Exclusive Prague Tours
  • Home
  • Tours
    • What You'll See >
      • Prague's Old Town
      • Prague's Jewish Quarter
      • Prague's Lesser Quarter
      • Prague Castle
      • Day Trips
  • Concierge
  • Guidebooks
  • Contact
  • Hotels
  • Prague Blog
  • Dining
    • Czech Cuisine
    • Czech Beer
  • Entertainment
  • Shopping
    • Prague Easter Markets
    • Prague Christmas Markets >
      • Prague Christmas Market Photo Gallery
  • Newsletter Sign-up Form
  • Testimonials

Have Vaccine, Will Travel?

4/26/2021

0 Comments

 
Prague-Charles-Bridge
Prague's famous Charles Bridge
While rollouts of vaccinations against COVID 19 have been happening in many countries to varying degrees since the beginning of this year, it looks as though things have really turned a corner at least in the U.S. when it comes to having well over a majority of its population vaccinated in time for summer.
Other nations, for various reasons, have not had as much success, and that has included the Czech Republic. However, just this week we here are starting to turn a corner, too, when it comes to vaccines.  Just today the New York Times published an article titled “E.U. Set to Let Vaccinated U.S. Tourists Visit This Summer.”

Read More
0 Comments

Christmas in Prague During the Coronavirus Pandemic

11/30/2020

0 Comments

 
Prague-Christmas-Market
Christmas decorations and the Tyn Church on Old Town Square in Prague.
Greetings from Prague as we move into the Holiday Season!

Another Spike in the Autumn

In Prague and throughout the Czech Republic, we had another outbreak of the Coronavirus when children returned to school (and locals returned from their summer travels elsewhere in Europe). This caused the government to again enact strict measures to contain the virus, with eventually everything closed except for grocery stores, pharmacies and medical facilities. This time around we even had a curfew imposed from 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m., and unlike the first shutdown in March, ALL shops were closed on Sundays.

Read More
0 Comments

prague castle for locals

6/8/2020

0 Comments

 
Prague-Castle-View
The View from Prague Castle
While Prague continues to open up from its strict Coronavirus lockdown, it still has not fully opened to foreign travel – for either visitors coming in or Czechs wishing to go abroad. So for the first time since the days of communism, really, locals are having their city to themselves.
In efforts to promote domestic travel & tourism, hotels & tourists sites are offering all manner of discounts & coupons, with some luxury brands that previously catered almost solely to foreigners, such as the Four Seasons, offering special packages to suit a local budget.  The government has also issued coupons for hotels to give to guests that provide reduced entry into various sites.

Read More
0 Comments

Prague is Opening Up!

5/26/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture

After two months in COVID lockdown, Prague is opening up!

And things are happening quickly.
Just this month we’ve seen:
  • Movie theaters open on May 11th (with a max of two people together & a seat between viewers),
  • Outdoor gatherings up to 10 people allowed,
  • Restaurants serving food at outdoor tables only from May 5th with 6 feet between tables (previously only take away from a window or delivery was allowed),
  • Restaurants serving customers indoors from yesterday, and
  • The BIG NEWS:  the ability to go outdoors without a mask!

Read More
0 Comments

Czech republic continues to ease coronavirus restrictions

4/23/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
In my last blog post, I reported that the Czech Republic had begun to ease Coronavirus restrictions. This decision was made after we had good results from a five-week strict lockdown.

So Far, so good

Naturally, there was some concern about whether easing too soon might tempt people to let down their guard completely, given that we had all been indoors isolating for so long and the spring weather was beautiful.

Read More
0 Comments

Czech Republic Eases Covid restrictions

4/15/2020

0 Comments

 
Czech-Coronavirus-Response
Masks are still required, and even the TV anchors wear them!
If you’ve been following my blog, you know that I’ve been documenting the Czech Republic’s response to the Coronavirus outbreak. You will also know that the results have been pretty good, and that continues to be the case.
 
For more on the steps that have been taken since the beginning of the outbreak, see my earlier blog posts:

March 4, 2020
March 9, 2020
March 12, 2020
March 13, 2020
March 16, 2020
March 20, 2020
March 23, 2020
March 31, 2020

Read More
0 Comments

Prague coronavirus news

3/31/2020

2 Comments

 
Picture
I’d like to give you another update on the Coronavirus outbreak in the Czech Republic.

The Results Continue to be Positive

As I reported in my last post, the strict measures that were enacted by the Czech government when it realized that: a) Italy’s infection rates were exploding and its hospitals were overwhelmed, and b) lots of Czechs were in Italy on skiing holidays for the winter school break have been paying off.

From our first three cases diagnosed on March 2nd to March 30th, we now have 3,001 confirmed cases of COVID in the Czech Republic. Although that's a big increase, we've not seen exponential growth, and our hospitals still have the capacity to treat the sick.

Sadly, since my last post, we’ve now had our first deaths – the number is now 23. Almost all deaths were people over 70 and/or with underlying health issues. Twenty-five people have recovered from the disease.

