Announcing the first PRAGUE DO - JUNE 10-13, 2011

***UPDATED 06/09/2011***

Hi all!

First of all, sorry for the delay but the past few weeks have been pretty hard but I am more than happy to tell all of you, everything is on schedule!

OK, the schedule had to be adjusted a little bit, but I'm confident it will be fine for everyone. I received several PM's "complaining" that it's too early to make final decisions and to "register" for a DO in June 2011. Well, even if I know I can't please everyone, I try my very best to please almost anybody. So I modified our Do schedule, giving everyone the opportunity to decide while in Prague when and where to join the group.

I have found two venues who can handle groups of 2 as well as up to 200 and this without the need of serving rubber-chicken

So, on the list below you can see which FTers are still interested in attending and also who already made his/her reservation.

Most important information about Prague

Prague Ruzyne International Airport is located ~ 15 miles or ~ 30 minutes northwest of the city center. All major airlines offer service into PRG. Detailed information can be found here: Prague Ruzyne Airport

List of States Whose Citizens Are Exempt from Visa Requirement:

List of third countries whose citizens are exempted from visa requirement in Member States of the European Union bound by Regulation (EC) No. 539/2001, as amended by Regulation (EC) No. 2414/2001 and Regulation (EC) No. 453/2003 (i.e. in the Schengen area).
Visa exemptions apply only to short stays up to 90 days of non-profit nature. If the purpose of stay is employment, Schengen (short-term) visa for the purpose of employment is required.
Holders of Serbian passports issued by the Special Coordination Directorate in Belgrade are excluded from visa-free regime.
In case of citizens of Serbia, Montenegro, and Macedonia/FYROM, visa-free regime applies only to holders of biometric passports.
ANDORRA, ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA, ARGENTINA, AUSTRALIA, BAHAMAS, BARBADOS, BRAZIL, BRUNEI, CANADA, COSTA RICA, GUATEMALA, HONDURAS,
CHILE, CROATIA, ISRAEL, JAPAN, MACEDONIA/FYROM, MALAYSIA, MAURITIUS, MEXICO, MONACO, MONTENEGRO, NEW ZEALAND, NICARAGUA,
PANAMA, PARAGUAY, SAINT CHRISTOPHER AND NEVIS, SALVADOR, SAN MARINO, SERBIA, SEYCHELLES, SINGAPORE, SOUTH KOREA, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, URUGUAY, VATICAN, VENEZUELA

For further information please visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic at www.mzv.cz/jnp/en/index.html

Health Insurance:

Before travelling to the Czech Republic please check with your medical insurance company wheter they will cover all expences that may occur while you are in Prague. Also keep in mind that in case of a necessary medical treatment doctors and hospitals ask you to pay upfront!

Currency:

The Czech Republics official unit of currency is still on the Koruna (crown) and this won't change by 2011. The most conveniant and cheapest way to get hold of Koruna is just to withdraw one big amount with your ATM card, your VISA or MC at an ATM located within a bank. In case you use your credit card, remember that most cc-companies will charge you a forex surcharge. I do not recommend to exchange money at the exchange office at the airport as long as you don't want to pay a high commission. If you prefer to exchange money in the city center always compare the offered exchange rates from several exchange offices and also keep an eye on the added commission.

Getting from the airport to your hotel:

There are several options for your transport. Folks staying at the Marriott may think about using the Airport Express bus. Easy to use, cheap [50 CZK / $2.50] and not much slower as a cab. The bus leaves the airport every 30 minutes and takes you right to the Central Railway Station, which is located around the corner from the Marriott. However the most conveniant is using a cab. Be aware, cabbies do have a bad reputation in Prague and you might get ripped off. A reliable cab company I used several times is AAA. Their cabs are right outside each terminal. The fare should be around 600 CZK [~ $30], depending on traffic and your actual destination. As soon as we're in the window where you can book your flight and hotel and everybody knows when he/she will be arriving in PRG, I'll also have an offer available for a private sedan service which won't cost more than 600 CZK.

Recommended hotels:

FS – Four Seasons Prague – approx: $670 per night
HH – Hilton Prague – approx: $140 per night
MO – Mandarin Oriental Prague – approx: $565 per night
MR – Prague Marriott – approx: $189 per night
PC – Intercontinental Prague – approx: $210 per night
SPG – Sheraton Prague Charles Square – approx: $225 per night

The rates mentioned above are as of 03/28/2011.

Weather:

June is one of the best months to visit Prague. The weather should be mild with an average temperature around 21°C / 70°F. However, you should expect some showers once in a while. Also expect walking a lot, so I recommend to bring comfortable shoes, to cope with all the cobblestones.

The Do Calendar

Friday, June 10th 2011

05:00 pm servus's Pre-Welcome Birthday Party [confirmed]

By coincidence this DO starts right on my birthday, so I'm delighted to invite all Early Birds for a drink or two. As this comes out of my own pocket, the venue will be released to confirmed attendees only.

07:00 pm Welcome Dinner @ U Fleku Restaurant [confirmed]

09:00 pm Bar Hopping [no reservation required]

Prague is famous for its bars. Beer is flowing all night long, so there should be enough time to sample one Budweiser, one Pilsner Urquell or another one brewed by one of Pragues oldest breweries!

Saturday, June 11th 2011

10:00 am Sightseeing Tour [confirmed]

The English guided City Tour starts at 10:00 am at Narodni 38 and ends around 01:00 pm at Old Town Square. Cost: 700 CzK [US$ 28].

03:00 pm Vltava River Cruise [confirmed]

The 1.5 hrs river tour starts at 03:00 pm. Cost is 350 CzK [US$ 14]

I know, the cruise part is very touristy but if you have never been to Prague before, it's a nice thing to do. You will see the Jewish Quarter, Old Town Square, Charles Bridge, "Ginger & Fred" aka the Dancing House and of course the Prague Castle. Between the City Tour and River Cruise is enough time to have lunch in one of Pragues great restaurants. I do have two restaurants in mind and "on hold" but haven't mad a reservation yet, to allow some flexibility.

07:00 pm Offical Dinner – U Kalicha [confirmed]

Sunday, June 12th 2011

09:30 am Farewell Brunch – Cafe Imperial [confirmed] - 300 Czk per person

Confirmed attendees [32]:

AHN @ Hilton Old Town
adl73x +3 @ IC
anat0l @ Hilton
Berrenger @ Sheraton
boxo @ Marriott
Bundy Bear @ Hilton
ClaudiSTR @ Sheraton
Dovster
dragonfirebcn +1 @ Radisson
gj83 +1 @ Hilton
iris30 @ Hilton
jswong @ Hilton Old Town
katz +1 @ X
marlikestotravel @ Marriott
miffSC @ ICH
Newbierunner @ Hilton
NoahVail @ X
retirementdreams @ Marriott
scoow @ X
servus @ Hilton
serfty @ Hilton
SkiAdcock @ [Marriott]
spaceman @ Hilton
the_happiness_store + 1 @ X
To Market To Market @ Hilton
Upperdeck744 @ X
[U]

Won't be there [40]:

1P
adventureadam
alex0683de
asya999
baliktad
belle3388
bk3day
bostonbali
cathaana
dcpatti
dedehans
Dorlee
eightblack
getiton
GrizShel
imm2b
Itsalongwaydown
jrmcrm
karung
lili
luvtworce
margarita girl
Melville
monitor
nevansm
nor4
Pat89339
pbjag
PetzLUX
QF WP
Richard Chen
rofra
singtx
SkyVillager
spiff
Sue Oz
szg
tmartazu
wendyhamburger
yosithezet