## Pizza in Naples
Let's kick off our journey with a slice of heaven - pizza in its birthplace, Naples. Renowned for its authenticity and simplicity, Neapolitan pizza boasts a thin, crispy crust, tangy tomato sauce, and creamy fresh mozzarella. Indulge in this culinary masterpiece at iconic pizzerias like "Da Michele" and "Sorbillo," and experience pizza bliss like never before.



## Pasta in Bologna
No culinary adventure in Italy would be complete without savoring the exquisite pasta dishes of Bologna. Known as the gastronomic capital of Italy, Bologna offers a plethora of pasta delights, from silky tagliatelle al ragù to hearty lasagna. Dive into the rich culinary heritage of this vibrant city and discover why Bolognese cuisine is revered worldwide.

## Gelato in Rome
Beat the heat and treat yourself to a scoop of creamy gelato in the eternal city of Rome. Gelato, Italy's beloved frozen dessert, comes in a myriad of tantalizing flavors, from luscious pistachio to indulgent stracciatella. Wander through the cobblestone streets of Rome and sample this irresistible treat at charming gelaterias nestled around every corner.



## Seafood in Sicily
Head south to the sun-drenched island of Sicily and embark on a seafood odyssey like no other. With its pristine coastline and bountiful waters, Sicily offers an abundance of fresh seafood delicacies, from succulent swordfish to briny anchovies. Delight your palate with the flavors of the Mediterranean and experience the culinary heritage of this enchanting island.

## Wine in Piedmont
Conclude your culinary journey with a toast to Italy's famed wine region, Piedmont. Home to world-class wines such as Barolo and Barbaresco, Piedmont boasts rolling vineyards, picturesque hilltop towns, and centuries-old wineries. Raise a glass to la dolce vita and savor the complex flavors of Piedmontese wines amidst the stunning backdrop of the Italian countryside.

In Conclusion
Italy's culinary landscape is as diverse and captivating as its rich cultural heritage. Whether you're indulging in pizza in Naples, savoring pasta in Bologna, or sipping wine in Piedmont, each culinary experience offers a glimpse into Italy's culinary soul. So pack your bags, sharpen your appetite, and embark on a journey through Italy's gastronomic delights. Buon viaggio e buon appetito!

## Authentic Neapolitan Pizza Dough Recipe

Ingredients:

4 cups (500g) of Type "00" flour
1 ½ cups (350ml) of water (room temperature)
1 teaspoon (3g) of active dry yeast
1 ½ teaspoons (10g) of salt
1 teaspoon (5g) of sugar
Instructions:

Yeast Mixture: Dissolve yeast and sugar in water. Let sit for 5 minutes.
Mix: Combine flour and salt in a bowl. Add yeast mixture and mix until dough forms.
Knead: Knead on a floured surface for 10 minutes until smooth.
Rise: Place in an oiled bowl, cover, and let rise for 2 hours.
Shape: Divide into 4 balls. Let rest for 30 minutes.
Bake: Preheat oven to 475°F (250°C) with a pizza stone. Stretch dough, add toppings, and bake for 10-12 minutes.

Exploring the Culinary Wonders of Italy

## Why go to Spain

Here are 10 reasons to visit Spain.

### Get to know their food - tapas

Tapas is a great appetizer and can be found on every corner. Tapas are usually served in the middle of the table, allowing one guest to taste the other's plate and share more than just tasting experiences with friends or family.

### Bullfighting: Sport or tradition

This is a very controversial topic. It is important to remain non-partisan and we leave it up to you to decide whether you consider bullfighting to be barbaric bloody entertainment, or rather an artistic discipline and therefore an integral part of Spain's cultural heritage.

The first mentions of this tradition can be found in antiquity. The matches came to Spain from Rome where their popularity was in gladiatorial games.

To this day, many Spaniards consider ornate bull wrestlers to be celebrities who deserve recognition and admiration. The Faleador fiery season of Las Fallas is in Valencia in mid-March.

### Architecture

The Sagrada Família by Antonio Gaudí is an integral part of the famous architectural works. For example, in Madrid, in the Parque del Oeste, you can appreciate the charm of the ancient Egyptian temple of Debod, which was first dismantled and then reassembled in Madrid.

### Flamenco

The Spaniards devote a large amount of time to the dance called Flamenco and are among the country's symbols. The Spaniards are known to love food, singing, music, dance and express their emotions.

They can show their sadness. Their temperament is reflected in the energetic southern Spanish flamenco, a dance full of movement, emphasis, temperament, with which they can show their grief. If you have a moment, sign up for a flamenco course directly in Spain. If you just want to watch remotely, stop by the Corral de la Morería restaurant in Madrid, where the best dancers in Spain will dance for you.

### The best restaurant

There are no flaws in Spanish delicacies and all their traditional delicacies, you will immediately love them. Gastronomy is one of the best and oldest in the world.

In 2013, the El Celler de Can Roca restaurant in Girona was named the best restaurant, thanks to the owners and their hospitality.

Madrid is proud to present the oldest restaurant in the world, called Sobrino de Botin, which dates back to 1725. Everything you taste here is highly addictive. How about trying bean pods with jamón iberico, a Spanish ham made from a special breed of Iberian black pigs?

### Beaches in every way that everyone will fall in love

The beaches are characterized by their diversity and distinctive charm. Each beach has its own charm and you can spend one day on a deserted beach and the next day watching the constricting cliffs. Experienced travelers will definitely recommend you to visit Fuerteventura. Despite the fact that the island does not have a large area, there are over 150 beaches. Therefore, you can experience each day differently. In the morning you can gain strength on the sandy beach and swim in the turquoise water, and in the evening you can have fun on the wild beach trapped in the arms of the rocks towering over the shore.

If you don't want to leave Spain and don't mind crowded beaches, visit Barcelona.

The city's beaches are among the most beautiful in the world.

### Celebrations in the style of tomato battles and escape from the bulls

Although the Spaniards are struggling with high unemployment and have been struggling with the crisis for a long time, this did not make them want to have fun, celebrate, laugh and have pleasant moments. Rarely in the world will you experience such spectacular celebrations as here.

If you want to experience something unconventional, bet on the tomato battle in the Spanish style. La Tomatina has been held since 1945. Every last Wednesday in August, on St. Louis's Day, 120 tonnes of tomatoes are sprinkled among the delighted participants in the town of Buñol near Valencia.

Adrenaline lovers, on the other hand, have on their list an escape from the bulls through the historic streets of Pamplona. It is an integral part of the festivities of St. Fermin.

### Lifestyle a little different way

In the morning, what do you run out of the door with an empty stomach and the feeling that another demanding day full of stress and a lot of tasks awaits you? If you get to know this description, try to be inspired by the Spaniards. Some things just can't be rushed and you need to set aside enough time for them.

Family-run Spaniards are used to dining together, not just on weekends. They like to talk about everything and there is always a good mood at the table. On Sundays, the shops are closed and parents take their children to confectioneries, a park or the beach instead of shopping centers. It is equally common for coffee and dessert to meet all generations. Grandparents enjoy their grandchildren and parents have more time just for themselves.

### Romantic Cities - Madrid and Barcelona

Are you one of those who enjoys extended weekends in European capitals? And have you been to Madrid or Barcelona? Isn't it? Then is the best time to fix it. Head to Barcelona to find out why it is nicknamed the Catalan jewel of the Mediterranean. With open arms, it welcomes all lovers of history, culture, sunbathing on the beach and fans of non-traditional architecture and design.

It is also wonderful in Madrid to mix everything necessary for a great holiday. Good food, rich nightlife, monuments, art, lots of parks, cozy nooks, nice people. For a while you can admire the flowering of European painting in the Prado Gallery, and for a while you can just hang out in the Retiro leisure park, where there are royal artificial lakes and a crystal palace.

### Museums

In bad weather, one of the many Spanish museums and galleries will provide refuge. Like other European countries, it boasts a number of world-famous galleries and art collections housed in them. In Madrid, focus on the Prado National Museum, which is one of the world's most important galleries. The real jewel of the museum itself are selected triptychs by Hieronymus Bosch. The most famous is called the Garden of Earthly Delights.

In Barcelona, people go to the Picasso Museum for art, which is housed in a beautiful historic palace and hides the earliest paintings of this creative genius. The Guggenheim Museum of Modern Art in Bilbao, Basque Country, will play an aesthetically double game with you. It can feel like a boat or like a headless fish.

## The capital of Spain

Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The city's population is almost 3.2 million and the metropolitan area is home to around 6.3 million people. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and the Madrid metropolitan area is the third largest in the European Union, after Paris and London. The city covers a total area of 604.3 km2.

The city lies on the Manzanares River and is located both in the center of Spain and in the center of the Autonomous Community of Madrid, which consists of Madrid itself, its agglomeration and surrounding towns and villages. This community borders the communities of Castile and León and Castilla-La Mancha. As the capital, seat of government and seat of the King of Spain, Madrid is also the political, economic and cultural center of Spain. The current mayor of the city is Manuela Carmena from Ahora Madrid.

Madrid is home to the top management of many organizations: the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the Organization of Ibero-American States (OEI), PIOB and SEGIB. The city is also the center of international Spanish language regulators: the leadership of the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE) and the Instituto Cervantes.

Although Madrid has a modern infrastructure, many of its historic districts and streets still retain their original appearance and specific mood. Madrid's leading landmarks include the Royal Palace (Palacio Real), the Royal Theater, Buen Retiro Park, the National Library building, a number of galleries and museums such as the Museo del Prado, the Museo Reina Sofía and the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza. The palace and fountain in Plaza de Cibeles have become a symbol of the city.

### Transport in Madrid

The backbone of public transport is the metro, which serves not only the capital area, but also its metropolitan area. Additional transport is bus transport, which is operated even at night. Historically, trams and even earlier omnibuses have also been operated in Madrid.

The city has three city highway circuits - M30, M40 and M50, supplemented by the southeastern semicircle M45. These are further connected by various radial communications. In addition to individual transport, the use of taxis is frequent.

The city has Adolf Suárez International Airport (MAD, LEMD) and Cuatro Vientos Airport (LECU). Near the city there are military air bases Getafe and Torrejón.

