vra> FAQ-Czech Rep. (fwd)
Vladimir Vrabec
vrabec at cs.felk.cvut.cz
Mon Oct 3 02:01:44 CET 1994
Date: Sat, 1 Oct 1994 08:21:15 EDT
From: sever%%husc.harvard.edu%HULAW1.HARVARD.EDU at earn.cvut.cz
Subject: FAQ-Czech Rep.
To: Multiple recipients of list E-EUROPE <E-EUROPE at PUCC.BITNET>
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Subject: FAQ-Czech Rep.
Message-ID: <1994Sep30.132804.35026 at hulaw1.harvard.edu>
From: Ivan Sever <sever at husc.harvard.edu>
Date: 30 Sep 94 13:28:02 EDT
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>>FAQ - (about) CZECH REP.<<
Part I, #8 (Oct. 1994)
Name: Ceska Republika
Area: 78 864 sq. km (30 450 sq miles)
Population: 10 299 000
Official Language: Czech
Bordering Countries: Germany, Poland, Slovakia, Austria
Capital: Prague (Praha) (Population: 1 213 800)
President: Vaclav Havel
Prime Minister: Vaclav Klaus
Currency: Czech Crown (Kc)
Approximate Exchange Rate: U.S.$1 = 28 Kc
Cash Machine Locations:
Cirrus: (800) 424-7787
The Plus Network: (800) 843-7587
* Mastercard, Eurocard, Eurocheque, VISA *
Postcard to U.S. 6 Kc
Letter to U.S. 9 Kc
Postcard to G.B. 4 Kc
Letter to G.B. 6 Kc
(Stamps, pay-phone cards and public transportation tickets can be
purchased at "Tabak" outlets)
TIPPING CUSTOMS:
Round the bills up by about 10%
STORE HOURS:
Generally 9-6 (some with lunch breaks)
*Banks may close at 3:30*
Saturday: most stores close at noon
Sunday: almost none are open
Time zone: GMT+1 (seasonal changes)
Voltage: 220V/50Hz
Video System: PAL/SECAM
Country's Telephone Code: 42
Local calls: 1.60 Kc
Call to US: 63 Kc (first minute)
AT&T Operator: 00-420-00101
MCI Operator: 00-420-0011
Sprint Operator: 00-420-87187
Bell Canada Operator: 00-420-00151
Beeper services are available in the Czech Republic through:
Radiokontakt Operator a.s.
Skokanska 1
169 00 Prague 6
Tel:[422] 341-004, 323-434 (Czech, though!)
EUnet service provider in Prague is COnet s.r.o., Technicka 4, Praha 6;
phone (02) 332-32-42
e-mail: Pavel.Rosendorf at eunet.cz
Speed Limits:
4-lane highway: 110 kph (70 mph)
open roads: 90 kph (55 mph)
build-up areas: 50 kph (40 mph)
Speeding fines: 500 Kc (payable on the spot)
Seat belts: Compulsory
"Gas/petrol (benzin) comes in 2 types: Super (96 octane) and Special (90
octane) both leaded. The unleaded is called "natural", is available at
major stations and in bigger cities may come in 2 "flavors", as well.
(Diesel fuel is called "nafta"). The APPROXIMATE cost per U.S. gallon is
around $2.75.
Remember: stations aren't as frequent as in Western Europe, many close
for lunch and only some are open past 6 P.M. Get a list of 24-hour ones
from Cedok!"
