GUIDEBOOK

FOR

FOREIGNERS

Infosys Brno guidebook for foreigners

Table of content Contents

Introduction to the Czech Republic, Southern Moravia and Brno City ............................................................. 3 Sightseeing in and around Brno ........................................................................................................................................ 4 Theatres and cinemas ............................................................................................................................................................ 8 Health insurance and health care in the Czech Republic ........................................................................................ 9 Banks .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 12 Transportation in Brno ....................................................................................................................................................... 13 Accommodation ..................................................................................................................................................................... 15 Mobile phone providers...................................................................................................................................................... 16 Basic Czech ............................................................................................................................................................................... 17 National Holidays in the Czech Republic ..................................................................................................................... 18 Czech food and drinks ......................................................................................................................................................... 19 Event Calendar........................................................................................................................................................................ 20 Frequently asked questions .............................................................................................................................................. 22 Useful links ............................................................................................................................................................................... 22

Infosys Brno guidebook for foreigners

Introduction to the Czech Republic, Southern Moravia and Brno City

The Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is located in the center of Europe and is bordered by Germany, Poland, Slovakia and Austria. The Czech state came up in the 9th century after its unification by the Premyslids. During the middle ages the Kingdom of Bohemia was an important local power in central Europe. Around the 15th century Bohemia became the arena for many religious wars. Prominent among these were the Hussite Wars in 15th century and Thirty Years of War in 17th century. These wars lead to major loss of lives and widespread destruction of infrastructure. As a result of these conflicts Bohemia came under the Habsburg influence and became a part of Austria-Hungary. With the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire after World War I the Czech lands and Slovakia jointly proclaimed the establishment of independent Czechoslovakia in October 1918. The time between WWI and WWII is now called "the First Republic". Czechoslovakia had a parliamentary democracy, concentrated 70% of the industry of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire, and had an economy that was among the strongest in the world. In September 1938, Germany, Britain, France and Italy signed the Munich Pact, giving Hitler the right to invade and claim Czechoslovakia's border areas. On March 15, 1939, Czechoslovakia was invaded by Hitler's army. The border territories were seized by Germany and the rest of the country was occupied by Nazi Germany until the end of World War II in 1945. After the Second World War, in a coup d'tat in 1948, Czechoslovakia became a communist-ruled state. In 1968, the increasing dissatisfaction culminated in attempts to reform the communist regime. The events, known as the Prague Spring of 1968, ended with an invasion by the armies of the Warsaw Pact countries (with the exception of Romania); the troops remained in the country until the 1989 Velvet Revolution, when the communist regime collapsed. On January 1, 1993, Czechoslovakia peacefully dissolved into its constituent states, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Politics
The Czech Republic is a parliamentary democracy. The head of state is a president, elected for 5 year terms. The president may be elected in a maximum of two consecutive terms. The parliament consists of the Chamber of Deputies (two hundred deputies elected for four-year terms) and the Senate (eighty-one senators elected for six-year terms). The government consists of the prime minister, his or her deputies, and the ministers who make up the cabinet; the cabinet is the supreme body of executive power. The highest judicial body is the Supreme Court. Geographically, Prague as the capital city is the home of the Executive power. Brno is the seat of the Supreme Court, the Constitutional Court and other high courts of the country.

Infosys Brno guidebook for foreigners

Sightseeing in and around Brno

With a history going back more than 1000 years, Brno has a rich past and plenty of sights to show for it. The city lies in the central part of Europe and at the same time it represents the centre of the province of Moravia, one of the historic lands of the Czech Crown. It is situated at the crossroads of ancient trade routes which have joined the North and South European civilizations for centuries. Brno is sited in a picturesque countryside, surrounded on three sides by wooded hills and opening to the Southern Moravian lowlands to the south of the city. In the north, the city is guarded by the foothills of the Drahany and Bohemian-Moravian ranges. The city itself lies in the basin of the Svratka and Svitava rivers, somewhere to the north of their conflux at elevations ranging from 190 to 425 meters (620 to 1395 ft) above sea level, covering an area of 230 km2 (143 sq.miles). From east to west it spans about 22 km (13 miles). The river Svratka cuts a 29 km (17 mile) path through the city and is the main supply for the Kninicky Dam Lake, a popular recreation area in the city's northwest corner. The Svitava River flows through the city for about 13 km (8 miles). Below are some suggestions of places to visit.