### Environment

Madrid is the city with the largest number of trees per capita and has the longest tree line in the world after Tokyo. There are 248,000 trees in the alley. Since 1997, the greenery has grown by 16%. At present, greenery makes up 8.2% of Madrid.

### Climate geography

The city of Madrid is located in the geographical center of the Iberian Peninsula. The city has coordinates 40 ° 26 'N 3 ° 41' W and its average altitude is 667 m. Madrid's climate is continental-Mediterranean and is strongly influenced by urban conditions.

Winters are cold, with temperatures below 4-5 ° C, frequent frosts and occasionally snowing. Summers are hot with an average of around 24 ° C in July and August, sometimes with maxima above 35 ° C. The annual temperature range is high (19 degrees) due to the great distance from the sea and altitude (around 600 m). The annual total precipitation is higher than 400 mm.

### Sculpture in Madrid

The streets of Madrid are a made-up museum of outdoor sculpture. Many parts of Buen Retiro Park are beautiful sculptures, mainly thanks to the monument to Alfonso XII. and the statue of Fuente del Ángel Caído.

### Sport

Soccer teams

- Real Madrid
- Atletico Madrid
- Getafe CF
- Vallecano Ray
- Real Madrid Castilla

## Flag of Spain

The flag of Spain contains three horizontal stripes, which are red, yellow and red in a ratio (1: 2: 1) derived from the Aragonese emblem.

According to King Karel Lysý (848–877), after a fight with the Moors, he dipped his fingers into the blood of his wounded ally, Count Wilfred I of Aragon, and wiped them on his hitherto empty shield; so the character was created.

Above the square shield lies the royal crown, and on either side rise the columns of Hercules, representing Gibraltar and Ceuta. Very interesting are the red ribbons wrapping both columns with the motto Plus ultra (= something further). The original inscription was Non plus ultra (= nothing more). It was assumed that there was no other country behind Gibraltar. We have known the Spanish flag in this form since 1981. The country code is EC.

The origin of the current flag of Spain is a naval battalion from 1785, Pabellón de la Marina de Guerra under Charles III of Spain. It was chosen by Charles III among 12 different flags designed by Antonio Valdés y Bazán (all proposed flags were presented on a drawing, which is in the Maritime Museum in Madrid). The flag remained focused on the sea for most of the next 50 years and other maritime property. During the Peninsular War, the flag was also found on naval regiments fighting inland. It was not until 1820 that the first Spanish ground unit (La Princesa regiment) was equipped once, and it was not until 1843 that Queen Isabella II of Spain was official.

During the 19th and 20th centuries, the color scheme of the flag remained unchanged, except for the period of the Second Republic (1931–1939); the only changes focused on the coat of arms.

## Population

As of January 1, 2019, Spain had a total population of 47,007,367, an increase of 0.59% since 2018. Facts The CIA (2011) cites the racial description of the "Mediterranean and Nordic type" under "ethnic groups" instead of the usual ethnic divisions. . This reflects the emergence of the modern Kingdom of Spain with the growth of several independent Iberian empires, such as León, Castile, Navarra, the Crown of Aragon and Granada.

The population of Spain peaked in 2012, at 47,218,216 people. Spain's official population fell by 206,000 to 47.1 million, mainly due to the return of immigrants home as a result of the consequences of the European economic and fiscal crisis. The population density per 91.4 inhabitants per square kilometer (237 / sq mi) is lower than in most Western European countries. The most densely populated areas, with the exception of the capital Madrid around the coast.

Birth rates have dropped dramatically in the last quarter of a century. The birth rate in Spain of 1.47 (the number of children the average woman will have during her lifetime) is lower than the EU average, but has been rising every year since the late 1990s. The birth rate rose in 10 years from 9.10 births per 1,000 people per year in 1996 to 10.9 in 2006.

Spain has no official religion. The Spanish Constitution of 1978 abolished the Roman Catholic Church as the official state religion, recognizing the role it plays in Spanish society. As of 2018, 68.5% of the population defined themselves as Catholic, 26.4% as non-believers or atheists, and 2.6% other religions. Among believers, 59% say they almost never go to any religious service, while 16.3% attend one or more religious services almost every week. Practical secularization is strong, and most, especially those of the younger generations, ignore religious doctrines on issues such as premarital sex, sexual orientation, or contraception.

## Holidays in Spain

Public holidays celebrated in Spain include a mixture of religious (Roman Catholic), national and regional observances. Each municipality can have a maximum of 14 holidays per year; a maximum of nine are selected by the national government and at least two are selected locally.

If one of the "public holidays" takes place on a Sunday, regional governments - the Autonomous Community of Spain - can choose an alternative holiday or local authorities. In practice, with the exception of Sundays, regional governments can choose up to three holidays a year; or they can choose less to allow more options at the local level.

The Puente (bridge) is sometimes made between weekends and holidays that fall on Tuesdays or Thursdays. Puente then creates a long weekend.

Ceuta and Melilla, both autonomous cities of Spain, have declared the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha or the Feast of Sacrifice an official national holiday since 2010. It was the first time a non-Christian religious festival had been officially celebrated in Spain since the Reconquista

## Time in Spain

Spain has two time zones and observes daylight saving time. Spain mainly uses Central European Time +01: 00 GMT and Central European Summer Time +02: 00 GMT in Peninsular Spain, the Balearic Islands, Ceuta, Melilla and plazas de soberanía. In the Canary Islands, the time zone is Western European Time 00:00 GMT and Western European Daylight Time +01: 00 GMT. Daylight saving time is observed from the last Sunday in March 01:00 GMT to the last Sunday in October 01:00 GMT throughout Spain.

Spain used Greenwich Mean Time ± 00: 00 UTC before World War II, with the exception of the Canary Islands, which used -01: 00 GMT before that date.

## Currency in Spain

The current currency since 2002 is the euro. The Spanish peseta (₧) was the official currency of Spain from 1869 until 1 January 2002. It circulated with the French franc in Andorra, which did not have its own national currency as legal tender.

### Prices in Spain

Prices Spain 2020 - Food, drinks, food and holidays in Spain

| Restaurants CZK                                 | EUR |
| ----------------------------------------------- | --- | --- |
| Grilled chicken 189                             | 7.4 |
| Meals in a better three - course restaurant 485 | 19  |
| Cheap Restaurant Food 255                       | 10  |
| Menu ve Fast Foodu                              | 204 | 8   |
| Mixed drink 153                                 | 6   |
| Ordinary dinner in a restaurant 255             | 10  |
| Imported beer - 0.33 l bottle 64                | 2.5 |
| Bread 500 g 26                                  | 1   |

## Interesting facts about Spain

Not all Spaniards are native speakers of (Castilian) Spanish. There are four official languages in Spain - Castilian, Catalan, Basque and Galician, three unofficial regional languages - Asturian, Aragonese and Aran and several other dialects.

- Spaniards have a completely different rhythm of life than other Europeans. They usually have lunch from 13:00 to 15:00 and dinner around 22:00.
- Spanish culture has greatly influenced modern art since the late 1800s, with artists such as Antoni Gaudí (Art Nouveau), Pablo Picasso (expressionism, cubism, surrealism), Joan Miró (surrealism) and Salvador Dali (surrealism).
- Flamenco is not really a dance; it is a musical style that sometimes dances in it.
- Every year, 58 million tourists travel to Spain, making it the fourth most visited country in the world.
- Spain is known for its live festivals, including San Fermín ("bull run") in Pamplona and Tomatina ("paradise battle") in Buñol.
- More than 150,000 tomatoes are usually thrown in La Tomatina.
- The official name of Spain is "Kingdom of Spain".
- The national anthem of Spain has no words.
- There are no laws on public nudity in Spain.
- 43% of world olive oil production is made in Spain.
- From 2008 to 2013, the Spanish national football team was named FIFA Team of the Year.
- Spain won its first football title at the 2010 World Cup, making it the 8th country to ever win.
- In Spain, the tooth fairy is just a rodent, known as Ratoncito Pérez.
- Our favorites of all the interesting facts about Spain - breaks, leisure and siestas are a huge part of everyday Spanish culture.
- Spain was the third most popular tourist destination in the world in 2013 (after France and the USA).
- Don Quixote, the famous book by the Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes in 1605, was selected by the panel of the best authors in 2002 as "the most important book of all time".
- Traditionally, you have two surnames in Spain - the first from your father and the second from your mother.
- Spaniards celebrate the New Year by eating one grape with their family for each bell clock.
- The pen is considered to have originated in Spain about 1,400 years ago.
- There are fewer marriages in Spain than in any other EU country except Sweden.
- Divorce rate in Spain is 17% (relatively low compared to more than 50% in the EU or US)



## Important contacts

**Where to call in case of emergency in Spain?**
Rescue service, fire brigade, police: 112

**Spain's area code is +34.**

**Contacts at the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Madrid:**

**Address:**

```txt
Embassy of the Czech Republic
Avenida Pío XII, 22-24, 28016 Madrid
```

Phone: +34 91 353 1897

Email: consulate_madrid@mzv.cz

Further contacts can be found at <https://www.mzv.cz/madrid>

Guide to Spain

## Why go to Turkey

There are really many reasons to visit Turkey, for example:

Turkey has the significant advantage of being a destination suitable for all types of passengers. Whether adventurers or lovers of organized rides, active young people or quiet retirees looking for peace, singles, or on their honeymoon. In Turkey, everyone will find something for themselves.

Go from one continent to another. In Istanbul, you have a unique opportunity in the world to jump from one continent to another. But be careful, if you don't want to end up in the Bosphorus Strait, you'd better get on a ferry that goes from one side to the other.

## The capital of Turkey

The capital of Turkey is Ankara and with a population of over 5 million it is the second largest city in Turkey.

Ankara is located in central Anatolia, right in the heart of Turkey.

The city of Ankara has an important historical value for the Turks, because it is not only the country's capital, but a symbol of Turkish independence. It is the main financial center of Turkey and you will find many important museums and historical monuments where you can learn a lot about the history of this country.

Here is a list of a few museums in Ankara that are definitely worth a visit:

Ethnographic Museum - A museum dedicated to Turkish culture and civilization. It was built between 1925 and 1928.

