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IAIA-SEA Prague ConferenceInternational experience and perspectives in SEA

26-30 September 2005Prague, Czech Republic

***Transportation, accommodations, logistics, and general information***________________________________________________________________________

Conference venue

The IAIA-SEA Prague 2005 conference takes place in the conference center on the Czech University of Agriculture (CUA) campus. Plenary sessions, some concurrent sessions and meetings, the registration desk, and the conference secretariat are located in the Congress Hall and the Study and Information Center (SIC); other sessions take place in nearby buildings.

The university campus is located in Prague-Suchdol, at the Northwest edge of Prague.

Address of the CUA:Česká zemědělská univerzita (Czech University of Agriculture)Kamýcká 129160 00 Praha 6 – Suchdol

Situation Plan of the CUA campus

1. Rector’s office, Institute of Tropical Studies2. Aula 3. Faculty of Agronomy (FA) 4. Faculty of Forestry and Environment 5. Faculty of Economics and Management 6. Technical Faculty 7. College dormitory A 8. College dormitory BCD 9. College dormitory EFG 10. College dormitory JIH 11. Eurest dining hall, restaurant12. "C" Club13. Sport Centrum, Department of Sport 14. FEM - Department of Languages 15. FA - The Department of Veterinary Sciences16. Glasshouses 17. Technical Faculty – work rooms 18. Technical Faculty – Carousel pavilion 19. FA – A pavilion20. FA – B pavilion 21. FA - Meteorological station 22. Health centre 23. Unico - Agric 24. Pavilion FEM - FFE 25. FA – Stable 26. Conference center: SIC (Study and Information Center) + Congress Hall

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107, 149

Accommodation, local transfers and sightseeing in PraguePragInt Travel Agency is coordinating logistical arrangements for the Conference.

Accommodations at selected hotels are available at specially reduced prices for conference delegates. Information on hotels, hotel reservations, transportation, sightseeing, excursions, car rentals and more is available through PragInt.

For information, contact PragInt at the contact details provided below, or go to www.pragint.cz and in the lower half of the web page, click the link "For IAIA-SEA Conference Services." There you will find links for PragInt Basic Information, Accommodations for hotel information, Transfers for transportation, the Conference Party for information on the conference social event, Sightseeing, or the PragInt Order Form to make your reservations.

PragInt Travel Agency, s.r.o.Prokopova 9130 00 Praha 3Czech RepublicPhone: + 420 221 416 491Fax: + 420 224 224 246E-mail contact: sea2005@pragint.cz URL: www.pragint.cz

Travel at the conference

How to get to CUA PragueDirections from the Ruzyne Airport to CUA (Prague 6 – Suchdol)

Prague’s Ruzyne Airport is located 15 km west of the city centre. There is a bank for money exchange (daily 7:00 - 23:00; if you arrived at the night, you’d be advised to change money before you pass through customs), car-rental office and public phones, bar, shops etc. You can make your way from the airport to our campus by city bus, airport shuttle or taxi.

CSA (Czech airlines) operates an airport shuttle bus to and from its office in central Prague with the only stop at Dejvická metro station. It leaves every 30 minutes from 7:30 to 19:30. The shuttle costs Kc 60,- for the 30-minute trip.

Even cheaper is a city bus nr. 119, which brings passengers from the airport to the Dejvická metro station. The bus ticket costs Kc 20,-. The 119 bus terminates at the Dejvická stop, the travel time is about 30 minutes. Official airport taxis are plentiful and line up in front of the arrival terminal expect to pay about Kc 400,- to Kc 500,- for the 20 minute ride to the Dejvická.

On Dejvická, there you get on bus number 107 or 147 to the bus stop called “Česká zemědělská univerzita “ (The Czech Agriculture University – CUA). Then you will cross the main street and go to the Conference Center located within the University campus (follow the signs)

Directions from railway stations to CUA - Suchdol

Passengers traveling to Prague by train typically pull into two central stations: “Wilsonovo - Hlavní nádraží” (Wilson Main Railway Station) or Nádraží Holešovice (Holesovice Railway Station). Both are on line C of the metro system and offer a number of services, including money exchange, post office, and a luggage-storage area. Wilson’s station is usually the terminus for

trains from west (Paris, Frankfurt) and east (Budapest), Holešovice station for trains from north (Berlin) and south (Vienna). You can get to Dejvická by going on the metro C line to station Muzeum and there you can change to the green A line. Dejvická is the last stop on the west end of A line.

On Dejvická, there you get on bus number 107 or 147 to the bus stop called “Česká zemědělská univerzita“ (= The Czech Agriculture University – CUA). Then you will cross the main street and go to the Conference Center located within the University campus (follow the signs)

Recommended transport from Conference hotels to the Conference venue

Hotel Radisson SAS (Štěpánská 40, Praha 1)

How to get to the IAIA-SEA Conference CentreLeave the hotel and turn right to the Stepanska street, come to Venceslas Square (Václavské náměstí) than turn left and go straight down towards the underground station Mustek (approx. 300 m from the hotel). From here take the line A (green one) to the underground station Dejvická. Here at the bus stop Dejvická change for the buses n. 107, 147, 359 and go to the bus stop Zemědělská univerzita. Duration: approx. 25 minutes.

