WELCOME TO LIBEREC REGION

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1 WELCOME TO LIBEREC REGION The North Bohemian district town of Liberec is located in the valley between the Ještěd Ridge and the Jizera Mountains. It is the sixth-largest city in the Czech Republic and with just over 100,000 inhabitants, Liberec is a thriving town with an interesting history and a variety of architectural styles including Baroque, Renaissance and Art Nouveau. It is situated 100 km north of Prague (1 hour travel by bus) and 30 minutes from the border with Poland and Germany. Nowadays, Liberec offers many interesting sites. Downtown there are many historical buildings which are the pride of the town - for example: The Town Hall built in neo-renaissance style and finished in 1893, a symbol of economic wealth as well as the cultural development of the town. Theatre of František Xaver Šalda dating from The Museum of North Bohemia houses exhibits of natural science, archaeology, and history of North Bohemia. ZOO- the Zoo dates back to 1919, making it the oldest of its kind in the Czech Republic. The Botanical Garden at 110 years old this is the oldest of its kind in the Czech Republic.. Thirteen different botanical themes are presented in nine pavilions. Ještěd mountain hotel and restaurant, its peak rises to 1012m above sea level. It is crowned by a modern tower which has become a dominant feature of the town. There is a wonderful view of the surrounding area from the top of the mountain, which can be reached on foot or by cable car. The city is famous for winter sports (skiing downhill or cross-country, ice-hockey, ice skating), as well as for summer sports (golf the city has two golf resorts with an unforgettable atmosphere, mountain biking or hiking). There are also plenty of options for the lessactive fellow, including cultural activities (opera, theatre, cinemas) and night life.

2 The Babylon Centre - is unique location for family leisure time. The main tourist attraction of Babylon is Aquapark - the first in the Czech Republic. In Babylon, visitors can visit the Shopping centre, the bowling alley, 3 restaurants and a science IQ games complex. WATTSENGLISH IN LIBERECKA CZECH-ENGLISH KINDERGARTEN Mateřská škola Liberecká jazyková školka is a Czech English kindergarten in Liberec. There are 46 children who are aged between 3 to 6.5 years old. Five Czech teachers and two native speakers worki with the children. Native speakers use the Wattsenglish teaching methodology. During the last four years there have been native speakers from England, Ireland, Australia,and the U.S working in our kindergarten. From time to time they give presentations on their countries in a Traveller s programme. Most children continue with their English in primary school. The successful applicant will teach children in the kindergarten in Liberec. This position will allow you to put your teaching knowledge into practice and continue in the development of your teaching skills with the kindergarten training programme and support. The Czech English kindergarten in Liberec offers a comfortable base for teacher's work and we are ready to provide all necessary facilities for teaching (free access to the Internet and , copying and printing facilities, a study place). We are also able to provide help with accommodation, other administration work and anything else you may be concered with.

3 LIVING AND TEACHING IN LIBEREC Czech English kidergarten teacher about Liberec: Brad Kloewer: A teaching position at the kindergarten in Liberec is one of the best jobs the kindergarten has to offer. There are children enrolled at the kindergarten and they attend school all day, every day. Classes are for 30 minutes each and include up to eight children at a time. Two native speakers work at the kindergarten along with four Czech teachers, the school director, and four staff members. The Czech teachers and director all have a commanding grasp of English and very helpful and friendly. Lunches are long and the having the opportunity to work with the same kids every day is really wonderful. There are good public transport links from the main coach and railway station which serve Liberec and many places in the Czech Republic. There are two regular bus services to Prague, which is only an hour away. One-way ticket costs 80 CZK. Liberec is close to the German and Polish borders (about 25 kilometres) and you can easily get there by train and visit the towns, cities and sights. Worth seeing are Dresden, Bautzen, Gorlitz all in Germany and Krakow in Poland. Culture In Liberec there are 3 theatres and 2 cinemas. There are also musical halls and music bars and clubs. Liberec is a university town with a lively campus where there are several bars and clubs with varied themes and musical styles. The F.X. Salda theatre building was completed in 1893, the history of theatrical life in the town began as far back as the late 1600s. The theatre has gradually expanded its activities to include drama, ballet, plays and opera. Its opera company has always occupied pride of place in the town s cultural life, while its drama company has introduced several prominent personalities to the stage in the latter half of the 20th century. The GALLERY "The former residence of the manufacturer Liebig" was open to the public from Dutch paintings of the 16th and 18th centuries can be seen aswell as French landscapes of the 19th century and Czech paintings of the 20th century. There are often temporary exhibitons being held, exhibiting modern art. Cinestar Cinema in Liberec is part of a shopping mall Nisa reached easily by a free bus or a car. The price of a ticket is 149,- CZK. All foreign films are in original the language with Czech subtitules. Christmas and Easter markets are held every year and there is a medieval market every June, with jousting, traditional dancing and stalls selling a variety of goods. In summer there are plenty of beer festival organized in town centre or outside of the