Read More
2 Comments

prague under quarantine

3/20/2020

0 Comments

 
I know I sound like a broken record at this point, but things continue to change by the hour here in Prague.
 
In my last post, I reported that the whole Czech Republic went into full quarantine on Monday. That meant:
  • Only grocery stores, pharmacies, some post offices and bank branches, hospitals and doctors' offices were open.
  • People were required to work from home if possible.
  • You could leave your house only to go to/from work (if you’re not working from home); to buy groceries, medicines and other necessities; and to walk your dog.


Read More
0 Comments

Coronavirus Update:  16 March 2020

3/16/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
Things are still moving quickly here in the Czech Republic. Friday I posted that restaurants and bars were required to close at 8:00 p.m., but by the time Friday was over, that was tightened to where restaurants and bars had to close altogether except to serve food or coffee to go through windows. Furthermore, all shops other than grocery stores and pharmacies were ordered to close.

As you can see from the photo above, the weather was very nice on the weekend, so after staying in as recommended most of the week, I went out for a walk on both Saturday and Sunday.  I was surprised to see so many people out and about.  While most shops were closed, cafes and restaurants at least had personnel inside with signs posted saying they will serve food and drinks through a window. Some were selling their unprepared food supplies, as the order to close came suddenly and they were fully stocked. I bought some (overpriced) vegetables from an Italian restaurant (some beautiful imported eggplant) just to help them out. But otherwise, because it was warm and sunny, I guess, lots of people were out and about drinking coffee and eating pastries, so in some respects it looked almost like a normal weekend in the neighborhood.


Read More
0 Comments

prague coronavirus update - Travel to Czech Republic banned - 13 March 2020 update

3/13/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
I began yesterday's post by saying that things are moving quickly here as facts change on the ground. And that is still the case.

more restrictions from the czech authorities

Yesterday I posted that events with attendees of more than 100 people are canceled, but within a few hours, that was changed to events with more than 30 people. In addition, the government ordered all restaurants to limit patrons to 30 maximum, and restaurants must close at 8:00 p.m. from today.

Read More
0 Comments

Czech Republic coronavirus update

3/12/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
Here’s the latest update on the Coronavirus outbreak in the Czech Republic. Things are happening quickly, as they are in the U.S. and other countries around the globe.
 
Since my last update on March 9th, confirmed cases have gone from 29 to 32 the next day to 94 as of last night (March 11th).  This is expected, given how contagious the virus is and, as I mentioned in my last post, the return of so many Czech citizens and residents from Italy, one of the most highly affected areas, over the weekend. As I also mentioned at that time, the government had begun to take measures designed to curb the spread in an attempt to prevent what has happened in Italy.

school closings and other new measures

Since then, more measures have been taken. On Tuesday, it was announced that all schools would close from the following day through the beginning of April, and events with more than 100 attendees were cancelled. Yesterday, the government announced that all museums and galleries would close, followed by an announcement that castles and other historic sites would also close.


Read More
0 Comments

Prague Coronavirus update

3/9/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
Last week I reported that Prague had its first cases of Coronavirus. From those initial 3 cases, we are now up to 29 as of yesterday. For those of you who have a trip planned here or are considering a trip, I'd like to provide another update on what is happening currently.

coronavirus update as of March 9, 2020:

As you probably know, northern Italy virtually shut down over the weekend. That means that Czech citizens who were on holiday there are returning en masse currently (and there are quite a lot of people in this category because it’s the first spring break here, and many Czechs go to northern Italy to ski at this time of year, but the Italian ski resorts are closing all at once).

It is still the case (as it was last week), that so far, all cases of Corornavirus in the Czech Republic (29 now) are people who were in Italy or people connected to those who were in Italy.

Read More
0 Comments

Coronavirus in the czech republic

3/4/2020

0 Comments

 
I know that most of you who are considering a trip to Prague this year are concerned about the #coronavirus and are not sure what to do. We are all in the same boat, & at the moment the best thing to do is to stay informed, follow healthcare professionals' advice and track government travel warnings and restrictions.

Here in #Prague, we had our first cases confirmed this past Sunday (3 people). All of them had been to Italy just a few days prior, which has been hit very hard with the virus. Since then, another two cases were confirmed today, and both of those people had been either in contact with the previously identified cases or had stayed at the same hotel in Italy.

So far, we do not have community spread or clusters. However, this virus seems to be highly contagious, so my guess is it's just a matter of time before more cases appear, as one of the infected persons was a tourist who had been out and about before becoming ill.


Read More
0 Comments

    Author

    I'm an American who's called Prague home for decades—tour guide by day, writer by passion. With several guidebooks to my name, this blog is where I dive into the city’s stories, culture, and hidden corners you won’t find in typical tourist guides.

    ​YOUR DONATION HELPS ME KEEP THIS BLOG GOING.
    Even a small donation will help and is much appreciated!
    Consider making a donation today!