Hotel Aria (Tržiště 9, Praha 1)

How to get to the IAIA-SEA Conference CentreLeave the hotel and turn right (approx. 100 m), than turn left to the Karmelitánská street and go straight towards Lesser town Square (Malostranské náměstí) (approx. 150 m). Here at the tram stop Malostranské náměstí take the tram n. 20 to the tram stop Dejvická. From here change for the buses n. 107, 147, 359 and go to the bus stop Zemědělská univerzita. Duration: approx. 30 minutes.

Crowne Plaza (Koulova 15, Praha 6)

How to get to the IAIA-SEA Conference CentreLeave the hotel and turn right (approx. 40 m) and than turn right and take the Podbabská street (approx. 60 m) towards the bus stops. (The second one close to crossroads the Podbabská street and the Činská street.) At the bus stop Podbabská take the bus n. 147, 107 or 359 to the bus stop Zemědělská univerzita. Duration: approx. 15 minutes.

Hotel Diplomat (Evropská 15, Praha 6)

How to get to the IAIA-SEA Conference CentreLeave the hotel and turn left to the bus stop Dejvická (approx. 50 m). From here take the buses n. 107, 147 or 359 to the bus stop Zemědelská univerzita. Duration: approx. 15 minutes.

Hotel Praha (Sušická 20, Praha 6)

How to get to the IAIA-SEA Conference CentreLeave the hotel and take the Sušická street than turn left, after 250 m turn left again to the U Hadovky street. Go straight down approx. 320 m towards the bus stop Hadovka which is in

Evropská street. From here take the trams n. 2, 26, 20 to the tram stop Dejvická. Here change for the buses n. 107, 147 or 359 and go to the bus stop Zemědělská univerzita. Duration: approx. 25 minutes.

Parkhotel Praha (Veletržní 20, Praha 7)

How to get to the IAIA-SEA Conference CentreLeave the hotel and turn left and take the first street Dukelských hrdinu left (approx. 50 m) to the tram stop Veletržní. From here take the trams n. 12 or 17 towards Strossmayerovo náměstí. At the tram stop Strossmayerovo náměstí change for the tram n. 8 and go to the tram stop Podbaba and from here change again for the buses n. 107, 147 and 359 and go to Zemědělská univerzita. Duration: approx. 40 minutes.

Hotel Pyramida (Bělohorská 24, Praha 6)

How to get to the IAIA-SEA Conference CentreLeave the hotel and turn left. After 200 m turn right to the street Vaníčkova and go towards the bus stop Malovanka. From here take the buses n. 143, 149 or 217 to the bus stop Dejvická and here change for the buses n. 107, 147 or 359 and go to the bus stop Zemědělská univerzita. Duration: approx. 25 minutes.

Ramada Grand Hotel Symphony (Václavské nám. 41, Praha 1)

How to get to the IAIA-SEA Conference Centrea) Leave the hotel than turn right and go straight down towards the underground station

Můstek (approx. 300 m from the hotel). From here take the line A (green one) to the underground station Dejvická. Here at the bus stop Dejvická change for the buses n. 107, 147, 359 and go to the bus stop Zemědělská univerzita. Duration: approx. 25 minutes.

b) Leave the hotel than turn left and go straight towards the underground station Muzeum (approx. 300 m from the hotel). From here take the line A (green one) to the underground station Dejvická. Here at the bus stop Dejvická change for the buses n. 107, 147, 359 and go to the bus stop Zemědělská univerzita. Duration: approx. 25 minutes.

Wienna (Internacionální 801, Praha 6)

How to get to the IAIA-SEA Conference CentreLeave the hotel and turn right and after 20 m there is the bus stop Internacionalni. From here take the buses n. 147, 107 or 359 and go to the bus stop Zemědělská univerzita. Duration: approx. 5 minutes.

Hotel Atos (Mělnická 13, Prague 5)

How to get to the IAIA-SEA Conference CentreLeave the hotel and turn left, at the end of the street turn right and take the Újezd street and than turn right again to the street Vítězná and go to the tram stop Újezd. At the tram stop Újezd take the tram n. 20 to the stop Dejvická. Here at the bus stop Dejvická change for the buses n. 107, 147, 359 and go to the bus stop Zemědělská univerzita. Duration: approx. 35 minutes.

Hotel Jas (Sídlištní 1167, Praha 6)

How to get to the IAIA-SEA Conference CentreCongress center is in walking distance. Leave the hotel and turn left and take the street Sídlištní (approx. 100 m) and than turn right to the street Vysokoškolská which is in the university area.

Hotel Zlatá Praha (Na Zavadilce 8, Praha 6)

How to get to the IAIA-SEA Conference CentreLeave the hotel and turn right to the street Na Zavadilce, after 60 m turn right. Take the street Na Špitálce (approx. 40 m ), cross straight the crossroads and go to the bus stop Špitálka. Take the bus n. 131 to the bus stop Zelená. From the bus stop Zelená turn right and take the street Jugoslávských partyzánů (approx. 150 m) to the bus stop Podbaba. From the bus stop Podbaba take the buses n. 147, 107 or 359 to the bus stop Zemědělská univerzita. Duration: approx. 30 minutes.