Castle pilberk
Visible on its hill from all around Brno, the pilberk castle is one of Brnos most impressive sights. The castle was built in the first th half of the 13 century on top of a hill bearing the same name. The original building often changed hands and the medieval part was later rebuilt. In the 18th century pilberk was transformed into an enormous Baroque fort which also became a feared prison, with the inmates being particularly notorious. It became the place of grim, lengthy suffering for French revolutionaries, Italian carbonari, and adherents of the Young Italy movement as well as Czech political prisoners. The prison was also a place of terror during the Second World War. Since 1961 pilberk has been a museum under the administration of Brno city and is used for exhibition purposes. The former prison cells are also open for viewing

The Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul

The Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul is located on the top of a hill known as Petrov, on the presumed site of the former Brno castle that dates from the 11th and 12th centuries. After the castles downfall the free-standing Romanesque basilica was rebuilt as a Gothic cathedral in the 13th century, further modified in the 15th and 16th centuries, and converted to the Baroque style in the 18th century. Its current neo-Gothic form dates from the turn of this century. Since 1777 the cathedral has been the seat of the Brno bishopric.

Infosys Brno guidebook for foreigners Park Lunky

Take tram 1 or 6 and get off at stop Antoninska or Pionyrska to visit the oldest city park in Central Europe. Its a great place to walk, run or have a pick nick, and the park also very close to Villa Tugendhat (small square).

The Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady

The Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady is a true gem amongst Gothic architecture in Moravia. The widow Queen Elika Rejka established the Cistercian convent in 1323 next to the old parish church of Our Lady. This became known as Aula Sanctae Mariae, or the Queen's Convent. In 1782 the Augustinian monks moved here from their original site next to the church of St. Thomas, which is today on Moravsk Nmst (Moravian Square). From this year onwards the Old Brno convent became their new home, and also the seat of an abbot. The Gothic Church of the Assumption of Our Lady differs from other monuments of its period, not only by its complicated and unique ground plan composition, but also by the building techniques used in the construction of its untendered brickwork alternating with carved masonry, which is unusual for the Czech Republic. In the XVIII century the interior was baroquized; the baroque buildings of the Abbey were also completed at this time. In 1868 Johann Gregor Mendel was elected Augustinian abbot, and it was in this monastery that he discovered and formulated his theory of genetics. In 1987 the Old Brno church was elevated in status by Pope John Paul II, and from that time it has carried the title "Basilica minor".

Infosys Brno guidebook for foreigners Parnas Fountain

The Baroque Parnas fountain was built in 1690-95 on the site of a Renaissance fountain from 1597 to the design by Johann Bernhard Fischer of Erlach. The cave was built by Adam Tobi of Vienna and the sculptural decoration is the work of A. Rigi, A. T. Kracker and an unknown Italian sculptor. It is the most valuable piece of Baroque sculpture in Brno; an isolated example of Baroque naturalism and illusion of considerable dramatic force. Built in the centre of the fountain is a three-sided craggy rock. Sitting on top of the north-eastern side is an allegoric statue leaning against a quiver with arrows. Beneath it is a winged dragon. On the northwestern rock sits the figure of Babylonia with a crown on the right foot and to the right is a winged lion. On the southern rock is the allegoric statue of Persia with a horn of plenty and underneath to the right, a bear crawls out from the rock. At the top of the grotto stands the statue of Europe triumphantly holding a scepter over a vanquished dragon.

Dietrichstein Palace
Dietrichstein palace was built on the site of five houses by Cardinal Dietrichstein. After a radical conversion by Domenik Martinell in 1700 only the main door and some of the vaults were left intact from the Baroque palace designed by Giovanni Giacom Tencala. Still preserved and worthy of note from Martinells work is the entrance portal and the vestibule. The building which functioned as a provincial and appeal court in the 19th century was gradually repaired and the effects of an undervaluing of the Baroque architecture of the palace in the 1980s. This extension was taken down and the exterior of the building was restored to its Baroque state. The building now holds exhibitions for the Moravian museum

Villa Tugendhat
Villa Tugendhat (by German architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe), built on a slope in the residential suburb of Brno, faces to the south and has a view of the city centre, pilberk castle and Petrov cathedral. The building is constructed around an extensive steel frame supporting a ceramic ceiling. Not counting the kitchens and food preparation areas, the main floor measures 360 m. On its southern and eastern sides the entire living area is visually open to the entire height of the walls using glass, allowing a view of the exterior garden and the interior winter garden. The most striking and dominant feature of the living area is the onyx wall that creates breath-taking lighting effects. The living area was furnished with items that took up a precisely defined space, and which were designed by Mies van der Rohe himself. The furniture, especially the armchairs and other chairs, were so modern, highquality and purposeful that they are still produced today. The Tugendhat Villa in Brno, the most prominent completed European work of its creator, has become one of the milestones in the history of 20th century architecture. Its importance was recognized in 2001 by its inclusion amongst the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites.

