The world’s best cities for exploring by foot have been revealed and it’s Rome that takes the crown with its charming plazas and cobblestone streets.

It’s followed by runner-up Budapest, where tourists can explore ‘its every corner on foot’.

The 100-strong list is based on booking and search data for 800 cities across 120 countries made on the GuruWalk website between April 2023 and April 2024.

The company, which offers free walking tours worldwide, compared the number of bookings and page visits per destination in order to compile the list.

Spain is the most walkable country, according to the findings, with 28 cities on the top 100 list.

France features seven times while the UK appears three times along with Poland, Colombia and Vietnam. Only one U.S. city makes the cut.

Prague is described as the ‘City of a Hundred Spires’ with the “Prague Castle, St. Vitus Cathedral, and the Astronomical Clock being all points of interest that captivate visitors. And all three attractions are within a 30-minute walk from one another.”

Porto, London, and Amsterdam are among the top 10 cities identified by GuruWalk for their walkability, offering visitors a diverse range of attractions and experiences within walking distance.

From Porto’s picturesque old town to London’s iconic landmarks and Amsterdam’s enchanting canal network, each city provides ample opportunities for memorable explorations on foot.

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This is evidenced by the results of a study conducted by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

The IOM has determined that 77% of Ukrainian refugees are economically active, that is, they have a job or are actively looking for one. Most Ukrainian refugees are women.

They often have a high level of education, but in the Czech Republic, they have managed to find jobs only below their qualification level.

According to the data obtained, knowledge of the Czech language is of great importance for employment. Thus, more than four-fifths of migrants who speak Czech are employed.

The highest level of employment is among those who previously worked in Ukraine as mechanics, mechanics, drivers, craftsmen or skilled agricultural workers.

According to the study, almost a third of Ukrainian refugees face financial difficulties because they cannot cover their daily expenses. pensioners or those on maternity leave face problems as well.

At the same time, 56% of refugees from Ukraine rent housing, while the rest live in dormitories, hotels, and boarding schools.

According to the IOM, 69% of the refugees surveyed want to return to Ukraine and only 12% do not plan to return.

IOM conducted a survey of refugees over the past year.

As Ukrinform reported, according to the Center for Economic Strategy, the share of migrants who plan to return to Ukraine is gradually decreasing. Currently, this figure is 26%.

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The Czech Republic’s consumer price inflation eased more-than-expected in February to the lowest level in more than five years, largely due to a decline in food costs, data from the Czech Statistical Office showed on Monday.

Consumer prices climbed 2.0 percent year-over-year in February, slower than the 2.3 percent rise in January. Economists had expected inflation to moderate slightly to 2.2 percent.

Further, this was the weakest inflation since December 2018, when prices had risen by the same 2.0 percent.

Prices for food and non-alcoholic beverages dropped 4.8 percent annually in February. Clothing and footwear charges were 5.8 percent more expensive in February, slightly below the 5.9 percent surge in January.

Meanwhile, transport charges rose at a faster pace of 1.1 percent versus a 0.4 percent increase a month ago.

On a monthly basis, consumer prices moved up 0.3 percent in February, versus an expected increase of 0.4 percent.

Year-on-year inflation has been gradually decreasing over the last year, with the exception of October when it rose again slightly. Last February, inflation was at 16.7 percent.

Hundreds of tractors are expected to arrive in Prague for a protest ride on Thursday, March 7th.

Organizers emphasize their intention to avoid blocking the city’s main streets, focusing the route primarily along the embankment in Prague 7, Milady Horáková Street, and culminating in a demonstration in front of the Straka Academy, the seat of the Government of the Czech Republic

“We’ve chosen a route that primarily targets government buildings,” explained Jan Doležal, president of the Czech Chamber of Agriculture.

“This won’t be a blockade, but rather a movement of agricultural equipment around Prague.” Specific details regarding the protest and the route haven’t been disclosed yet.