Hotel Adalbert (Markétská 1, Praha 6)

How to get to the IAIA-SEA Conference CentreThe hotel is situated in the Břevnov Abbey area. From the exit of Břevnov Abbey go straight towards the street Bělohorská and than turn left and go this street 250 m towards the tram stop Říčanova. From here take the tram n. 15, 22 and 25 to the tram stop Malovanka. From here take the buses n. 143, 149 or 217 to the bus stop Dejvická. Here change for the buses n. 107, 147 or 359 and go to the bus stop Zemědělská univerzita. Duration: approx. 40 minutes.

Hotel U Sládků (Bělohorská 130, Praha 6)

How to get to the IAIA-SEA Conference CentreLeave the hotel, in front of the hotel there is the tram stop named “U Kaštanu”. Take the trams n. 25, 15, 22 to the tram stop Malovanka. From here take the buses n. 143, 149 or 217 to the bus stop Dejvická. Here change for the buses n. 107, 147 or 359 and go to the bus stop Zemědělská univerzita. Duration: approx. 35 minutes.

City transport in Prague

The major city-transport carrier in Prague is Dopravni podnik hl. m. Prahy, a.s. (The Capital City of Prague Transport Company), whose total annual transportation volume is more than one billion passengers. They are served by the system of underground, trams and buses.

How does the city transport in Prague operate?

MetroThe Prague Metro network consists of 3 lines designated by letters and differentiated in colour:

green colour (Skalka station - Dejvická station), yellow colour (Černý most station - Zličín station), red colour (Ládví station - Háje station), with transfers possible at Muzeum station

(lines A and C), Můstek station (lines A and B), Florenc station (lines B and C). Metro operates daily from 5 a.m. to 12 p.m.. The time interval between train departures is approximately 2 to 3 minutes during the workday rush hours and 4 to 10 minutes during off-peak hours.

TramsDaytime operation is from 4:30 a.m. to 24:00 a.m. Nighttime operation is from 00:30 a.m. to 4:30 a.m. and is provided by tram numbers 51 to 58 with traffic intervals 30 minutes. The central transfer-station for nighttime lines is Lazarská stop. Tram schedules are located at individual stops.

BusesThe daytime and nighttime operation of buses is similar to tram operation. Nighttime service is provided by bus numbers 501 to 514. Bus schedules are located at individual stops.

The FunicularThe Funicular onto Petrin Hill operates along the route Újezd - Nebozizek - Petrin. The Funicular operates daily from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. (April - October) and from 9 a.m. to 11:20 p.m. (November - March) with traffic intervals from 10 to 15 minutes.

Prague City Transport FaresTraveling by city transport is only possible with a valid ticket. Passengers have to obtain their tickets before boarding the vehicle or entering the Metro system. The ticket is valid only if marked in the validation appliance. Tickets can be bought at selected Metro stations or in Dopravní podnik Information Centers (http://www.dp-praha.cz/en/), hotels, at news stands, travel bureaus, department stores, etc. Single tickets can also be bought from the slot machines located at Metro stations or near some stops of surface transport.

Fares

Single tickets Transfer Non-transfer

Adult persons over 15 years 20,- Kc 14,- KcChildren from 6 up to 15 years inclusive 10,- Kc 7,- Kc

Transfer tickets Tickets for three fare zones can be used 75 minutes from validation. On working days from 08.00 PM to 05.00 AM and on Saturdays and Sundays round the clock such tickets can be used 90 minutes from validation.

Non-transfer ticketsapply to trams and buses 20 minutes allowing no change. On the Metro such tickets are valid for the distance of 5 stations from the station of validation (not including the station of validation) allowing to change between the lines A,B,C, but no longer than 30 minutes. These tickets do not apply to night routes and funicular railway.

Additional ticket sale from bus drivers

Adult persons over 15 years 25,- KcChildren from 6 up to 15 years inclusive 15,- Kc

Season (short-term) tickets

24-hour ticket 80,- Kc3-day ticket (72 hours) 220,- Kc7-day ticket (168 hours) 280,- Kc15-day ticket (360 hours) 320,- Kc

These tickets are valid for all the city transport facilities and allow transfers. On such a ticket, owner’s name and the date of birth have to be filled in. The ticket is valid from the moment of its marking. These tickets can be bought in the Information Centres of the Prague Information Service (PIS).

Charge payable for carriage of various items

Charge payable for carriage of various items is paid by a transfer ticket for 10,- Kc. Validity of such ticket is identical to that of the ticket used by a passenger carrying the luggage (but no longer than 240 minutes). This charge is payable for carriage of items larger than 25 x 45 x 70cm (a bar over 150cm, a board over 100 x 100 x 5cm) and an empty pram. Season tickets of all types entitle their holders to a free of charge carriage of one of the items subject to the charge payable for carriage of luggage. Passenger may carry only items permitted by Contractual Transport Conditions.

Charge payable for carriage of a dog without a container (not allowed on the Metro) is identical to the price of a single transfer ticket for adult persons over 15 years. Charge payable for carriage of various items on trains of the Czech Railways is governed by provisions of the Railway Transportation Code. Season tickets do not entitle passengers to carry a dog without a container free of charge.

Season tickets valid for one or more days entitle passengers to carry free of charge one of the items subject to the charge for carriage of luggage (does not apply to carriage of animals).