Infosys Brno guidebook for foreigners Old town hall

The city administration was situated in this, the oldest secular building in Brno until 1935. The historical origins of the building go back to around 1240. Before 1510 the tower entrance was hoded-through to the courtyard which A. Pilgram decorated with a stone portal with reliefs of heralds and town dwellers. The original allegory of justice was replaced in 1660 by the present statue. At that time the citys new coat of arms was added to the portal which Brno acquired in 1646. The portal closes the original LateGothic gate. The tower lies on early Gothic foundations; its roof is a copy of the original renaissance roof. The town hall building was damaged during the Swedish wars and its repair, completed in 1660, was accredited to the Brno architect Jan Ktitel Erna.

The Lake and dam

The Brno lake and its surroundings together create the greatest recreational area of the city. The lake itself is a 10 km long water reservoir, created by the dam on the Svratka river which was built between 1936 and 1940. From April to September, sightseeing boats can be taken on the lake. This boat line is a part of the Brno public transportation authority system. You can buy a combined ticket that is good for both the boat ride and for entering the Veveri castle on the shore of the lake. The Veveri Castle used to be one of the most devastated castles in the country and it has undergone major renovations. It is one of the largest castles in Moravia and it was probably built at the end of 12th century for local aristocracy that used to hunt in the nearby woods. Now it offers tourists various events, like medieval re-enactments.

Moravian Karst and Caves

At 25 km North of Brno, you can find the Moravian Karst and Caves. The Karst area has a size of 100 square kilometers and contains over 1000 known caves 4 of which are open to the public. Some caves have not been completely mapped out and qualified spelunkers continue to explore them. There are three main tourist routes in the area: red, yellow, and green. Be sure to inquire at the tourist information booth as to which one suits your level of adventure. The caves contain interesting stalagmites and stalactites and are well lit with passage ways. A highlight of the area is a boat tour along an underground river. Also of note is the Macocha Abyss, a deep chasm redolent with luxuriant vegetation.

Brno Zoo
Located on Monk Hill in the vicinity of the lake, The Zoological Garden of Brno city means 65 hectares of animal delight. With almost 800 different creatures, you will be able to enjoy the diversity of the kingdom of living things for a whole day. Take tram 1 from the main train station with direction Bystrc, or tram 3 or 11 from Ceska with direction Bystrc. You can also take bus 50 or 54.

Infosys Brno guidebook for foreigners Hiking

As Brno is surrounded by forested hills, there are abundant possibilities for hiking. You can find detailed maps of the whole Czech Republic (with hiking trails) in bookstores. Its certainly worthwhile to leave the city during the weekend and explore forest and countryside.

Theatres and cinemas

The city of Brno has more than 14 theatres. The biggest and most known theatres are Janacek Theatre, Mahen Theatre (both part of National theatre in Brno) and Brno city theatre.

Janacek Theatre
It is situated near the city centre on Roosveltova Street. This theatre offers ballet and opera plays and it is also place where festivals of classical music take place. One of the most famous is festival Moravian autumn (Moravsky podzim).

Mahen Theatre
Theatre building is important Brno architectural landmark. It was the first theatre on the European continent to be fully equipped with electric lighting. Today Mahen Theatre offers mainly drama plays of old classical authors as well as new modern authors. For more information about Janacek and Mahen Theatre and their program go to www.ndb.cz.

Brno city theatre

Brno city theatre is unique theatre group, and not only within the Czech Republic. They are so interesting for theatre-goers that their performances have been permanently sold out since the year 1995. You can see drama and musical plays there (e.g. Hair, Les Miserables, Evita).For more info go to www.mdb.cz.

Cinemas in Brno
Most of films screened in cinemas are in original language with Czech subtitles. In Brno there are two multi theatre cinemas. In the centre there is Palace Cinemas Velky Spalicek with 7 theatres. Apart from generally distributed movies, they also show art films. The second multiplex Palace Cinemas Olympia has 10 theatres and is located in the Olympia shopping centre. It is the second most frequented cinema in the Czech Republic. For more information about multi theatre cinemas go to www.palacecinemas.cz For people who do not like environment and offer of multiplexes we can recommend ART Cinema on Cihlarska street. This cinema focuses on demanding spectators by screening non-commercial artistic film. You can find more information on www.kinoartbrno.cz.

Infosys Brno guidebook for foreigners

Health insurance and health care in the Czech Republic

Introduction
In line with the Czech legislation, all persons (regardless of the nationality) who hold a permanent residency in the Czech Republic must have Health Insurance. Foreign Employees, who are employed by a company located in the Czech Republic, must have a Health Insurance too (irrespective of holding permanent residency or not). Health insurance lasts for the period of employment only. Upon termination of employment, the health insurance will be cancelled and the right to the payment of health care by the heath insurance company also ends. The Employer announces to the health insurance company the details of each new foreign employee that joins the company. The Employee will firstly receive a paper confirmation with health insurance number (within 8 calendar days after joining date), which indicates that the Employee is registered to a health insurance company. The paper confirmation is valid for period up to 3 months or until the plastic card is received. The plastic card with the same health insurance number is issued within 2 3 months. Please note that the confirmation paper holds equal importance as the card. An Employee outside of the EU receives only paper confirmation instead of the plastic card. Visits to doctors and treatments at hospitals will be covered for by the Health Insurance Company, only upon presentation of this paper /card beforehand. It is strongly advisable that you keep this paper/card on you at all times. Foreign employees are entitled to the same rights as the Czech citizens in terms of the type and standard of care they are covered for.