“We urge all farmers, regardless of their operation size or production focus, to join us,” Doležal added. “We also kindly request patience from Prague residents and those in other major cities. Our goal isn’t to cause inconvenience, but to bring attention to the long-standing issues faced by the agricultural sector.”

On March 1st, Agriculture Minister Marek Výborný (KDU-ČSL) proposed certain measures to address the farmers’ concerns, but they were deemed insufficient.

While acknowledging the right to protest, Výborný expressed his willingness to continue negotiations but stressed his opposition to negotiating under ultimatums.

According to the spokesperson for the Agrarian Chamber of the Czech Republic, protests are planned in other regions besides Prague on March 7th, though specific locations haven’t been announced.

On February 19th, hundreds of Czech farmers drove their tractors into downtown Prague, as they joined protests against high energy costs, stifling bureaucracy and the European Union’s Green Deal.

Farmers across Europe have taken to the streets this year, including in Poland, France, Germany, Spain and Italy, to fight low prices and high costs, cheap imports and EU climate change constraints.

Former US President Bill Clinton will head to Prague in March to deliver the keynote address at a conference marking the 25th anniversary of the Czech Republic’s membership in NATO.

The “Our Security Is Not a Given” conference, organized by Jagello 2000, will take place on March 12th at Prague Castle’s Spanish Hall.

Clinton, who served as US President from 1993 to 2001, is attending at the invitation of Czech President Petr Pavel. The organizers highlighted how, early in his presidency, Clinton proposed a vision of a united, democratic Europe free from conflict.

“Inviting Central and Eastern European democracies into NATO was a key part of this vision,” they said, “and the 1999 expansion that included the Czech Republic, Poland, and Hungary was a historic step towards its realization.”

This year’s conference, the 11th edition, will not only assess the Czech Republic’s quarter-century in NATO but also discuss the alliance’s future amidst a rapidly changing security landscape. On April 4th, NATO celebrates its 75th anniversary.

Joining Clinton at Prague Castle will be Czech President Petr Pavel, Prime Minister Petr Fiala, Defense Minister Jana Černochová, and Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský. The panel discussion will also feature representatives from the opposition ANO movement and the SPD party.

The Czech Republic, along with Poland and Hungary, joined NATO on March 12th, 1999. A September 2023 poll by the Czech Academy of Sciences found that two-thirds of Czechs support their country’s NATO membership, with only 26% expressing disapproval.

 

The Czech Republic has experienced an unprecedented surge in temperatures, recording its warmest start to February in over a century.

According to the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (ČHMÚ), select stations saw an average temperature of 6.7°C in the first decade of February, a stark contrast to the nation’s coldest February on record in 1929, when temperatures plummeted to -15.4°C.

However, meteorologists urge caution when interpreting this average. It only includes stations with at least 100 years of data, typically located at lower altitudes. Newer stations, particularly those at higher elevations or in mountains, are excluded due to shorter data gaps or inconsistencies.

Despite this caveat, the past week has seen numerous daily temperature records shattered. Notably, a quarter of the 165 stations operational for at least 30 years saw new highs for February 9th, followed by a third setting records on Saturday, February 10th. Remarkably, three locations even climbed above 15°C.

Sunday night brought another wave of warmth, with the vast majority of stations recording their warmest February night ever. Temperatures mainly ranged between 6 and 11°C, even in traditionally frosty areas, ensuring no frost settled anywhere in the country.

The above-average daytime temperatures are set to continue this week, reaching highs of 12°C. However, a shift is expected by midweek, with nights turning freezing and raising the possibility of ice and frost in some areas.

This unusual warmth raises concerns about the potential impact on ecosystems and agriculture, particularly as it follows a record-breaking warm January. Continued monitoring and analysis are crucial to understand the broader implications of this extraordinary weather event.

People taking the European Sleeper night train from Amsterdam or Rotterdam will soon have two new destinations to choose from.

“We’re going to Dresden & Prague!” the company announced.

