Hotel Information

It's here you definitely want to stay in Prague.

The Crowne Plaza Prague is the ideal hotel for business and leisure travellers with it's unique building and architecture. Located in quiet surrounding only 15 minuntes away from Prague Airport and within a very short walking distance to Prague Castle and Old Town, the historical tower building offers you very spacious rooms with a fantastic view over Prague. Free Highspeed Internet and multilangual movie channels are provided in all rooms.

Wireless Internet is accessable throughout the hotel and the business center is open 24 hours a day. The elegant decor of all 15 meeting rooms and the extended, quiet garden areas in the back of the hotel make the hotel the premier meeting place for Prague's most elegant business and social gatherings. All banqueting rooms feature natural daylight, high ceilings, air - condition and accommodate up to 1200 delegates. A secured parking lot and a modern high tech fitness center with sauna is provided for all our guests. Our chefs provide the finest of Czech and Mediterranean Cuisine in the restaurant Harvest or the garden restaurant Vulcano. The Lobby bar is the ideal place to have small talks, meetings or relaxed hours after a stressful flight to Prague or long seightseeing tour with great cocktails whilst live music is entertaining you.

WELCOME TO THE CROWNE PLAZA PRAGUE - THE CITY RESORT WITH ITS UNIQUE ARCHITECTURE

For reservations at the Crowne Plaza please follow the instructions on this form by 15th April 2007.

General Information

Prague sits amid the gentle landscapes of the Bohemian plateau, straddling the Vltava River, the Czech Republic's longest river. Central Prague consists of five historical towns: Hradĉany, the castle district, on a hill above the west bank; Malá Strana, the 13th-century 'Little Quarter', between the river and castle; Staré Mêsto, the gothic 'Old Town' on the Vltava's east bank; adjacent Josefov, the former Jewish ghetto; and Nové Mêsto or 'New Town,' (new in the 14th century), to the south and east of Staré Mêsto.

Within these historical districts - linked by the landmark Charles Bridge - are most of the city's attractions. The whole compact maze is best appreciated on foot, aided by Prague's fine public transportation system. Beyond the centre is 19th- and 20th-century Prague, many of whose districts began as separate towns.

Destination Information

RESTAURANTS

near the Old Town area:

International and Czech cuisine
www.cihelna.com , www.kampapark.cz ,www.kolkovna.cz, www.laprovence.cz, www.umodrekachnicky.cz , www.umodreruze.cz,

near the Prague castle area:
Czech - medieval tavern - U Sedmi ©vábù - www.svabove.cz - I strongly recommend this tavern for the very special atmosphere. The reasonable prices and excellent food quality with the combination of special service. In addition THE SPECIAL SHOW is available upon request. Simply said: " Welcome to medieval times"

near the Charles bridge area:
www.zatisigroup.cz - the chain of excellent restaurants with french cuisine.
www.dongiovanni.cz - typical italiano restaurant with italiano cuisine.

A / SIGHTSEEING TOURS - GRAND CITY TOUR

Grand city tour - 3 hours , english or german speaking guide.Pick up and dropp in hotel.
This three hours tour gives you a chance to get a brief and basic information on history of the Czech Republic and its Capital. During the combined coach- and walking- tour you will see the outstanding highlights of Prague as scheduled: a walking tour through Hradèany Town with the Prague castle founded in the 10th century, The Royal residence and since 1918 the seat of Presidents of Czechoslovakia and Czech Republic. In the precinct of the Castle you will visit the St. Vitus Cathedral, the Christian center of Bohemia, the scene of coronations for centuries and the final resting place of monarchs, clergymen and patrons saints. You will stroll along the picturesque and fabulous Golden Lane and leave the Castle down the hill where the coach will take you along the river Vltava passing the Convent of St. Agnes of Bohemia to the New Town with the Wenceslas Square, building of State Opera, National Museum, Vy¹ehrad Fortress, Charles Square, Dancing House and the National Theatre with Laterna Magica to the Charles Bridge. During this drive, you will be told by the guide about the history of our country, to get a better idea about the development of the city and particular buildings. Short walking tour across the Charles Bridge with panoramic view on the Old Town and the Lesser Town with the Prague Castle. > From the biggest Baroque Church of St. Nicholas passing by the noble palaces and unique Baroque gardens you cross the river again and you enter the Jewish Town. It is one of the best preserved Jewish towns in the world, with an old Jewish cemetery and the oldest active synagogue in middle Europe, built in 1270. Apart from this one, still used for services, there are another synagogues, used as museums, where you can learn a lot about Jewish culture and history. After driving through the center of nowadays Jewish town, we will come along a Paris street, one of the most wealthy streets nowadays, to the Old Town Square with the famous astronomical clock where the tour ends.
This tour is for 3 hours - minimum time is 2 hours-finish of the tour is available at the restaurant you will choose.

