As of April 9th 2022, the Czech Republic’s Ministry of Health has eased all Covid-19 travel restrictions for both foreign tourists and Czech citizens. Travellers will no longer need to fill in an arrival form or submit proof of vaccination or a previous infection when returning from abroad. However, it is still recommended travellers to verify the conditions of transport (including proof of infectivity, i.e. test, vaccination, illness) directly with the agreed public transport carrier (plane, bus, train).   Katarina Hobbs, CzechTourism’s UK and Ireland Director said: “On behalf of CzechTourism UK and Ireland, we are very happy to confirm that all Covid-19 entry restrictions have been abolished as of the 9th of April. Travellers from all over the world are welcome to travel comfortably again without stressful procedures and can experience the wonderful spring season in the Czech Republic this year. Furthermore, the Czech Republic was recently ranked ninth in the World Peace Index, which evaluates a wide range of safety aspects in each destination. This is a great success and an excellent benefit for the tourism industry as it continues to recover from the disruption of Covid.”   Czech Republic ranked ninth in the World Peace Index   The World Peace Index evaluates a wide range of safety aspects of the destination and can be a good guide for the upcoming tourist season. The Czech Republic’s ninth place in the World Peace Index is an excellent benefit for the tourism industry, which is anticipating a strong recovery during this year's summer season due to falling numbers of Covid cases and a built up desire for travel amongst consumers. Safety has become an essential criterion for choosing a holiday destination as a result of the current war conflict in Ukraine.   CzechTourism director Jan Herget said: “The Czech Republic has maintained its place in the world’s top 10 - between Ireland and Canada. This topic is important in the marketing communication of the destination across segments, both towards the tourists themselves and especially at the level of B2B marketing, when it is necessary to assure our partners from large travel agencies or conference organisers that the Czech Republic is an objectively safe place for their clients.”   What’s new in the Czech Republic in 2022?   Visitors to the Czech capital city of Prague can experience three brand new exhibitions at the National Museum in the famous Wenceslas Square. These are: History of the 20th Century, Windows into Prehistory and The Miracles of Evolution. The Spanish Synagogue has a new permanent exposition featuring interactive elements and modern visitor facilities. As you wander along the Vltava embankments you will notice new, vibrant cafés, bars, galleries and community spaces which have been opened in the reconstructed round spaces in the embankment walls. Seven of these spaces in the Rašín riverbank have the largest round revolving windows in the world. They are made of seven-centimetre-thick plexiglass with a diameter of five and a half metres, they are operated by a sensor and are wheelchair accessible.   Elsewhere in the Czech Republic, the Upper Castle in Bečov nad Teplou in West Bohemia has been restored and will now house the Reliquary of St. Maurus. The reliquary is the second most valuable goldsmith's artefact in the Czech Republic, behind only the crown jewels, and the most important   Romanesque jewel in the country. The castle is the most authentic medieval landmark in the Czech Republic. Another treasure you can find there is a unique historical collection of alcoholic beverages from the 19th century. Experts have compared the collection’s value to the bottles of Champagne fished out of the Titanic.   Meanwhile, in Central Bohemia, the reconstruction of Karlštejn Castle has been completed and is now open to visitors. The basement of the Imperial Palace, one of the most valuable parts of the castle, now has a hall for children’s educational programmes, seminars and small cultural events. The small refreshment stand and two expositions in the Burgrave House are brand new: one is dedicated to the structural development of the castle, the other to traditional winegrowing. Karlštejn has had vineyards since the time of Charles IV and so wine is an inherent part of the castle.   For further information about what’s new in the Czech Republic, visit: https://www.visitczechrepublic.com/en-US/News/2022/04/n-landmarks-new-coat   For the latest CzechTourism news, visit: https://www.visitczechrepublic.com/en-US/UKpress