Emergencies:
Police (tel. 2121)
Ambulance (tel. 155)
English/German Doctors in Prague:
Emergencies: (02/29-93-81)
24-hour health care: (02/52-60-40)
Dentists in Prague: (02/26-13-74)
National Holidays:
Jan. 1; Easter Mon., May 1, May 8, July 5+6, October 28, December 24-26
Climate: (Prague)
Average Temperatures:
Jan: 2C (36F) May: 19 (66) Sep: 20 (68)
Feb: 3 (37) Jun: 22 (72) Oct: 13 (55)
Mar: 8 (46) Jul: 24 (75) Nov: 8 (46)
Apr: 14 (58) Aug: 23 (73) Dec: 3 (37)
Some Airline Connections:
Czechoslovak Airlines
(U.S. & Canada): (800) 223-2365
(London): 44(071) 255-1898
Delta (800) 241-4141
More Travel Info:
Tatra Travel: 212 E 51st St. NY ph.(212) 486-0533 fax:(212) 486-1150
Addresses in Prague:
U.S. Embassy: Trziste 15, Mala Strana (02/53-66-41)
British Embassy: Thunovska 14, Mala Strana (02/53-33-47)
Canadian Embassy: Mickiewiczova 6, Hradcany (02/312-02-51)
The Czech Chamber of Commerce:
Argentinska 38, Praha 7, ph: (02/66-79-41-11), fx: (02/66-71-08-05)
The American Chamber of Commerce:
Karlovo nam. 24, Praha 1 ph: (02/299-887, 296-778), fx: (02/291-481)
Main Post Office: Jindrisska 14
Czech Embassy:
3900 Spring of Freedom St. NW, Wash. (202) 363-6315 fax: (202) 966-8540
72360.544 at compuserve.com
541 Sussex Dr. Ottawa., Ottawa, On. (613) 562-3875
Visa requirements:
-U.S: Up to 30 days not necessary (with valid passport)
-U.K: Up to 180 days not necessary (with valid passport)
Canadian citizens: -Visa (C$50) required
Australian citizens: -Visa (US$21) required
*FOR WORK PERMITS, CONTACT THE EMBASSY'S ECONOMIC SECTION*
============================================================
>> FAQ - CZECH REP(tourist Info)<<
Part II, #8 (Oct. 1994)
______________________________________________________________________
* NOTE: for Prague (Praha) info: Read "PART III" of this series*
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Czech Embassy:
3900 Spring of Freedom St. NW, Wash. DC ph:(202) 363-6315
-fax: (202) 966-8540
-e-mail: 72360.544 at compuserve.com
541 Sussex Dr. Ottawa., Ottawa, On. (613) 562-3875
Visa requirements:
-U.S: Up to 30 days not necessary (with valid passport)
-U.K: Up to 180 days not necessary (with valid passport)
* FOR WORK-PERMIT INFO: CONTACT THE EMBASSY *
Canadian citizens: -Visa (C$50) required
Australian citizens: -Visa (US$21) required
Cedok (official travel bureau):
10 E 40th St. N.Y. (212)689-9720
17-18 Old Bond St, London 44(071/629-6058)
Tatra Travel: 212 E 51st St. NY ph.(212) 486-0533 fax:(212) 486-1150
Czechoslovak Airlines:
U.S. & Canada: (800)223-2365
London: 44(071/255-1898)
=======================================
Selected regions & some cities:
*Southern Bohemia
Kutna Hora
(The "Bone Church" is in Sedlec, a suburb of Kutna Hora, which lies about
70 km (44 miles) east of Prague. The All Saint's Cemetery Chapel is
decorated with the bones of some 40000 people. It came into being in the
14th century, when development forced the clearing of a nearby graveyard.
Monks of the Cistercian order came up with the bright idea of using the
bones for decoration. The most recent additions date from the end of the
last century.)
Tabor
Ceske Budejovice (Budweis)
*Western Bohemia
Karlovy Vary
Cheb
Plzen (Pilsen)
*Northern Bohemia
Melnik
Terezin
Litomerice
*Eastern Bohemia
Hradec Kralove
-(castles, ruins, forts... contact: xkuzj01 at vse.cz -Honza Kuzelka)
*Moravia
Brno
Jihlava
Znojmo
Mikulov
Moravsky Kras
Olomouc
"Off the beaten track":
Krkonose Mountains (Northern Bohemia)
Cesky Krumlov (Southern Bohemia)
Marianske Lazne (Western Bohemia)
Telc (Southern Moravia)
==========================================
NOTE: It is impossible to list every hotel and every restaurant in every
town. Rather, I've selected recommended establishments at different price
ranges:
Recommended Dining and Hotels:
in Kutna Hora: Cafe U Hradku
Barborska 33 (0327/4277)
in Konopiste: restaurant Stodola
Jarkovice (0301/250-71)
in Trebon: restaurant Bily Konicek
Hlavni nam. (0333/2248)
in Cesky Krumlov: Hotel Ruze
Horni u. 153 (ph. 0337/3498) fax: (0337/3881)
in Frantiskovy Lazne: Hotel & Restaurant Slovan
Narodni 5 (0166/94-28-41)
in Marianske Lazne: Hotel Bohemia
Hlavni tr. 100 (0165/3251) Fax: (0165/2943)
Dining: Koliba
Dusikova tr. (0165/5169)
Casino: Casino Marienbad
Anglicka 336 (0165/2056)
Nightclub: Hotel Golf
Zadub 55 (0165/2651)
in Karlovy Vary: Hotel Dvorak