Free of charge carriage

Free of charge carriage applies to the following groups of passengers:

children up to the age of 6

holders of cards for handicapped persons including a guide and a dog (on trains of the Czech Railways they must follow provisions of the Railway Transportation Code)

a wheelchair with a handicapped person’ card holder prams with babies animals (dogs) in containers items not subject to charge for carriage of various items

Notice - If a disabled person in a wheelchair is to use the city surface transport, the guide should inform the driver. At the A-line Metro station Dejvická, the B-line Metro stations Zlicin, Stodulky, Luka, Luziny, Hurka, Vysocanska, Kolbenova, Hloubetin, Rajska zahrada, Cerny Most and the C-line Nadrazi Holesovice (i.e. Holesovice Railway Station) and Hlavni nadrazi (the Main Railway Station), Muzeum and Vysehrad there is barrierless access to the platform. In a similar way, modified freight-lifts can be used in the A-line Metro station Skalka, and at the C-line - Florenc, I. P. Pavlova, Pankrac, Roztyly, Chodov, Opatov, Haje stations. On working days a special bus service of the line numbers 1 and 3 is provided for the disabled in wheelchairs at these lines: Bryksova, Invalidovna - Florenc - Namesti Republiky - I. P. Pavlova - Jedlickuv ústav - Budejovicka - Nemocnice Krc - Petyrkova - Chodov; and Sidliste Dablice - Prosek - Bulovka - Nadrazi Holesovice - Florenc - Namesti Republiky - Malostranska - Hradcanska - Brevnovska - Nemocnice Motol - Sidliste Repy - Zlicin.

Ticket Inspection

The validity of tickets can be checked by the ticket inspectors of Dopravní podnik at any time during travel or stay in the Metro system. The ticket inspector is entitled to ask the passenger to produce his or her valid ticket, to confiscate invalid tickets, and to collect a penalty (800,- Kc, if paid at once 400,- Kc) in case of travel without a valid ticket. In case of unpaid freight the inspector collects a penalty 50,- Kc. To prove their identity, inspectors produce yellow-and-red badges. They issue receipts for the penalty amounts.

Transport – taxi You will find them in front of hotels (more expensive) and at all the important places, you can command the taxi at the reception desk.

The prices for taxi services must be stated at a noticeable place of the car. Approximate prices in 2005:

Ride in the district of the capital city of Prague 23,- - 25,- Kc / 1 km Boarding fee 25,- - 35,- Kc Waiting 4,- - 5,- Kc/1min.

The maximum prices are valid for all the vehicles offering the taxi services in the district of the capital city of Prague. The price for waiting includes waiting in a traffic jam (slow traffic) as well as waiting on customer's request. Fare outside the district of the capital city of Prague is not limited.

Selected Nonstop Taxi Dispatching OfficesAAA Taxi – phone 140 14Citytaxi – phone 257 257 257Halotaxi – phone 244 114 411Profitaxi – phone 844 700 800

Eating and dining

Lunches during the Conference daysLunches will be served in the Eurest dining hall at the University campus. The dining hall will be open for the conference participants daily. A selection of a minimum of 3 main dishes (including vegetarian) will be offered.

IAIA SEA Prague 2005 Conference party

The Conference party takes place in Wednesday 28th September, 2005 at the venue of the Monastery restaurant and brewery Strahov (Strahovské nádvoří 302, Praha 1).

The rustically styled Monastery restaurant seats 500 guests, with a further 150 places available on the summer terrace. The wait staff is dressed in stylish period costume. The cuisine offered by the restaurant is an open range, and includes traditional Bohemian specialties prepared according to age-old recipes. Sucking pigs, steaks and tarts are prepared in front of the restaurant guests, and the head chef serves meat dishes on historic swords from the reign of Charles IV.

Who thinks about the Czech Republic must also think about “pivo” (the beer). A very good beer has always been served in the Monastery restaurant. The first mention of a brewery dates from the turn of the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. During the Hussites Wars(15th century) the monastery was burnt down and the brewery was destroyed. Brewing privileges were only once more renewed in 1515 by Czech king Vladislav. In 1629 the brewery was entirely closed down by a resolution issued by a Abbot Kaspar of Qeustenberk. The last full reconstruction was completed in the middle of 2001, the brewery has been restored and a restaurant has been set up with its own dark 14° “St. Norbert“ beer named after the founder of the Premonstratensian order. Also the wine served by the restaurant comes from the Moravian Premonstratensian cellars and bears the name of the founder of the order – St. Norbert.

The party menu consists of typical Czech meals, incl. spit roasted piglets and a variety of salads. Two drinks (beer or wine or soft drinks) and a cup of coffee or tea per person are available.

How to get there by public transport

Address of the Strahov Monastery: Strahovské nádvoří 302, Praha 1From the “Václavské náměstí” (Wenceslas Square) in the heart of the city you can take the tram no. 9 (every 5 minutes) in the direction of the stop “Národní třída” (National Avenue). At the stop Národní třída please change to the tram no. 22 and continue in the direction of the stop “Pohořelec”. From here the restaurant is situated just a few steps away - please follow the indications (“IAIA-SEA PARTY, STRAHOV”).You can you the trams no. 22 or 23 to get to “Pohořelec” from other parts of Prague, too.