Despite a state of emergency , CzechTourism continues to welcome all visitors and is preparing for a busy year with a wide range of campaigns. The Czech Republic government declared a state of emergency following the invasion of Ukraine. It is a ‘technical move’ to allow the release of extra funds and prioritise refugee processing and will not impact citizens or visitors. An estimated 5,000 are arriving daily. The Czech Republic remains open for international travel as usual. Katarina Hobbs, CzechTourism’s UK and Ireland Director said: “We would like to reassure travellers that tourism is continuing as usual and, as always, we invite everyone to experience the country”. Throughout March and April leisure airline Jet2 will be running a marketing campaign promoting city break holidays to Prague and the surrounding regions. The campaign will be targeted to customers who have previously booked city break getaways with Jet2holidays but have yet to visit Prague. Czech Travel Trade Day returns for 2022 after a two year break. It takes place on the 23 and24 of May in Karlovy Varywith a large B2B workshop with Czech partners and a pre-workshop Fam trip.

  CzechTourism’s theme for 2022 focuses on all of the elements that make the country a unique destination for travellers. From crafts that have been perpetuated by generation after generation to recipes closely guarded by families and traditional festivals that are preserved as national heritage. Modern trends and innovations have emerged from these deep cultural roots without forgetting their traditional heritage. That wisdom has been transformed into new and original facets of design, fashion and gastronomy.   The Traditions theme will revolve around these main areas:  

• Culture and art
• Architecture
• Crafts
• Gastronomy
• Customs
• Spas
• Sports
• Beer

  Each of these elements has the potential to attract tourism with their mixture of tradition and innovation.   2022 is the UN International Year Of Glass   One of the best preserved crafts in the Czech Republic is undoubtedly glass making which dates back all the way to the 12th century. Glass, the eternal material, deserves a celebration of its own. Therefore the United Nations declared 2022 as the International Year Of Glass.   The glass heart of the Czech Republic lies in the North of the country, in the Crystal Valley. The production of glass and jewellery has been connected with the region for centuries and the ongoing tradition of production itself does not differ much from that of a hundred years ago. The Crystal Valley connects glass and jewellery art. More than 40 companies, museums and schools are involved in the unique project. Visitors have the opportunity to take a peek into the world of original glass workshops. Various events will be taking place in commemoration of the year of glass including the summer festival Crystal Valley Week. The festival will be taking place in Liberec from 23rd till 28th August and will involve the glass making craft being introduced from many angles including glass making workshops, indoor and outdoor glass design exhibitions and much more. The annual Crystal Valley weekend will take place from 12th to 13rd November with more than 50 glass workshops, ateliers and museums open to the public.   Why travel to the Czech Republic in 2022?   Anniversaries and festivals will mark part of the country's tourism calendar, as well as the new openings of hotels and tourist attractions:   The world’s longest suspended bridge opens in East Bohemia  

• Discover the longest suspended bridge in the world. During the spring of 2022, the longest suspended bridge on the planet will be inaugurated in Dolni Morava, East Bohemia. It will be located in the Mlýnické Údolí Valley and will connect the tops of two mountains. The walkway is exclusively pedestrian and has a length of 730 meters whilst suspended 95 meters above the ground!

  A city break you’ll never forget in Brno  

• The second largest city in the Czech Republic, Brno, has been selected as one of the best city break destinations for 2022 by TimeOut magazine. This lively city is famous for its gastronomy scene as well as for its spectacular, historical city centre.

  Breathtaking views in the fairytale city of Český Krumlov  

• Walk along a via ferrata in the center of Český Krumlov. Travelers who come to this fairytale city will not only enjoy the architecture but will also be able to try the Havranka Via Ferrata. This path is located on the rocky wall of Havraní skála, on the right bank of the Vltava River, a few minutes from the center of Český Krumlov. One of the peculiarities of this activity is that part of it runs through a double hanging walkway which, at 30 meters, is the longest in the Czech Republic. From the top, you can enjoy a magnificent view of the palace and the urban center of this unique city which has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

  Stay in luxurious comfort in Prague’s brand new hotels opening in 2022  

• Introducing three new hotels in the Czech Republic that will open this year. Visitors to Prague this spring will be able to witness the opening of the Andaz Prague, from the Hyatt chain, located in the iconic Sugar Palace or enjoy a stay in The Julius, a new apartment experience offering 'a feeling of home' for travellers in a prime city centre location. Those who visit Prague in the autumn can stay in the luxurious W Prague, from the Marriott chain.