Nova Louka 11 (017/241-45) fax: (017/228-14)
Dining: Karel IV
Zamecky vrch 2 (017/272-55)
Restaurace Jeleni Skok (no phone-great view)
Casino: Lazne I (017/321-00)
Nightclubs: Grandhotel Pupp
Mirove nam 2 (017/209-111)
Club Propaganda
Jaltska 7 (no phone)
in Cheb: Kavarna Spalicek
Hlavni nam. (no phone)
Plzen: Beer-hall Na Spilce
inside the Pilser Urquell brewery
in Litomerice: Pivnice Kalich
Lidicka 9 (no phone)
in Krkonose Mtns:
Savoy Hotel & Restaurant
54351 Spindleruv Mlyn (0438/935-21) fax: (0438/936-41)
in Litomerice: Cinska Restaurace
Mirove nam. (0419/80-30-08)
====================================================
BRNO (city phone code: 05)
Tourist Help:
American-Moravian Center: Radnicka 10 (259-08)
Cedok: Divadelni 3 ( 42-21-10-49)
Nadrazni 2a (42-32-12-67)
CKM: Ceska 11 (42-32-12-47)
-(monthly bulletin): KAM
Recommended Hotel:
Expensive: Hotel Grand
Tr. Maje 18-20 (ph. 42-32-18-27) fax: (42-21-03-45)
Dining: Stopkova Pivnice
Ceska 5 (42-21-10-94)
Beer-hall Spalicek
Zelny trh 12 (42-21-13-79)
Casinos: Hotel Grand (see above)
International Hotel, Husova 16 (42-12-21-11)
Some Sights:
Stara radnice (Old Town Hall)
Spilberg Castle
======================================================
Recommended Dining and Hotels in other towns in Moravia:
Telc: Hotel & Restaurant Cerny Orel
nam. Zachariase z Hradce 7 (066/96-22-21)
Cukrarna U Mateje
Na baste 2 (no phone)
Valtice: Hotel Hubertus
Zamek (0627/945-37)
Pavlov (between Mikulov & Valtice):
U Venuse wine cellar, Ceska 27 (no phone)
===============================================
>>FAQ - PRAGUE(tourist info)<<
Part III, #8 (Oct. 1994)
Czech Embassy:
3900 Spring of Freedom St. NW, Wash. DC ph:(202) 363-6315
fax: (202) 966-8540
e-mail: 72360.544 at compuserve.com
541 Sussex Dr. Ottawa., Ottawa, On. (613) 562-3875
Visa requirements:
-U.S: Up to 30 days not necessary (with valid passport)
-U.K: Up to 180 days not necessary (with valid passport)
Canadian citizens: -Visa (C$50) required
Australian citizens: -Visa (US$21) required
* FOR WORK PERMITS CONTACT THE EMBASSY *
>Well, a year ago, the official figures stated that over 30,000 U.S.
citizens were registered as long-term residents of Prague. There are
more now. About 25,000 of them used to write for their university paper,
and hoped that this experience would land them a job at the Prague Post
or Prognosis, the arts weekly. They since found out otherwise. Be
prepared to bus tables or pour beer at a sports bar, or be night manager
of a laundromat in between English tutoring gigs. Also be aware that
rents in central parts of Prague are now comparable to those in San
Francisco. Unless you have a good source of income, you'll either be
living on the outskirts or sharing a 1-bedroom with 3 or 4 people.<
("If you want to work for an English-language school, you might not need
to worry about a permit until you get there. I worked for such a school
in '92, and they helped me to arrange such things. Things might have
changed since then. If you are looking for a job teaching English, try
calling Jan Bebr at 42(02) 76-70-62. I'm sure he'd love to make some
money off of you! :-)")
PRAGUE (Country phone code 42, city code 02)
U.S. Embassy: Trziste 15, Mala Strana (ph. 53-66-41)
British Embassy: Thunovska 14, Mala Strana (53-33-47)
Canadian Embassy: Mickiewiczova 6, Hradcany (312-0251)
The Chamber of Commerce:
-Argentinska 38, Praha 7, ph: (66-79-41-11), fx: (66-71-08-05)
Main Post Office: Jindrisska 14
First Aid: Palackeho 5, Praha 1 (24-22-25-21)
24-hour Pharmacy: Na Prikope 7, Praha 1 (24-21-02-29)
Tourist Help:
AVE: Main RR station (ph: 236-2560) Fax: (236-2956)
American Hospitality Center: Na mustku 7 (26-77-70)
Cedok: Na prikope 18 (212-7111) Fax: (236-7475)
American Express: Vaclavske nam. 56 (22-94-87) Fax: (26-15-04)
CKM (Student travelers): Zitna 12 (20-54-46)
University Hostels:
Universitas-tour: Opletalova 38 (22-35-50) fax: (22-35-50)
Welcome hostel: kolej V. Sinkule, Zikova 13, Praha 6
CSA Airline: (2146)
CSAD-Buses: (22-14-45)
Car rentals:
Avis: (22-23-24) or (284-20-43)
Budget: (316-5214) or (231-9595)
Hertz: (312-0717) or (284-2047) or (312-0717)
Pragocar: (692-2875)
Unix: (23-36-93)
24-hour Emergency Tow: (77-34-55)
Streetcar, Bus & Metro Tickets:
single trip: 6 Kc (must be purchased before boarding) or
5-day tourist pass: 170 Kc.
