Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
years of paid maternity leave already promised to one parent.
Ironically—as if to prove that Czechs will never listen to what
the government tells them to do—as soon as the newly elected
conservatives revoked the monthly wage pay-out in 2006, every-
one between the ages of 25-35 suddenly decided to have children.
The biggest baby boom in a generation is still on: Maternity wards
are overflowing, signs regulating stroller traffic are being intro-
duced into public parks, and politicians are blaming each other for
imprudently closing down many state-run nurseries.
Yet even faced with a bright and baby-filled future, some
Czechs maintain a healthy dose of pessimism and seem reluctant
to dive headlong into the Western rat race. Things still go a little
slower here, and people find pleasure in simple things.
Ninety percent of the tourists who visit the Czech Republic
see only Prague. But if you venture outside the capital, you'll enjoy
traditional towns and villages, great prices, a friendly and gentle
countryside dotted by nettles and wild poppies, and almost no
Western tourists. Since the time of the Habsburgs, fruit trees have
lined the country roads for everyone to share. Take your pick.
