The Czech Republic - Eastern Europe - page 208

The New Zealand Honorary Consul is located at Dykova 19, Praha 10 ( & 222-514-
672), and visits here are by appointment.
MONEY
The basic unit of currency is the koruna (plural, koruny ) or crown, abbreviated K c .
Each koruna is divided into 100 halé r* or hellers. In this guide, I quote the koruna
at about $0.0416 in U.S. dollars: $1 buys 24K c , and £1 buys 43K c . Even though the
Czech Republic is now a member state of the European Union, it has not accepted the
euro as its currency—yet. You will see in Prague's hotels and restaurants prices listed
in euros anyway, so European visitors can easily and quickly compare. At this writing,
1 euro buys 30K c . These rates may vary substantially when you arrive, as the koruna
often gyrates wildly in the open economy.
For up-to-the-minute currency conversion go to www.xe.com/ucc .
In the Czech Republic, hundreds of new storefront shops provide exchange services
but, if possible, use credit cards or bank cards at ATMs (don't forget your PIN). In
both cases, rates are better and the commissions are lower. If you must exchange at a
storefront shop, beware of fees, which can go as high as 10% of the transaction.
Chequepoint has outlets in heavily touristed areas and keeps long hours, sometimes
all night, but their business practices are sometimes questionable. Central Prague loca-
tions are 28. r íjna 13 and Starom ê stské nám. 21 (both open 24 hr.); Starom ê stské nám.
27 (daily 8am-11:30pm); and Václavské nám. 32 (daily 8am-11pm).
If you can't use your credit card at an ATM, stick to larger banks to make your
trades; there's usually a 1% to 3% commission.
American Express, MasterCard, and Visa are widely accepted in central Prague, but
shopkeepers outside the city center still seem mystified by plastic. The credit card
companies bill at a favorable rate of exchange and save you money by eliminating
commissions. You can get cash advances on your MasterCard, Visa, or American
Express card from Komer c ní banka, at its main branch, Na P r íkop ê 33, Praha 1
( & 222-432-111 ); or at most any of its branches, which now have 24-hour ATMs.
The American Express branch at Václavské nám. 56, Praha 1 provides the lost/
stolen card service on & 222-800-237. For more information and facts go to p. 213.
WHEN TO GO
Spring, which can occasionally bring glorious days, is best known for gray, windy
stints with rain. The city and the countryside explode with green around the first of
May, so if you're depressed by stark contrasts and cold-weather pollution, plan your
trip for between May and October. The high summer season brings a constant flow
of tour buses, and people-watching (of practically every culture) is at its best. Most
Praguers head for their weekend cottages in high season, so if you're looking for local
flavor, try another time.
September into October is one of my favorite periods as cool autumn breezes turn
trees on the surrounding hills into a multicolored frame for Prague Castle. The crowds
are thinner and the prices are better.
A true lover of Prague's mysticism should aim to come in the dead cold of Febru-
ary. It sounds bizarre, but this is when you can best enjoy the monochrome silhou-
ettes, shadows, and solitude that make Prague unique. You'll never forget a gray, snowy
February afternoon on Charles Bridge. The only drawback of a winter visit to Prague,