("PS...another word of advice....make sure that you are always travelling
with the proper ticket on the subway. I accidentally got a child's
ticket (there are adult/child vending machines) and was in too much of a
hurry to go back and get the right one for a few more cents. I got
busted by a plainclothes cop. They are everywhere. In three days I was
stopped twice. Maybe they are only picking on tourists?")
("If you take the city bus to the airport, do not get off until the very
last stop. The first buildings with the airport signs are almost 2 miles
from the international terminal")
Taxis: (~12 Kc/km)
("According to law, a ride should cost 12 Kc per kilometer (but consider
yourself lucky if you pay less than 20 Kc). The meter can be set at
levels 1 through 4, but for all rides inside the city it should be set at
1. Rather than depend on the meters - which are often rigged - negotiate
a fare the best you can before entering the cab.")
Note: "Cabs with signs like "TAXL" or "FAXI" can legally set any rates
they want."
AAA (ph. 34-24-10)
BM Taxi: (25-61-44)
Reax (472-1453)
Sedop (75-21-10)
English-language newspapers and magazines:
"The Prague Post" (weekly):
Ph: (24-87-50-16) fax: (24-87-50-50)
e-mail: PRGPOST at Traveller.CZ
"Prognosis" (biweekly):
Ph: (316-70-07) fax: (36-81-39) or (22-02-79)
e-mail: mail at prognosis.cz
"Prague Guide" (monthly)
"What, Where, When" (monthly)
Ph: (691-0905) fax: (691-1497)
In Prague, AVE (see above), PragoCongress (20-24-19), HELLO LTD
(22-42-83) and PAS (231-02-02) offer room-finding services. *Private
accommodations offered at train stations are plentiful and generally
safe.*
NOTE: It is impossible to list every hotel and every restaurant in every
town. Rather, I've selected recommended establishments at different price
ranges:
LODGING:
Very Expensive:
Diplomat
Evropska 15, Praha 6 (ph. 331-4111) fax: (331-4215)
Expensive:
U Pava
U luzickeho seminare 106, Mala Strana (53-22-51)
Moderate:
Kampa
Vsehrdova 16, Praha 1 (53-90-45)
Pension U Raka
Cerninska 10, 118 00 Praha 1 (35-14-53)
Inexpensive:
*Family Kos Bed & Breakfast
Celakovskeho sady 8, Praha 2 (235-53)
*Vlasta Kubcova
Francouzska 26, Praha 2 (74-79-07)
*(20 min. tram ride): Pension Louda
Kubisova 10, Praha 8 (84-33-02)
*Eva Bartlova
ul. Zateckych 7/1532, 140 00 Praha 4
(Metro Line C: Vysehrad)
Phone: 42 90 372 or 42 27 50
DINING:
Very Expensive:
U Mecenase
Malostrancke nam. 10, Mala Strana (53-38-81)
Expensive:
Lobkovicka vinarna
Vlasska 17, Mala Strana (53-01-85)
Penguin
Zborovska 5, Praha 5 (54-56-60)
Inexpensive:
Deminka
Skretova 1, Praha 2 (22-85-95)
U Koleje
Slavikova 24, Praha 2 (627-4163)
Some lunch, snack and people-watching joints:
Tchibo (Staromestske nam. 6); Cafe Slavia (Narodni tr. 1); U Golema
(Maislova 8); N.Y. Pizza (Martinska 2)
Vegetarian fare: "Country Life" (Melantrichova 15). Note: Closed
Saturday.