The Czech Republic - important facts for the travelers

Climate: The damp continental climate over most of the Czech Republic is responsible for warm, showery summers; cold, snowy winters; and generally changeable conditions. July is the hottest month everywhere, January the coldest. From December through February, temperatures push below freezing even in the lowlands, and are bitter in the mountains. There is no real 'dry season', and the long, sunny hot spells of summer tend to be broken by sudden, heavy thunderstorms. Winter brings 40 to 100 days of snow on the ground (about 130 in the mountains), plus fog in the lowlands.

Climate: average temperature 9,0°C summer season - July 19,0°C, September 15oCwinter season - January -0,9°CAnnual precipitation: 500 - 700 mm

Visas: Nationals of all Western European countries, Japan and New Zealand can visit the Czech Republic for up to 90 days, and UK citizens for up to 180 days, without a visa. US passport holders can stay for 90 days without a visa. Nationals of Australia, Canada, South Africa and many other countries must obtain a visa, which is good for a stay of between 30 and 90 days depending on your nationality.

Time zone: Central European (GMT plus 1 hour), from April to October summer time - GMT plus 2 hours

Dialling Code: 420

Electricity: 220V, 50Hz

Currency: 1 Crown (Kc) = 100 Hellers (hal)Coins: hellers: 50

Kc: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 Banknotes: Kc 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000

Rate of exchange: 1 GBP = approx. 47,- Kc1 USD = approx. 26,- Kc1 EUR = approx. 31,- Kc1 CAD = approx. 19,- Kc1 CHF = approx. 20,- Kc

You can change the money at the reception desk at your hotel or in exchange offices, preferably in a bank (opening hours: Mo – Fri 8,00 a.m. – 5,00 p.m.).Important: keep the receipt in case you want to change the money back before your departure.

Postal services Main Post Office - Praha 1, Jindrisska 14, open nonstop except break 12 p.m. - 02 a.m. The other posts are usually open 8 a.m. - 6 p. m.

Phone

To telephone from the hotel is rather expensive. In case you want to use public telephone boxes: you need telephone cards in the value of 200,- Kc and 300,- Kc that you get at the post office, hotels or newspapers stands.

Important Telephone Numbers: Emergency call 112 Ambulance service phone 155 Police phone 158 Fire emergency phone 150 Municipal police phone 156 Emergency road service phone 1230, 1240 General information phone 12 444 Directory inquiries (Prague and the whole Czech Republic) phone 1180 Directory inquiries (international) - both telephone and fax numbers, call services and prices phone 1181

International Dialing Codes

Australia 0061 Austria 0043 Belgium 0032 Canada 001 Denmark 0045 France 0033 Germany 0049 Great Britain 0044

Greece 0030 Hungary 0036 Israel 00972 Italy 0039 Japan 0081 Netherlands 0031 Norway 0047 Poland 0048

Portugal 00351 Russia 007 Slovakia 00421 Sweden 0046 Spain 0034 Switzerland 0041 USA 001 Czech Rep. 00420

Medical Emergencies Praha 1 - Palackého 5, phone 224 949 181 Praha 2 - Sokolska 27, phone 224 266 150 Praha 3 - Konevova 205, phone 284 862 149 Praha 4 - Pacovska 31, phone 241 733 917Praha 5 - Kartouzska 6, phone 257 323 219Praha 6 - Vitezne namesti 13, phone 233 340 912Praha 7 - Dukelskych hrdinu 1, phone 233 373 933Praha 8 - Budinova 2 (the Bulovka hospital), phone 283 843 222Praha 9 - Sokolovska 304, phone 266 310 372Praha 10 - Nad Olsinami 4, phone 274 812 509

Dental Emergencies:

Mon to Fri 7 p.m.-7 a.m., Sat + Sun non-stopPraha 1- Palackeho 5, phone 224 946 981Praha 4 - Pacovska 31, phone 241 733 918

Pharmacies offering non-stop service: Praha 1 - Palackeho 5, phone 224 946 982Praha 2 - Belgicka 37, phone 222 519 731Praha 4 - Soukalova 3355, phone 241 770 498 Praha 5 - Stefanikova 6, phone 257 320 918Praha 5 - V Uvalu 84 (hospital Motol), phone 224 435 736 Praha 8 - Budinova 2 (the Bulovka hospital), phone 266 082 017

Foreign Medical Clinics

Canadian Medical Care - Praha 6, Veleslavinska 30, phone 235 360 133General Health Care Corporation - Praha 1, Krakovska 8, phone 222 211 206Health Centre Prague - Praha 1, Vodickova 28, phone 224 220 040Medicover Clinic - Praha 2, Tylovo namesti, phone 1221, 234 630 111Poliklinika na Narodni - Praha 1, Narodni 9, phone 222 075 120 Unicare - Praha 6, Na Dlouhem lanu 11, phone 235 356 553

In case of emergency or an accident use any hospital, health clinic or the Nemocnice na Homolce Hospital (foreign pavilion) - Praha 5, Roentgenova 2, phone 257 272 146.

