If you need an ambulance in Prague, call 155. If you need assistance from the police or fire brigade, the number to call is 158. In both instances calmly explain in English what the problem is and where you are. The emergency centre will then send the assistance you need right away. [Read more]

1 January: New Year's Day
1 May: Labour Day
8 May: Liberation Day
5 July: The coming of the Slavic apostles Cyrillus and Methodius to the Czech Republic
6 July: Master Jan Hus
28 September: National Day of the Czech Republic
28 October: Independence day
17 November: Struggle for Liberty and Democracy Day
24 December: Christmas Eve
25 and 26 December: Christmas
Easter Sunday and Easter Monday are also public holidays. [Read more]

The Czechs are, in general, a reserved people and they intensely dislike people who air their grievances loudly. They're also a proud people and if you speak out, you'll be met with a frosty silence. Tipping is an art - neither too little nor too much. For travellers, a tip between 5 and 8% is fine. Empty plates are cleared away immediately, even if your companion hasn't finished eating. The Czechs consider this perfectly normal. When meeting people, it's nice if you first speak a few words in Czech, after that you can continue in either English or German. [Read more]