Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
bring in duty-free a liter of alcohol (slightly more than a standard-
size bottle of wine; you must be at least 21), 200 cigarettes, and
up to 100 non-Cuban cigars. You may take home vacuum-packed
cheeses; dried herbs, spices, or mushrooms; and canned fruits or
vegetables, including jams and vegetable spreads. Meats (even
vacuum-packed or canned) and fresh fruits and vegetables are not
permitted. Note that you'll need to carefully pack any bottles of
wine and other liquid-containing items in your checked luggage,
due to limits on liquids in carry-ons. To check customs rules and
duty rates before you go, visit www.cbp.gov, and click on “Travel,”
then “Know Before You Go.”
SLEEPInG
I favor accommodations (and restaurants) handy to your sightsee-
ing activities. Rather than list hotels scattered throughout a city, I
choose two or three favorite neighborhoods and recommend the
best accommodations values in each, from $20 bunk beds to fancy-
for-my-book $250 doubles.
I look for places that are friendly; clean; a good value; located
in a central, safe, quiet neighborhood; English-speaking; and not
mentioned in other guidebooks. I'm more impressed by a handy
location and a fun-loving philosophy than hair dryers and shoe-
shine machines. I also like local character and simple facilities
that don't cater to American “needs.” Obviously, a place meeting
every criterion is rare, and all of my recommendations fall short
of perfection—sometimes miserably. But I've listed the best values
for each price category, given the above criteria. I've also thrown
in a few hostels, private rooms, and other cheap options for budget
travelers.
Types of Accommodations
Hotels
Hotel prices in Prague are at Western European levels, but once
you get out of the city, you'll pay half as much for a similar room.
Plan on spending $150-250 per hotel double in Prague, and $50-
100 in smaller towns. A triple is much cheaper than a double and
a single. Traveling alone can be expensive: A single room is often
only 20 percent cheaper than a double. The price is usually posted
in the room. Breakfast is generally included (sometimes continen-
tal, but often buffet).
he prices listed in this topic are generally valid for peak sea-
son, but may go up during major holidays and festivals (see page
291). Prices can soften off-season, for stays of two nights or lon-
ger, or for payment in cash (rather than by credit card). Always
mention that you found the place through this topic—many of the
