Prague - Jet Lag, DVT, Left Luggage, Lost Property

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Jet Lag

jetlag Unfortunately, if you're travelling from the States or Canada then some degree of jet lag is almost inevitable on a long-haul flight to Prague. That said, there are a few simple things you can do to reduce fatigue during your flight. Before setting off make sure all your personal and business affairs are in order. Worrying about what happens at work when you're away doesn't bode well for a relaxing trip. And don't pack at the last minute, a decent night's sleep is essential, especially if you're driving to the airport!

In the same way that long distance runners take on water during a race, fluids are essential on a long-haul flight. Water is better than coffee, tea or fruit juices. Alcohol is a big no no as it takes less time to become intoxicated in the air than on the ground (this may appeal to some though). That said, if you do indulge, stick to white wine, gin or vodka rather than red wine, Port or whisky.

Taking off shoes will ease the pressure on your feet, while a travel pillow, night shade and ear plugs all increase your chances of getting some quality sleep during the flight. Moreover, in light of recent public concern about Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) medical experts now advise passengers to take an aspirin and stretch their legs regularly. If this means inconveniencing others by getting out of your seat then so be it. Two companies have also recently produced the first mass-market "compression socks" which are designed to create a massage effect for the legs, thus reducing the likelihood of blood clotting. For more information visit the Scholl website at www.schollflightsocks.co.uk or www.activahealthcare.co.uk (both UK based, although similar products should also be available in North America, Europe and other overseas territories).

Oh, and before we forget, try not to look at your watch too often during the flight. Psychologically it's bad news as it reinforces your usual body cycle (e.g. at midnight I always go to sleep). Taking a nap when you need really to, rather than when routine dictates is the key here. Finally, there are tablets available which claim to provide an effective remedy to jet lag. Sleeping pills are definitely out though, as they are similar in form to anti-histamines and dehydrate you even more.

A very useful 'Airline Seat Guide', giving you the lowdown on which carriers offer the best seat pitch dimensions (and seat width) can be found at: www.airlinequality.com. Oh, and the passenger opinions section is very enlightening! In addition, if you're travelling from the US try seatGuru.com - another great site!

Czech Language

Although Czech (Český) will be understood by visitors from other Slavic nations (it belongs to the West Slavonic group of Indo-European languages), there are enough differences to make it easily distinguishable from Russian (East Slavonic) or Serbian/Croatian (South Slavonic). And, though it invariably becomes - for English speakers at least - a somewhat daunting language to learn, getting to grips with a few choice words and phrases should pay dividends. Certainly locals seem to appreciate the fact that you've made the effort and, in turn, will do their best to help despite the language barrier.

In reality, making yourself understood won't be too much of a problem as many (young) people speak good English, while German is also widely understood. Indeed, most hotels and a high-proportion of tourist-oriented restaurants/shops have staff who speak foreign languages. However, as it's only courteous to learn some basic words and expressions (if nothing else "please" and "thank-you") a short list can be found in our language section. Also worth visiting is the excellent Bohemica website which covers everything from basic grammar and useful expressions to in-depth Czech reading material.

Lost Property

In the event that valuables are lost (or stolen) during your stay in Prague then immediately report the incident to the local police. Usually it helps (especially for lost passports/visas) to contact your embassy first, as they should be able to issue Czech documentation to help you obtain an appropriate police certificate. For items left on trains, first enquire at the station where you arrived (lost property offices are signed 'Ztráty a nálezy'). Failing that, lost items may be recovered from the following office:

Central Lost Property Office - Karoliny Světlé 5, Staré Mešto, Prague 1, Tel: +420 224 235 085, Metro: Národní třída, Tram 6, 9, 17, 18, 22, Open: 8am-noon and 12.30pm-5.30pm Mon-Fri.

At Prague Ruzyně Airport lost property enquiries should be directed to: CSL Handling, Tel: +420 220 116 072, Fax: +420 220 114 452, E-mail: handling.claim@csl.cz.

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Prague - Jet Lag, Language, Lost Property

Jet Lag

Czech Language

Lost Property