The Conference will take place on the modern campus of the Czech University of Life Sciences, situated on the NW-outskirts of the city, nearby the former village of Suchdol (now part of Prague). The Campus includes a well-designed conference centre and provides all standard facilities (such as a number of satellite rooms open to symposia, workshops and informal gatherings, a student restaurant, pubs and snack counters, 3 ATMs, bank office, pharmacy and center of medical care, computer room, free wireless internet, sport facilities and last but not least some cheap accommodation in student hostels just next to the Conference venue).
|
Czech University of Life Sciences Kamýcká 129 160 00 Prague 6 - Suchdol Czech Republic Phone: + 420 224 381 111 |
The Campus is accessible by buses No. 107 and 147 from metro station Dejvicka (terminal station of metro line A - green) to the bus stop "Zemedelska univerzita". Buses depart every 5-10 mins. After regular day/evening services cease, during night hours, the Campus is still accesible by bus no. 502 (details of time tables will be available at the registration desk). Using the bus and metro, the historical centre of the Prague is accessible in some 20 minutes.
Meals
Luncheons are available from 23 August to 27 August in the student restaurant (situated in the centre of the campus) at the price of 6 EUR each. The student restaurant also provides breakfast (for prepaid coupons). Several pubs and restaurants will be open at your disposal, either within the campus or in the close vicinity.
Coffee and snacks will be served during the breaks both in the morning and afternoon sessions.
Visas:
Participants from most European countries and the USA can enter the Czech Republic without a visa. Other participants are advised to check the requirements at the closest Embassy or Consulate of the Czech Republic and to make their own arrangements. [Further information]
Please check carefully whether or not in your case a visa is required. In most cases a valid passport will be sufficient. Moreover, visitors from central and east Europe should check whether or not a special health insurance is required for receiving a visa. All insurance and visa costs must be borne by the participant.
Czech Republic is a member of the Schengen Agreement and so are Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Island, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. Participants from outside these countries and the European Union (EU) but with a valid visa for one of the Schengen countries may freely move into and within any other Schengen country without any further controls.
Official letter of invitation:
Participants that require to receive an official letter of invitation in order to obtain a visa, to raise travel funds or for administrative purposes should apply for this invitation by email at the conference administration (ibrc@conference.cz) as soon as possible but by 15 July at the very latest. Requests received later may not be processed by the embassies. It should be understood, however, that such an invitation is not a commitment on the part of the organizers to provide financial support. A reduced or waived registration fee will be available only exceptionally in particularly well substantiated cases.
Currency Though many shops in the centre of Prague will accept EUR and common credit cards, in most instances you will need local currency CZK (Czech Crowns). You can use your credit card to get CZK from bank cash dispensers (ATMs), such as those situated in the Campus. Money exchange is also possible in banks and exchange offices or in regular hotels at reception desks (but not in the student residences).
Climate and dress:
The weather at the end of August is usually nice but can be unpredictable. We recommend that you bring an umbrella and a light coat for day/evening wear. Temperatures of around 20 - 25° C can be expected. Informal dress will be suitable for all conference activities.
Prague is generally considered not to be a dangerous city. Nevertheless, be aware of pickpockets, particularly in the metro or trams, and of 'incorrect accounting' in taxis. The price of taxi transportation from the Airport or the city centre to Suchdol should not exceed some 400 to 500 CZK (ca 20 EUR). The phone taxi AAA (phone 14014) can be recommended.
Insurance:
The organizing committee will not accept any liability for personal injuries or loss or damage of property belonging to conference participants and accompanying persons. Kindly check your personal insurance.
* Arriving by plane
Prague Ruzyně Airport, located 15 km from the city centre is served by many international lines. The cost of a taxi from Ruzyně Airport to the city centre is at present about 25 EUR. City bus No. 119 will take you from the airport to the metro terminal Dejvicka (ticket machines at airport - standard public transport fare - see below).
For the 15th IBRC participants, a special shuttle bus will be organized on 22 August which will take you directly to the conference venue in Suchdol. Details will be available at the Ruzyně Airport arrivals hall.
* Arriving by train
The vast majority of international trains arrive either at Prague Main Station (Praha-Hlavní nádraží) or at Praha-Holešovice station. Both railway stations have a metro station on line C, and via line C you will then have to go to Metro stop/station 'Muzeum'. At metro station Museum ('Muzeum') you can change for metro line A and go to the end terminal station Dejvicka.
* Arriving by car
Prague is easily accessible by car - though driving in the city might be sometimes a bit complicated. Going to Suchdol you should first follow the direction "Dejvice" and reach a large rounded 'square' with the metro station Dejvická. There you should turn down towards the river (direction Roztoky, Suchdol); coming to the first crossroads in Suchdol turn left and follow the signs for the Conference.
Parking: Parking in the area of the Czech University of Life Sciences is available free of charge. Parking in the centre of the city is much more complicated and in many places is only available for holders of special local permissions. In general, it is strongly recommended to avoid entering the town centre by car. Use of public transportation, though much less comfortable, can spare both time and money, and works quite efficiently.
City transportation
Prague has a comprehensive network of public transportation consisting of metro, trams and buses. Single 'transferable' tickets (valid for 1 hour after marking/validation in a tram/bus/Metro station at the start of your journey) cost 26 CZK. The ticket can be purchased from the coin machines at metro stations and at newspaper stands ('Tabák'). Also the travel passes for 3 days (330 CZK) or 5 days (500 CZK) are available there and in a limited extent can be purchased also at the registration desk.
Car rental:
Most of the major car rental companies (Hertz, etc.) have offices in Prague. Detailed information is available from the conference secretariat. We strongly recommend making reservations in advance.