B / BOAT TOUR - RIVER CRUISE:

Not too many visitors will leave Prague without taking the opportunity to view magical night town from the Vltava river. From the boat deck you will discover new sides to our fairytale town and this experience will be topped by a dinner offering variation of the Czech cuisine. An hour lasting sightseeing tour in the minibus will follow straight after the 2 hrs cruise through center and you will be able to see the hidden beauty of the old Prague. A professional guide will be at your disposal the whole 3 hours. A buffet dinner is inclusive of welcome drink.
Pick up at the hotel and return after the program is included in the price.
All drinks on the boat are required to pay except of welcome drink.

Documentation Information

Customs

Arriving in the Czech Republic

You may import duty-free into the Czech Republic tobacco products equivalent to 200 cigarettes, 100 cigarillos, 250 grams of tobacco, or 50 cigars; 1 liter of spirits, 2 liters of wine, and personal medicines, as well as gifts and personal items valued at up to 6,000 Kc (3,000 Kc for visitors under 15) (about $170/$85).

Leaving the Czech Republic

The export of items considered to have historical value is not allowed. To be exported, an antique or work of art must have an export certificate. Reputable shops should be willing to advise customers on how to comply with the regulations. If a shop can't provide proof of the item's suitability for export, be wary. Under certain circumstances, the value-added tax (VAT) on purchases over 1,000 Kc can be refunded if the goods are taken out of the country within 30 days.

Transportation Information

To see Prague properly, there is no alternative to walking. And the walking couldn't be more pleasant -- most of it along the beautiful bridges and cobblestone streets of the city's historic core. Before venturing out, however, be sure you have a good map. The city is divided into 10 administrative districts; Prague 1 and part of Prague 2 lie entirely within the historic center, and the castle area is bordered by Prague 6 and Prague 7. Navigation is relatively simple once you know the basic street-sign words: ulice (street, abbreviated to ul., commonly dropped in printed addresses); námestí (square, abbreviated to nám.); and trída (avenue). In Prague, the blue tags mark the street address (usually).

By Taxi

Dishonest taxi drivers are the shame of the nation. Typical scams include drivers doctoring the meter or simply failing to turn the meter on and then demanding an exorbitant sum at the end of the ride. In an honest cab, the meter starts at 30 Kc and increases by 22 Kc per km (½ mi) or 4 Kc per minute at rest. Most rides within town should cost no more than 80 Kc-150 Kc.

To minimize the chances of getting ripped off, avoid taxi stands in Wenceslas Square, Old Town Square, and other heavily touristed areas. The best alternative is to phone for a taxi in advance. Many radio-taxi firms have English-speaking operators.

Taxi Companies

Climate

Language

Food

Pub Etiquette

Before venturing into a pub in Prague, it's best to familiarize yourself with a few points of pub etiquette. First, always ask if a chair is free before sitting down (Je tu volno?). To order a beer (pivo), do not wave the waiter down or shout across the room; he will often assume you want beer -- most pubs serve one brand -- and bring it over to you without asking. He will also bring subsequent rounds to the table without asking. To refuse, just shake your head or say "no thanks" (ne, dekuju). At the end of the evening, usually around 10:30 or 11, the waiter will come to tally the bill. In a traditional pub, for each beer the waiter will make one mark on a strip of paper. Don't lose the paper or doodle on it. Also, it's a good idea to ask how much each beer is before ordering and to keep track of how many you had. Waiters are adept at doctoring bills, especially for large groups. For tipping, the common practice is to round up the bill slightly when paying, rather than leaving extra money on the table. Only give a Western-style tip for exceptional service.

On the Menu

Traditional Czech food is hearty, with big portions of meat and something starchy on the side such as dumplings or potatoes. Herbs and spices are not used heavily, though dill, marjoram, and caraway make frequent appearances, and garlic is used heavily in some dishes. Salt is used liberally. Aside from these, flavor comes from meat. The Czechs know what they're doing when it comes to smoking meat -- the natural way -- and smoked (uzený) pork makes its way into many meals, occasionally (though less frequently than a few years ago) even "vegetarian" ones.

Bramborák (bram-bohr-ahk). Available from fast-food stands throughout the city as well as in restaurants, this large (six- to eight-inch) potato pancake is flavored with marjoram and deep-fried. Bezmasá jídla. This section of the menu lists dishes without meat. This is where you'll find cocky (stewed lentils), smazený sýr (fried cheese), and rizoto se zeleninou (risotto with vegetables).

Cesnecka (ches-netch-kah). This Czech standby, garlic soup, is a thin -- usually meatless -- garlic-laced broth containing small pieces of potato, served with fried bread cubes.

Cocky (choch-kee). In this traditional vegetarian dish, green lentils are stewed with or without smoked meat. An egg and pickle are usually served with the true meatless version.