State Museum of Art and Sculpture - The museum was built between 1927 and 1930 and is located near the Ethnographic Museum. In the museum you can admire the works of painters and sculptors, who played an important role in the development of painting and sculpture in today's Turkey.

Museum of Anatolian Civilizations - The museum with its invaluable collections is one of the most important archaeological museums in the world. Here you will find works from the Paleolithic, Neolithic, Eneolithic, from the Early Bronze Age, as well as from the period of the Urart and Roman civilizations, exhibited in chronological order covering several millennia of history.

The museum is located at the door of the Citadel in two historic buildings from the 15th century.

## Flag of Turkey

The flag of Turkey consists of a red background, which shows the motif of a white crescent and a five-pointed star placed to the mast part of the flag.

Originally, the flag of Turkey contained only a month on a green background, the color of which in 1793 Sultan Selim III changed to green. In 1844, a star was added to the moon.

The Turkish flag as we know it today was approved in 1936, in the years 1920 - 1923 the color of the flag returned to green.

## Population of Turkey

According to TUIK (Turkish Statistical Office), the population of Turkey in 2020 exceeded 83 million.

Of this, 50.2% of the population is male and 49.8% female.

The country is administratively divided into 81 provinces, the urban population is 74% and has grown slightly in recent years due to strong migration to large cities.

Turks represent 76% of the population, with the most significant minority being Kurds (16%), who live mainly in the eastern part of the country; 96.5% of the population are Muslims.

## Holidays in Turkey

Holidays in Turkey could primarily be divided into two groups.

Religious holidays governed by the Muslim calendar and holidays in the Turkish state governed by the European calendar.

Public Holidays:

- January 01 - New Year
- April 23 - Independence Day and Children's Day
- May 1 - Labor Day
- May 19 - Remembrance of Atutürk (founder of the Turkish state) and Youth and Sports Day
- August 30 - Victory Day
- October 29 - Anniversary of the Republic
- November 10 - anniversary of Ataturk's death

Religious (Muslim) holidays:

- Ramadan - a moving holiday, in 2020 it took place from April 24 to May 23.
- The end of Ramadan, also called Sugar Feast - this feast begins at sunset on the last day of Ramadan and lasts for 3 days.
- Feast of Sacrifice - a moving holiday

## Coat of arms of Turkey

Turkey does not officially have its official emblem, but in offices and passports, it uses a crescent moon with a star, which is depicted in the national flag.

For example, the President uses the seal of the President of the Republic of Turkey, which consists of 16 small gold stars that surround a large glittering star in a circle with a red background.

## Currency in Turkey

The official Turkish currency is the Turkish lira, which is denoted by the symbol TL in Turkey, the same currency is also used by northern Cyprus. Its international designation is TRY.

1 TL is divided into 100 kurushi (kurush).

The banknotes are printed at a face value of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 lire.

As for the coin, it is minted in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 25 and 50 kurus and 1 lira.

## Time shift

Until recently, there was summer and winter time in Turkey, but in 2016, this transition was canceled and only one time is introduced throughout the year, in the UTC +0300 zone.

Despite its size, Turkey is fortunately only in one time zone, so you will have no problem orienting yourself, as is the case with other large countries.

If we have winter time in the Czech Republic, then in Turkey it is +2 hours.

In the case of summer time in the Czech Republic, in Turkey it is +1 hour.

To make it easier:

- Summer: Czech Republic (14:00) - Turkey (15:00)
- Winter: Czech Republic (14:00) - Turkey (16:00)

## Prices in Turkey

Transport:

- One-way ticket (local transport) 3.30-3.80 TL
- Monthly season ticket 210 TL
- Start taxi (normal tariff) 3.20-3.60 TL
- Taxi 1 km 8 TL
- Petrol (1 liter) 6.50-7 TL

Boarding:

- Main course in a cheap restaurant 20-30 TL
- Meals for 2 people, middle class restaurant, three-course menu 80-150 TL
- McMeal v McDonald's 22-28 TL
- Homemade beer (0.5 liters) 13-16 TL
- Imported beer (0.33 liters) 18-22 TL
- Cappuccino (normal) 11-14 TL
- Coca-Cola / Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) 4-4.50 TL
- Water (0.33 liter bottle) 1.30-1.60 TL

Foodstuffs:

- Milk (1 liter) 5-5.40TL
- Plain bread (500 g) 2.50-2.70 TL
- Classic rice (1 kg) 9-10 TL
- 12 eggs 11-12 TL
- Local cheese (1 kg) 38-42 TL
- Butter (250g) 1.70-2.50 TL
- Chicken fillet (1 kg) 19-22 TL
- Beef (1 kg) (or equivalent hind leg red meat) 62-68 TL
- Apples (1 kg) 5.50-6.50 TL
- Bananas (1 kg) 12.50-13 TL
- Oranges (1 kg) 5.50-6.50 TL
- Tomatoes (1 kg) 5.30-5.60 TL
- Potatoes (1 kg) 3.40-3.80 TL
- Onions (1 kg) 3.20-3.40 TL
- Salad (1 head) 3.50-4 TL
- Water (1.5 l) 2-2.50 TL
- Bottle of wine (middle category) 40-60 TL
- Homemade beer (0.5 liter bottle) 13-14 TL
- Imported beer (0.33 liters) 17-18 TL
- Cigarettes 20 packs (Marlboro) 18-20 TL

## Vaccination in Turkey

You do not need to get any vaccinations before your holiday in Turkey.

There are currently no dangerous diseases in this destination.

If you plan to travel and stay outside the tourist area, vaccination against hepatitis A and B, or typhoid fever is recommended.

The more common health complications of tourists are rather bites by a snake, scorpion or insect.

## Visa to Turkey

If you go to Turkey for tourism, you do not need to obtain a visa.

However, when traveling to Turkey, citizens of the Czech Republic, including children, must have a valid travel document - a passport.

**Entry on an identity card is not possible.**

The passport must be valid for at least 150 days from entry into Turkey. Otherwise you will not be allowed to enter the territory of the Republic of Turkey.

In case of study, work or stay that will last more than 90 days, it is necessary to apply for a visa at the Turkish Embassy in Prague.

## Security in Turkey

Turkey is generally one of the relatively safe countries.

The riskier parts are the east and southeast of the country in the border areas with Syria and Iraq.
Before traveling to these areas, we recommend that you carefully consider the specifics and increased risks of this area.
Some roads may be closed by the military. Furthermore, it is not recommended to comply with the requests of local residents to export various packages, films, sheets, etc. If they find a similar shipment from a tourist and have any connection with a terrorist organization, he faces a relatively high penalty.

There are no personal safety issues in other parts of Turkey. Outside of tourist resorts and large cities, it is necessary to take into account the possibility that the woman herself attracts attention. If she walks outside these areas, especially in the countryside, alone (or accompanied by another woman) down the street, she is not surprised by any problems.

The security situation is comparable to Europe. Assaults are less common in Turkey than in Western countries. Petty crime (theft of personal belongings from hotel rooms, car theft, fraud) is relatively common in the main tourist areas, there are also cases of rape. Therefore, it is definitely not recommended to spend the night in the open air or leave personal belongings in an unguarded place.

## Interesting facts about Turkey

Few people know that Istanbul's Sabiha Gokcen Airport is the largest anti-seismic structure in the world, able to withstand high-intensity earthquakes while maintaining full operation.

Its structure is able to withstand an earthquake measuring 8 on the Richter scale, thanks to a design system that allows it to withstand strong vibrations without consequences. In addition, the entire complex of Sabiha Gokcen Airport is designed to remain functional even in the event of natural disasters or war, in order to guarantee the operability of Istanbul, even in serious cases.

## Important contacts

**Where to call in case of emergency in Turkey?**

- Rescue Service 112
- fire brigade 110
- police 155

**Turkey phone code is +90.**

**Contacts at the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Ankara:**

**Address:**

```txt
Embassy of the Czech Republic
Kaptanpasa Street No. 15, Gaziosmanpaṣa, 06700 Ankara
```

Telephone: +90 312 405 61 39

Email: ankara@embassy.mzv.cz

Further contacts can be found at www.mzv.cz/ankara

Guide to Turkey

The history of Russia is closely connected with the history of the Eastern Slavs and has been documented since 862. The small Moscow principality has become a huge empire thanks to the expansive conquests of the Russian tsars in the last millennium. Due to the fact that it includes a large and only very sparsely populated Siberia, the population density is very low. The majority of Russia's population is located in the European part.

The vastness of Russia, the rich its offer of natural attractions and attractive places. In addition, there are many monuments that are related to the Russian tsars and their lives, as well as with many important world-renowned artists - architects, composers, writers, painters, etc.

Earlier, under the former regime, it was said: you were not in Russia and you are not 60, so you can not advise. And the fact that someone was in Russia already means that he saw and perhaps understood what was not and is not obvious to many. It has been and still is the result of the enormous contrasts that exist in this country. It is a nuclear power wwhat has the first astronaut, and yet many people are struggling in bad circumstances and asking for the president’s help, just as poor people once asked the tsar for help.

## Basic information

## Why go to Russia

A guide to Russia has as difficult a role as a guide to the United States or China. Simply put - everything is too much. The visitor should think about what he wants to see - he just wants to get an overview, or go through the selected places in more detail? Anyone who has never been to Russia should start with the first option above - visit the most important cities, the most important and famous monuments and then decide what else he would like to see. There are a lot of them.

## The capital of Russia

The capital and most important city of Russia is Moscow. Moscow is located on the Volga River in the European part of Russia and is the seat of the Russian president, government and many world cultural institutions. There are many universities, the headquarters of all major Russian companies and representations of almost all world business companies. The visitor will find a lot of interesting cultural monuments, museums, galleries, but also a lot of opportunities to have fun, eat and drink as well.

## States of Russia

Russia is a federal republic, the individual entities are republics, regional regions, federal cities and autonomous regions.

List of republics:

- Adygea
- High
- Bashkortostan
- Burjatsko
- Dagestan
- Ingushetia
- Kabardsko-Balkarsko
- Kalmycko
- Karachayevsk-Cherkessk
- Karélie
- Komi
- Marijsko
- Mordvinsko
- Sacha
- North Ossetia-Alania
- Tatarstan
- Tuva
- Udmurtsko
- Chakasie
- Chechnya
- Chuvash

Republics in their current form were established as territorial units that more or less covered the living space of a national minority. Their origin is enshrined in the Russian constitution, which guarantees them the right to their own official language, parliament and constitution. Other entities of the Russian Federation are determined rather administratively, regardless of ethnic composition.