Embassies- Austria - Victora Huga 10, 151 15 Praha 5, phone 257 090 511, fax 257 316 045 - Belgium - Valdstejnska 6, 118 01 Praha 1, phone 257 533 524, fax 257 533 750 - Brazil - Susicka 12, 160 41 Praha 6, phone 224 324 965, fax 224 312 901 - Canada - Muchova 6, 160 00 Praha 6, phone 272 101 800, fax 272 101 890 - Cyprus - Sibirské nám. 6, 160 00 Praha 6, phone 224 316 833, fax 224 317 529 - Denmark - Maltezske nam. 5, 118 01 Praha 1, phone 257 531 600, fax 257 531 410 - Estonia - Na Kampe 1, 118 00 Praha 1, tel. 257 011 180, fax 257 001 181- Finland - Hellichova 1, 118 00 Praha 1, phone 251 177 251, fax 251 177 241- France - Velkoprevorske nam. 2, 118 01 Praha 1, phone 251 171 711, fax 251 171 720- Germany - Vlasska 19, 118 01 Praha 1, phone 527 113 111, fax 257 534 056 - Great Britain - Thunovska 14, 118 00 Praha 1, phone 257 402 111, fax 257 402 296 - Greece - Helenska 2, 120 00 Praha 2, phone 222 250 943, fax 222 253 686 - Hungary - Ceskomalinska 20, 160 00 Praha 6, phone 233 324 454, fax 233 322 104 - Italy - Nerudova 20, 118 00 Praha 1, phone 233 080 111, fax 257 531 522 - Ireland - Trziste 13, 118 00 Praha 1, phone 257 530 061, fax 257 531 387 - Izrael - Badeniho 2, 170 01 Praha 7, phone 233 097 500, fax 233 097 519 - Japan - Maltezske nam. 6, 118 01 Praha 1, phone 257 533 546, fax 257 532 377 - Latvia - Hradesinska 3, 101 00 Praha 10, phone 255 700 881, fax 255 700 880- Lithuania - Pod Klikovkou 1916, 150 00 Praha 5, phone 257 210 122, fax 257 210 124- Luxembourg - Trziste 13, 118 00 Praha 1, phone 257 181 800, fax 257 532 537- Netherlands - Gotthardska 6, 160 00 Praha 6, phone 224 312 190, fax 224 312 160

- Norway - Hellichova 1, 118 00 Praha 1, phone 257 323 737, fax 257 326 827 - Poland - Valdstejska 8, 118 01 Praha 1, phone 257 530 388, fax 257 530 399 - Portugal - Nam. Kinskych 7, 150 00, Praha 5, phone 257 311 230 - 1, fax 257 311 234- Russia - Pod Kastany 1, 160 00 Praha 6, phone 233 374 100, fax 233 377 235 - Slovakia - Pod Hradbami 1, 160 00 Praha 6, phone 233 113 051 - 2, fax 233 113 054 - Slovenia - Pod Hradbami 15, 160 00 Praha 6, phone 233 081 211, fax 233 081 214- Spain - Badeniho 4, 170 00 Praha 7, phone 224 311 441, fax 233 341 770 - Sweden - Úvoz 13, 118 01 Praha 1, phone 220 313 200, fax 220 313 240 - Switzerland - Pevnostni 7, 162 01 Praha 6, phone 220 400 611, fax 224 311 312 - Ukraine - Charlese de Gaulla 29, 160 00 Praha 6, phone 233 342 000, fax 233 344 366- USA - Trziste 15, 118 01 Praha 1, phone 257 530 663, fax 257 530 583

Lost and Found Office Praha 1, Karoliny Svetlé 5, phone 224 235 085 Lost credit cards: - American Express - phone 222 800 222Visa, MasterCard/Eurocard - phone 272 771 111Diners Club - phone 267 197 450

Customs requirements Without permission foreign visitors are allowed to export goods from the Czech Republic for their personal use only or as a gift. If the exported goods require any special legal permission (e.g. protection of cultural monuments, objects of museum value etc.) they must be presented to customs officials on departure.

Important customs offices Celni urad Praha (Prague Customs Office)- Praha 8, Sokolovska 22, phone 224 816 256 Celnice Hlavni nadrazi (Main Railway Station Customs Office) - Praha 2, Wilsonova 80,

phone 224 221 905 Celnice Ruzyne (Ruzyne Customs Office) - Praha 6, Ruzyne Airport, phone 220 113 100 Vymenovaci posta (Customs Clearance Post Office) - Praha 5, Plzenska 139, phone 257 019

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Transport in the Czech Republic

In Prague, feet, trams and the metro are the best ways to get around.

Internal flights are available within the Czech Republic, with regular connections between Prague-Ostrava and Prague-Brno.

Czech Railways provides clean, efficient train service to almost every part of the country. Travel is cheap by Western standards.

Long-distance coach connections tend to be faster, more frequent and marginally cheaper than train connections, and remoter locations require fewer transfers.

Prague’s metro is one of the most beautiful and most efficient in the world. Trains run until midnight.