Health Insurance Payments

Both the employer and the employee make monthly contributions for health insurance cover. The employees contribution is automatically deducted from each months gross salary. The employee does not have to worry about making the payments on his own.

Health Insurance Companies

There exist numerous Public Health Insurance Companies in the Czech Republic. Foreign Employees of Infosys BPO s.r.o. are registered with the Oborova Zdravotni Pojistovna Zamestnancu Bank, Pojistoven a Stavebnictvi (Occupational Health Insurance Company for Employees of the Banking, Insurance and Building Sector), or also referred to as 207. For additional information regarding OZP you can check out their website, which is www.ozp.cz. Please note that not all information is provided in English. Doctors need not be contracted with all insurance companies thus before going to the doctor you should find out if the doctor is contracted with your insurance company

Visitations to Doctors
1) 2) 3) 4) You should contact the doctor you plan to visit beforehand, so as to check his availability to take an additional patient. Establish if the doctor is contracted with your insurance company. During your first visit to a doctor, he will ask to register you. This means you should always visit this doctor if you have health problems. This doctor can also recommend you for examination done by specialists. Purchasing certain medication with a prescription script from the doctor in a pharmacy is cheaper then without having the script.

Infosys Brno guidebook for foreigners Regular Charges

On visiting doctors (of all kinds) there are 2 things you need to have with you: a) Your Health Insurance Card b) 30 CZK (this is valid for all kinds of doctors) Should you be admitted and stay overnight at a Public Hospital, you will be charged 60 CZK for each full day there. This fee covers mainly the meals. In addition there is a standard fee of 90 CZK for the need of an Emergency Team or Flying Squad.

English-speaking doctors General practitioners:

MUDr. Placha Phone: 543 213 033 Address: Londnsk nmst 6, Brno Business Park (easy to enter from Videnska street) www.mojeambulance.cz MUDr. Olga Nehybova Purkynova 2640/93 Phone: 541 210 285 MUDr. Roman Stehlik Address: Vaclavkova 4381/63 Phone: 548 215 901 Dentists MUDr. Walid Al Awad Phone: 542 216 553 Address: Janska 2 MUDr. Tomas Fridrich Address: Rybkova 4 Phone: 549 251 549

List and contacts of Public Hospitals in Brno

A. Fakultn nemocnice U sv. Anny - www.fnusa.cz - +420 543 181 111 / 541 582 111 B. razov nemocnice v Brn - www.unbr.cz - +420 545 538 111 C. Nemocnice Milosrdnch Brat, LDN - www.nmbbrno.cz - +420 543 165 111 D. Fakultn Nemocnice Brno - www.fnbrno.cz - +420 532 238 111/ 532 234 226/ 532 231 111E. Chirurgick Nemocnice Delta, spol. s.r.o. - www.nemocnicedelta.cz - +420 532 149 333 -

Emergency Numbers
Emergency Central Number 112 This is a centralised centre where your call will be put through to the relevant department (ie. Fire Department, Ambulance etc) Ambulance - Sanitka Fire Department - Hasici Police City Police Mestska Policie 155 150 158 156

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Infosys Brno guidebook for foreigners Medical vocabulary

English Plaster Thermometer Poison Sling Bandage Wheelchair Crutches First aid kit Doctor Surgeon Nurse Psychologist Dentist Dermatologist I need a doctor. I have a cold. A fever The flu My shoulder hurts I am diabetic I am allergic to I fainted I am HIV positive I have heart problems. I had a heart attack. I have asthma. I am vomiting I am pregnant I have breathing problems. A virus A fever The pulse An injury A pain Diarrhea A cough Czech Nplast Teplomr Jed tek Band Invalidn vozk Berle Lkarnika prvn pomoci Doktor Chirurg Zdravotn sestra Psycholog Zuba Dermatolog Potebuji lkae. Jsem nachlazen/. Horeka Chipka Bol m rameno. Jsem diabetik. Jsem alergick/ na ... Omdlel jsem. Jsem HIV pozitivn. Mm srden pote. Ml jsem srden zchvat (infarkt). Mm astma Zvracm. Jsem thotn. Mm problmy s dchnm. Vir (virus) Horeka Puls Zrann Bolest Prjem Kael The back Cheeks Chest Chin Ears Eyebrows Eyes Feet Fingers Foot Forehead Hair Hands Head Hips Knees Legs Lips Mouth Neck Nose Shoulders Stomach Teeth Throat Toe Tongue Tooth Waist Skin Zda Lce Hru Brada Ui Obo Oi Nohy Prsty Noha elo Vlasy Ruce Hlava Boky Kolena Nohy Rty sta Krk Nos Ramena aludek Zuby Hrdlo Prst na noze Jazyk Zub Ps Ke