## Flag of Russia

The current form of the flag is from 1993. It has 3 stripes of the flag -from the top white - blue - red, which represent stability, peace and energy ..

## Population of Russia

Russia has a population of over 146 million. Russians make up 80% of the population. Other minority populations are: Tatars, Ukrainians, Bashkirs, Chuvash, Chechens, Armenians, Avars, Mordvinians, Kazakhs and Germans.

## Holidays in Russia

- January 1 to 5 - New Year's holidays are
- January 7 - Orthodox Christmas
- February 23 is the holiday of the Day of Defense of the Fatherland,
- March 8, International Women's Day,
- May 1 Labor Day,
- May 9 Victory Day over fascism
- June 12 National Day
- November 4 Unity Day

## Russian sign

The red field shows a golden double-headed eagle with three crowns, an apple and a scepter, which has a white rider on a white shield who kills the dragon.

## Time shift

There are 10 time zones in Russia, because the country is quite large and the longitude range is 171 °, which corresponds to a time difference between the easternmost and westernmost tip of the territory of 11.4 hours. However, the time of the zones is not precisely determined by the time zone, due to its respective longitude, and is generally ahead of it, sometimes by up to two hours. Compared to England, it is, for example, 3 hours more than in Moscow.

## Currency of Russia

The national currency in Russia is the ruble, which has 100 kopecks. Current coins have values of 1, 5, 10, 50 kopecks and 1, 2, 5 and 10 rubles.

Banknotes are printed in denominations of 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000, 2000 and 5000 rubles. 5 and 10 ruble banknotes are being phased out and replaced with coins of the same denomination.

## Prices in Russia

Prices vary in different parts of Russia, usually slightly cheaper or like ours. Moscow is very expensive. Fish and vegetables are cheap at the market. However, prices are very volatile due to the unstable exchange rate. In Russia, we find cheaper food than in our country, but clothes or drugstores cost the same.

## Visa to Russia

To enter and stay in the territory of a foreign state, citizens of the United Kingdom must meet the conditions stipulated by its laws. The embassy of the given state is competent to communicate the current conditions of entry and residence in the territory of a foreign state. The following information is for basic reference. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Kingdom therefore recommends that United Kingdom citizens check with the embassy of the visited state before the trip whether the conditions for entry and residence have not changed. More information on the ministry's website

<https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/russia/entry-requirements>

You’ll need to get a visa from the Russian Embassy before you travel. Processing times are up to 20 business days for standard service or up to 3 business days for urgent service depending upon the visa category applied for and the application itself.As part of the visa application process, all applicants based in the UK aged 12 or over will need to visit a visa application centre to submit biometric data (scanned fingerprints). These are located in London, Manchester and Edinburgh. The Russian government requires biometric fingerprinting from all foreign nationals, including British nationals, when entering Russia. Of course, tourist and travel visas can also be arranged online, for example via website <https://travelrussia.su/en/> <https://visatoruss.com/>, where you will also find other information that you can obtain Visas need to be documented.

## Interesting facts about Russia

- Russia is 1.5 million km2 larger than Pluto
- 9 million more women than men live here
- At the narrowest point, Russia is only 4 km away from the USA
- Russia washes a total of 13 different seas
- 77% of Russia's area is Siberia

## Security

In Russia, there is much more crime than us. In real life, however, you don't feel that much. You don't have to worry much. If you don't like a place, don't go there. In every foreign country, you need to be a little more cautious. Locals do not react negatively to tourists. They will rather not notice you or try to help you. It is generally known that Russia drinks a lot of alcohol. So if you come across a drunk Russian, avoid him and do not enter into a debate with them.

Towards the countryside, crime and the risk of robbery are falling sharply.

## Important contacts

**Where to call in case of emergency in Russia?**

- Fire brigade: 01
- Police: 02
- Rescue service: 03
- Gas leak report: 04
- In Russia, there is a universal first aid number 112, which you can also agree on
  English. However, if you call a specific service, help will be faster.

Russia's **telephone code is +7**

**Contacts at the British Embassy in Moscow:**

**Address:**

```txt
Ambassador: Deborah Bronnert CMG,  Smolenskaya Naberezhnaya, 10, Moscow, Rusko, 121099
```

Phone: +7 495 956-72-00

Further contacts can be found at <https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-moscow.ru>

Guide to Russia

Italy is a country full of historical monuments, beautiful and sunny beaches, as well as excellent food and wine.

## Basic information

## Why go to Italy

Italy is one of the few countries where you can choose for any kind of holiday, whether for history and culture to places like Rome, Naples, Florence or Venice. Or behind the sun and beautiful beaches such as Calabria, Sicily or Sardinia.

And we must not forget the popular ski resorts in the Italian Alps, such as Livigno, Sella Ronda, Cortina D'Ampezzo or Alta Badia.

## The capital of Italy

The capital of Italy is Rome with a population of 2,844,395 - data from 30/11/2019 source: Istat - and an area of 1287.36 km2. In terms of population, it is the most populous city in Italy and the third in the European Union, after Berlin and Madrid.

Rome is also the capital of the Lazio region and the seat of the Roman Catholic Church, the Vatican. It is often called Città eterna, which means "eternal city". Rome as a city has a very long history, which began as early as 753 BC founding and has managed to survive to this day.

Just out of curiosity... did you know that from 1861 to 1864, the capital of the newly founded Italian Kingdom was the city of Turin?

## Flag of Italy

The Italian flag, colloquially called tricolor, was created on January 7, 1797 and consists of three vertical stripes of green, white and red. It was inspired by the French flag and was first used by the Italian contingent of Napoleon's army.

In Italy, on 7 January each year, "National Flag Day" or "Tricolor Day" is also celebrated. The official celebrations take place in the city of Reggio Emília, where the tricolor was first officially adopted by the Italian State.

The official shades are: meadow green, milky white and tomato red.

## Population of Italy

According to the ISTAT (Italian Statistical Office), the population of Italy as of January 1, 2020 was 60,317,000, of which 8.9% were foreigners resident in the Italian Republic. With this number, Italy ranks 3rd in the European Union in terms of population.

The population density is 200.71 inhabitants per square kilometer, which is higher than the European average.

## Holidays in Italy

State and church holidays (non-working days):

- January 1 - New Year "Capodanno"
- January 6 - Three Kings "Epiphany"
- Easter Monday (moving holiday) "Pasquetta"
- April 25 - Liberation Day "Festa della Liberazione"
- May 1 - Labor Day - Festa del Lavoro
- June 2 - Anniversary of the founding of the Italian Republic "Festa della Repubblica"
- August 15 - Assumption of the Virgin Mary "Ferragosto"
- November 1 - All Saints' Day "Tutti i santi"
- December 8 - Immaculate Conception "Immacolata Concezione"
- December 25 - First Christmas - Christmas - "Natale"
- December 26 - Second Christmas - Sv. Stephen's "Santo Stefano"

In Italy, in addition to church and state holidays, each city also celebrates its patron (city). For example, the capital, Rome celebrates June 29, St. Peter and Paul's Day.

## Coat of arms of Italy

The Italian coat of arms in its current form was approved on May 5, 1948.

However, its history began as early as 1946, when the government decided to set up a commission to create the coat of arms of the newborn Italian Republic and to replace the already obsolete coat of arms of the Kingdom of Italy.

The commission was chaired by Ivanoe Bonomi, who decided to launch a national competition open to all citizens. The theme of the next emblem was loose with a few restrictions on the proposals: an absolute ban on the use of political party symbols and the obligation to use the Italian star. The price of 10,000 lire (GBP 5) was offered for the 5 best designs.

341 candidates applied for the competition, presenting 637 proposals. The five winning authors were given the task of creating another 5 proposals, from which one proposal was to be selected in the end.

The winner of the audition was Paolo Paschetto, who was to design the final version of the emblem and receive another prize of 50,000 lire. Subsequently, the commission sent the plan to the government for approval, but the government eventually rejected it. So a second commission was set up, chaired by Giovanni Conte, which announced a second audition via radio. This time, elements related to the idea of work were preferred. In the end, Paolo Paschetto became the winner again and his new proposal was approved by the government and also by the President of the Italian Republic.

## Currency in Italy

The official currency in Italy is the euro. An exception is the exclave of the Campione d'Italia in the Alps - surrounded by the Swiss canton of Ticino, where the Swiss franc pays.

By the way, from January 1, 2018, the Italian Mint stopped minting coins worth one and two euro cents, and in stores it is rounded to the nearest five cents.

### Prices in Italy

In Italy, prices are cheaper in most places than in England. When it comes to food, it pays to shop at large retail chains, where prices are much lower than at smaller local stores.

Food prices in supermarkets:

- Bread - € 1.50 - 3.00 (GBP 1.30 - 2.60)
- Pasta 500g € 0.60 - 2.00 (GBP 0.50 - 1.80)
- Voda 1.5l € 0.19 - 0.50 (GBP 0.17 - 0.45)
- Mozzarella € 0,80 - 1,60 (GBP 0.70 - 1.40)
- Milk € 0.80 - 1.20 (GBP 0.70 - 1.10)
- Pivo 0,5l € 0.80 - 1,80 (GBP 0.70- 1.50)
- Wine 0.75l € 2.50 - 5.00 (GBP 2.23 - 4.46)
- Pepsi / Coca cola 1,5l € 1,00 - 1,50 (GBP 0.90 - 1.34)

Prices in restaurants and bars:

- Ice cream € 1.50 - 3.00 (GBP 1.34 - 2.68)
- Espresso € 0,75 - € 1,10 (GBP 0.67 - 0.98)
- Cappuccino € 1,20 - 1,50 (GBP 1.07 - 1.34)
- Tapped beer 0.50L € 4.50 - 5.50 (GBP 4.00 - 4.90)
- Wine 0,5l € 3,50 - 6,00 (GBP 3.12 - 5.35)
- Water bottle 0.33l € 0.90 - 1.50 (GBP 0.80 - 1.34)
- Pepsi / Coca cola 0,2l € 2,00 - 2,50 (GBP 1.80 - 2.20)
- Pizza € 6,00 - 9,00 (GBP 5.35 - 8.00)
- Main course (Fish) € 12.50 - 19.50 (GBP 11.15 - 17.40)
- Main course (Meat) € 8.50 - 14.50 (GBP 7.60 - 12.90)
- Main course (Pasta) € 6.50 - 9.00 (GBP 5.80 - 8.00)

Fuel and transport prices:

- Petrol € 1.50 - 1.70 (GBP 1.34 - 1.52)
- Kerosene € 1.30 - 1.50 (GBP 1.16 - 1.34)
- Motorway € 0.07 - 0.90 (GBP 0.62 - 0.80)
- Taxi 1km € 1.50 - 3.00 (GBP 1.34 - 2.68) + boarding € 4.00 - 8.00 (GBP 3.60 - 7.20)
- Public transport € 1.30 - 2.00 (GBP 1.16 - 1.78)
- Baguette / sandwich € 4.00 - 6.00 (GBP 3.60 - 3.35)

Be careful when refueling, because in Italy a different price applies for fuel if you refuel yourself and a different price if you are refueled by a petrol employee. If your employee is refueling, the difference in price can be € 0.30 per liter.

