Venue

Brno, the Czech Republic‘s second largest city lies in the central part of Europe and within its two hundred-kilometre radius there are other important European capitals: Prague, Vienna and Bratislava. Brno is the metropolis of Moravia and an important tourist centre for all who want to explore the natural and cultural beauties of the South-Moravian region.

The city is surrounded by beautiful mixed forests, which offer many opportunities for tourism and cycling. Brno prides itself on many notable historic sites that show evidence of its rich cultural history. It as well offers many possibilities of cultural enjoyment in its numerous theatres, museums, cinemas and clubs. Brno is also a city of modern shopping and entertainment centres.

Project Friendly 2008 will be held at the campus of the Brno University of Technology (Faculty of Information Technology – in „Old Brewery“ (Starý pivovar), Božetěchova 1, Brno 612 00, Czech Republic from September 11th till 14th, 2008. The entrance is adapted for handicapped people.

Passport and Visa Requirements

Visitors from non-EU countries must posses a passport valid for at least the next 3 months. Participants requiring a visa should apply immediately to a consular office of the Czech Republic in their country. Please note that the visa application procedure can take up to two months and it is not possible to obtain visa at the airport. The Congress Secretariat assists the participants by processing the official visa support letter on request. These letters do not commit the Congress Organizers to any financial obligation.

For visitors from EU countries within Schengen area a national identification card is satisfactory.

Insurance

The conference organizers do not accept any responsibility for loss or damage of property belonging to the participants, either during or as a result of the conference. Registration fees do not include any form of insurance. Participants are advised to arrange adequate cover for travel and health insurance before departing from their home country.

Currency, Credit Cards, Banking Facilities

The currency in the Czech Republic is Czech Crown (CZK). There are exchange offices available in hotels and in most areas of Brno centre. All major credit cards are accepted in most hotels, shops and restaurants (Visa, Euro/Mastercard and American Express, etc.). Opening hours for banks in Brno are usually 09.00 - 17.00. Banks are closed at weekends and on holidays, but they have cash machines. The official exchange rates you can check at the Czech National Bank (24 CZK/1EUR, 15.41 CZK/1USD on August 1st, 2008).

Public Transportation

There is a public transport system in Brno, which includes trams and buses. See this page for more information. 

Climate and Clothing

Czech Republic has a continental climate. The weather in Brno in September can be very varying. In some years it can be dry and sunny every day, with temperature highs up to 30 degrees od Celsius (86`F). In other years it is rainy and windy for a whole week, with temperatures as low as 10 degrees od Celsius (50`F). The most probably weather, however, is that most of conference days there will be sunny weather with temperatures around 26 degrees of Celsius. Nevertheless there might be of course some change which is now rather difficult to predict, and therefore it is advisable to bring a sweater and umbrella.

Opening hours

Opening hours of shops and banks correspond to European standards. Banks are open from Monday though Thursday mostly from 9:00 - 17:00 (Friday usually to 16:00). To exchange foreign currencies or traveller cheques is only possible during these hours. There is also a dense net od Maestro and VISA ATM machines where you can get CZK with your cards 24 hours a day. There are also exchange offices in major hotels. Most shops open between 8:00 and 9:00 in the morning, and close between 18:00 and 19:00, from Monday through Saturday. In shopping centers you can shop till 20:00 (sometimes even longer time). On Sundays shopping centers and large shops are open too (comparable with working days).

Pharmacies: Mo-Fr: 8:00 - 18:00, Sa 8:00 - 12:00. Outside these times several pharmacies are open 24 hours a day, according to common schedule.

Post offices are usually open Mo - Fr 8:00 - 18:00 although you can buy stamps in newspaper stand and use "orange" post-box for sending postcards or mail. Within Czech republic you will have to use stamp with value of 10CZK, within European Union 21CZK, outside EU 24CZK.

Vaccinations, Emergency and Health care

No special vaccinations are necessary when travelling to Czech republic. Also the tap water in Brno is of excellent quality and can be used for drinking without any doubts. It is recomended that participants arrange insurance for medical expenses, loss and accidents occuring during the conference. The organizers cannot be held responsible for anz losses, damages or injuries.

In emergency or life threating situations you can use free of charge universal emergency telephone number - dial 112 from your cellular phone or any phone booth. Most GSM mobile phones can dial 112 calls even when the phone keyboard is locked, the phone is without a SIM card.

For EU citizens an European healthcare insurance card is sufficient for emergency treatment. Therefore it is strongly recommended to bring this card with yourself.

Electricity

The voltage in the Czech Republic is 230 V / 50Hz, sockets have the European standard and plugs (type E ) are three-prong grounded. Participants are advised to bring the correct electrical adaptors with them.

Mobile phones

Mobile phones operate well outside the conference building. However, due to the metallic and reinforced concrete construction of the conference builing the quality can vary greatly inside the builing. In any cases, please make sure your mobile phones are switched off during all sessions.

GSM networks operate in the 900 MHz or 1800 MHz bands (depending on a operator). Don't forget to activate your roaming service, before leaving your home country.

WiFi

WLAN will be available at no cost during the conference. Information on how to access will be available on a registration desk. As well an EDUROAM is available.  

Smoking

Smoking is generally allowed in Brno in all open air places (except tram, bus stations) and in most restaurants. It is forbidden, however, in all public builings and in the Brno University of Technology (where Project Friendly takes place) is a public builing. Therefore, NO SMOKING is allowed in the conference area! (Smoking can damage your health!)