- The Jason Travel firm was founded in 1991 by Sonya Khalili and Yana Dvorzhakova - hence the name: Yana + Sonya = “Jason.” From the very beginning, the company focused on Russian-speaking clients. Today, our representative offices operate in Ukraine, Russia, Armenia, Uzbekistan, and Lithuania. And without false modesty, I will say that we are among the leaders in the markets of these countries and one of the largest tour operators for the Czech Republic.
We can satisfy the most diverse wishes of our clients. Having our own quota of places in sanatoriums and hotels, as well as blocks of seats on Czech Airlines flights, allows us to offer tours at favorable prices with high quality of service, and most importantly – with guaranteed availability.
Besides the Czech Republic, we also organize tours to Slovakia, where our company “Jason Travel - Slovakia” operates. Slovakia is a small country with over 1,300 mineral medicinal springs, on the basis of which natural pools have emerged, where the water temperature stays around +35 degrees throughout the year. In Slovakia we offer visits to: Bardejovské Kúpele, Piešťany, Trenčianske Teplice, and in winter – mountain resorts.
- Which tours are the most popular among Ukrainians?
- Both sightseeing and medical ones. We have a wide selection of trips, differing in the number of days spent in the Czech Republic, prices, and hotel category. For those traveling for the first time, I would suggest a combined one-week tour with visits to Prague and Karlovy Vary. Four nights in Prague, three in Karlovy Vary, with excursions, transfers, breakfasts, two lunches and dinner, and insurance. The price depends on the level of the chosen hotel: from €600 in a three-star to €1,200 in a five-star. The price also includes airfare.
- Tell me, is it possible to save on travel by giving up airfare?
- In principle, we do not handle transporting our clients by bus or train – we offer high-class tours that include airfare. However, we can provide not only a full range of services but also simple hotel booking with visa support. Then the client gets to the destination on their own. This allows saving money, although I would not recommend doing it yourself – “Jason” offers very good prices on its tours, so the savings are minimal, and no one can guarantee that the vacation will not be spoiled.
- So the main tourist centers in the Czech Republic are still Prague and Karlovy Vary?
- Yes, but besides sightseeing, the Czech Republic also offers medical tours, which are quite popular among Ukrainians. After all, it is now fashionable to be young and healthy, and in the Czech Republic, even in one week you can improve your health a little or at least get examined. For example, in Prague (a branch in Karlovy Vary) there is an international medical center that offers professional cardiac screening and a wide range of heart and vascular examinations.
The cost of the cardiac screening program is €570. I would like to draw attention to the resort of Mariánské Lázně, located 50 km from the well-known Karlovy Vary. Mariánské Lázně is distinguished by a large number of mineral springs and beautiful nature. All healing waters are cold, weakly and moderately mineralized, sulfurous-bicarbonate and sulfate-ferruginous, containing a large amount of carbon dioxide and magnesium. The waters of the mineral springs have different compositions, which allows them to affect a number of diseases.
At this resort, diseases of the kidneys and urinary tract, gynecological diseases such as inflammatory diseases of the internal genital organs, ovarian dysfunction and uterine development disorders, infertility, and climacteric syndrome are well treated. Also, people with metabolic disorders and the diseases they cause – gout, diabetes mellitus, obesity, and hyperlipoproteinemia – come to the resort. Mariánské Lázně also effectively treats non-specific respiratory diseases such as chronic bronchitis, chronic and allergic diseases of the upper and lower respiratory tract, and bronchial asthma. As well as diseases of the musculoskeletal system – metabolic diseases with joint damage, vertebral syndrome, arthritis, juvenile scoliosis. Excellent effects are also seen with circulatory problems – veins and spider veins on the legs disappear after just a few treatment sessions.
- Should I bring medical indications with me?
- It is advisable. Of course, specialists can examine you directly at the sanatoriums, but they are unlikely to have time to conduct a thorough analysis and study your medical history in a limited time.
- What other resorts in the Czech Republic do you offer your clients?
- I would recommend visiting the ancient and picturesque spa town of Poděbrady, located on the banks of the Elbe, 50 km east of Prague. The resort specializes in treating cardiovascular diseases (heart defects, ischemia, conditions after heart attacks and surgeries, high blood pressure, angina pectoris, atherosclerosis, conditions after vein inflammation, etc.), metabolic disorders, and musculoskeletal system disorders with mineral waters.
For diseases of the musculoskeletal system and peripheral nervous system, you can go to Jáchymov. The resort is located on the southern slope of the Krušné Mountains, 20 km from Karlovy Vary, and is notable for the fact that huge deposits of silver ore were discovered here at the beginning of the 16th century. So the waters of Jáchymov are pure and healing, and they also have a high radon content, which gives good results for both musculoskeletal diseases and metabolic problems.
Also important is the fact that all of the above resorts have well-developed infrastructure, and Jason Travel can select a hotel and type of treatment for nearly any budget. I have traveled to the Czech Republic many times and have stayed in many hotels, so I can judge them as an ordinary tourist – all hotels, regardless of star rating, are of a very good standard.
– Treatment is good, but what can young active people do in the Czech Republic?
– For the young and active, sightseeing tours are primarily intended. Moreover, the winter season will soon begin, when ski resorts will open their doors – these are precisely what young people prefer to visit.
– Slovakia is also famous for winter holidays…
– Indeed, the High Tatras are the most visited area of Slovakia. Here there is also a protected zone – the Tatra National Park, covering an area of 113,221 hectares, numerous ski resorts, the opportunity for excursions around the area – Spiš towns, museums and galleries, rafting on the Dunajec River, visiting the Belianska Cave and swimming in natural thermal pools, plus the chance to engage in various sports and, of course, treatment. In addition to conventional hotels, we also offer accommodation in cozy Alpine chalets that welcome guests year-round. Here you can also hold a large corporate or family event.
We must also mention another attraction of Slovakia – the Low Tatras. This is the only mountain range in the country that offers the longest tourist trail – about 80 km! Since it is located on the mountain ridge, the view that opens up to the tourist is simply mesmerizing – the snow-covered Western and High Tatras, crystal clear air and blue sky. But there are also gems here – the most visited peak in the Low Tatras is Mount Chopok, which can be reached by cable cars from the north and south, and the most beautiful valley is considered the Demänovská Valley, which also contains the most beautiful ice cave in Slovakia. Do not think that Slovakia is only good in winter. You can easily travel to this country in summer, spring, and autumn – this will give you additional bonuses in the form of the opportunity to combine mountain tourism with swimming and water sports at the Liptovská Mara reservoir and thermal pools in Bešeňová and Liptovský Ján.
– Irina Ivanovna, what are you planning to surprise your clients with in the near future?
– New Year is approaching, and we are currently working on organizing trips for this holiday. We are developing tours for every taste, because both Ukrainians and Russians have recently loved to celebrate the holiday in the Czech Republic or Slovakia. And we have a very large selection, so I think it's worth thinking now about where to go for the New Year festivities.