In Italy, for a motorway, you pay for kilometers driven in the same way as in Croatia.

## Interesting facts about Italy

Italy is an exceptional destination and has a lot to offer tourists. Here are some interesting facts about this country:

Italy, along with China, are the two countries with the highest number of UNESCO World Heritage sites. He currently has 55.

The oldest still active university in Europe, the Università degli Studi di Bologna, is located here. The University of Bologna was founded in 1088 and is currently the most prestigious university in Italy.

Italy is the largest wine producer in the world and annually produces an average of up to 24 million hectoliters of wine. The wine sector employs around 1.3 million people and generates an annual turnover of 11 billion euros.

There is the oldest tree in Europe. Pine trees named Italus were discovered by scientists in Pollino National Park. Using the radiocarbon method, they determined her age to be 1230 years. Interestingly, in the area where it grows, they have found thousands of other pines aged 500 to 600 years.

There are two sovereign states in Italy. One is the Republic of San Marino, which was founded around 301 and is both the oldest and smallest republic in the world. The second is the Vatican, also called the Vatican City State. According to the Basic Law of the State of 1929, it is a theocratic monarchy headed by the Pope of Rome.

In Italy you will find the smallest restaurant in the world, more precisely in the town of Vacone in the district of Rieti. Its name is Solo per due, which means only two for translation. It is a small restaurant with only one table.

## Important contacts

**Where to call in case of emergency in Italy?**

- Fire brigade 115
- Assistance to motorists - towing service 116
- Police 113
- First aid 118
- Carabinieri 112
- Coast Guard 1530

**Italy's area code is +39.**

**Contacts at the British Embassy Rome:**

**Address:**

```txt
Via XX Settembre 80/a
00187 Rome
Italy
```

Phone: +39 06 4220 0001

Email: RomeCommEnq@fco.gov.uk

Further contacts can be found at <https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-rome>

Guide to Italy

## The capital of Iceland

The wild and volcanically active nature will captivate you upon arrival in the capital Reykjavík. Before landing the plane, looking at the smoldering geysers, desolate plains and apocalyptic-looking landscape, you will think that you are at the end of the world. But the opposite is true, because in Iceland you will definitely experience more than less adventures and experiences that you would hardly come across anywhere else.

Reykjavík has a population of 129,000 and is the largest and most populous city on the island. Up to two thirds of the entire population of the island live here. Due to the location of the island, you can enjoy continuous light in the summer months, while in winter it is only four hours of light a day. Thanks to the bright summer days, the island is famous for its nightlife, it also has a special word for these alcoholic nights: RUNTUR.

## Flag of Iceland

Red, white lined cross, on blue canvas - this is the flag of the island. The blue color is supposed to symbolize the sea and the sky, while white is intended to symbolize geysers, glaciers and snow. Iceland's relationship to the other Scandinavian countries, especially Denmark, which Iceland has ruled since the 14th century, is illustrated by a red cross.

## Population of Iceland

The inhabitants of the land of fire and ice are descendants of Norwegian settlers and Celts, and at first they may seem like grumblers, but in the end you will fall in love with the Icelandic nature, because the people here are peaceful and kind. Maybe that's why Icelanders live to a very old age (81.1 years). An old Icelandic proverb says that: "Everyone wants to live long, but no one wants to be old!" And this is exactly the definition that he honors at any age in his quiet life, and we Europeans should learn this skill from them.

In 2020, 364,000 people live in Iceland, up to 93% of whom are descendants of Norwegian and Celtic settlers.

## Holidays in Iceland

As with us, January 1 falls on a day of rest after the New Year's celebrations.

During February, Icelanders celebrate Porrablót - in earlier times, people met for dinner and recited poems in honor of the god Porr. Even today, people gather for dinner, but they discuss all the news from their lives.

The end of February to the beginning of March are the holidays that precede the Easter fast, divided into three days:

- Monday is Bolludagur - the holiday is mainly enjoyed by children. According to tradition, they receive a so-called bollur from their parents, which is such a donut, only \* slightly larger and filled with jam or caramel icecream.
- Sprengidagur - carnival. Icelanders consume large amounts of mutton and as a side dish of peas.
- And the last one is öskudagur - it comes out on Ash Wednesday, when children go from house to house, singing and caroling.

March - April - Easter Páskar - locals enjoy mainly working holidays and spend time with their families.

The first Thursday after April 18 - the first summer day of Sumardagurinn fyrsti. The old Nordic calendar used to modify only two seasons. Even on this day, the locals enjoy the holidays. They meet in squares and centers and celebrate. They mainly consume ice cream, because the weather is nice.

The first weekend in June - Sjómannadagurinn sailors' days. Various events take place, mainly in ports, as the sea is celebrated, providing livelihoods for many people. Exhibitions, boat trips, sailing races, seafood tastings.

June 17 - Independence Day, celebration of the birth of Jon Sigurðsson (representative of the independence movement) - Great holiday, huge national celebrations. The shop windows are decorated with Icelandic colors and Ionian portraits. Parades, concerts and streets come to life.

Icelanders use sunrise and sunset tracking mainly on the longest day of the year, and that is June 21st. The sun rises on this day at 2:54 and sets after midnight at 00:04. An ideal day for trips to nature and observation of this natural phenomenon.

Merchant's Day - the first weekend in August and Monday (Verslunarmannahelgi) - the holiday was originally for employees in the service, they had to rest. Today, everyone has time off and it is the salesmen who have to go to work so that people can buy. This holiday is very often associated with camping, nature trips and especially drinking alcohol. It is most actively celebrated especially on the islands of Vestmannaeyjar.

The third weekend in August - Menningarnótt (Reykjavik Culture Night) - a very nicely designed holiday, when the streets of the capital is open to concerts, as well as bars and cafes. Some locals even hold open days at home and invite passers-by for cocoa and something good. It all ends with a large fireworks display and then drinks until morning.

December 1 - Independence Day - an official holiday, however, people work and do not celebrate so much.

December 21st - the shortest day - in Reykjavík the sun rises at 11:22, sets at 15:30 - it is already cold, people prefer to stay inside and they also have a lot of work to do before Christmas.

December 23 - Day of the celebration of St. láorlák, Þorláksmessa - Porlák was an island saint, a bishop, who 23.12. 1193 died. Pre-Christmas preparations are in full swing, with shops open until almost midnight.

December 24 - Christmas, Jól - Christmas time looks like Iceland in our country. Icelanders gather for dinner, hand out presents, and then hold Christmas Masses. The day after Christmas, it is usual to visit family.

December 31 - New Year's Eve, Gamlárskvöld - very similar to ours. In addition to the large amount of alcohol that is drunk this evening, people also try a variety of pyrotechnics, which they detonate in large quantities at midnight.

## The sign of Iceland

The coat of arms of Iceland shows us the Icelandic flag, surrounded by untraditionally four (usually only two) shield bearers. These are mythological figures - bull=protector of the southwest, eagle or griffin = protector of the northwest, dragon = protector of the northeast and giant = protector of the southeast
This emblem has been used since the date of the proclamation of the republic, which was 1944

## Currency of Iceland

On the island you can pay in Icelandic crowns - króna (ISK).

- The value of coins - 1, 5, 10, 50, 100 ISK
- Banknote value - 500, 1000, 2000, 5000

The most expensive in the country is alcohol. Other prices are comparable to other Scandinavian countries.

You can exchange money at banks, you will not find classic exchange offices in Iceland, or we can get money from an ATM. The card payment almost anywherepossible.

### Prices in Iceland

Prices usually vary depending on whether you are shopping in the capital or on the outskirts. Look for most things, from food to medicines to drugstore goods, in supermarkets. The most famous are Bónus, Krónan, Samkaup or Nettó. Small businesses such as bakeries are only in larger cities and there are not many of them. However, if you leave the capital, you will only be dependent on petrol stations. You can buy alcohol mainly in the state store Vínbuðin.
The shops normally open until around 11 am and close early, as early as 6 pm. Which, given the long day, can be confusing at times.

Approximate prices of products in Iceland:

- Beer in the shop (can) - 300-364 ISK / 1,8-2,2 GBP
- Beer in the restaurant 0,5l - 800-990 ISK / 4,8-6 GBP
- Coffee in a cafe - 350-450 ISK / 2,1-2,7 GBP
- Better lunch in the restaurant - 3 290-4 900 ISK / 20-30 GBP
- Ham slices - 360 ISK / 2,2 GBP
- Bagette 185 ISK / 1 GBP

## Interesting facts about Iceland

In this land of contrasts, there is no shortage of adrenaline experiences, romantic impressions and cultural events. Romantic souls will enjoy watching the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, named after the Roman goddess of dawn. It is necessary to set aside at least a week for this solar phenomenon. The night must be clear and the sun's activity strong enough, but this extraordinary experience surpassed even the wildest imaginations of experienced travelers, who described the glow as the strongest moment of their lives. This phenomenon, most often caused by solar activity and the earth's magnetic field, can be observed in the northern part of the island.