4 town at brewery premises. There are always plenty of food stalls,with beer of course, and Czech music bands listen to. Restaurants & Pubs There are many different restaurants and pubs in Liberec. They offer Czech and also international cuisine italian, chinese, thai, japanese, kebabs, mexican etc. For example: Saiko Japanese-Thai restaurant serves very nice food, reasonable prices and Thai chefs The PUB serving non-pasteurized fresh super cold Pilsen beer from beer tanks and typical Czech meals, Potrefená Husa excellent food! Beer garden is available in summer time. Czech and international cuisine, chain of modern restaurants serving nice chilled Staropramen beer from Prague brewery and also foreigner beers like Stella and Hoegaarden. Ananda very pleasant vegetarian restaurant, take-away, cafe and little shop selling organic products. Happy hour in the afternoon 50% of the price from 5.30pm until 6pm. Tea house Cajovna 82 vuni offering plenty of teas from all over the world and also cultural events: exhibitons, music bands, travelling presentations etc Maskovka pizzeria in Frydlantska street, English speaking chef and staff, serving italian and also balkan meals, very big portions, good service, nice place to go for an evening meal with friends. In Barvirska and Siroka street in town centre are plenty of pubs, bars and cafes: Boca bar, Bogey bar Organza cafe, Single bar etc Most of the pubs and restaurants serve a special lunch menu on working days. The prices are generally cheaper than in the evening. Prices usually range from 60-80Kč. Example prices at restaurants: Dinner Kč Side dish Kč Soup Kč Salad Kč

5 Accommodation The prices of accomodation in Liberec range from about 5000 to 8000 Kč a month for a one room flat with a separate kitchen and bathroom or a room can be rented in a shared flat from approximately 3500 Kč. Shopping There are three shopping centres/malls in the centre of the town and two shopping centres/malls accessible by free bus services which are situated just outside the town centre. Marks & Spencer (food and cloth section), C & A, H & M, Next, Costa Coffee, McDonalds, KFC and Tesco can all be found in Liberec. Sport and Leisure time Liberec offers many sport activities. Indoor: gyms, aerobic centres, in-door swimming pools, badminton, martial arts, bowling, ice skating, joga, pilates. Outdoor: cycling, hiking, horse riding, canoeing, snowboarding, skiing, in-line skating, tennis, skate-board, football or golf. Swimming pool: The swimming pool is situated near the town centre. The longest pool is 50 metres long and there s also a jumping area and 2 tobbogans. The entrance fee for 90 minutes is 80 CZK. There is also a training pool with water temperature of 28 degrees for children older than 3 years. Steam chambers, jacuzzi pools for adults with 30 water temperature; saunas (including mixed sauna), massage, solariums or gym. Wild River, outdoor whirlpool and a water cave are situated under open sky and available in all seasons. Skiing: The closest skiing slopes are on Jested, you can also rent skies or snowboard, the skipass for all day costs: 500CZK, special offer for night skiing is 200CZK. Another close destination where to go skiing are the Jizera mountains, great for cross-country skiing as are the Krkonose Giant mountains.

