European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - December 12, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse The Castle s Chapel was built in the 14th and 15th centuries and features this carved altarpiece. Features paintings from the gothic period plus works by flemish and dutch masters. Hluboky Castle is also a popular spot for weddings. Each year More than 350 couples Many from abroad go there to Exchange vows. The Castle is open from april to oct. 30 the hours Are 8 . To 4 . Except during june through August when it remains open until 5 . Admission and a one hour tour is 10 crowns about 35 cents during most of the year 20 crowns in july and August a tour in English costs 40 crowns. Group discounts Are available if booked in Advance for details Call 038-965045. Air Tours of the area can be booked at an Airfield near the Castle. The Tours either 30 minutes or one hour Long Cost Between 20 and 40 German Marks about $13 $25. A Randy Pruitt an ornament on one of the doors of the main Gate. Does Long Way a opt in Czechoslovakia by Randy Pruitt staff writer it s hard to be a big spender in Rural Czechoslovakia. The Bill for two fresh Trout dinners one pork dish and three Beers in Cesky Kruglov totalled 201 czech crowns. Translated into american dollars that came to $7.05. Judging from the restaurant menu it was one of the More expensive meals. What s More it was Well prepared. For americans Czechoslovakia remains one of the few bargains around. The waiter s round the Bill off 9-Crown tip though got us a mild scolding from our czech translator. Quot it was too much a he said. Come to think of it the waiter did seem extremely grateful and when we asked directions to another place he eagerly led us outside and pointed the Way. Then he asked us to Quot please come Back. Czechoslovakia where an average wage is the equivalent of $100 per month is a lesson in relatively. What s cheap for americans can be prohibitively expensive to the Man on the Street. Food prices for the czechs have increased about 65 percent this year. Really cheap fare can be obtained from buffets which Are the czech equivalent of fast food without the plastic or napkins. To lacks czech pastries can be purchased for 2 crowns each. A cup of Coffee is 3 crowns. Some buffets hand out a Blank ticket As you enter. Purchases Are noted on it and you pay after eating on your Way out. Don t lose your ticket even if you decide not to buy anything you la need it to exit. A person without a ticket can be charged Between 300 and 500 crowns. A room for two including breakfast in the Plush ruse Rose hotel costs $35 per night. A suite with breakfast runs $72. Expect to pay from $15 to $20 for a room in a private Home. Often signs pointing the Way can be found in Small towns. Czech travel agencies can also help find accommodations. Americans receive about 30 czech crowns for each $1. The rate fluctuates daily and exchanges at the Border Are often the Best. It s customary to pay a Small commission. Money can also be exchanged in most hotels and at Cedon the czech tourist Agency museum entry fees Are inexpensive by any Standard. Admission to the Castle at Cesky Kruglov open from april 1 to oct. 30 is 10 crowns for a guided tour except in july and August when 20 crowns is charged. Double the fee if you go with a translator. The Castle incidentally is closed on mondays. Foreign tourists no longer must Purchase fuel coupons to buy gasoline in Czechoslovakia. That requirement was eliminated in october. Since czech gasoline prices Are nearly equivalent to German prices it would pay americans to consult the cafes service station map and Gas up before crossing the Border. The news has improved for Crystal lovers who up until february were slapped with a 300 percent customs tax at the czech Border. The rate has been reduced to 150 percent. That tax also includes White porcelain China and porcelain with Blue Cobalt inlaid Folk motifs. A 20 percent duty is attached to Cut Glass pottery czech painted Glass leather goods and wooden items. Anything costing 500 czech crowns or less can be exported duty free. Tourists should keep receipts for each time they Exchange Money so it can be proved they exchanged enough officially to buy items legitimately. Every visitor to Czechoslovakia has Good value stories to Tell. We stopped in Pilsen on the Way Home ordering four dinners consisting of Chicken pork and Steak. The Bill totalled $8. The Price included one big bowl of soup three Beers one cola three dishes of ice Cream mixed with fruit and three coffees. Did we overtop again probably judging from the waiter s smile. / i Al ,4 r 1 t i a i 1 a a a Finui ii Rajtr k m full in w it. I n u 1 it m a restaurant menu from Bohemia figure about 30 crowns per Dollar a and expect some cheap meals. A display of Crystal chandeliers one of the big shopping bargains in Czechoslovakia. S4s flits amps photos by Dave Didio december 12, 1991 stripes Magazine 7