There are many more experiences for adventurers in Iceland. The most popular are rafting and kayaking downhill around Iceland. Where else can you see all the stages of the planet's development in one day. As a result of the changeable weather, you will find yourself in a completely different landscape after each awakening than the one you went to bed the day before. The ubiquitous smell of sulfur also contributes to the adrenaline experience, reminding you that after a strenuous descent, a hot natural geyser awaits you, which will relax your muscles again and give you a little of the longevity of the inhabitants. Along with countless waterfalls, hot geysers are another unique phenomenon from which you will not take your eyes off. Strokkir Geyser spews a stream of water up to a height of 30 meters, but if you are looking for a real giant among geysers, visit the Great Geyser, which has named all the geysers in the world and can reach its gushing stream of water up to 80 meters.

Once you have full of adrenaline, leave the steering of the boat more experienced and sail further into the open sea. The reward will definitely be a small whale, which lazily surrounds your boat several times and with waves tail fins goodbye. Yes, we are talking about whales and their observation in the wild. You can cross out another experience that you never thought could happen to you.

## Important contacts

**Where to call in case of emergency in Iceland?**

Emergency line: 112 (police, firefighters, medical care)

First aid: + 354-525-1000

Police: 114

Fire brigade: 112

**The telephone area code for Iceland is +354.**

**Contacts at The British Embassy in Reykjavik, Iceland :**

**Address:**

```txt
Michael Nevin
British Embassy Reykjavik
Laufásvegur 31
101 Reykjavík
Iceland
```

Phone: +354 550 5100

Email: info@britishembassy.is

Further contacts can be found on the website

Guide to Iceland

## Why go to Netherlands

Enjoy being able to steer a boat without a permit, which you can rent for an entire week. On the first day, you’d rather sail on the lake to get used to it before trying out your talent on the canal.

When we say the Netherlands, we think of boats, clogs, tulips, cheese, coffee shops, windmills and much more. The Netherlands is a picturesque flat country connected by many lakes and canals. This country is full of art, history and nature. There are many beautiful places to relax in picturesque cafes or small shops. Not only the capital, Amsterdam is attractive for visiting the Netherlands, but we can also go to Rotterdam, Keukenhof, Deltawerken or Kinderdijk.

## The capital of the Netherlands

Amsterdam has been the capital of the Netherlands since 1808. Parliament or royal family do not reside in capital city. They are based in The Hague. It is currently a financial and cultural center and the largest city in the Netherlands. Attractions and monuments that are a UNESCO World Heritage Site include the Amsterdam Canals, and the other attraction here is the historic center of Amsterdam.

Amsterdam is often referred to as the "Venice of the North". Although this comparison is quite lagging behind, because here the whole city is built where the water used to be.

The most visited places in Amsterdam include:

- Rijksmuseum - is one of the largest temples in Europe
- Van Gogh Museum
- Anne Frank House
- De Wallen - the oldest and also the most attractive city district
- Vondelpark
- Eye Filmmuseum - a museum of modern art resembling a toad or a spaceship
- DAM - Amsterdam Square
- Amsterdam canals - Grachty

## Flag of the Netherlands

The Dutch flag has three horizontal stripes in red, white and blue. Around 1630, and especially after 1648, when Spain recognized Dutch independence, the orange stripe was originally replaced by a red one for better visibility at sea (but mainly for political reasons) (in 1796 the use of orange was expressly forbidden). During the celebrations concerning the Dutch royal family, a narrow longitudinal orange flag is hung next to the flag. The Dutch flag as the first republican tricolor in the world and as a symbol of freedom. They were a model for the flags of Russia and France.

## Population of the Netherlands

The Netherlands is one of the densest populated countries in Europe. Due to this situation, the Netherlands has a large dense network of railways and motorways.

Population composition: At the end of 2009, the Netherlands had a population of 16,515,057 and a density of 397.7 / km2.

According to the Dutch Statistical Office (CBS) of 1 January 2005, 80.9% of Dutch people, 2.4% of Indonesians, 2.4% of Germans, 2.2% of Turks, 2.0% of Surinians, 1.9% Moroccans, 0.8% of the Antillians and 6.0% of other minorities

## Holidays in the Netherlands

Most shops in the Netherlands are closed on Sundays, with the exception of the so-called "koopzondag", which means shopping Sunday and the shops are exceptionally open. Each city has a different shopping Sunday, but usually it's the first or last of the month.

- January 1 New Year
- Easter Good Friday, Easter Monday
- April 30 Queen's Day - Feast of Queen Princess Juliana's mother
- May 5 Liberation Day - Liberation Day is celebrated every year on May 5 at
  a sign of the end of occupation by Nazi Germany during World War II.
- May Day of the Assumption
- May / June Whitsuntide
- 25.12. The first holiday of Christmas
- 26.12. The second holiday of Christmas

If April 30 falls on a Sunday, the holiday is celebrated the day before. According to tradition, Queen's Day is celebrated on the birthday of Princess Juliana (mother of the current Queen Beatrix).

On this occasion, many participants wear orange clothing and accessories, which is a symbol of the ruling royal family of Orange-Nassau and celebrate throughout the country in the form of street holidays, such as parades, folk festivals, concerts or carnivals. Flea markets are characteristic during the holiday, during which it is possible to sell unnecessary things without restrictions and income from sales is not subject to taxation. In some cities, the so-called Koninginnenacht (Queen's Night) also takes place on the eve of the holiday.

## Coat of arms of the Netherlands

The coat of arms of the Netherlands was first adopted in 1815 and has been amended twice. The last modifications took place in 1980. The emblem consists mainly of the following parts:

- A shield with a golden lion with a sword in one and a bundle of seven arrows in the other paw.
- The shield is blue, sprinkled with gold shingles
- The motto above the shield means "I will keep" in translation
- Above the shield is a royal crown and the emblem is supported by shields like two golden lions
- The whole emblem is placed on the royal tent under another royal crown.

## Currency of the Netherlands

In the Netherlands, as in most European countries, you have pay in euros. We can also use payment by card, which is accepted in most stores. However, beware of smaller street shops or markets where we may have a problem with the payment of the card. We can also use the non-cash payment method for tickets by public transport or for transport from / to the airport for intercity trains. When using exchange offices, it is important to avoid smaller exchange offices at tourist locations due to higher fees.

### Prices in the Netherlands

In general, the prices in the Netherlands are the same as in our country.

In restaurants, service is already included in the price. If you leave some extra change, no one will be angry with you here. During business dealings, bargaining is like a national sport for Dutch people, but you don't usually see it too often on the street. You can try it in the markets, especially in popular flea markets.

#### Tickets and prices

If you want to get as far as possible and you do not want to worry about where you can't or can buy, buy the I AMSTERDAM CARD discount card in the capital, thanks to which you will get a discount on various tickets. Similar cards can also be purchased in Rotterdam and The Hague.

Many places can be visited for free. Mainly entrances to museums and other places such as Gassan Diamonds, Coster Diamonds, city guard gallery at Amsterdams Historisch Museu, Stadsarchief - city archive, lunch concerts in Concertgebouw and Hetmuziektheater or evening in Bimhuis, ferry to the northern part of the city, roof terrace NEMO and more.

Most of the monuments and interesting places we plan to visit can be found in the city centers. We can choose the walking option or pay extra for public transport. The best places can be explored in 3-4 hours. If you choose the public transport option, we recommend that you choose the appropriate, time-limited tickets that are most suitable for you.

A small overview of prices in the Netherlands:

- Taxi for 1 km - 2.50 euro
- Bottle of water 1.5 l - from 0.80 euros
- Bread packaging - from 0.70 euros
- Cheese 500 g in total - from 6 euros
- Benzin 1 l - 1.6 euros
- Oil 1 l - 1.24 euros
- Fast food - around 3.50 euros
- Meals in the restaurant - from 12 euros
- Draft beer - 4 eruo
- A liter of milk - 0.9 euros
- The average price for a ticket for public transport - 2.6 euros
- Middle class wine - 6 eruo
- Cigarettes - 6 euros

### Tips for trips in the Netherlands

We definitely recommend not to miss the cruise between the canals. The ride takes an average of an hour. If you are going on holiday with a group, you can rent a boat yourself or with the captain. Many boats also offer food and drink on board. You can also buy yours at the supermarket and have a picnic on the water. This is a very interesting ride that will provide a completely different view of the city than from the ground. It is also interesting how many ships sail and pass through the individual channels.

Our second tip when visiting Amsterdam is A´dam Lookout. By ferry we get from one bank across the river IJ to the other side of the bank, where the EYE Filmmuseum and A´dam Toren are located. A high-rise building with a panoramic swing on the roof. A great experience is just a ride on the elevator to the 22nd floor, where we have a 360 ° view of the city.

If you want to relax in the Netherlands from Museums, galleries, coffee shops and history, you can go to one of the amusement parks. Efteling is loved by the whole family, Walibi Holland offers roller coasters and an amusement park with an aqua park can be found in Duinrell.

There are many bicycle rentals throughout the Netherlands. There are more bicycles than people. We can also enjoy the Netherlands by cycling through the flat landscape with many bike paths. You can cycle out of the hustle and bustle of the city and head to some of the neighboring places around. For example, you can go from Amsterdam to Haarlem. From Den Hagg or from Rotterdam to Delft. From Utrecht to Castle de Haar.

Another tip for places in the Netherlands is the beach. The North Sea has a pleasant temperature for swimming in summer. Here you will find the beach Noordwijk, which is not one of the warmest. They have a separate beach here, even for those who do not go on holiday without their four-legged pets and pets. Other popular beaches include the beaches of Ameland, Katwijk aan Zee, Marken, Neeltje Jans, Scheveningen and Terschelling.

[More tips for trips.]({{< ref "tipy-na-vylety.en.md" >}})

## Attractions of the Netherlands

Kingdom of the Netherlands (Koninkrijk der Nederlanden in the Netherlands). The Netherlands is
one of the four countries of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which includes, among others, overseas
the islands of Aruba, Curaçao and Sint-Maarten, which can be found in the Caribbean.
Together they are referred to as the Netherlands Antilles. None of the islands uses the Euro as their currency. The Netherlands is one of the few countries to allow light drugs. But a few simple rules must be followed:

- You can carry a maximum of 5 grams of marijuana (grass or hashish) per person.
- Light drugs are allowed from the age of 18. Caffe shops do not sell drugs to people under the age of 18.
- Growing grass at home is illegal
- Hard drugs are prohibited
- The export and import of drugs is prohibited
- The use of light drugs is prohibited in public. Smoking marijuana is allowed in coffee shops or in some restaurants.