"Hradcany Castle is the number one attraction in Prague. It is smaller
than Old Town, New Town, Josefov, Charles Bridge, and Lesser Side (the
other tourist attractions) and therefore, it gets very crowded. The
secret to visiting tourist sites, as every experienced traveler knows, is
to visit them before the other tourists get there. Although the museums,
cathedral, and the other sites open at 9 or 10 o'clock, the castle itself
opens at 6 am. So if you arrive by 8, you should have enough time to see
and photograph the outside of the Sv. Vit (St. Guy) Cathedral, Sv. Jiri
(St. George) statue, Zlata Ulicka (Golden Lane), etc. Be ready to enter
Sv. Vit at 8:50, since about a dozen 30-member guided tourist groups will
arrive 5 minutes before the 9 o'clock opening. Do likewise for the
museums that open at 10."
"Even if you have only a passing interest in modern architecture, it's
worth seeking out the Cubist Villas, when you make the trek to the
Vysehrad Fortress. They are located on Neklanova St., #2 and 30 and along
the Rasinovo nabr. (embankment) around the corner. (Look for the
"Kovarovicova vila" and the "rodinny trojdum" further along.)
NIGHTLIFE:
*Tickets: Ticketpro (231-1828)*
Classical Music:
Obecni dum (232-5858), Villa Bertramka (54-38-93), Narodni divadlo
(20-53-64), Stavovske divadlo (26-53-53)
Pubs near the city center:
U Medvidku (235-8904), U Vejvodu (22-06-86), U Zlateho Tygra (Husova 17,
no phone)
American-style bars:
Jo's Bar (Malostranske nam 7, no phone), Piano Bar (Hotel Palace:
235-9394)
Cabaret:
Laterna Magika (26-62-60), Gag Studio (26-54-36), Lucerna Palace
(235-0909) and Bar (235-0888), Variete Praga (235-0861)
Casinos:
In Hotels Forum, Ambassador, Palace and Jalta
Discos:
Radost FX (25-12-10), Lavka (Lavka 1, no phone), Classic Club (231-9473)
Jazz Clubs:
Reduta (20-38-25), Agharta (22-45-58)
Rock (& Other) Clubs:
Rock Cafe (20-38-25), Strahov 007 (no phone), Borat (53-83-62), RC Bunkr
(Lodecka 2, ph. & fax: 231-0735), Malostranska Beseda (53-90-24),
Belmondo Revival (755-1081)
=====================================================================
FURTHER READING:
Fodor's travel guides (traditional)
Publisher: 201 E. 50th St. N.Y. 10022
Frommer's travel guides (middle of the road)
Publisher: Prentiss Hall
15 Columbus Circle, N.Y. 10023
Beadecker's (good graphics, maps. More expensive book)
Publisher: Prentiss Hall
15 Columbus Circle, N.Y. 10023
The Rough Guide by Rob Humphreys (good details on many sights)
Publisher: Rough Guides, Ltd
1 Mercer St. London, WC2H 9OJ
"Let's Go..." series (youth hostels & student accommodations)
Publisher: 1 Story St
Cambridge, MA 02138
EYEWITNESS TRAVEL GUIDE
PRAGUE
first American ed. 1994
ISBN 1-56458-503-4
$22.95
This is well worth the cost. It's on slick paper, in color, and from my
point of view is concise and more thoroughly done travel volume. Each
area of the city is given it's own section in the book and has a map of
it's own. Every page has color photographs and there is a time line so
one can tour each section of the city and follow the art, architecture
and artifacts of every historical period from Prague under the Premysls
up to today. It includes four premarked walking tours with all of the
currently available information about shops and food along the way. If I
could only have one of these books, this one would be it."
"The best language book I've seen by far is "A Modern Czech Grammar" by
William E. Harkins of Columbia University. It is available from:
Columbia University Press
136 S. Broadway
Irvington, NY 10533.
Their phone number is (914) 591-9111.
*BEST SELF-STUDY LANGUAGE TAPES:*
"Speak and Read Essential Czech" (5 cassettes)
Pimsleur International (800) 628-2597
====================================================================
For impressions of an American (Philip Greenspun) in Prague, you can
Mosaic to:
http://www-swiss.ai.mit.edu/~philg/berlin-prague/book-cover.html
====================================================================
A useful phrase: "Dekuju, Ivane" (Thank you, Ivan ;-))
* All descriptions and opinions belong to the various members of the
Internet community. I'm not responsible for any errors or omissions. You
can e at mail suggestions, corrections or additions to:
sever at husc.harvard.edu.
"Ja nic - ja muzikant"
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