The Czech Republic - Eastern Europe - page 212

they offer terrific coverage of the country. Like train passengers, bus passengers are
charged on a kilometer basis, with each kilometer costing about 91 hellers (5¢). Make
sure, however, that you buy your tickets early, especially on weekends, and get to the
proper boarding area early to ensure you get a seat.
Prague's main bus station, Central Bus Station—Florenc, K r i z íkova 5, Praha 8
(for bus connections information call & 900-144-444; www.florenc.cz), is above the
Florenc metro stop (line C). Unfortunately, few employees speak English here, mak-
ing it a bit tricky for non-Czech speakers to obtain schedule information. To find your
bus, you can try the large boards just next to the office where all buses are listed.
They're in alphabetical order, but sometimes it's tough to find your destination since
it may lie in the middle of a route to another place. If you have some time before you
depart Prague, your best bet for bus information and tickets is to visit C edok, Na
P r íkop ê 18, Praha 1 ( & 800-112-112 or 224-197-111; www.cedok.cz), open Mon-
day to Friday from 9am to 6pm.
BY BIKE
Central European Adventure Tours, Jáchymova 4, Praha 1 ( & /fax [phone];
http://cea51.tripod.com), rents touring bikes and arranges whatever transport you
need for them. The best biking is outside Prague, on the tertiary roads and paved
paths in the provinces. They will suggest routes and provide maps. A 1-day guided
biking trip around Karl s tejn Castle and Kon ê pruské Caves costs 680K c ($28/£14).
Call ahead to make arrangements. Tickets and information are also available at the PIS
office, Na P r íkop ê 20, Praha 1.
TIPS ON ACCOMMODATIONS
Note that in Prague you can find the best value in the center of the city by staying in
one of the numerous pensions or hotels near nám ê stí Míru. Don't be afraid to rent a
room away from the old quarters of town, especially if it's close to a metro stop. The
farther away from the center, the lower the rates will be, and the metro connections
are fast and affordable. Always know the latest market exchange rates when budgeting
your stay, and build in some padding for any potential surge. The exact rate at many
hotels depends on the daily koruna/euro exchange rate.
TIPS ON DINING
Stick to Czech and European cuisines; ingredients for other dishes are more rare and
expensive. The more the menu varies from pork, cabbage, and dumplings (with the
exception of pizza), the higher the price will be. And remember that the farther from
the Castle or Old Town you go, generally the cheaper your meal will be. Go for the
beer and eat where you drink it. The food won't be stunning but will be filling and
usually cheap. Watch out for on-table treats like almonds, olives, and appetizers. Some
restaurants gouge customers by charging exorbitant amounts for them.
BEST BUYS
Fine crystal has been produced in the Bohemian countryside since the 14th century.
In the 17th and 18th centuries, it became the preferred glass of the world's elite, draw-
ing royals and the rich to Karlovy Vary to buy straight from the source. Today, the
quality remains high, and you can still purchase contemporary glass for prices that are
much lower than those in the West. Antiques and antiquarian books and prints are
widely available and are distinctive souvenirs, sold by specialist Antikvariáts. Since