Transport - road traffic

The Highway Code in the Czech Republic is basically the same as in other European countries. However, the following should be kept in mind:

drive on the right side safety belts must be worn both in and outside towns and villages maximum speed for passenger vehicles is 90 kmph, in towns and villages 50 kmph, and

130 kmph on motorways the appropriate special stick-on label for highway tolls can be bought at border crossings,

post offices or fuel stations to drive under the influence of alcohol is prohibited

Emergency Service - Road and Tow-off Nonstop ServicesABA - Autoklub Bohemia Assistance - phone 1240Ustredni automotoklub - phone 1230Servis 24 - phone 261 104 477 (for buses, coaches, lorries and trucks)Skoda Assistance - phone 261 104 666

OptionalPrague – Tourist information and services In the city centre the tourist information offices of the Prague Information Service offer, all under one roof, the following information:

- all necessary details concerning Prague (culture, tourism, orientation, traffic, accommodation and gastronomy, trade and services, nature, sports, important addresses etc.)

- basic information for tourists concerning the whole Czech Republic (historical monuments, castles and chateaux, museums, etc.)

- accommodation on spot in different price categories - survey of Prague cultural events in Czech and in English - tickets for concerts, theatres and other cultural events - several kinds of city tours including Vltava steamboat cruises - one-day and half-day excursions to castles and other interesting places in the Prague

surroundings - booklets in foreign languages providing essential information on Prague, city guides, street

maps, etc. - tourist tickets for the city transport - telephone cards

Tourist information centres Staromestské namesti (the Old Town Hall) - Staromestska radnice Na Prikope 20 The Main Railway Station lobby Lesser Town Bridge Tower (summer season only) General information in Czech, English and German languages - phone 12 444 - Mo - Fr 8

p.m. - 7 a.m.

TIPS

The Prague Card is a 3-day admission card to 40 monuments and museums throughout Prague, with an optional 3-day public transport pass (underground, trams and buses in the city area). The Card is accompanied by a colour brochure with information in four languages (English, German, French, Italian). It is valid only for the person whose surname is written on the card. You should always keep your passport with you in the case of proof of your ownership.

Price Objects and transport: - 790 Kc (adults) - approx. 25 EUR- 610 Kc (students and children) - approx. 19 EUR

Objects without transport: - 590 Kc (adults) - approx. 18,5 EUR

- 410 Kc (students and children) - approx. 13 EUR

Sales places Prazska informacni sluzba (Prague Information Service)

- Staromestske namesti 1, Praha 1 - Na Prikope 20, Praha 1 - Malostranska mostecka vez, Praha 1 (April - October) - Hlavni nadrazi (Main Railway Station - hall), Praha 1

American Express - Vaclavske namesti 56, Praha 1, phone 00420 222 800 258 American Express - Celetna 17, Praha 1, phone 00420 224 818 205 American Express - Staromestska 5, Praha 1, phone 00420 224 818 205 Cedok - Na Prikope 18, Praha 1, phone 00420 224 197 762 Cedok - Vaclavske namesti, Praha 1, phone 00420 221 965 241 Cedok - letiste Praha (airport Ruzyne) - Ruzyne, Praha 6, phone 00420 220 113 744 CSA Airtours – Ruzyne airport - phone 00420 220 562 599 Hapimag Praha - Vaclavske namesti 60/805, Praha 1, phone 00420 224 500 211 Hotel Diplomat - Evropska 15, Praha 6, phone 00420 604 607 406 Hotel Savoy - Keplerova 6, Praha 1, phone 00420 224 302 126 Informacni centrum (Information Centre) - Celetna 14, Praha 1, phone 00420 224 491 764 Interkontakt - Trziste 1, Praha 1, phone 00420 257 532 562 KMC Travel Service - Karoliny Svetle 30, Praha 1, 00420 222 220 347

With Prague Card you can visit...

Prague Castle (Prazský hrad) St. Vitus Cathedral - Royal Crypt St. Vitus Cathedral - Choir St. Vitus Cathedral - Tower Royal Palace Basilica St. George´s Powder Tower - Mihulka Golden Lane Royal Garden St. George's Convent (National Gallery) Lobkovicz Palace (National Museum) Sternberg Palace (National Gallery) Museum of Czech Literature Bilek´s Villa (Prague Gallery) Bertramka, Mozart Museum

Lesser Town (Mala Strana) Comenius Pedagogical Museum

Old Town (Stare Mesto) Kinsky Palace (National Gallery) House at The Stone Bell (Prague Gallery) Convent of St. Agnes (National Gallery) The House of the Black Madonna (National Gallery) Naprstek Museum of Asian, African and American Cultures Czech Museum of Fine Arts Smetana Museum Museum of Decorative Arts

New Town (Nove Mesto) National Museum The City of Prague Museum Dvorak Museum Postal Museum National Technical Museum Czech Army Museum Police Museum Old Customs House Podskali

Vysehrad Art Gallery of Vysehrad Vysehrad Casemates

Surroundings Hvezda Summer Palace, Praha 6 - Liboc

Troja Chateau (Prague Gallery) Botanical Garden - Troja Aviation Museum - Kbely Middlebohemian Museum - Roztoky u Prahy Zbraslav Chateau (National Gallery) Veletrzni Palace (National Gallery

CultureCzech art and architecture is famous, but Czechs have also excelled at less noticeable art forms, such as illuminated manuscripts, religious sculpture, and marionette and puppet theatre. The latter was officially approved even in the communist era, and the Czech performances rank among the best in the world.

