OT - Travel to Prague - advice sought.

homefront · Post by **homefront** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 8:48 am

Members of my family are traveling to Prague in a few months. I'm no world traveler, so I'd like to ask the forum what concerns should be addressed before leaving.

Tycer · Post by **Tycer** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 8:55 am

Take everything you can't live without in your carry-on.
Take nothing you can't replace.
Buy a money belt.
Double check everybody's passports will be valid at the time of return.
Buy a Frommer's book.
Wear great boots/shoes that give good support.
Buy Instant Immersion Deluxe language software - no matter how bad you butcher their language, people always appreciate that you tried.

Travel safe friend, you and yours.

2ndovc · Post by **2ndovc** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 9:44 am

I haven't been there yet but my sister used to live in Europe and traveled extensively. Prague was one of her favorites and said it was a beautiful city.

Tycers reccs. are excellent.
Be prepared to do lots of walking and take extra socks!
Everytime I'm in Europe I have to buy new socks from all the walking

Also take as much spending $ as you can. Everything ( even socks) is more expensive and trading $$ for Euros is brutal.

Debit cards work well in the countries I've been to but if you hit a cash machine make sure it's located in or near a bank. My sister got her number lifted a couple times from using oddball ATMs ( T.G. for credit protection)

Have fun!! I love traveling to Europe but after about two weeks I can't wait to get home.

rjohns94 · Post by **rjohns94** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 9:53 am

State Department travel alerts web site:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_t ... _1168.html

Rusty · Post by **Rusty** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 10:11 am

Go to www.survival.com and look at Ron Hood's newest DVD's. there are travel tips in both #1 & #2 of the "Urban Master" that might save you a lot of trouble. $40 for the two would be cheap insurance. I have #1 but #2 is new and I haven't had a chance to get that one yet.

From #1, one of the tips that I thought was pretty good was that you can buy underwear that looks stained. They come with a pocket sewn in them to hide valuables in. If you put the valuables in the secret pocket and then put the soiled undies right on top so that when someone ( as in customs) see them first thing when they open your bag, they usually won't search too far.

Rusty <><

jazman · Post by **jazman** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 3:06 pm

I sew a inside pocket in pants to carry my Passport, and a money belt is a good idea. Most important though is the Passport, if it somehow goes missing it is a huge mess. Warn them to be careful with them.

Modoc ED · Post by **Modoc ED** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 3:23 pm

Carry $50.00 in $1.00 bills on you. Everybody takes U.S. dollars and sometimes it is easier to pay small bills (meals/drinks) in small U.S. bills.

The money belt is a good idea. When I used to travel, I always carried $300.00 in cash in my left front pocket and never touched it to spend it unless I had an emergency. Sometimes I left home, traveled for two or three weeks before coming home and never touched that $300.00.

American Express Travelers Checks are taken everywhere and there are American Express Offices everywhere.

A carry-on bag is nice but you can do without one. Just buy a razor and shaving cream at each stop along with a tooth brush and tooth paste. Much easier to get through security without having to sucumb to a search of your carry-on.

Jeff Quinn · Post by **Jeff Quinn** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 4:40 pm

I have a rule that I don't go anywhere that I can't eventually walk home.

Lately, I have also decided that I don't want to go anywhere which does not fly the American flag. I guess watching "Midnight Express" in my youth has permanently effected me.

homefront · Post by **homefront** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 5:27 pm

I hear you, Jeff. I rather the trip not happen, but I can only choose for myself these days. Sometimes you have to let go.

Maddog521 · Post by **Maddog521** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 5:39 pm

Check out the CZ plant. It is over there and I've heard you can take the tour.

RKrodle · Post by **RKrodle** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 10:01 pm

Make copies of all pages of your passport.

Marlin .35 · Post by **Marlin .35** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 10:15 pm

Be very careful of carrying a pocket knife of any size. This is a source for a lot of trouble!!! Art

AJMD429 · Post by **AJMD429** » Wed Feb 20, 2008 1:47 pm

Jeff Quinn wrote:I have a rule that I don't go anywhere that I can't eventually walk home.

Lately, I have also decided that I don't want to go anywhere which does not fly the American flag. I guess watching "Midnight Express" in my youth has permanently effected me.

I agree with that wholeheartedly.

I tend to think anywhere a .45 pistol is not allowed to be carried is also not on my travel plans.

AJMD429 · Post by **AJMD429** » Wed Feb 20, 2008 1:52 pm

Well, I'd be sure and pack a .45 ACP with a couple spare magazines for yourself, and the same for any family member with you, unless they prefer a .357 5-shot. Maybe in one duffel pack a .223 or 7.62 in case you get stranded. Probably 50 rounds apiece should do with the .45's, and if you can pack the weight go for 500 or 1,000 for the long gun. You probably won't need the long gun, but at least it is good insurance. Likewise for the handguns, but even if you have to travel light and trust the area, I'd pack them along; if you don't take the long gun, maybe pack 200 rounds of .45's.

Oh...forgot...this advice has to take into account that we live in a world where fascists and socialists have decreed that we peasants are to sacrifice our safety for the sake of appearance.

Seriously, good luck. I agree with the money belt, lots of cash (take too much and our own government can seize it under RICO though), and copy of your passport.

El Chivo · Post by **El Chivo** » Wed Feb 20, 2008 2:00 pm

don't worry about bringing cash, in Prague they accept Czechs.

Rexster · Post by **Rexster** » Thu Feb 21, 2008 4:15 pm

Actually, the Czech Republic is very amenable to firearms ownership within its borders, though that probably does not extend to visitors carrying handguns. I have seen posts by Czechs on other forums; unless something has radically changed lately, there is some degree of CCW over there, and sport hunting is active.