Trip Tips and What to Pack
Eastern Europe Singles Vacations

Passports and Visas:

No visa is required to enter the territory of the EU member states for a maximum period of  90 days for citizens of the United States of America and Canada. The passport must be valid for a period of at least 90 days beyond the expected length of stay in the Czech Republic, counted from the date of entering the Czech Republic.

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Local Currency:

Czecho-Slovakia
The official currency of the Czech Republic is the Czech crown (koruna), abbreviated as K?, with the international abbreviation CZK. 1 crown consists of 100 hellers (halé?), abbreviated as hal. Heller coins have not been in use as of September 1, 2008, but hellers are still incorporated into merchandise prices. The final price is always rounded off to the nearest crown value. Please check for the current exchange rates - Current Exchange Rates

Poland
To change your foreign currencies into Z?otys (PLN) in Poland, it is best to go to a KANTOR (bureau de change, currency exchange office)) and compare their different rates. Shop around, the rates can vary a lot. Words "skup" or "kupno" mean "buy rates" and "sprzeda?" means "sell", so if you want to check how much zlotys you will get for euros or dollars, you need to look at "skup/kupno". The traditional banks' fees are higher.

Using your credit/debit card at the cashpoint/ATM (Bankomat) will give you a fair exchange rate. Be aware that many banks charge for this service. ATMs offer service in English. Try to avoid changing money at the airport on arrival as the rates are not as favorable. Before leaving for your Poland trip, check with your bank to see if it is affiliated with any banks in Poland, their location and fees.  This may help you decide where you may wish to exchange funds. Please check for the current exchange rates - Current Exchange Rates

Hungary
The Hungarian currency is the Forint (Ft) with notes in seven denominations 200Ft, 500Ft, 1000Ft, 2000Ft, 5000Ft, 10,000Ft and 20,000Ft.and coins of 5Ft, 10Ft, 20Ft, 50Ft and 100Ft.  Credit cards, especially Visa, MasterCard and American Express, are widely accepted except at museums, supermarkets, or train and bus stations. Please check for the current exchange rates - Current Exchange Rates

Vienna, Austria
The euro is the official currency of Austria. Please check for the current exchange rates - Current Exchange Rates

Electric Plugs

Eastern European countries' electricity operates at 220 volts,   North America however, operates at 110-120 volts, if you try to operate your 110-120 volt appliance on 220v power chances are you will damage or burnout the appliance, not to mention the potential risk of causing a fire.  Travel plug adapters do not change the voltage, so the electricity coming through the adapter will still be the same volts the socket is supplying. This is good enough for some cell phones but most cameras and hair devices need a voltage transformer or a convertor.  We highly recommend you carry both a converter and adaptors.

Weather

Czech Republic lies in the temperate climate zone, which is characterized by mild, humid summers with occasional hot spells, and cold, cloudy and humid winters. If you are planning a trip to the Czech Republic, weather will probably be one of your concerns. Czech Republic's climate is comparable to that of southern inland Canada. 
Polands climate can be described as a temperate climate with relatively cold winters and warm summers, which is greatly influenced by oceanic air currents from the west, cold polar air from Scandinavia and Russia, as well as warmer, sub-tropical air from the south. 

In winter, polar-continental fronts often dominate, bringing cold, frosty weather with temperatures far below zero an sometimes heavy snowfall. The late summer and autumn months are often influenced by dry, sub-tropical, continental air mass that bring plenty of warm days. The average air temperatures amount to 6 - 8.5°C for a year, the annual rainfall is 500 - 700 mm, of which snow constitutes only 5 - 20%.

The greatest amount of sunshine in summer is to be found on the Baltic coast, whilst in winter in the Carpathian Mountains. In the mountains, at any time of year, the climate is dependent on the altitude. In Warsaw, temperatures range from between 20 to 25°C during the summer months and O to -5°C in winter.

The climate of the Hungary can be described as typical European continental influenced climate with warm, dry summers and fairly cold winters. January is the coldest month with daytime temperatures usually around zero, but in some cases winter months can be very cold with temperatures far below zero and strong, cold northeasterly winds, called Bora, especially in the mountainous regions. Heavy snowfall or even snowstorms are also possible on some days there; the yearly average number of days with snow is less than 40 in the low-land regions and up to 120 days in the mountainous regions of Hungary.

