In the distant Soviet years, when not everyone could go to Prague, it was a great success to buy Czech footwear of the very popular Zebo brand on the occasion. Because men's and women's shoes, boots and boots not only had a beautiful appearance, but were very high quality and practical. Probably, since then, a lot of Czech goods have been associated with high quality and elegance of simplicity. We have prepared an overview of the most interesting ideas, which will help you decide on the choice of purchases for yourself, friends and relatives, in order to please everyone with good gifts.
Jewelry
The main thing in choosing gifts and souvenirs is their true “Czech face”, not Chinese, French or Italian origin, but Czech. Jewelry made from gold mined in the country is famous all over the world. It has its own specific color - yellow, with a lemon tint, which makes this precious metal very delicate. Gold jewelry from the Czech Republic was worn by Hollywood stars: Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hebpern, Marlene Dietrich. The combination of noble metal with extraordinary elegance of design of products makes them real works of art, and not just a decoration. Having at least one such thing in your arsenal is a great success for every woman.
A wonderful gift for yourself, your beloved, for your sister, or your best friend will be a gold jewelry, especially since there is an opportunity to return part of the purchase tax (the law for citizens of non-EU countries). Jewelry stores have a huge assortment of white and yellow gold jewelry, with and without precious stones. Diamonds are most often inlaid with white gold (Czech jewelers consider this combination to be more harmonious and sophisticated). Diamonds in Prague are cheaper than ours, as are other precious stones: sapphires, pearls, emeralds and, of course, garnet. The latter is one of the calling cards of the Czech Republic. Pomegranate has been mined here since time immemorial, like amber in Latvia, it is mostly small (no more than 5 mm in diameter), but very beautiful, saturated colors.
Jewelry with this stone is relatively inexpensive - 1000-1500 crowns. It is best to buy jewelry in large branded stores, where they are sold under the Granat label, although they are also available in small jewelry stores and salons of large shopping centers. Exclusive jewelry from famous brands can be bought in chic shops on Parizhskaya Street. Very popular and prestigious now are the wonderful products of a woman-jeweler with a delicate artistic taste, Yitka Kudlachkova, whose boutiques are located on this street. Relatively low prices, elegance of jewelry design attract buyers from all countries. Silver items are no less good, the choice of which is also great. Jitka's jewelry will be a wonderful gift, a heirloom and a wonderful memory of Prague.
Czech glass
The whole world has heard a lot about the famous Czech glass from Bohemia, the production of which began during the Celtic tribes of the Boyi (hence the name of the area), who inhabited this territory in the 4th-5th centuries. n. e. (This is evidenced by glass beads found during excavations). From century to century, the skill of glassmaking has improved and reached the highest level, and products made from it have become unique and inimitable examples of glassblowing art and the famous brand of the Czech Republic. Is it possible to resist the beauty of glass masterpieces: vases, jugs, glasses, wine glasses, various souvenirs, so as not to buy something of this beauty as a gift. Bohemian glass prices range from € 10 to € 50.
Inexpensive souvenirs
Popular souvenirs sold by tourists are glass mugs with various plot pictures, photographs and drawings (from 5 euros), unusual-shaped vases, figurines, candlesticks, beads, necklaces, flowers. The cost is on average 300-400 CZK, which is not so expensive for a product of this quality. Many products resemble objects made of malachite: when blowing, a multi-colored glass mass is mixed: green, yellow, orange, coral tones create the impression of malachite. It is unforgivable to be in Prague and not buy something made of Bohemian glass.
Kohinoor pencils and pens
An excellent gift will be branded pencils and pens Kohinoor (Koh and Nor), known in the world as the best of their kind. The cheapest ones cost 70 CZK. The Koch and Nor shop is easy to find and is located in the very center of Prague, opposite the Powder Tower.
Prague: hop-on hop-off bus, 24 or 48 hour ticket - 20 €
Prague: 45-minute sightseeing cruise to Čertovka Canal - 14 €
Tourist card in Prague for 2, 3 or 4 days - from 58 €
Prague: 50-minute river cruise - 13 €
Prague: New Years Eve Dinner Cruise with Fireworks - 160 €
Prague: folklore dinner with music and dancing - 57 €
Hot air balloon flight over Prague - 199 €
Czech porcelain
Another hallmark of Prague is Czech porcelain, which, with its uniqueness, has not been lost among other, no less famous products of Japan and England. The production of dishes from Czech porcelain is a very responsible process: only environmentally friendly raw materials are selected; during firing, they also strictly follow the ecology; natural paints are used for painting, and most often the dishes are painted by hand. The traditional style of patterns - "cibulak" or "onion" in different versions, creates the grace and delicate beauty of porcelain, which distinguishes them favorably from other brands.
