Independent Travel to the Czech Republic

In the past 2011, Russians took the second place of honor, among tourists from all over the world who visited the Czech Republic and were absolute leaders in the number of nights spent in this fabulous country. The Czech authorities on the joy announced the imminent opening of additional visa centers in Russia.

Recall that as of the beginning of 2012, apart from the embassy in Moscow and the two consular departments in St. Petersburg and Ekaterinburg, the Czech Republic is represented by visa centers in Samara, Rostov-on-Don, Nizhny Novgorod, Kazan and Novosibirsk. It is planned to open visa centers in Irkutsk, Khabarovsk, Vladivostok, Ufa, Kaliningrad and Sochi this year, according to the head of the Czech National Tourism Authority in Russia Monica Linartova.

Such activity of the Czech side is not accidental, only last year the number of tourists from Russia increased by 40%, and the number of issued visas by 33%. Thus, an increasing number of compatriots receive an excellent opportunity to organize an independent trip to one of the most beautiful countries in the world, not limiting their freedom to the conditions of travel agencies, and with the benefit of a purse.

Planning a trip

Any self-respecting country for which earnings from the tourism industry is not the last income item, always has a special tourist portal, where you can get comprehensive information about what is best to visit, where to eat, where to sleep and much more. Czech Republic in this regard is no exception, for example, on the site www.czechtourism.com, entirely dedicated to tourists, you will find a little more than complete information about the country. The trick is that when planning a trip yourself, you and only you determine what you want to see based on your tastes and preferences. It is not necessary to observe an uncomfortable schedule of excursions, listen to memorized, inexpressive speech of guides or buy souvenirs in the shops of the same guides at the same price.

Tickets

In a world dominated by the Internet, buying tickets to anywhere in the planet became possible lying on the couch in your favorite robe. Armed with a laptop and credit card and making a couple of other clicks, you instantly become a lucky ticket holder from point A to point B and back. Air communication with the Czech Republic is constantly increasing, and the cost of tickets will pleasantly please you. Sites offering air tickets to all directions are great, just dial in any search engine "air tickets" and choose the right resource.

Hotels

Czech Republic offers hotels for every taste and purse, hotel stars meet Western European standards. You can book the hotel on global booking sites, such as booking.com. At these sites, a convenient search is organized and complete information on the location of the hotel, photos of rooms is available, all of this is available in Russian in real time. In addition, for those who like space and home comfort, you can rent an apartment by the day, and at a price it will be comparable with the hotel, and for the company this option is even more advantageous in calculating the cost per person.

Visa

Travel agencies often intimidate tourists with the difficulty of obtaining visas, possible refusals and other horror stories. Do not believe. Feel free to go to the Czech mission, they are created to issue visas and not to deny refusals. Czech requirements are standard for the Schengen countries. Questionnaire, consular fee (35 euros), insurance, hotel reservation, tickets and money at the rate of 50 euros per day (the amount is better to specify on the websites of representations). Insurance can be issued at the insurance company closest to you in 10 minutes. There are no privileges for travel agencies in front of independent visa applicants. Moreover, for example, the consulate in St. Petersburg even delimits the time for receiving applications from travel agencies and independent travelers, so there simply is not a queue.

The most common horror stories of travel agencies and their full exposure

• Insurance does not cover independent trips around the country.
  It's a lie. Say it in the insurance company making out the policy, and their surprise will not be the limit.
• Traveling alone is not safe.
  Of course, an independent trip to the sights of Somalia is not a small danger, but we are going to the Czech Republic, crime is virtually non-existent, thanks to the effective work of the police and the general level of law-abiding by the Czechs.
• The language barrier.
  The Czech language belongs to the Slavic group of languages and is incredibly simple to understand. In addition, the Russian in the Czech Republic has not forgotten, especially the older generation, so you will not have any difficulties. Czechs are accustomed to tourists, and willingly help you navigate in the city and always show themselves as hospitable hosts.

An independent journey gives the feeling of absolute freedom incomparable to anything. I am sure that anyone who has ever traveled independently will no longer be able to deprive himself of this pleasure. Impressions of a full immersion in the environment, living the life of a citizen of another country, is not this whether we are waiting for a trip.

The best rest is a change in the environment, the environment, the country, the language, but how is everything possible in buses and hotels stuffed with compatriots just over completely? In the distance from trampled by organized tourists trails, and the real journey to the Czech Republic begins, and impressions from it will belong only to you.