» Czech Republic FAQ’s

Czech Republic Experience –

Frequently Asked Questions

Helpful Info

Visit the following links for helpful information and current news that is happening in Czech Republic:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1099.html

Customs & Etiquette

For etiquette tips while visiting the Czech Republic, please visit:

http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/czech.html

Language & Vocabulary

Learn helpful phrases and words for your global experience:

http://www.myczechrepublic.com/czech_language/czech_phrases.html

Visa Application

No visa is required for the Czech Republic trip.

Passport

If you do not already possess a valid and up to date passport, you need to apply for one immediately. The application process can take just 4-6 weeks, but Claudia will need a copy of your passport far before then, so please, do not delay applying for your passport. Also, your passport must be valid for 6 months AFTER your trip date {for example- if your trip is scheduled for March 2014, your passport must be valid through August 2014}.

http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html

Immunizations

We often have students ask if they need to have immunizations for our trips. This is up to you and your health care provider. It is not required. I would highly suggest you check with your health care provider and also with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Medications

If you take prescription medications, I would suggest that you bring them in their original bottles. Store them in a zip-lock bag in your carry-on. This will help you pass through security without any further delay.

Jet Lag

Jet lag can be a real drag. Here are 13 ways to reduce jet lag:

http://matadornetwork.com/bnt/13-ways-to-avoid-jet-lag/

Travel/Luggage

Please arrive to the airport AT LEAST 2 hours before our flight. Not only will you be checking in with the airline and security, but this time is used to acquaint yourself with your fellow travelers and to be briefed on your global experience.

Tickets will be printed and distributed at the airport, upon check-in. As we have to book our seats as a group, we can only book your ticket for Economy Class. If you would like to upgrade your seat to first class, you must do so at the airport {this is only available if they have open seats and there will be an additional charge}.

I will be giving you luggage tags at the airport {if you are not flying out of GRR then they have been mailed to you}. Please put these on your luggage. It will help a great deal when we are trying to find our luggage. After being up and traveling as long as we will have been, all black, blue or red luggage looks the same.

Please check the luggage restrictions for the airline that your trip is booked through:

United

Delta

US Airways

Frquent Flyer Miles

To claim your frequent flyer miles, simply bring your miles card to the airport when checking in. I cannot claim the miles sooner, due to being booked as a group.

Airport Security

As you arrive at the airport and go through security, I would ask that you be extra kind to the TSA workers. What a wonderful witness you can be to the workers who have a thankless job.

A few things that could help in the speed of going through security would be to:

-Wear slip on and off shoes – put them through the scanner first – that way when they are looking at your other items you can be putting them back on.

-If you are wearing a sweater or jacket, put it in our carryon before getting to the line.

You can get it back out at the gate to put back on to save backup at the scanner line.

-Remove all things in pockets and jewelry. I keep an empty ziplock bag in my carry-on to put these items in. You can get it back out at the gate to put back on to save backup at the scanner line.

-If you are wearing a belt, put it in our carryon before getting to the line. You can get it back out at the gate to put back on to save backup at the scanner line.

-If you are bringing a laptop please remove them from your carry on and put in the tote.

-If you get singled out to be extra checked……..well ………now is really the time to put on a smile and think how safe the trip will be because the TSA is taking extra care of you.

-When we get to any other airports we will want to get to our new gate. Even if we have a long layover, we will want to make sure we are through all security before we do anything.

-Please remember to hold on to your boarding pass and passport. Please do not put these down anywhere that someone else can pick them up.

Accommodations

While experiencing the Czech Republic, we will be staying at first class world hotels. Visit the accommodations and the amenities they have to offer:

Prague: Hotel Yasmin {Very close to all the action of Prague. All major sights are within walking distance. All you coffee lovers, there is a Starbucks just next door.}

Brno: Central Hotel {Very close to everything, but not a Starbucks to be found…sorry! }

When we get to our hotels in China I will need to take your passport. We need those to check in at the hotel. They will give them back to me and I will then get them back to you. Thanks for having them ready when we get to the hotels.

Shared Rooms/Individual Rooms

You will be assigned a shared room for the global trip. Please let us know if you would like to share a room with someone you know.

If you choose to have a private room, the fee is an additional $600.

Extended Trips & Spouses

If you are planning on extending our time abroad, you must contact Claudia immediately, as she will need to make special arrangements for you.

If you would like additional information on how your spouse could join you on a Bglobal Experience, please contact Claudia.

Electricity/Converters

Electricity and outlets differ from country to country. If you are planning on using a blow dryer, curling iron, electric shaver, Ipad, Kindle, etc., you will need to purchase a converter/adaptor. You can purchase this at the following big box retailers, such as: Target, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Meijer, Walmart, Walgreens or any travel specialty store.