    Archives

    June 2025
    February 2025
    August 2024
    June 2024
    April 2024
    February 2024
    November 2023
    July 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    February 2023
    November 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    May 2022
    February 2022
    November 2021
    September 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    February 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    August 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    September 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015

    Categories

    All
    2020
    Adolf Loos Architecture
    Albert Einstein
    Amadeus
    Architecture
    Baroque Architecture
    Bata Shoes
    Beer
    Best Prague Restaurants
    Beyond Prague
    Book About World War I
    Books About Prague
    Brewery Tour
    Bucket List
    Budweiser
    Cafe Culture
    Červený Jelen
    Červený Jelen Restaurant
    Český Krumlov
    Christmas
    Christmas During Coronavirus In Prague
    Christmas Gift Ideas
    Christmas In Prague
    Christmas Shopping
    Christmas Shopping Guide
    Classical Music
    Coffee Culture
    Coronavirus
    Coronavirus In Prague
    Coronavirus In The Czech Repbulic
    Coronavirus In The Czech Republic
    Coronavirus Outbreak
    Coronavirus Outbreak In Prague
    Coronavirus Reading List
    Coronaviurs In Prague
    COVID
    COVID 19
    COVID-19
    COVID19
    COVID#19 Prague
    Czech Architecture
    Czech Beer
    Czech Beer Brands
    Czech Breweries
    Czech Brewery Tour
    Czech Cities
    Czech Cubist Architecture
    Czech Cuisine
    Czech Famous Breweries
    Czech Food
    Czech Jewish Heritage
    Czech Jews
    Czech-pilsner
    Czech Republic
    Czech-rondocubism
    Czech Wedding
    Czech Wine
    Destination Wedding
    Destination Wedding In Prague
    Dining In Prague
    Dresden
    Dvorak
    Easter
    Easter Markets
    Einstein
    European Jewish History
    Food
    Foodies
    Franz Kafka
    Gelato
    Germany
    Gothic Architecture
    Great Prague Guidebooks
    Great Synagogue In Pilsen
    Habsburg History
    Hanukkah
    Hanukkah Gift Ideas
    Hapsburg
    Hapsburg Empire
    Hapsburg History
    History Of The Great War
    History Of The Hapsburg Empire
    History Of World War I
    Hluboka
    Hluboka Chateau
    Hluboka Nad Vltavou
    Holiday Gift Ideas
    Holidays
    Holiday Shopping
    Holidays In Prague
    Holocaust
    Hradec Kralove
    Ice Cream
    Jan Santini
    Jewish Heritage
    Jewish Heritage In Pilsen
    Jewish History
    Judaism
    Kafka
    Kolin
    Kutná Hora
    Lednice
    Liberec
    Madeleine Albright
    Microbreweries
    Mikulov
    Milos Forman
    Moravia
    Mozart
    Music
    Old Synagogue In Pilsen
    Orechovka
    Passage To Byzantium
    Passover
    Pilsen
    Pilsner
    Pilsner Urquell
    Pislner Urquell Brewery Tour
    Prague
    Prague 6
    Prague - A Great Wedding Destination
    Prague Architecture
    Prague Beer
    Prague Cafe Culture
    Prague Caronavirus Update On March 9
    Prague Christmas Gifts
    Prague Coronavirus
    Prague Day Trips
    Prague Facts
    Prague Farmers Markets
    Prague Favorite Things
    Prague Food
    Prague Gardens
    Prague Guide
    Prague Guidebooks
    Prague History
    Prague Holiday Gifts
    Prague Ice Cream
    Prague Jews
    Prague Markets
    Prague Public Transit
    Prague Public Transport
    Prague Public Transportation
    Prague Pubs
    Prague Restaurant Guide
    Prague Restaurants
    Prague's Easter Markets
    Prague's Jewish History
    Prague's Jewish Quarter
    Prague's Orechovka Neighborhood
    Prague Spring
    Prague's Public Transprotation
    Prague Tram
    Prague Transit
    Prague Transportation
    Prague Travel Accessories
    Prague Travel Guide
    Prague Travel Reading
    Prague Travel Tips
    Prague Walks
    Prague Wedding
    Prague Wedding Destination
    Rondocubism
    The Hapsburgs And World War I
    Tomas Bata
    Top Prague Restaurants
    Travel
    Travel Accessories
    Travel During Coronavirus
    Travel Ideas
    Travel In 2022
    Travel Reading
    Travel Tips
    UNESCO World Heritage Sites
    Unique Prague Guidebooks
    Vaccine Passports
    Valtice
    Vysehrad
    Wedding
    Wedding Destination
    Wedding In Prague
    Wedding Planning
    Weddings
    Wine Tasting
    World War I
    World War II
    WWI
    Zdar Nad Sazavou
    Zelena Hora
    Zlin

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • Tours
    • What You'll See >
      • Prague's Old Town
      • Prague's Jewish Quarter
      • Prague's Lesser Quarter
      • Prague Castle
      • Day Trips
  • Concierge
  • Guidebooks
  • Contact
  • Hotels
  • Prague Blog
  • Dining
    • Czech Cuisine
    • Czech Beer
  • Entertainment
  • Shopping
    • Prague Easter Markets
    • Prague Christmas Markets >
      • Prague Christmas Market Photo Gallery
  • Newsletter Sign-up Form
  • Testimonials