The Brussels-Amsterdam-Berlin night train will run to the Czech capital starting March 25.

“Along the way, it also stops in the romantic Dresden, the spectacular nature reserve of Saxon Switzerland, and in the beautiful Elbe valley,” the company said.

The night train departs from Amsterdam Central Station at 10:34 p.m. and arrives in Dresden at 8:29 a.m. and at Prague Main Station at 10:56 a.m. the following day.

Ticket prices start at 89 euros for a seat in a shared six-person compartment.

You can also book a Couchette compartment for six people for 99 euros per person or four people for 139 euros per person.

The most comfortable option is a sleeper compartment for three people at 169 euros per person. It includes a seating area, wash basin, and breakfast.

If you book fewer tickets than the number of couchettes or beds in the compartment, you may end up sharing with other passengers.

The European Sleeper also pointed out that it is an excellent option for attending the Euro 2024 matches in Berlin, where the Netherlands will be playing France in Leipzig on June 21 and Austria in Berlin on June 25.

European Affairs Minister Martin Dvořák (STAN) won’t appoint a commissioner for euro adoption, Prime Minister Petr Fiala of the Civic Democrats said on Tuesday evening after a special meeting of coalition government leaders.

Fiala stated that legislative issues related to the Czech Republic’s potential entry into the mechanism or the eurozone would be evaluated by the Legislative Council of the Government by October.

The previous day Mr. Dvořák had announced that he was naming economist Petr Zahradník in that position.

Other coalition parties criticized the minister for this move, as the government hadn’t agreed on filling the position of the national coordinator for euro introduction since 2017.

Government leaders the Civic Democrats are the only grouping in the five-party coalition opposed to the adoption of the single European currency at present.

“We have specific tasks, deadlines, and responsibilities. I was surprised that after 20 years, there are still no analyses of the euro adoption’s impact on the legal or constitutional order. Thanks to today’s government meeting results, this gap will be addressed,” Dvořák stated to ČTK.

He also mentioned on the social network X that Zahradník is an excellent expert, regardless of whether his role is called a commissioner or an advisor.

In a move to enhance gender representation in the Czech Republic’s corporate sector, the government has unveiled a draft law advocating a minimum of one-third female participation in the management of large companies.

The legislation emphasizes transparency and clear criteria in the selection process for board members, aiming to address the current disparity.

The proposed law targets five major companies and banks.

On average, women hold 32.2 percent of leadership positions across the EU, while in Czechia, it is only 21 percent.

It ranks 20th out of the 27 EU member states when it comes to representation of women in upper management and has long been criticised for failure to do anything to improve the situation.

The legislation aligns with the European directive from the previous year, compelling the Czech Republic to adopt regulations by December 28.

To meet the criteria, companies must have at least 40% women on supervisory and management boards or a combined 33% on boards and management boards.

The law specifically names major companies like ČEZ, Komerční banka, Moneta Money Bank, Philip Morris ČR, and Kofola Československo as subject to these regulations.

The proposed law sets a deadline for companies to achieve gender balance by mid-2026, requiring them to publish progress reports and candidate selection details. Non-compliance may result in fines, with oversight provided by relevant government bodies.

According to the accompanying documents on the government’s website, the law is being adopted in the most minimal form required for it to still comply with the EU directive.

The forthcoming Škoda ForCity Plus Praha 52T trams are set to revolutionize Prague’s public transportation.

Passengers can anticipate a range of new features, including an invisible yet vital one—a smart anti-collision system controlled by the cutting-edge Škoda supercomputer, HYPEX.

The trams boast a sleek, five-cell, completely low-floor design, marking a significant advancement in Prague’s public transit.

A team of designers from Škoda Group has introduced a host of innovations, such as an automatic passenger counting system, making the new trams a welcome addition to the city’s transportation landscape.

Smart Anti-Collision System

Among the novel features, the trams will be equipped with an advanced anti-collision system designed to monitor the area in front of the tram, alerting the driver to any potential obstacles.