## Important contacts

**Where to call in case of emergency in the Netherlands?**

Rescue service, fire brigade, police: 112

The **country code for the Netherlands is +31**

**Contacts at the Embassy of England in the Netherlands:**

**Address:**

```txt
Lange Voorhout 10
2514 ED The Hague
Netherlands
```

Phone: +31 (0)70 4270 427

Email: ukinnl@fcdo.gov.uk

Further contacts can be found at www.gov.uk/contact-consulate-the-hague

Guide to Holland

## Why go to France

France is visited annually by approximately 70 million tourists from all over the world, as it is one of the most visited countries in the world. This is no wonder, because France offers many different reasons to visit. From beautiful nature through sand dunes, sea waves suitable for surfing, lovers of culture and history will also enjoy themselves here, and most importantly you will taste the real French cuisine that the whole world desires. One of the most visited places in France is also the highest mountain Mont Blanc, from where we offer a beautiful view of the surrounding countryside. Families with children, young couples, the elderly go to France, in short, it is suitable for all ages and you will place this place among your favorite destinations.

## The capital of France

The capital Paris or the most romantic place in Europe. Paris is the capital not only of France, but also the capital of fashion and the metropolis of love. Paris has its charm and many women leave the city with a ring on their left hand. YES, many couples get engaged here, most often asking for hands at the Palais de Chaillot and Martova Pole or during a romantic evening cruise on the river Seine.

- Paris boasts more than 1,800 monuments, 170 museums, half a million trees and a few replicas of the Statue of Liberty.
- Paris is a major world cultural, commercial and political center.

The city is divided by the river Seine on the left and right banks. The city also includes the three islands Île de la Cité, Île Saint-Louis and the artificial island Île aux Cygnes.

## Flag of France

The national flag of France has the form of a vertical tricolor composed of a blue, white and red stripe. The white color follows the traditional white royal flag, red and blue are the colors of Paris, which form the city flag. The roots of the French flag go back to the French Revolution. It was officially recognized as the national symbol of France in 1790 .. During the revolution of 1848, the red flag was used on the barricades. Subsequently, the tricolor was adopted as the national flag.

## Population

France's population is around 65,072,000, including overseas territories. According to estimates, France will have about 70,608,998 inhabitants in 2050, but it will not surpass Germany.

Approximately 51 million (85%) Caucasians of European descent, 6 million (10%) people from North Africa, 2 million (3.5%) blacks and 1 million (1.5%) people of Asian descent, including all generations, live in France. with immigrant origin.

By law of 1872, France forbids distinguishing between its citizens on the basis of race or religion during the census.

## Holidays in France

Public holidays in France are usually accompanied by military parades and fireworks over the Eiffel Tower.

- January 1 New Year - one of the biggest celebrations of the year
- Easter Monday (moving date) - During Easter, there are many different events, especially for children looking for eggs either in the garden or in the park. Disneyland Paris also offers a children's program. Then begins the great pilgrimage of the Foire du Trone in the Vincennes Forest. Impressive and unforgettable Masses are held in the churches, and one of the most visited is the Mass in Notre Dame Cathedral.
- May 8 Victory Day - every year the President of the Republic lays a flower on the grave under the Arc de Triomphe and revives an eternal fire in honor of an unknown soldier. Most monuments and museums are open on this day, only at the Arc de Triomphe is with restrictions.
- Ascension Day 39 days after Easter - Shops are closed, monuments are usually open
- Whit Monday - 50 days after Easter - this holiday is celebrated by the locals in their own way, mostly enjoying a picnic in the park or in the gardens. Shops are closed, some museums offer free admission this day.
- July 14 Celebrations of the fall of the Bastille - these are the most spectacular celebrations of France on the anniversary of the beginning of the Great French Revolution and the fall of the fortress of the Bastille. In this story you will see on the Champs-Elysées one of the largest parades in the world accompanied by firefighters and soldiers. He performs acrobatic flights in the sky, which draws a tricolor on the sky of Paris. There is fireworks over the Eiffel Tower in the evening.
- August 15 Assumption - Impressive Masses are held again at Notre Dame Cathedral
- November 1 Feast of All Saints
- November 11 Armistice - celebration of the end of the First World War. The museums are war-oriented and in many places you will see the French tricolor.
- December 25 Christmas - a visit to France during Advent and the Advent holidays offers the most magical experiences and memories. You will enjoy the Christmas atmosphere the most at the Advent markets on the Champs-Elyséée, but prepare in advance for large crowds. On this day, most museums and monuments are closed to the public.

## Coat of arms of France

The coat of arms of France as an official symbol of the state does not currently exist. The only official symbol of the state is the tricolor. But, for example, an unofficial coat of arms can be seen on French consulates and passports. This "emblem" has been an unofficial symbol of France since 1953, although it has no legal status as an official emblem. It appears on the cover of French passports and was originally accepted by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a symbol for the use of diplomatic and consular missions in 1912 using a design by sculptor Jules-Clément Kaplanen. This Coat of arms is more of an emblem, as it does not respect heraldic rules.

The emblem consists of the following parts:

- Wide shield - at one end a lion's head and at the other an eagle's head, bearing the monogram "RF".
- Laurel twig
- Oak branches - symbolizing wisdom.
- Fasces - a symbol associated with the judiciary.

## Currency in France

In France, as in many European countries, you pay in euros.

Here we stumble upon similar prices in all areas as in England. Whether it’s a shopping in the store or when we visit a restaurant.

Tipping is usually already included in the price. If you were satisfied, you can add another 10%. Tipping is also expected by a taxi driver or hotel staff.

### Prices in France

Approximate prices (converted to GBP):

|                                                               | Quantity Price in GBP EUR |
| ------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------- | --- | --- |
| Bottle of wine 0.75l                                          | 4.9                       | 5.5 |
| Local beer from the shop 0.5l                                 | 1.6                       | 1.8 |
| Food in a cheaper restaurant 1 person 13                      | 15                        |
| Three - course menu in a mid - level restaurant 1 person 22.2 | 25                        |
| Beer in a restaurant 0.5l                                     | 4.9                       | 5.5 |
| Cappuccino                                                    |                           | 3   | 3.4 |
| Coca Cola                                                     | 0.33l                     | 3   | 3.4 |
| Water 0.33l                                                   | 2.2                       | 2.5 |

## Farms where snails graze

There are currently around two hundred snail farms in France. Up to fifteen species of snails of the genus Helix are bred on them. The most delicious is the garden or speckled snail, but they are rarely bred on farms, because carcass sizes do not grow until three years later. That is why you will most often come across farms focused on African snails, which weigh the required 10 g in just three months, when they can already reproduce. You can also find it under the name snail caviar, because it produces larger eggs, used for caviar. Breeding takes place in buildings with artificially maintained microclimate, tunnel houses and greenhouses and outdoors. Soil quality is especially important for the proper development of the snail, ie slightly calcareous soil with 80% humidity and more than 80% air humidity at an ideal temperature of 15 to 25 ° C. If the snail is exposed to too cold or too hot, it will retract into his house where no one can access it.

Opponents of snails argue that snails evoke a similar aversion to them as mushrooms. Yes - snails and mushrooms have only one leg. But this is the end of the similarity. The flesh of the snail is very soft, reminiscent of something between mussels and harder beef. Gourmets who love it, eat the snail liver and the smallest caviar in addition to the muscular legs.

## Toulouse

The French call Toulouse a pink city. But it could also rightly be called purple after the ubiquitous violets.

Toulouse is the fourth largest city in France, its streets are full of young people, because there is one of the largest universities in France, which is also one of the oldest in Europe. They meet here in front of the gigantic brick palace Capitole, the seat of city councilors, with a history dating back to the 12th century. Its construction, like many other houses, is made of flat Toulouse brick, the typical color of which gave the town the nickname Pink City. It was made of clay from the bottom of the Garonne River.

## Interesting facts about France

The guillotine, digital calculator, hot air balloon and Braille come from France.

France is setting fashion trends for the whole world.

The shortest reign was only minutes of King Louis XIX of France. He abdicated his throne in favor of his nephew.

Since 1634, the French Academy has been protecting French from foreign words such as: e-mail, hashtag, blog, etc.

France holds the most Nobel Prizes in literature.

The average Frenchman eats up to 500 snails a year.

In every city in France, there is a street named after Victor Hugo.

## Important contacts

**Where to call in case of emergency in France?**

Rescue service, fire brigade, police: 112

**The telephone code for France is +331.**

**Contacts at the Embassy of the United Kingdom in France:**

**Address:**

```txt
Embassy of the United Kingdom
35 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, 75008 Paris,
```

Phone: +33 1 44 51 31 00

Email: france.enquiries@fcdo.gov.uk.

Further contacts can be found at <https://www.gov.uk/world/france>

## Thanks

Fotografie od [Augustina de Montesquiou](https://unsplash.com/@augustindem?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText), [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/photos/mbeATPzFazg?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditShareLink)

Guide to France

## Why go to England

England will entertain you at any time of year! Steps of most travelers
they lead first to London. This vibrant metropolis in itself offers infinity
cultural, gastronomic and sporting experiences. But it would be a shame to omit
and other places.

No history enthusiast should miss the famous university cities of Oxford and
Cambridge. Every football lover goes to Liverpool and Manchester,
where they can see the best football in the world.

The English countryside and the nature also have their unmistakable charm. Don't wait
mountains, but believe us, the views of the English plains may still captivate you
more. In Brighton or Bournemouth you will experience a slightly different beach
culture than you are used to from the south of Europe.

## Interesting facts about England

Did you know that the zero meridian intersects the Royal Observatory at Greenwich and
countries are divided here into the western and eastern hemispheres? According to it, they are destined for the world
all time zones. When the imaginary airline starts to bore you, jump on
Emirates Air Line chairlift and enjoy the adrenaline rush! It will take you to
the other side of the river Thames.