In summer daytime temperatures reach 20-25°C, but sometimes quite higher, 30°C or more. In most of the time is dry weather with sunny spells, although sometimes heavy Thunderstorms can occur at the end of the day. July is the warmest month with an average Temperature of 22°C. Annual Precipitation is about 400-600 mm in the lowland areas, but more in the mountainous regions.

Generally, the weather is best May-September, when days are warm and the nights are cool, although it rains more in Spring than in summer. Autumn and winter are usually a little chilly and wet, sometimes snowy and often foggy, especially in the mountainous regions.

Vienna, Austria
Vienna has a humid continental climate with warm summers and no dry season. The warm season lasts from May 26 to September 9 with an average daily high temperature above 21°C. The hottest day of the year is August 8, with an average high of 26°C and low of 16°C.

The cold season lasts from November 17 to March 3 with an average daily high temperature below 7°C. The coldest day of the year is January 9, with an average low of -3°C and high of 2°C.

What to Pack for Your Vacation

Hungray
* Lightweight cottons and linens during summer months
* Warmer medium-weights to heavyweights and rainwear are needed during the winter months

* Gloves & scarf are recommended for winter  

* An umbrella or raincoat is advised for local Spring & Summer showers  
* A sweater may be needed throughout the year in the evenings or for walks in the mountains, even in the summer.

*Clothes and shoes to always keep you warm, comfortable and not too heavy.
* Winter coat and warm clothes during the winter in Hungary – But t-shirt during the hot summer.
* Rain gear, appropriate shoes for a full day of walking in Poland
*Small light weight flashlight and batteries
* In Poland, Men – mandatory to bring a kippah, other religious articles are optional
* Warm sweaters (2) or 1 fleece. 1 heavy, 1 light, extra if you chill easily

Poland Clothing:
*Comfortable, rugged clothing
*Comfortable, well broken in rugged shoes. Sneakers should be waterproof. Tennis shoesare not appropriate in Poland as we are often walking in the rain and mud.
*Gloves, hat, scarf for winter temperatures
*2 appropriate outfits for Shabbat services:
Girls: shirts, skirts, dresses (no sleeveless shirts, skirts and dresses need to be below the knee)
Boys: 1 shirt dress, 1 pair of slacks (not jeans)
*Water shoes (for hiking in streams with rocks), must be closed toe, these are in addition to flip flops)
*lip flops for the beach
*Girls –all skirt lengths must be below the knee for religious site visits and Shabbat

CzechoSlovakia Clothing:
* All over the year it's a good idea to bring warm weather clothes and cool weather gear as well as good rain-repellant coat or jacket
* Fur, bring umbrella at anytime,
*During winter dress in warm layers and carry a backpack along with hat and gloves

Vienna, Austria Clothing
* Walking shoes: Vienna has cobblestones everywhere and most historic sites are within walking distance of other places you will want to see.
* Dress clothes only in you are planning to visit Vienna's beautiful opera house. That way, you will also be dressed for your choice of the many fine restaurants Vienna has to offer.
* Shorts and sandals: It gets hot in Vienna and it can be quite comfortable to sit outside at a café all day and well into the evening.
* Swimwear: Vienna has many public pools, most of which are outdoors. You can even swim in the Danube in certain locations.
* Windbreaker, rain jacket and umbrella: Vienna gets rain--some years more than others--and it continues throughout the summer.
* Boots: It can get very cold in Vienna. Snow can come anytime during the fall, but it is more likely to fall in late December or early January.
* Scarf, gloves and a hat: Cover up when it is cold. It is a simple suggestion, but one you will see the Viennese taking to heart.
* Winter coat: You can't go wrong with a good, heavy woolen coat.
* Pants/trousers: When it is cold and wet, there is no point in baring your legs to the elements, and you will see most Austrians follow this philosophy as well.
For what to pack on all singles vacations and more tips - Click Here

Shopping

Czech men's fashion designer JOZEF SLOBODA creates trendy and unique clothes, using high-quality fabrics and original style. Jeans, T-shirts, beautiful shirts, sweat-shirts - all is cool and sexy, and wearable! Two locations: Tynska ulicka 4 (one block from the Old Town Square), Na Prikope 12 (Cerna Ruze Shopping Center). Staff is very friendly and helpful. You've got to love it...
From hypermarkets to country markets, from exclusive boutiques to more traditional shops. In Poland you can shop where you like and how you like: quickly or sedately, at three in the morning or during your Sunday walk.

