in the Northwest.

The Berounka’s height rose 3 meters during the weekend, and as a result, a rise in the larger Vltava River is expected. The expected rise in Vltava River is threatening to affect low-lying parts of Prague.

Near Tachov on the West, a 31-year-old woman was swept away by the raging Mze.

Café Savoy
Vitezna 5
Praha 1 - Malá Strana

Café Savoy is an elegant, renovated 19th - century restaurant café, with a high, ornamental ceiling, fancy chandeliers and a periodic ambience. It offers an impressive variety of coffees and cakes, as well as full lunch and dinner (and breakfasts until 11am). The main chef of “Café Savoy” is a member of the Czech National Team of Chefs and Confectioners.

In addition to the superior food and extraordinary 19th – century interior, Café Savoy is characterized by an uncommonly high standard of service. On my last visit to Savoy, they refused to charge me for the unfinished dish, although I didn’t complained. The waiter asked me whether I liked it, and I answered, “the other meals are better” (not that the certain meal is bad)… The check I received excluded this dish. This was a level of empathy and professionalism I never met before.

U Zeleného caje
Nerudova 19
Praha 1 - Malá Strana

U Zeleného caje (”At the green tea”) is located on the crowded Nerudova Street, just below the Prague Castle. “U Zeleného caje” offers rich selection of tea from all over the world and light meals, most of them vegetarian. We discovered this cozy and very special tearoom while climbing the castle at the second time, and our refreshing stop lasted more then 2 hours, because there were too many types of excellent tea to taste. I warmly recommend it to everyone, in particular to anyone who visits Prague’s Castle who need a big reserve of energy to later explore the Castle’s sites.

The five million crowns’ donation was dedicated to help victims of Indonesia’s earthquake as a humanitarian aid. The earthquake hit the Java Island on Saturday, killing 4,000 people and injuring 20,000. The decision of granting the five millions donation was made by the Czech Foreign Minister Cyril Svoboda.

Budget planning, based on the hosting country’s price list, is usually done at one of the very first stages of planning your trip. When planning your Prague’s trip budget, note that the estimation of prices’ in Czech Republic may be quite challenging due to its forthcoming acceptance to the European Monetary Union. As of today, visiting Prague is still considered a non-expensive venture compared to other European cities, but the cost of living has been raised gradually during the last decade and additional rise is expected soon.

When planning your Prague’s budget in advance, you should keep in mind the following facts:

1. Like any other place, prices in Prague can vary depending on where you’re ding your shopping. Shopping and having a meal in the city center is supposed to be relatively expensive compared to Czech standards.
2. Like the other post-communist countries, wages in Czech Republic are fairly low, therefore food and other necessities, when bought in supermarket, are very cheap compared to luxury goods and non-essential activities.

According to my own estimation made in January 2006, average prices in Prague (in CZK) are supposed to be as follows:

Transportation

Eating out

Accommodation

Sightseeing and culture life

Joe café
Vaclavske namesti 1
Praha 1 - Nové Mìsto

Joe café is one of my favorite cafes in the Wenceslas Square area. As for me, it is also the place, where I first experienced the prolific authentic taste of the famous Slavic Medovnik cake. Joe café is situated in the same passage as “Pizza Colosseum” at the corner of Wenceslas Square and Na Prikopech Street. From the outside it looks as if it lacked any uniqueness, but once you the door slams you in the back, your initial impression will be proven false. Joe café has a highly tasteful interior decoration, fashionable and warm at the same time. It is rather expansive compared to Prague’s common standards. Having said that,. “Joe” a light meal can cost you no more than 250 – 300 CZK. Our favorites dishes at Joe’s (except from Medovnik…) are minestrone soup and the delicately served raw salmon petty.

“Pizza Colosseum” is a network of restaurants, with a typical rather huge branch at the corner of Wenceslas Square and Na Prikopech Street. Despite of being crowdie and seemingly common big restaurant, “Pizza Colosseum” is an excellent choice for a meal. Be that a quick breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner. The restaurant offers a huge variety of Italian dishes of superior taste and quality at fair prices. Rich delicious lunch or dinner, including soup or salad, main dish (fish, meat or pizza), beer or wine and beverages will cost you about 500 – 550 CZK.

New monument dedicated to the Czech rebel movement during the WWII has been launched on the 26th of May in Klarov, Prague. The Czech Republic Senate chairman Premysl Sobotka, who participated in the monument unveiling ceremony, emphasized the importance of the memorial. He mentioned that the participants in the resistance movement, commanded from London, did not receive the appropriate appreciation during the communist era, and were persecuted by the previous regime.