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Infosys Brno guidebook for foreigners

Banks
In order to receive and manage your salary, you should open a bank account. Opening an account in CZK or a foreign currency is possible. Usually there is an English-speaking employee in every branch able to help you set up the account. The language ability of the staff will vary by individual branch office. You can get information on services and products of the banks in English and free of charge on telephone info lines starting with numbers 800. For opening your account you will usually need your passport. Depending on the bank they can ask you for additional documents (ID card, confirmation about a temporary residence in the Czech Republic etc.) In case you need to give your address in Czech Republic and you dont have it yet (if you are staying in a hotel) you can use the address of our company (but only during first month of your employment): Infosys BPO Holandska 9 639 00 Brno

The major banks in the Czech Republic

Ceska sporitelna www.csas.cz +420 800 207 207 Janska 6 GE Money Bank www.gemoney.cz +420 844 844 844 Holandska 3 (Spielberk Office Centre) UniCredit Bank Czech Republic www.unicreditbank.cz +420 800 144 441 Holandska 2 (Spielberk Office Centre) ! Note that Czech banks are closed on Saturday and Sunday! Komercni banka www.kb.cz +420 800 111 055 Nam. Svobody 21 Volksbank www.volksbank.cz +420 800 133 444 Herspicka 5 (M Palace) Raiffeisen Bank www.rb.cz +420 800 900 900 Janska 13 CSOB www.csob.cz +420 800 300 300 Holandska 8 (Spielberk Office Centre)

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Infosys Brno guidebook for foreigners

Transportation in Brno
Serviced area
The City of Brno and its surroundings are serviced by an integrated public transport system with unified travel tickets. The serviced area is divided into several tariff zones. The zones for the area of the City of Brno are 100 and 101. An overview of the serviced area may be found at www.idsjmk.cz

Tickets
Before each journey, the traveler must purchase a ticket. The validity of a ticket is time and zone limited. The ticket is valid from the moment it is signed for a period specified on it and only in those tariff zones marked on the ticket. All tickets are transfer, except the 10 minutes ticket - this is valid only in the vehicle in which it was validated. The ticket must be validated immediately after boarding a vehicle. After changing to another tram or bus, further validation is not required.

How to read your transportation ticket

LEGEND TO PICTURE A ... ticket number B ... type of ticket C ... time validity of ticket D ... zone validity of ticket E ... how tickets are used F ... price G ... print for marking: 1 ... symbol of carrier 2 ... vehicle number 3 ... line 4 ... zone 5 ... date of punching (day, month and the two last digits of year) 6 ... time of punching (h:min) For most journeys around Brno, a two-zone ticket for 60 minutes will be sufficient. For a longer stay, one-day or three-day tickets for zones 100+101 are offered for an attractive price.

Where to buy tickets

Ticket vending machines at transport hubs and important stops Inquiry Office tobacconists post offices railway stations drivers (limited range and higher price) For longer stays it is recommended to purchase a long term/ season ticket (you will need a passport photo). Season tickets For one month For three months Price 530CZK 1280CZK

Timetable of all types of transport you can find on: www.idos.cz

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Infosys Brno guidebook for foreigners

Inquiry office (where the red 1 in the green square is) Novobranska Street 18 Open hours: Monday-Friday, from 6 a.m. - 7 p.m. tel.: +420 543 174 317

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Infosys Brno guidebook for foreigners

Accommodation
Finding a place to live is essential when you first arrive in Brno. When you start looking, you should have an idea of what you are looking for. Do you want the privacy of a flat for one or are you satisfied with only a room in a shared flat? How much rent are you willing/able to pay? Do you prefer the city centre, the suburbs or even the countryside? Basically there are two ways of searching: with help of real estate agencies or directly from the owner. It can also be useful to check the announcements about vacant rooms and flats in the employee room or with your colleagues.

Real Estate agency

A real estate agency [in Czech realitni agentura, realitni kancelar, realitka] is a private company which acts as a mediator between the owner of a property and those who seek to buy or rent a property. Naturally, they earn a fee for their services, and its the buyer or tenant who carries these costs. After you contact a real estate agency with a specification of what you are looking for, the agency starts offering you accommodation more or less according to your demands. If you find some of the flats offered to you as fitting, the agency will take you and show you the flat. If you are interested in renting the flat or room, you sign the booking contract. The flat is now reserved for you. After this you will sign the contract of lease with the owner of the flat. The agency will then prepare the renting contract and organize a meeting between you, the landlord and agencys representative where the contract of lease and the certificate of completion are signed.