6 Ice-hockey The Liberec ice-hockey team The White Tigers play in the Czech highest league. The ice-hockey stadium is not far from the town centre and it s often sold out and is definitely worth going to see. The latest season was very succesfull for The White Tigers Tips for trips The Jizera Mountains are named after the River Jizera that springs here. The highest mountain of this mountain range, the most northerly in the Czech Republic, is known as Smrk (1124 m). The Jizera Mountains Protected Landscape Area was declared in 1967 and covers an area of 350 km2. The mountains are characterised by their peat moors. Of the many protected areas in the range the Jizera Mountain Beech Trees National Nature Reserve is perhaps the most dominant. Nowhere else than in the Jizera Mountains will you find such a large number of well-kept viewing towers. The most-often visited of these are known as Královka, Bramberk, and Štěpánka. At the central part of the Jizera Mountains you can find a plateau. At an altitude of around 1000 metres it is home to one of the most beautiful cross-country complexes in Bohemia, the network of cross-country tracks known as the Jizerská magistrála. A popular cross-country skiing race known as the Jizerská 50 has been run here every year since There are many chateaus or castles close to Liberec worth sešiny, easily reached by direct trains or buses. For example: Chateau Sychrov, Chateua Frydlant, Chateau Hruby Rohozec, Lemberk or Castles Bezdez and Grabstejn.

7 The region Český ráj Czech paradise is about 30 km from Liberec and it s easily reached by train. More info: The territory marked off by an almost triangular shape between Mladá Boleslav-Turnov-Jičín is rich in both natural wonders and historical monuments. It s a perfect place for hiking -the area boasts deep woods, picturesque meadows, brooks and ponds often hidden in deep valleys and gulleys. The rock towers, castles, chateaus, pictorial villages are a paradise for both walking and motorized tourists. Recently it has become a paradise for cyclists. The tourists are attracted by castles Trosky, Kost, Valdštejn, Zvířetice, Valečov, Drábské světničky, Michalovická Putna or chateaus in Mnichovo Hradiště, Hrubá skála, Sychrov and Hrubý Rohozec. You can find a lot of places to have a rest and refreshment on your way. Dresden, Germany - Dresden offers attractions in great variety. No book about the history of architecture can miss mentioning the Dresden Zwinger. The Frauenkirche Church (see picture), Semper Opera House and Royal Palace as well as many other historical monuments and ensembles determine the image of the city. The saucy angels from Raphael s The Sistine Madonna make publicity for Dresden s art collections around the world. Magnificent promenades on the bank of the Elbe river, interesting museums and institutions, industrial monuments, charming details Dresden has a lot for you to discover. Easily reached by direct train from Liberec within 2 hours. Annual Christmas market trip is organised by Wattsenglish staff. Worth visiting towns and places of interest near Liberec are: Krystofovo udoli 20 min by local bus, beautiful village near Liberec founded in the 16th century, plenty of timbered houses and cottages can be seen there as well as the wooden baroque church of St. Christopher. Turnov 40 min by train or bus - chateau, brewery Mlada Boleslav Wattsenglish branch Skoda car museum, castle, lovely town square. Jicin situated in the heart of Cesky Raj, the Czech paradise, lovely fairytale tlen. Doksy and Macha lake 1,5 hour on train, outdoor swimming available, paddle boats, beer gardens, pine tree woods, plenty of cycling and hiking tracks, castle Bezdez is very close, summer rock festival helds there every year

8 Zittau in Germany beautiful German border town, very close to where 3 countries (Czech, Germany, Poland) meet. Berlin in Germany, 4,5 hours on train, amazing city full of history, cool clubs and sights Wroclaw in Poland, 5 hours on train, beautiful Polish town with plenty of sights and churches Krakow in Poland 10 hours by train, one of the nicest Polish towns, amazing architercture, night life, muzeums, restaurants, definitely worth going for a weekend trip