For more information, please visit:

http://www.visiteurope.com/Plan/Practical-Information/Need-to-know/Electricity

Weather

The weather in the Czech Republic in the fall is typically very comfortable. Get useful info on climate and more at:

http://www.czechtourism.com/holiday/Practical-information/Time-zone-and-time.aspx

As the trip draws nearer, visit The Weather Channel for your 10 day forecast:

Phones/Apps/Skype

Before planning to use your cell phone abroad, you will need to make sure your phone will work internationally and that you will not be charged roaming rates. This could get VERY expensive.

You may want to set up a Skype account. This is a great way to call home at a reasonable cost.

Here are some of my favorite smart phone apps while traveling:

China Daily

mPassport shanghai

mPassport Bejing

American

Fly Delta

China Airlines

Continental

Air Canada

Lufthansa

United

Gate Guru

Seat Guide

Flight Tracker Pro

Skyscanner

My TSA

Cultures

Translate

BLB – Blue Letter Bible

Converter

Translator

Geocaching

ICE 4 TRAVEL

Help Call

iFirstAid Lite

UV Detector

Social Media

However you stay connected with your friends and loved ones through social media, we got you covered. We suggest you and your “followers” connect with us on one or more of the following social media networking sites. We’ll be posting status updates and pictures throughout your trip. A great way to keep connected!

Dress Code

There will be three dress categories as we travel. You will see on the itinerary what is listed as the dress for each day. Please see below for the dress specifications:

Business:

Men: Shirt, tie and jacket

Women: Suite dress or slacks

Business Casual:

Men: Dress shirt

Women: Dress or slacks

Casual:

Both: You can wear your jeans and/or your casual clothing.

No denim or jeans are to be worn for Business or Business Casual.

Business Cards

You may want to bring your business card to pass out to the business leaders that we meet. They are also helpful to have to pass out to one another on the trip.

*Remember if you give or take a card from someone, you do not put it right into your pocket. You take it in both hands till you walk away from the person you are talking with. Thanks for remembering this!

Tipping

On our trip we normally let the group know that it is customary to TIP any bus drivers and guides that we have. So I just wanted to let you know the amount I would suggest…….but please know that this is at your own discretion.

If you are pleased with the tour, you can tip $2-$5 to the tour guide for a full day tour, $1-$2 to the driver. So if you have a guide for 10 days, you will want to tip the guide $20.00-$50.00 each; and the driver $10.00-$20.00 each; $30-$70 total for both.

For the Czech trip we will have a driver and guide with us every day. I normally will collect the money at the first of the week and then give it to the guides and drivers on the last day. Hope this helps in your planning.

Money/Currency/Credit Cards

Czech Republic’s national currency is called the crown. Even though they are not a part of Eurozone, the euro is widely accepted. Exchanging currency is very easy in Prague. You will find places to exchange in your hotel {or close to}, in the business districts and the airport. I would not recommend exchanging in the airport when we land. The exchange rate is typically higher and we will want to not delay in the airport after such a long flight. You may want to check with your bank on their exchange rate {some have a very low or no exchange fee}.

Credit cards are widely accepted, but I would suggest to only using them at established stores. Prepaid credit cards are a very good idea. You will need Yuan for the street vendors and markets

Currency Converter

Shopping

Shopping is great in Prague. Rubies and Garnets, Marionettes, Nesting Dolls, Mucha, and so much more. If you are a big shopper, I would suggest that you bring a smaller suitcase inside your regular suitcase. Then you can have room to bring all your goodies home in. Remember, you have to be able to carry all your items yourself to the train station!!

Credit cards are accepted at most places. I would suggest that you do not use them at the street vendors. Cash works great for that.

Items are a tad more in CZ then they are here in the US. Not to many restaurants have free refills on your pop. I would ask before you just assume it is free (I say this because Rob and I had a REALLY BIG POP BILL our first time to CZ).

We often use an ATM machine to get cash out for our trip while in CZ.

Prague has many of the same kinds of restaurants that we have. Even a Starbucks right by the hotel! We can suggest some really great local food. We always like to eat at the local places over American chains. Brno is less western. Mostly Czech food there. Good eats!!!

Some students ask how much money to bring. I would suggest that you bring as much as you would if you were on vacation. All breakfasts are covered.

Snacks

While the food is amazing in Czech we suggest that you bring a long some AMERICAN snacks. A power bar, hard candy, trail mix, etc. There is a grocery store very close to our hotels. This will help if you want to stop and pick up some pop or water. The bottled water is much cheaper in the grocery store over the street vendors.

Walking & Getting Around

In Czech Republic we tend to do a lot of walking and jumping on and off the train/plane. I would suggest that when you start to think of what to pack you think of your feet. I would suggest that you bring shoes that are comfortable to do a lot of walking in.

Also, if you can, I would suggest that you start walking now to get ready for this trip.

Did I mention we’ll be doing a lot of walking and good shoes are a must?!