Useful terms
Contract of lease; lease [smlouva o najmu] This is a legal agreement between you and the landlord, wherein the conditions of the renting are specified, as well as the responsibilities of both parties. The lease can be for a specified length of time (i.e. one year) or unlimited with certain notice conditions. Booking contract [rezervacni smlouva] In this contract you settle the booking fee with the agency. The amount of the fee varies from 1 to 2 times of the future rent and depends on the state of the flat. Certificate of completion [predavaci protocol] Is a document where the state of the realty and its equipment at the time of start of the lease is described. Notice period [vypoved z najmu] If you wish to stop renting the flat, you usually need to notify your landlord 1 to 3 months in advance. This should be specified in your contract of rent. Deposit fee [zaloha na skodu] This is a fee paid by the tenant to the landlord, usually upon signing the contract of lease. All or part of the fee will be returned to the tenant at the end of lease the lease, depending on the state in which the tenant hands over the realty to the owner. This is why the state of the property at start of the lease needs to be described in the certificate of completion. The deposit fee varies usually between 5000CZK and 10000CZK.

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Infosys Brno guidebook for foreigners Some interesting websites for real estate search
http://www.nemovitosti.cz/ Real estate agencies: http://www.nemovitosti.cz http://www.bravis.cz http://www.realprestige.cz http://www.realspektrum.cz http://www.sdk-reality.cz http://www.amigro.cz Mrs. Fialov, tel. 774 403 434 http://www.realspektrum.cz Mr. Janda, tel. 723 411 076 http://www.rksting.cz Mrs. Machovsk, tel. 724 670 545

The owner
Renting directly from the owner is definitely the cheaper option, since you do not have the real estate agency as the gobetween. The way to find flats that are rented directly by the owner is through online search. You can find some websites below (most of them are in Czech, can be translated using the Google translator). Some advertisements may seem directly from the owner or current flat mates, but when you call there you find out the opposite is true. Therefore, sometimes you can see this information written in the advertisement, i.e. Ne RK *no agency+, Bez RK *without agency+, Od majitele *from the owner+, when direct lease.

Websites for direct lease search

http://www.spolubydlici.cz/ http://espolubydlici.cz/ http://www.byty-pronajem-podnajem.cz/ http://www.chcispolubydlici.cz

Mobile phone providers

Staying connected in the Czech Republic is useful. You can purchase a prepaid Czech SIMcard or tariff plan with one of the following providers:

Company
Telefonica www.cz.O2.com +420 800 02 02 02 T-Mobile www.t-mobile.cz +420 603 603 603 Vodafone www.vodafone.cz +420 800 777 777 O2

Shops in Brno centre

Vankovka Gallery, street Ve Vankovace 1 Masarykova street 12 Vankovka gallery, street Ve Vankonce 1 Namesti svobody 18 Vankovka gallery, street Ve Vankonce 1 Masarykova street 2

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Infosys Brno guidebook for foreigners

Basic Czech
Czech is not the easiest language to learn, but the basic words and phrases below will certainly be useful in everyday life and your effort will be appreciated.

Common phrases
Good morning Good afternoon Good night Hello Hi/Hellow Good by Thank you You are welcome Excuse me Im sorry Yes No Please How are you? Fine, thanks I dont understand Do you speak English? I dont speak Czech I am a foreigner Men Women How much is it? Water Beer Wine Bon apptit Dobr rno Dobr odpoledne Dobrou noc Dobr den Ahoj Nashledanou Dkuji Nen za/ Prosm S dovolenm Promite Ano Ne Prosm Jak se m? Dobe, dkuji Nerozumm Mluvte anglicky? Nemluvm esky Jsem cizinec Mui/Pni eny/Dmy Kolik to stoji? Voda Pivo Vno Dobrou chu One Two Three Four Five Six Seven Eight Nine Ten

Numbers
Jedna Dve ti tyi pt est sedm osm devt deset

sla

Days
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Pondeli ter Steda tvrtek Ptek Sobota Nedle

Dny

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Infosys Brno guidebook for foreigners