Budapest has been on the fashion maps for years. Over time Hungary has had an important role in the fashion world from buttons to

Sacher Confiserie in Vienna is the place to find the original Sacher-Torte, Austria’s world-famous chocolate cake, whose secret recipe dates back to 1832. The cake comes in four different sizes and is packed in an elegant wooden box that makes it easy to transport.

Top 10 Souvenirs and Gifts to Buy in Eastern Europe - Czecho-Slovakia, Poland & Hungary

Czech
1. Handmade replica of the drinking glass from the times of Charles IY from Czech
2. One of a kind scarf designed after a window at St Vitus Cathedral
3. Famous Czech Glass
4. Bohemian crystal
5. Porcelain
6. Amber jewelry
7. Ceramics
8. Czech garnets and costume jewelry
9. Hand-made accessories and tapestries
10. Replicas of Art Nouveau, Art Deco, and Cubist

Poland
1. Accessories that include a refrigerator magnet in the shape of an axe, a miner's lamp or a wheelbarrow
2. Coins cast with the image of the Rysy Mountains or an image of a young local shepherd, also a fridge magnet
3. Some really nice dolls dressed in traditional Krakowian costumes
4. From a sailing holiday, it is worth bringing back a carved sailboat with the inscription "Warmia and Masuria"
5. A glass Princess Lyna in a blue dress will remind you of Olsztynek.
6. Princess Lyna miniature statuettes are presented at various occasions
7. Uniquely shaped candlesticks from Torun with a packet of gingerbread or a beaver with brown fur and a sash with Srokowo on it and a crest of the town.
8. Hand embroidery from Lowicz is beautiful
9. Earrings and necklaces with embroidered designs from Lowicz were the prototypes of jewellery sold in the W. Kruk shops
10. Openwork egg with the town crest of Tarnow.

Hungary

1. Paprika is the national spice of Hungary and used extensively in Hungarian cuisine
2. Hungary is famous for its excellent wines.
3. A ubiquitous specialty known throughout Hungary, pálinka is the generic name for a fiery fruit brandy.
4. Bold colors, floral patterns, and rich textures all characterize embroidery
5. Hungary’s legendary history in porcelain-making being of the world’s most sought-after.
6. Hungary is renowned for its production of speciality cured meats.
7. Traditional Handicrafts
8. Handpainted Pottery
9. Babaház (Dollhouse)
10. Vass Shoes

Vienna, Austria

1. Handmade Porcelain- Coffee, Porcelain & Glass
2. Confections
3. Traditional Chocolate Cake
4. Austrian Wine
5. “Sachertorte" - one of the most famous rich and delicious chocolate cakes you will ever taste!
6. Diamond stars, Jewellery & other Collectables
7. Nativity Scenes & Ornaments
8. Designer Wine Bar in Vienna
9. The Brand Synonymous with Viennese Art Nouveau
10. Chic & Trendy Vienna Wine Bars

Local Foods

Traditional Czech food is not exactly what one would call dietary, however it perfectly goes with the flavourful Czech beer.
It mostly consists of pork or beef meat with sauce and a side dish, the most common and liked being dumplings. Dumplings (“knedliky”) are the Czech traditional side dish made from wheat or potato flour, boiled in water as a roll and then sliced and served hot.
Other side dishes are: rice, potatoes (boiled, baked or fried). Czech people love Svi?ková, a somehow interesting combination of meat with sauce and whipped cream.
Polish traditional food, a cuisine that was suppressed during Communist times, is now making a comeback. Polish traditional foods consist of traditional Slavic fare, but also have influences from Italy and France that date back to the medieval Polish court. The Polish traditional foods you will encounter today are flavorful, hearty, and complex, but they have a lighter side, too.

When foreigners think of Hungarian cuisine, goulash and chicken paprika naturally spring to mind. However, traditional Hungarian food doesn't stop at these two tasty dishes. The food of Hungary has a long history with many influences - including those from neighboring Slavic countries, Germany, Austria, and France. Paprika, Hungarians' favorite seasoning, is used generously, though mild

Vienna's traditional restaurants serve Wiener Schnitzel with a portion of potato salad and a slice of lemon, as well as roast potatoes and cranberry sauce.

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