A chic porcelain service with high-quality hand-painted will be an excellent purchase for yourself and a valuable gift for loved ones. It is best to buy it in the "House of Porcelain" brand store located next to the factory on the street. Yugoslavskaya, 567/16. Here everyone can choose something according to their taste and the size of their wallet, because the range of products is huge. A quite presentable set costs 1000 crowns, although there are grandiose sets that cost tens of thousands of crowns. Piece porcelain, for example, a jug or a dish, will be a good gift, the price for them is from 300-400 CZK.
Tonak hats
Prague is famous for its signature Tonak hats, fashionable and stylish, made from wool of goats grazing on alpine meadows. The addition of rabbit fluff makes hats for men and women very soft, light and graceful. Everyone will be delighted to receive such a great gift from the Koruna Trading House located on Wenceslas Square. Here is a real "hat paradise" with a huge variety of shapes, sizes and colors of hats and berets at quite sparing prices from 400-500 kroons.
Beer
Since ancient times, the Czech Republic has been considered the birthplace of good beer, so a traditional gift will be several bottles of a real Czech foamy drink, which is not sold in Russia. It is worth buying a couple of bottles of beer "Sviyansky Maz", "Pilsner", "Budvar"; 5-liter barrel of "Novomestovsky", if you go to st. Vodichkova, coming out of Wenceslas Square. There you need to find a shop (green building N 20) and buy rare sorts of beer there. It is not rational to carry common stamps due to customs restrictions.
What to bring for a child
There are no problems with the choice of gifts for children in Prague: there are a lot of options to buy something for a child: from toys to serious things.
Puppet puppets
The world-famous puppets are the pride of Czech craftsmen, a production that was born in the early 17th century and has now become a family business for many. It is unlikely that any of the tourists leaves without at least one puppet: after all, these funny caricatured dolls depict historical persons "famous" in the Czech Republic, heroes of literary works, fairy tales, legends and beliefs. Jan ižka, the gallant soldier Schweik, Gurvinek, Princess Libuše, buffoons, sorcerers, water workers, forestry - whoever you can not see in the images of puppets.
There is a specialized store under the Charles Bridge on the left, entering which, you find yourself in the puppet kingdom - an exciting sight. The prices for dolls vary from 60-70 euros to 2-3 thousand euros for individual pieces. However, in other places they can be bought much cheaper: for 3-4 euros (Havel market, Palladium shopping center, souvenir shops on Zlata street "). A puppet as a gift is a wonderful souvenir and a valuable relic out of time.
Mole
The character, created by cartoonist Miller, the fat Mole is another popular souvenir among tourists. Anything you can see the image of this funny animal: mugs, glasses, T-shirts, caps - are sold for 3 euros and more. The same variety of soft toys, moles, which are inexpensive, but will really appeal to children.
Ceramic house
A ceramic house - a model of an old Prague mansion - collectible by Czech children will be a pleasant surprise for children.
Sweet souvenirs
Prague has a lot of great treats for children, many of which are only available here. One of them is a sweet souvenir - a trdelnik made from yeast dough baked over an open fire on special metal rods. The finished tubes are covered with a layer of caramel with nuts and become an extraordinary yummy, loved by all children. Any child will be happy with such a gift! Another sweet product is not inferior to him in taste - vanochka - an elongated wicker bun of the challah type with fruit fillings from dried apricots, plums, almonds, raisins, apples.
Also good are rolls stuffed with various berries, cheese or fruits and sprinkled with powdered sugar, poppy seeds or pastry shavings. Prague is a city that leaves the best impressions of everything in it. It will not be difficult to choose a good gift here.
Where to buy souvenirs
Various souvenirs have always been and remain the main purchases of tourists. The Havel market is an arena of Prague souvenirs, the diversity of which dazzles in the eyes. Here, if we recall the classic phrase of the Chekhovian hero about Greece, there is everything: wooden home-made toys, ceramics, various jewelry; inexpensive but high quality clothing and footwear. Price range from 10 CZK and more. Antique hunters will find them at the flea market on the street. Kolbenov. Among the many antiquities, there are unique rare musical instruments and players, cameras, candlesticks, silverware, heirlooms, rare paintings.
In the Palladium shopping center, which has hundreds of stores, you can satisfy the demand for any purchases from symbolic souvenirs to serious solid purchases: from any jewelry to high-quality jewelry, branded shoes and clothes.
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