National Holidays in the Czech Republic

The following is a list of the national holidays in the Czech Republic. Most offices, businesses and local shops are closed and public transport timetables follow the Sunday schedule. January 1 - Establishment Day celebrating the creation of the Czech Republic in 1993 Not just the first day of the year, but also a celebration of the restoration of the Czech Republic, which officially split with Slovakia on January 1st, 1993. Czech saying: Jak na Nov rok, tak po cel rok, which means: as on New Years Day, so will be the new year. Also: dont eat chicken for New Years dinner, lest your luck for the coming year fly away. Easter Monday The only movable holiday in the Czech calendar. Czech tradition: women are beaten (not viciously) with whips made from willow sticks on Easter Monday. Men receive painted eggs or shots of plum brandy (slivovice) in return for whipping of women. Alternatively, or additionally, women can be thrown into cold water (preferably a stream, though a bathtub will suffice). May 1 - Labor Day International Workers Day in many countries. Also known as May Day, this day is celebrated for different reasons throughout the world. May 8 - Liberation Day, celebrating the end of World War II Date marking Czech liberation from Germany at the end of the Second World War. Germany signed the terms of surrender on May 8, 1945, and the German army in Prague surrendered on the morning of May 9. July 5 - Constantin and Methodius Day (Cyril a Metodej) Date commemorating the religious teachers St. Constantin and St.Methodius, who translated Christian literature into the Slavic language in the ninth century. They were first Christian missionaries to the Czech Republic. July 6 - Jan Hus Day Date commemorating religious reformer Jan Hus, who was burned at the stake on July 6, 1415. September 28 - St. Wenceslas Day Commemorating St. Wenceslas, the patron saint of the Czech people and the Czech Republic, who was killed in September of 929 or 935 (there are some discrepancies regarding the year of his death). Czech statehood is also celebrated on this date. October 28 - Czechoslovakian Statehood Day, establishment of democratic Czechoslovakia in 1918 Date of the foundation of Czechoslovakia, which declared independence from the Hapsburg Empire at the end of World War I. November 17 - Freedom and Democracy Day Commemorating the anti-Nazi student demonstrations of 1939 and the anti-Communist demonstrations of 1989. Student demonstrations on 17th November marked the beginning of the end for the communist regime in Czechoslovakia. It is also called Velvet Revolution. December 24 - Christmas Eve The main Christmas celebration in the Czech Republic the time when presents are exchanged and a traditional Christmas dinner (carp soup, fried carp, carp surprise, etc.) is served. December 25 and 26 - Christmas Holidays Czech Name Days In the Czech Republic every day of the year is someones name day (svatek in Czech). It is a reason to celebrate, wish the person a Happy Name Day and buy a little present like flowers and a box of chocolates.

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Infosys Brno guidebook for foreigners

Czech food and drinks

Food
The traditional Czech diet may be considered heavy, with an emphasis on meat, potatoes, and dumplings and the use of substantial amounts of animal fats, butter, and cream. Meats primarily pork, beef, poultry, and organ meats such as liver, kidneys, brains, and sweetbreadsare frequently prepared with gravy and eaten with potatoes or dumplings. Soups are an important part of traditional lunch. Potato and tripe soup are favorites, as well as beef or chicken broth with tiny liver or marrow dumplings. The most commonly used vegetables are carrots, peas, and cabbage. Salads were eaten only seasonally until recent years. Czechs have always enjoyed sweets. The most common are fruit dumplings (made with plums or, in winter, preserved apricots) served with grated farmer cheese and bread crumbs browned in butter, with sugar sprinkled on top. Dumplings often are served as a meal. Popular sweet baked goods include buchty, small, roughly rectangular yeast buns with a filling of jam or preserves; kole, small cakes made of white flour with an indentation on the surface for a filling of poppy seeds, plum jam, or sweetened farmer cheese; a semisweet cake (bbovka) made of yeast dough and baked in a fluted tube pan; thin pancakes spread with jam, rolled, and topped with powdered sugar (palainky); small raised pancakes (lvance); and apple strudel (jablkovzvin or trdl). The emphasis on meat can give vegetarians a hard time when trying to choose from a menu. In Brno (especially in the city centre) there is a possibility to have lunch in almost every restaurant for 60 Kc (approximately 2 EUR), including a soup and a main course. Normally there is on the daily menu also a vegetarian dish.

Beer and Wine

Beer is the most popular drink in the Czech Republic and Czechs are the worlds biggest beer consumers, with an average of 160 liters per head per year. The fact that beer is the cheapest alcoholic drink probably has something to do with the popularity. Apart from beer Czechs drink and produce wine as well. Wine is grown mainly in the South Moravia area. You can find numerous wine cellars in the city, which sell and serve the best wines. A specialty is the ice wine or the straw wine, which is made from grapes that are harvested only after the first frost. This makes a delicious, very sweet and an expensive white wine. Two other very well known and famous drinks are "Becherovka" originating from Karlovy Vary, and Slivovice, a domestic plum brandy that is typical for the Moravian region.