  Combine business and pleasure at the Events Club Forum  

• One of the best B2B MICE events is to be held between June 21-22 in Prague. Events Club Forum is an excellent opportunity to learn about new trends, innovative proposals and participate in B2B meetings. Its programme also includes gastronomic and leisure activities because work and pleasure are not mutually exclusive.

 

• In the coming months there is so much to celebrate in the Czech Republic. Amongst many other anniversaries, we will be celebrating:

 

• The 200th anniversary of the the birth of Johann Gregor Mendel, botanist and founder of genetics;
• It has been 140 years since the premiere of Bedřich Smetana's My Homeland symphony cycle
• 300 years since the birth of classical music composer Jiří Antonín Benda
• 235 years since the world premiere of Mozart's opera Don Giovanni.
• In addition, July 1st will mark the beginning of the EU Presidency of the Czech Republic.

  There are festivals and events all year round in the Czech Republic For music lovers:  

• Festival Genius Loci in Litomyšl - June 9th to July 5th
• Rock for People in Hradec Králové - June 15th to 18th
• Festival Beats for Love in Ostrava - July 1st to 4th
• Festival Colors of Ostrava - July 13th to 16th
• Dvořák Prague International Festival - September 8th to 25th
• Janáček International Music and Opera Festival in Brno - November 2nd to 11th

  For athletes:  

• The Prague Half Marathon - April 2nd
• The Prague Volkswagen Marathon - May 8th
• The České Budějovice Mattoni Half Marathon - June 4th

  For fans of popular festivals:  

• The Ride of The Kings in Vlčnov - May 27th to 29th
• Festivities of the Five-Petal Rose of Český Krumlov - June 17th to 19th
• Strážnice International Folklore Festival - June 23rd - 26th
• Festivities of the Pálava grape harvest in Mikulov and Znojmo September 7th to 9th

  A new night train between Prague and Brussels has been ranked by TimeOut among the 22 best new things to do in the world in 2022.   The new connection has been described as “the biggest extension to Europe’s night-train network in years will see a new batch of sleeper trains run by the Regiojet network taking travellers across Europe between Prague and Brussels via Dresden, Berlin and Amsterdam. Doze off in magnificent Prague, then wake up 800 kilometres away in EU capital and waffle-and-beer-paradise Brussels. Spurred on by the climate emergency, it’s part of a huge continent-wide drive to revive the good old-fashioned sleeper.”   The new Belgian-Dutch rail company European Sleeper announced a schedule on Twitter. Night trains will run between Prague, Berlin, Amsterdam, and Brussels as of this summer.   Trains will depart from Prague’s main station Hlavní nádraží on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays at 6:31 pm. It will also stop at Prague’s Holešovice station as well as in Ústí nad Labem and Děčín before entering Germany, where stops will include Dresden, Berlin, and Hannover. Dutch stops include Amsterdam and Rotterdam. The final stop at Brussels, Belgium, is at 9:54 am the next morning.   Service from Brussels starts at 7:22 pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. The train arrives at Prague’s main station at 10:24 am the next morning.   In April of this year, the service had been promised for early 2022, but the launch has been slightly delayed. In the Czech Republic, the service will run in cooperation with Czech rail company RegioJet.

US travelers are now welcome in the Czech Republic under pre-Covid conditions, allowing for stays of 90 days visa-free. The United States is on the Czech Republic's low risk green list which means no test or quarantine is required. For entry, a negative PCR test result is required, proof of vaccination or proof of a Covid recovery. "We've been waiting for this for so long. We hope that tourists can take the time to see the famous sights, but also get to know some of the Czech Republic's hidden gems," said Michaela Claudino, Director of Czech Tourism USA & Canada. The green list protocols issued by the Czech Republic are specific to the country and  may not apply to the whole EU or Schengen area. US travelers are advised to check any individual requirements for each specific country they wish to visit.