Just as well... it's far too early for a DO in 11 months' time. ;)

Registration
 

So did registration open up July 11? I can't find anything either. :(

At this time, 07/14/10 01:35EST, we have no info about registration for Prague DO.

WFIW, the OP (original poster) of this thread, servus, has:

- made no posts on FlyerTalk since 06/25/10 14:42EST

- made no updates to this thread since 06/27/10 04:31EST

- not logged in to FlyerTalk since 07/10/10 11:14EST

Let's hope he is well and not experiencing any travel delays in some remote part of the world.

Guys - hosting a DO takes a LOT of work. You are a year out, give the guy a break. He can be off-line for 4 months and this thing still goes. Yes, he posted a crazy early registration date that didn't happen, but seriously how many people are truly ready to register and pay some deposits or advance costs 11 months in advance that are likely non-refundable? Really ... He's indicated that work is in progress for the venues and other weekend plans. That should be plenty.

A couple months in advance is more standard than a full year to select venues ... there is more risk associated with planning too far in advance. There is plenty of time, and quite frankly the jabbing questioning posts can be are more often than not a true annoyance and a real PITA for the organizer.

deleted

Unfortunately I won't be able to attend after all; I was very much looking forward to this DO but my boyfriend just booked us a lovely circle of Pacific (US Pac-Northwest then down to the South Pacific) on a *A award and I can't be in both places at once :)

Hopefully the Prague DO will be a success and I can join you for the next one!

I noticed several other intercontinental properties besides the intercontinental...are the crown plazas for example reasonably well situated and decent quality?? they are considerably less pricey..

Wirelessly posted (goingaway\'s phone: BlackBerry8900/4.6.1.231 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/100)

The award window should be open now - will start looking next weekend

I can't make the Prague DO.

I couldn't say no to a trip in F on an LX A333 ;)

Anyway, as someone who has lived in Prague for 10+ years, I have some information that I think maybe of use to those who are going to attend.

The cheapest way to get money is not an ATM machine. The cheapest way to exchange money is eXchange http://www.exchange.cz/ The current mid-rate is 18.7101 USD/CZK. Exchange is offering 18.6 (Buy). That's only a 11 bps spread, no bank, ATM, or anyone else for that matter will beat it.

The best way to get anywhere in Prague from the airport is to hire your own van from CEDAZ (and back again).

Unless of coarse, you stay at the Marriott or Hilton Old Town, than taking the shared van, also by CEDAZ for 120CZK, is a better deal. http://www.cedaz.cz/public-shuttle-b...2009.php?mid=0

You can get the private van at the airport or make a reservation over the internet. http://www.cedaz.cz/transport-from-a...-in-prague.php It's 480CZK (without tip) from the airport to any address in Prague 1-10 and 399CZK back. It's 600+CZK (without tip) from the airport to my apartment via taxi. CEDAZ is a much better deal and the van can handle large luggage.

For those who are more adventurous and have the time, the Airport Express bus or the local bus to the metro is also an option (However, I don't recommend it).

The best hotel in Prague, if you can afford it, is the Four Seasons. Beautiful views of the castle, good food, 1 minute from the metro and 5 minute walk from Old Town Square.

The Hilton is old, very big, and really isn't in the center. If you want to stay at a Hilton, you should stay at the Hilton Old Town. It was refurbished when it changed from being a Renaissance to a Hilton a few years back.

The Mandarin Oriental is very inconvenient, with no sidewalk out in front and if I remember correctly, no parking or even a convenient road, you have to be dropped off about a block away and walk. You have to take a tram and then the metro to get to Old Town. For the same amount of money you could stay at the Four Seasons which IMHO is much better. Also, I didn't really enjoy the dinner I had at the Mandarin.

Marriott could use a refurbishment, but is still a very nice hotel and great value for money. In the past when I had guests they stayed here.

The Intercontinental is the best deal in Prague when you book it using the IHG F&F Rate. It's $141 a night for a basic room and $304 a night for an Executive Suite. When I have guests they stay here using the F&F rate which is open to all.

The Sheraton is in a horrible location on the HIGHWAY as can be seen on there own map http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sherat...ropertyID=3268
It's also a pain to get to the tourist sites from here. You'd have to take one metro and then switch to another metro to get to old town.

Prepaid sim cards can be bought at the airport. In the past, I had guests purchase a 200CZK sim card, for their unlocked tri-band GSM phone, from Vodafone which included 200CZK of credit. Not sure if they still have a store in the airport. It's then 3CZK for local calling and 2.4CZK for sms's, incoming calls are free. http://eshop.vodafone.cz/tariff.htm?lang=en&ttype=1

DO NOT HAIL A TAXI OFF THE STREET! Call, sms, or order a taxi over the internet from AAA http://www.aaataxi.cz/index.php?xSET=lang&xLANG=2 They even have a handy estimator tool on their website. Also be aware that there is another compnay called AAA that has taxis that aren't the "real AAA" that you pick up on the street and charge 4x the price of the "real AAA". http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic...e_Bohemia.html I CAN'T STRESS IT ENOUGH, DON'T HAIL A TAXI ON THE STREET.

Tram/Metro/Bus 3-day pass is a good deal (330CZK) and easier (you only have to validate it once) if you will take the Tram/Metro/Bus more than 15 times in a 3-day period. If not, just buy 18CZK (15 min. or 5 metro stop, no transfer) or 26CZK (75 min transfer) tickets. http://www.dpp.cz/en

One last warning. The only crime you will experience is pickpockets. They are especially prevalent at the Castle, Old Town Square, and the 22-23 Tram. http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel...kets-BR-1.html

Even though I won't be at the DO in person, I will be there in spirit. Can't really think of anything else at the moment. If anyone has any questions or needs any info, I am more than willing to help.

(NOTE: All rates are F&F rates)

The Crowne Plaza at KOULOVA 15 is nowhere near the center. Having said this, it's easy to get to from the airport. You can take a local bus there. You only have to take the metro 3 stops to get to Old Town, which isn't bad. You can be in old town in 15 min. It's 56EUR a night for a standard room and 123EUR a night for a Tower Suite.

The Crowne Plaza PRAGUE CASTLE is near the Monastery. It's sort of behind the castle (about a 7-10 min walk). You have to take the tram 4 stops and then take the metro 1 stop to get to Old Town (about 20 min.). It's 60EUR a night for a standard room and 126EUR a night for a Business Suite.

The two holiday inns are in horrible locations, unless you need to be at the airport or the congress center.

If I had to choose between the two, I would take the one at the Castle. It's brand new (2009) (The one at Koulova was built in 1950 and has the Communist Star on top http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/hotelme..._EXTR_01_C.jpg) and has a nice library/lounge.

http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/cp/...rpb=rate&ias=y

Thanks for the update!! Sorry I wont get to meet you..this time.

RD

Please put me on the interested list :)

Thanks in advance for all your work, organization, and efforts on this event.

Cheers,

w

I need to go to Prague...I think I'll pencil this dates in my calendar :D

Alas I cannot now be there — a family wedding in England on the 11th. :(

I just won a free ticket in VY that will take me there, so I'm in :D