Harry Potter was born at The Elephant House in Edinburgh. Literally.
This is where J. K. Rowling wrote the first two books about this witch's apprentice.
If you're a fan of spells and magic, visit Warner Bros. - The Making of
Harry Potter on the outskirts of London.

## Capital city London

The capital London has many faces. On one side a Victorian brick
houses and monumental monuments, on the other hand futuristic skyscrapers. Introduce
ten million people of all nationalities and different ethnic groups, and
Discover the diversity of this vibrant metropolis!

The center of social events is the borough of Westminster
shops and entertainment centers. Most of the tourist attractions can be found mainly in
central London.

These include the historic City; West End and its cinemas, bars, clubs,
shops and restaurants; Westminster with Westminster Abbey, Buckingham
Palace, Clarence House, etc. Further Science Museum, Natural History Museum, British
Museum, National Gallery, Tate Britain and Tate Modern, London Bridge,
Tower Bridge or Greenwich Observatory.

In addition, you have free admission to most museums. When commuting between monuments
don't forget to relax in one of London's parks, for example at a picnic!

Tower Bridge or Buckingham Palace are among the "must see" monuments (or
those you must not miss), but escape for a while from the tourist crowds and
discover even less crowded places. For example, you heard about a shopping centre,
Leadenhall Market, where the scenes from Harry Potter were filmed? You can
even walk around little Venice without having to get on a plane to
Italy. Walking around the river canal full of houseboats is worth it!

## English flag



The Union Jack flag expresses the connection between England, Scotland and Wales.

The main motif is a red cross in the middle of a white background, which symbolizes
England. In 1606, the English flag was connected to the Scottish, ie white
diagonal cross on a blue field. It did not acquire its current form until 1801 AD
the union of the Kingdom of Ireland and the United Kingdom. The last modification is insertion
red diagonal cross into a white box.

## Population of England

England has a population of 55 million, accounting for 84% of the population
Of the United Kingdom. The composition of ethnicities and religions is very diverse.
The English make up 83.6% of the population, the Scots 8.6%, the Welsh 4.9% and the Irish 2.9%.

The religion is predominantly Christian, the rest are Muslims, Hindus,
Sikhs, Jews, Buddhists and non-believers.

Above all, London is open to different cultures, which co-create the whole character
Earth.

## Holidays in England

England closes banks, post offices, offices and some shops on most holidays.
For this reason, holidays in the United Kingdom are also called 'bank holidays'.

Tickets and accommodation are more expensive these days and the country is crowded with tourists.
So if you are exploring England during this period, get ready for longer queues.
If the holiday goes out on a weekend, it automatically moves to the nearest one
working day, ie Monday.

See a list of the most important holidays:

- January 1 - New Year’s Day
- January 2 - Scotland only
- March 17 - St. Patrick's Day - a holiday originally from Northern Ireland

  _Green color is everywhere! Have you ever had green beer?_

- March / Good Friday
- March / Easter - Easter Monday
- First Monday in May - Early May Bank Holiday

  \_Work demonstrations often include employee rights on Labor Day.

- Last Monday in May - Spring Bank Holiday (not celebrated in Scotland)
- July 12 - Orange Day (Ireland)

  _Marches are held and the battle between William III is celebrated. Orange and Catholic
  by King James II._

- The first Monday in August - August Bank Holiday - Scotland only
- The last Monday in August - August Bank Holiday - everywhere except Scotland
- November 30 - Saint Andrew - Scotland only

  _Cottages dress traditional kilts. They celebrate by dancing, playing the Scottish bagpipes and
  enjoy traditional food drunk with a glass of good whiskey._

- October 31 - Halloween

  Is it necessary to introduce Halloween at all? We know him well in the Czech Republic, but in
  English-speaking countries pay even more attention to this popular holiday. It's not missing
  traditional decoration - pumpkins, witches, ghosts and monsters. Kids getting dressed
  scary costumes and goes caroling.

- December 25 - Christmas Day

  \_The presents will be unwrapped on the morning of December 25, in the evening the family will sit down for a traditional dinner.

- December 26 - Boxing Day

  Don't be fooled by Boxing Day, the presents are already unwrapped. The name originated from
  a tradition where poor Londoners went from boxes to the houses and received
  leftover Christmas dinner or crumbs.

## Time in England

The time difference between the Czech Republic and England is the same throughout the year, ie
minus 1 hour.

If in the Czech Republic the clock reports 11:00, it is 10:00 in England at the same time.

According to the zero meridian that intersects the Royal Greenwich Observatory,
all time zones in the world are determined.

## Currency of England

The legal currency of the United Kingdom is the British pound (otherwise also the British Pound sterling). You will pay with it in other British territories, such as Gibraltar,
Falkland Islands, St. Helena Island and more.



In 1990, the United Kingdom joined the European Monetary System, which
the aim is to maintain stable exchange rates for all Member States.
[Follow the current exchange rate on the website of the Czech National Bank](https://www.cnb.cz/cs/platebni-styk/sluzby-pro-klienty/kurzovni-listek-cnb/):
<https://www.cnb.cz/cs/platebni-styk/sluzby-pro-klienty/kurzovni-listek-cnb/>

You will find ATMs and exchange offices on every corner, but you can pay almost everywhere with
by credit card. It can be paid with in pubs, restaurants, shops, at
entry to attractions or public transport.

## Prices in England

English prices may surprise you at the beginning, as they are significantly higher than
in Czech republic. You will feel the different of accommodation and public transport the most. But
don't despair, alternatives exist everywhere. There are many key attractions and monuments
close to each other, take advantage of it and take a walk!

If you are planning to buy branded clothing or electronics, you have a chance
save. Due to tough competition in the market, companies often deploy highs
sales. Therefore, you can get this type of goods for a lower price than with us.

Let's say you're flying to England for a few days off. As soon as you get it
ticket, you will probably start looking for accommodation. If your destination is
London, you will logically pay more, as is the case with every capital city. On
prepare an average hotel 1,500-2,500 CZK / night, for a more luxurious night you give i
CZK 10,000 / night.

Let's look at specific examples of prices in England:

Transport

- Airport train ticket (London) approx. £ 20, return ticket approx. £ 40
- Airport bus ticket (London) approx. £ 10
- One-way ticket (local transport) 2.40-5.00 £
- Monthly season ticket (regular price) 130.00–219.57 £
- Taxi start (normal tariff) 3.00–6.00 £
- Taxi 1 km (normal fare) 1.55-4.00 £
- Petrol (1 liter) £ 1.30

Tickets

- Madame Tussauds £ 35 (ticket bought online is cheaper)
- St. Paul's Cathedral £ 20
- Westminster Abbey £ 22
- London Eye 27.50 £ (online)
- Stonehenge 19–22 £
- Sightseeing buses in London 33.00–40.00 £

Boarding

- Main course in a cheap restaurant from 10.00 to 30.00 £
- Meals for 2 people, middle class restaurant, three-course menu £ 40.00-80.00
- McMeal v McDonalds 5.00–8.50 £
- Homemade beer (0.5 liter) 3.50-6.00 £
- Imported beer (0.33 liters) 4.00-6.00 £
- Cappuccino (normal) 2.30–3.50 £
- Coca-Cola / Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) 1.00-22.50 £
- Water (0.33 liter bottle) 0.99-2.00 £

Foodstuffs

- Milk (1 liter) 0.60-11.30 £
- Plain bread (500 g) £ 0.62-2.00
- Classic rice (1 kg) 0.45-22.50 £
- 12 eggs 1.30–3.00 £
- Local cheese (1 kg) 4.00-12.00 £
- Chicken fillet (1 kg) 4.00-10.00 £
- Beef (1 kg) (or equivalent hind leg red meat) 5.00-15.00 £
- Apples (1 kg) 1.00–3.65 £
- Bananas (1 kg) £ 0.79-2.00
- Oranges (1 kg) 1.00–2.76 £
- Tomatoes (1 kg) £ 1.54-5.00
- Potatoes (1 kg) £ 0.60-2.00
- Onions (1 kg) £ 0.75-2.00
- Salad (1 head) 0.45-1.00 £
- Water (1.5 l) 0.30–1.80 £
- Bottle of wine (medium category) 6.00-10.00 £
- Homemade beer (0.5 liter bottle) 1.00–2.80 £
- Imported beer (0.33 liters) 1.00-3.00 £
- Cigarettes 20 packs (Marlboro) 10.00–14.00 £

## Outlets in England

You already have the mobile phone charger packed, so what else to solve? Beware of sockets!
The British use G-type sockets, which often contain a switch and are
three-pin. If you use electrical appliances, do not use an adapter
you can't do it. Fortunately, you can get it almost everywhere (even right at the airport), so you will be able to charge your little one's battery.

You can also use this type of socket in the Arabian Peninsula, Sri Lanka, India,
Malaysia and some African countries (usually former British colonies).

## Visa to England

Every citizen of the Czech Republic must prove himself during ordinary trips to the United Kingdom
passport or identity card. So special permission
you don't need it.

By 31 January 2020, the United Kingdom had left the European Union. By the end of 2020
so there is a transitional period when you can travel to the UK for the same
conditions as before.

You can find current information on the official website
[Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic](https://www.mzv.cz/jnp/cz/encyklopedie_statu/evropa/velka_britanie/cestovani/index.html).
Information on travel with regard to the current situation with COVID-19 can be found
also on the web
[Ministry of Foreign Affairs](https://www.mzv.cz/london/cz/aktuality/aktualni_podminky_pro_cestovani_do.html).

## Important contacts

**Where to call in case of an emergency in the UK?**
Rescue service, fire brigade, police: 999 or 112

The **phone code for Great Britain is +44**

**Contacts at the Embassy of the Czech Republic in London:**

**Address:**

```txt
Embassy of the Czech Republic
26-30 Kensington Palace Gardens
London W8 4QY
```

Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7243 7908 (Mon-Thu 8: 30–17: 15, Fri 8: 30–16: 00)

Email: london@embassy.mzv.cz

Further contacts can be found on the website
[Ministry of Foreign Affairs](https://www.mzv.cz/london/cz/o_velvyslanectvi/jak_nas_najdete_1.html).

Europe

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Guide to England

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