If the driver fails to respond, the system, overseen by the Škoda supercomputer HYPEX, will automatically bring the tram to a halt.

This intelligent system employs dual LIDAR technology and HD cameras, combined with precise localization using offline recorded HD maps. The result is a virtual driving tunnel ensuring accurate obstacle detection, early warnings, minimal false positives, and timely activation of the emergency brake.

Enhancing Safety

The anti-collision system, utilizing LIDAR technology for 3D mapping within a range of 100 to 150 meters, aims to prevent major accidents and reduce damage to health and vehicles.

This innovation has been successfully tested in Finland, highlighting its potential to significantly enhance safety in Prague’s public transport system.

Future Developments

Škoda is actively collaborating with PPF Group to develop the first autonomous tram, slated for trial operation on the closed ring road in Pilsen in the coming years.

The Czech Parliament’s lower house on Friday approved an amendment to the country’s gun law that tightens requirements for owning a weapon more than a month after the worst mass killing in the nation’s history.

The legislation now goes before the Senate and if approved there must then be signed by President Petr Pavel before becoming law.

On Dec. 22, a lone shooter killed 14 people and wounded dozens before killing himself at a Charles University building in downtown Prague.

The assailant was a 24-year-old student who had a proclivity for firearms, with a license to own eight guns, including two long guns. Authorities said he had no criminal record and therefore did not attract the attention of authorities.

Parliamentary debate on the legislation had already begun before that shooting. Interior Minister Vit Rakusan has said it was hard to speculate whether the new rules would have prevented it if they had been in effect before it took place.

In the 200-seat lower house, lawmakers approved the changes in a 151-0 vote.

If approved by the Senate, where the ruling coalition government has a majority, and signed by President Petr Pavel, it would then be possible for authorities to seize a weapon from private owners for a preventive reason.

It also includes a requirement for businesses to report to police suspicious purchases of guns and ammunition and gives doctor access to databases to find out if their patients are gun owners.

Gun owners would have to undergo a medical check every five years, not every 10 years, as it is now.

In Czechia, 314,000 had a gun license at the end of 2022 and owned almost a million weapons of various types.

The Metronome Festival, set to captivate audiences from June 20 to 22 at the Prague Exhibition Centre, has added another star to its lineup: Michael Kiwanuka.

The London-based singer, with Ugandan roots, renowned for his appearances alongside Adele and the soulful backdrop of his song “Cold Little Heart” in the hit TV series Seven Lovers, is set to make a return to Prague.

Described by festival organizers as a humble artist unafraid of eccentric expressions, Kiwanuka draws inspiration from the soulful sounds of 1970s American soul.

“He is one of Britain’s most respected artists. Imagine Van Morrison meets Curtis Mayfield, and you’re there. His 2016 album ‘Love & Hate’ soared to the top spot in the UK, and in 2019, ‘Kiwanuka’ garnered unanimous rave reviews, hailed as a career-defining masterpiece by Mojo magazine. He is a true artist who pours every ounce of his heart and soul into his mesmerizing live performances. In short, Michael Kiwanuka is a genuine attraction,” attests Rob Cass, Abbey Road Studios Producer, exclusively for Metronome Prague 2024.

Born and raised in North London’s Muswell Hill, Michael Kiwanuka’s roots trace back to Ugandan parents who fled President Idi Amin’s regime, also known as the Butcher of Kampala.

Graduating with honors from Fortismere School in 2005, Kiwanuka was known for his friendly and humble demeanor, and a profound understanding of diverse musical genres.

Throughout his school years, he showcased his musical talents, playing bass and jazz guitar. Post-graduation, he continued his academic journey at the University of Westminster in London.

Metronome Festival 2024 promises attendees over eighty performances, with organizers guaranteeing surprises and a robust accompanying program.

The entire event will be enhanced by comfortable facilities, including an exceptional gastro zone.