Czech music runs the gamut from classical to jazz and punk. Apprentice butcher Antonín Dvořák is generally regarded as the most popular Czech composer. He is noted for his symphony From the New World, composed in the USA while lecturing there. Czech jazz musicians were at the forefront of European jazz after WWII but this came to an end with the communist putsch. Keyboardist Jan Hamr, who escaped to the USA, became prominent in 1970s American jazz-rock under the name Jan Hammer and penned the

theme to the popular '80s TV show, Miami Vice. Since the Velvet Revolution, the jazz scene in Prague has been especially lively. The grim industrial north, particularly Teplice, is the hub of the Czech Republic's punk movement.

The most famous Czech writer is undoubtedly Franz Kafka, who, with a circle of other German-speaking Jewish writers in Prague, played a major role in the literary scene at the beginning of this century. Internationally renowned 'modern' Czech novelists include Milan Kundera, Ivan Klima and Josef Skvorecky. Much less well-known is the Czech poet Jaroslav Siefert, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1984. The the dissident-turned-president playwright Vaclav Havel now operates on a somewhat larger stage. Several of his books offer an 'inside' view of Czech history and politics. Disturbing the Peace is a collection of recent historical musings. Living in Truth is a series of absorbing political essays. Milan Kundera is one of the Czech Republic's best-known authors-in-exile, who wrote about life under the Communist regime. His best novel is probably The Joke; two other notable works are The Unbearable Lightness of Being and The Book of Laughter and Forgetting. Other good reads are Cowards by Josef Skvorecký, The Ship Named Hope by Ivan Klima and anything by Bohumil Hrabal.

Czech cuisine is basically central European, with German, Hungarian and Polish influences. Meat is a huge feature, along with big portions of dumplings, potatoes or rice topped with a thick sauce, and a heavily cooked vegetable or sauerkraut; the standard quick meal is knedlo-zelo-vepro (dumplings, sauerkraut and roast pork). Caraway seed, bacon and lots of salt are the common flavourings. Vegetarians and cholesterol sufferers beware!

Most travellers are impressed by the Czech Republic's architectural splendours, which include some of the finest Baroque, Art Nouveau and Cubist buildings in Europe. Especially appealing is the unique 'Czech Renaissance' style, with ornamental stucco decorations that often feature legendary or historical scenes

Ticket AgencyTicketpro - Prague Information Service - Old Town Hall, Staromestske nam. 1, Praha 1, phone 224 223 613 - Na Prikope 20, Praha, phone 224 226 088 - Lesser Town Bridge Tower, Praha 1 (during summer season), phone 257 531 591 Ticketpro - reservations by phone - phone 296 329 999 Ticketpro - reservations by mail - 110 00 Praha 1, Klimentska 22, fax 234 704 204 http://www.ticketpro.cz, e-mail: etix@ticketpro.cz, info@ticketpro.cz Prague listing of cultural programmes in Czech, English and German languages http://www.prague-info.cz

Night life

Theatres, concertsInformation, programmes and tickets can be obtained in the Prague Information Service office or in BTI (Bohemia Ticket International), Na příkopě 16 or Václavské náměstí 27.

Opening hours: Mo - Fri 10,00 - 19,00Sa 10,00 - 17,00Su 10,00 - 15,00

RestaurantsThere is lot of restaurants, especially in the Old Town and the Lesser Town.

Music, dancing, show

Reduta, Národní 20 (Jazz Club, live concerts)Agharta, Krakovská 5 (Centre of Jazz)Lucerna Music Bar, Vodičkova 36 (Various)Modrá terasa, Na můstku 9 (Disco)DUPLEX, Wenceslas Square 831/21 (Disco)

Optional

Czech Republic - basic portrayal

The country is a democratic republic, there are two legislative chambers - the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate 1999.

March 12 - the Czech Republic has become a member of NATO 2004, 1 May, entry of the Czech Republic into EU.

Head of State: President Václav Klaus

Population and religion Population: 10,3 million Education: compulsory 9-year school attendance (from the age of 6), about 4

million people have complete secondary education and 0,5 million university education

Official language: Czech Ethnic composition: Czech - 94 % (Bohemians, Moravians, Silesians), Slovak - 3%, Rom -

1,3 %, Polish - 0,6%, German - 0,5 %, others - 0,6 % Religions: Roman Catholic - 39,2 %, Protestants churches - 4,1 %, atheists and non-believers - 39,7 %, others - 17 %

Largest cities: Prague (capital), Brno, Ostrava, Plzen, Olomouc, Liberec, Hradec Kralove

Economic structure Agriculture, hunting and forestry, fishing 5% Mining and quarrrying 2,2% Manufacturing 26,6 % Electricity, gas and water supply 5 % Construction 6,8 % Wholesale and retail trade 13.5 % Transport, storage, communication 6,1 % Financial intermediation 7,6 % Others 27,2 %

Geographical position

Total area: 78,865 sq. kilometres latitude 49 - 51 degrees N and longitude 12-19 degrees E Neighbouring states: Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Poland. Length of state borders: 2,303 kilometres Average height above the sea level: 450 metres (European average is 315 m), the highest mountain is Mount Snezka 1,602. The longest rivers: Labe 1 165 km (415 km in the country), Vltava 433 km.