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Infosys Brno guidebook for foreigners

Event Calendar
January International Travel Trade Fair at Brno Exhibition centre Go & region tour (http://www.bvv.cz/go-gb) March Setkn/Encounter Festival - At the beginning of this project in 1991 there was the idea to arrange a meeting of all theatre schools from former Czechoslovakia. Later the festival Setkani/Encounter has broadened and in present days 14 ensembles from the whole world take part in its five-day run. (http://www.encounter.cz/ENG/act_year.php) April Brno JazzFest - If you are short of money or dont like to pay for something you dont know well, try these concerts and jam sessions with free admission. This annual international jazz festival is organized in Brno and is very well known. (http://www.jazzfestbrno.cz/jfb09/en/program) Bonjour Brno - It is surprising, but even the French culture needs to be advertised. That is the purpose of the annual festival called Bonjour Brno (The French Days) which is organized by the French Alliance. (http://www.bonjourbrno.cz/) May Brno Museum Night - Sixteen museums and venues (30 buildings in total) is freely available to the public during this Brno Museum Night between 6 p.m. and 12 p.m. Moravian gallery, Technical museum, Brno house of arts and Mendel museum is among the participating institutions. There are shuttle buses to help visitors with transportation to distant venues. (http://www.brnenskamuzejninoc.cz/index_en.php) June Brno - a city in the heart of Europe - Festival of Entertainment - Concerts, theatre performances, crafts, entertainment in the streets of Brno. (www.bmue.cz) Ignis Brunensis - Brno - Denis Park, Brno Dam, the castle of pilberk international competition of fireworks (www.ignisbrunensis.cz) July Brno Shakespearean Days A theatre festival based on the works of William Shakespeare at the Spilberk Castle and surrounding park (www.shakespeare.cz) August Grand Prix of the Czech Republic - World championship of motorbikes. (http://www.brnograndprix.com/) The International Folklore Festival of Brno Festival of Folklore music and dances held in the city center (http://kadmusarts.com/festivals/4796.html) September Czech International Air Show (airshow.cz) Take a look at the website to find out the specific location and dates.

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FIA Championship Grand Tourismo Cars - The Automotodrom is situated in the middle of the world-famous Masaryk racetrack, where Grand Prix races are held. (http://www.automotodrombrno.cz/go/main.asp?catid=427&langid=2) October Brno Sixteen - The Brno Sixteen is a five day long international competition of selected short non-commercial live-action fiction film organized by the city of Brno. (http://www.b16.cz/) The International Folklore Festival of Brno Festival of Folklore music and dances held in the city center (http://kadmusarts.com/festivals/4796.html) November Austerlitz The traditional commemorative event recalling the Austerlitz battle of December 2, 1805 (Battle of three emperors). The main point of program is the battle reconstruction with soldiers in period uniforms. It takes place near Brno next to village Tvarozna. (www.austerlitz.org) St. Martin wine celebration - On 11th November first battles of wine coming from autumn harvest are open. Only wines satisfying special conditions can get certification and be called St. Martin wine (Svatomartinske vino). The celebration event (degustation of St. Martin wines) takes place on Namesti Svobody on this day. December Christmas market - Walking across the main square in Brno you will notice the stalls for the Brno Christmas Market. Christmas Markets are a feature of the season in the Czech Republic and make for a very nice and pleasant early evening strolling through the stalls with a nice hot mulled wine in hand. Selling mulled wine, various Czech hot foods and a variety of Christmas fare, these markets are a nice way to simply spend some festive time, give the Christmas lights a look and enjoy the atmosphere. It also welcomes the typical customs and activities of Czech traditions. Given small annual variations, it is recommended to check the correct dates of the events on the respective websites.

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Frequently asked questions

Where can I buy English/French/German newspapers and magazines? There is a newspaper shop (Tabak Valmont) in the main street between the train station and the Freedom Square (Namesti Svobody), which has a bigger selection of international press than most other newspaper shops. Where can I find out about theater, opera or ballet? Visit www.brno.cz and click on the leisure section for information about all cultural activities in Brno. Can I go to the cinema if I dont speak Czech? Unlike many other European countries, most English spoken movies are not synchronized in Czech, but have Czech subtitles. Where can I find information about the Brno nightlife? There is a free magazine called Metropol, which is in both Czech and English. Look for it in bars or other public places. How can I best travel to the bigger cities in the region (Prague, Bratislava, Vienna, and Budapest)? You can take the train or the bus. For the former, international tickets can be bought at the main station. For the latter, you can take a Eurolines or Student Agency bus. Their offices are located across the Grand Hotel (Eurolines & Student Agency) and in Vankovka (Student Agency).

Useful links
If you want to find out more about certain topics, here are some links you can explore. http://www.marys.eu/czech-republic/brno/ is an online Brno town guide, with additional information about other cities in the Czech Republic. www.czech.cz is the official web page of Czech Republic operated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic on www.myczechrepublic.com you can find: Trip planner, Regions, City guides, Prague guide, Culture, Language, History, Cuisine, Photos, Trivia, Bookstore, News & Opinion, Links www.jizni-morava.cz is the official web page of Southern Moravia region for Tourists www.ticbrno.cz is the official web page of Brno Tourist information centre www.brno.cz is the official cite of the city of Brno

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