Dábelske toasty (dya-byel-skeh). Devil's toasts are a mixture of cooked ground beef, tomatoes, onions, and peppers served on fried or toasted white bread. This starter is meant, as its name suggests, to be hot (as in spicy). By North American standards it doesn't deliver that big a punch, however, and more closely resembles a mildly spiced sloppy Joe. It may come with cheese melted on top.

Gulás (goo-laush). Like its Hungarian counterpart, Czech goulash is cubes of beef or pork, stewed and served in thin, juicy gravy. It's usually served with houskové knedliky (bread dumplings).

Hotová jídla (ho-to-vah yee'dla). This section of the menu lists dishes that are made ahead in the kitchen and ready to be served. This is where you can find the most traditional favorites svíckova (stewed beef) and (goulash).

Jídla na objednávka (yee'dla na obe-yeh'dnahv-ka). This section of the menu lists dishes that are cooked to order. This is where you will find a selection of chicken and pork cutlets (referred to as chicken and pork steaks on menus), as well as beef steak, prepared in various ways. Usually, they differ in their use of ingredients, such as onions, garlic, mushrooms, or cheese.

Klobása (kloh-bah-sa). This smoked sausage, a mainstay of the obcerstveni (fast-food stand) is also served in restaurants on its own or as an addition to certain types of gulás and soups.

Livanecky (liv-ah-nech-kee). These griddle-cakes are made with a yeast-based batter and are usually served with blueberry sauce and whipped cream. They involve more work to make and thus are a little less common than palacinky but seem to be making a comeback on menus.

Moucníky ( moe-ooch-nikkee). There's usually not a long list of desserts on any traditional Czech menu, but you might see palacinky, zmrzlina (ice cream), compot (fruit compote), or dort (cake).

Nakládený Hermelín (nah-kla-den-ee). This favorite snack of cafés and pubs consists of a small round of hermelin, a soft cheese closely resembling camembert, which is pickled in oil, onions, and herbs and served with dark bread.

Ovocní knedlíky (o-voht-snee kned-lee-kee). These fruit dumplings are slightly bigger than golf balls and consist of a yeast-risen or soft-cheese dough filled with apricot, plum, strawberry, or in some cases blueberry. They are sometimes listed as desserts, but Czechs often eat them as a main meatless meal. Palacinky (pala-ching-kee). Usually served with jam or ice cream inside and whipped cream on top, these pancakes resemble crêpes, but are made with a thicker batter.

Rizoto (riz-oh-toe). Unlike the Italian original, whose name it inherits, the rizoto found in most Czech restaurants is more like rice pilaf, a steamed dish. In the usual preparation, it is served se zeleninou (with vegetables), which means frozen mixed vegetables are steamed along with the rice, and, adding to a somewhat disharmonious mixture, stretchy cheese is grated on top prior to service.

Smazný sýr (sma-zhe-nee see'r). A post-war and hence nontraditional staple of the Czech diet, this is literally translated as fried cheese. A thick slab of an Edam-like cheese is breaded and deep fried, ideally giving it a crusty shell and somewhat stretchy interior. This favorite is usually served with tartar sauce -- which is meant to be liberally spread on top -- and fries.

Svícková (svitch-koh-vah). Though technically this is the tenderloin cut of beef, on menus it means a dish consisting of two to four slabs of stewed beef, usually sirloin; in better restaurants you can get real tenderloin covered with a creamy sauce of pureed root vegetables, garnished with a dollop of whipping cream, cranberry sauce, and a slice of lemon. It's served with houskové knedlíky (bread dumplings).

Teplé predkrmy (teh-pleh pr'zhed-kr-mee). Warm appetizers on the Czech menu ordinarily include topinka (toasted or fried dark bread, rubbed with garlic cloves), and dabelské toasty (devil's toasts).

Utopenec (oo-toe-pen-etts). Literally translated as "drowned man." utopenec is uncooked pork sausage, which has been pickled in vinegar. It's not only a common appetizer in Czech restaurants, but along with tlacenka, is a ubiquitous beer-snack staple in Czech pubs.

Vepro-knedlo-zelo (veh-pr'zho-kne'dlo-zhe-lo). An affectionately shortened name for the three foods that appear on one plate, this popular family dish consists of pork, dumplings, and cabbage, the latter being stewed with a bit of caraway.

Zelnacka (zell-n'yatch-kah). Cabbage is the main ingredient in this hearty soup whose flavor is accentuated by smoked pork or sausage and caraway. It can be a filling meal in itself when served in a small round loaf of bread.

