Prague - Health Precautions, Insurance, Internet Access

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Health

health A trip to Prague won't pose any major health worries and compulsory vaccinations are not required. However, Prague does suffer from pollution, so people with respiratory problems may experience some discomfort. Water is safe to drink, but can taste a little unpleasant at times. If you're in doubt, bottled water is widely available. It's also wise to make a list before leaving (to keep on your person) giving details of your blood type, allergies and chronic conditions for which you are receiving treatment.

The Czech Republic has reciprocal agreements in place to provide free emergency health care to citizens from countries inside the European Economic Area (EEA). You'll be charged for additional (non-emergency) treatments though, so travel insurance remains a must (see below). Similarly, U.S. and Canadian citizens should check that they have adequate medical coverage before travelling.

Insurance

It's amazing how many travellers forget or much worse still, willfully neglect to take out insurance before they travel. There's really no excuse, particularly as the cost of insuring yourself against accident, theft, loss or delay is comparatively small. Travel agents almost always try to shift their own policies, but while most provide adequate cover and are underwritten by well-known and respected insurance companies, claim limits vary so check the extent of cover for each specific part of the policy (for example, some policies won't cover pre-existing medical conditions).

Internet Access in Prague

Nowadays larger ISPs offer local access numbers for those wanting to use their laptops overseas. Of the major providers, the numbers given below can be used for Internet access while in Prague:

AOL, CompuServe, Tel: (0)2 20199191 and (0)2 84001091 (both up to 56.6bps, with $6.00 per hour surcharge).

AT & T Business Internet Service, Tel: 02 6709 0116 (Prague), Nationwide Tel: 602 9182 1111

Another good way of accessing the Internet abroad is at a cyber café. With a good number popping up in and around the capital, the best examples in Prague are:

Bohemia Bagel - Masna 2, Praha 1, Website: www.bohemiabagel.cz, E-mail: info@bohemiabagel.cz, Open 7am-midnight Mon-Fri, 8am-midnight Sat-Sun
Pleasant café-cum-restaurant that offers all manner of bagel breakfasts plus soups, chilli, quiche, salads and desserts. With 15 Internet ready terminals, decent coffee, a good central location and welcoming atmosphere, the Bohemia comes highly recommended. Per hour access cost $1.75.

The Globe - Pštrossova 6, Praha 1, Tel/Fax: +420 224 934 203, Website: www.globebookstore.cz, E-mail: globe@globebookstore.cz, Open daily 10am-midnight
Upmarket (independent) bookstore which, as well as stocking over 10,000 titles, features a pleasant café with separate PC/laptop area. Eight Internet ready machines, with access costing 1.50 CZK per minute (laptop owners also pay an access charge, namely a flat rate of 800 CZK for 7 days, or 2250 CZK for 30 days).

Inetpoint.cz - Jungmannova 32, Praha 1, Tel/Fax: +420 296 245 962, Website: www.inetpoint.cz, E-mail: inetpoint@inetpoint.cz, Open daily 10am-10pm
A reasonable Internet access charge of 25 CZK for 15 minutes, with prices dropping (after the first hour) to 20 CZK for the equivalent time period. Boasts a good central location on Jungmannova (near to Můstek metro).

Internet Café Spika - Dlazdena 4, Praha 1, Tel: +420 224 211 521, Website: http://netcafe.spika.cz, E-mail: spika@spika.cz, Open daily 8am-midnight
With a low access rate of 50 CZK per hour (once you've bought a subscription card for 280 CZK) and welcoming atmosphere, Internet Café Spika is a popular choice for locals, expats and tourists alike. We're not too sure, however, about the statement on the café's website saying "18 computers with static public IP address, which is NOT behind a firewall, thus you can easily use all Internet services including those "less known" like telnet, ftp, gopher, etc".

For a list of Wi-Fi HotSpots in Prague, please visit: www.wi-fihotspotlist.com.

Internet Sites on Prague

Although an ever-growing number of websites on Prague and the Czech Republic are popping up, it remains a fairly frustrating experience having to wade through vast amounts of data, without any guarantee that you'll find the stuff you really want.

So, with this mind, we've created a new dedicated page on the best/most useful sites on Prague and the Czech Republic. And, as Prague benefits from a number of excellent tourist related websites (including those for hotel and restaurant listings) you're in for a real treat! Click to check out our links page.

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Prague - Health Precautions, Insurance, Internet Access + Wi-Fi HotSpots

Health

Insurance

Internet Access in Prague

Internet Sites on Prague