Safety

Dangers & Annoyances

As in most big cities, pickpockets gather wherever there are large crowds of tourists. There are also a few scams around. Over the last few years there have been an increasing amount of reports from foreigners who have been robbed by bogus police. Men who claim that they are plain-clothes police investigating counterfeiting or illegal money-changing approach tourists and ask to see their money, which is returned after being examined. The unsuspecting tourist finds out later when they check their wallet that a substantial amount of money has been taken. Another ploy involves a 'lost tourist' asking for directions (usually in halting English). Once you have been in conversation for a few minutes, two of the tourist's 'friends' interrupt, claiming to be plain-clothes policemen and accusing you of changing money illegally. They will demand to see your wallet and passport, but if you hand them over they are likely to run off with them. If in doubt, insist on accompanying them to a police station.

Tourists are charged two or three times more commission than Czechs at some independent exchange offices, for admission into some museums and for some theatre tickets, and in many hotels and restaurants.

Currency

The unit of currency in the Czech Republic is the koruna, or crown (Kc), which is divided into 100 haléru, or hellers. There are (little-used) coins of 10, 20, and 50 hellers; coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and (rarely) 50 Kc; and notes of 50, 100, 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000, and 5,000 Kc. Notes of 1,000 Kc and up may not always be accepted for small purchases.

The Czech Republic is still generally a bargain by Western standards. Prague remains the exception. Hotel prices in particular are often higher than the facilities would warrant, but prices at tourist resorts outside the capital are lower and, in the outlying areas and off the beaten track, very low. Unfortunately, many museums, castles, and certain clubs charge a higher entrance fee for foreigners than they charge for Czechs. A few hotels still follow this practice, too.

Credit Cards

Visa, MasterCard, and American Express are widely accepted by major hotels and stores, Diners Club less so. Smaller establishments and those off the beaten track are less likely to accept a wide variety of credit cards.

ATMs

ATMs are common and more often than not are part of the Cirrus and Plus networks; outside of urban areas, machines are scarce and you should plan to carry enough cash to meet your needs.

Exchanging Money

Try to avoid exchanging money at hotels or private exchange booths, including the ubiquitous Chequepoint and Exact Change booths. They routinely take commissions of 8%-10%. The best places to exchange are at bank counters, where the commissions average 1%-3%, or at ATMs. The koruna is fully convertible, which means it can be purchased outside the country and exchanged into other currencies. Of course, never change money with people on the street. Not only is it illegal, you will almost definitely be ripped off.

Taxes

If you shop in the Czech Republic, get a value-added tax (VAT) refund. The basic VAT rate in the Czech Republic is about 25%, applied to most consumer goods. A 5% rate applies to most services and some goods, including fuel and most food.

Electrical Current

Tipping/Gratuities

Telephone Calls

You can make international calls at main post offices or directly from card-phone booths. There are payphones all over the place - blue coin-phones only accept 2.00, 5.00, 10.00 and 20.00 coins, and can be used to make local, long-distance and international calls. A more common and convenient alternative is a telekart (telephone card), which is good for local, long-distance and international calls. You can buy phonecards from post offices, hotels, news-stands and department stores for 175.00 or 320.00.

The simplest and cheapest (25% less than coin or cardphones) option is to pay a deposit at the main telephone bureau (to the left inside the main post office's right-hand entrance) and make your call in a soundproof booth, where a little meter ticks off your money.

Calls from hotel or restaurant telephones tend to cost at least twice as much as those from a public telephone. Calls to mobile telephones are more expensive than those to landlines.

The telephone bureau at the post office has directories for Prague and other major cities.

Mobile Phone Overview

The Czech Republic uses GSM 900, which is compatible with the rest of Europe, Australia and New Zealand but not with the North American GSM 1900 or the totally different system in Japan. However, some North Americans have GSM 1900/900 phones that do work here. If you have a GSM phone, check with your service provider about using it in Prague, and beware of calls being routed internationally (very expensive for a 'local' call). You can rent a mobile from EuroTel (224 948 467; www.eurotel.cz; Národní třída 32, Nové Město) for around 1800.00 per week (plus a 5000.00 deposit). In this case, however, you can't use your existing mobile number.

Business Hours

Banks & Stores

Though hours vary, most banks are open weekdays 8-5. Private currency exchange offices usually have longer hours, and some are open all night.

Stores are open weekdays 9-6. Some grocery stores open at 6 AM. Western-operated supermarkets are open much longer hours and on weekends; some larger supermarkets never close. Department stores often stay open until 7 PM. Outside Prague, most stores close for the weekend at noon on Saturday, although you can usually find a grocery open nights and weekends.

Museums & Sights

Museums are usually open daily except Monday (or Tuesday) 9-5; they tend to stop selling tickets an hour before closing time.

It used to be that many sights outside the large towns, including most castles, were open daily except Monday only from May through September and in April and October were open only on weekends. Lately the trend is toward a longer season, although off-season hours may change capriciously, and many places still close from November to March.

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Developed at C.R.L.E (University of Guelph)
Copyright © 2005 C.R.L.E
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