EuroOut

Before entering European country it is important to check, if there are paid roads there and what kind of payment should be made. While in Spain and in France there are payment points right on the highways, in other countries such as Czech Republic, Switzerland, Slovakia, Hungary, Austria driver is supposed to buy a special sticker, usually called Vignette.

Here are few useful links to check:

• Information about vignette in various countries, including prices.
• Another site, but seems to be a little outdated.

Some tips:

• Germany in the centers of main cities you will need a special CO2 Ecology Card (Umwelt Plakette). For more information check the map of zones at official site, in short green Umwelt Plakette is “the best” as it allows parking in center (just allows, you will still need to pay for paid parking). You can order this “Plakette” via Internet (seems to cost about 20 EURO) or you can drive into gas station and they will help you to find the local technical shop where the Plakette is for sale (costs about 6 EURO). Most likely in your home country it is also possible to get Plakette, for instance, for Czech Republic use first google results.
• Denmark: roads are free, but some bridges are paid, if you travel from Germany, check the beginning of this post.
• Roads are free for “normal” (not trucks) autos: Netherlands, Germany
• In Czech Republic Vignette is known as “znamka”, it is for sale in post offices and on gas stations
• Remember to tell at the shop what car are you driving (for cars heavier than 3.5 tons the price is higher)
• In Hungary the Vignette is fully electronic now, meaning you will be asked to write down the plate number of the car when buying Vignette and you will not have any sticker.
• In Switzerland you will have a Vignette for a year, for about 30 Euro (I’m not sure about exact price).
• When crossing border pay attention to the signs with “Vignette”, typically, you will see this signs together with gas-station sign before and after the border.
• Read carefully, instruction on Vignette when you buy it for a first time, for instance, in Hungary, the Vignette is fully electronic, but you still need to keep receipt (with your car plate number) for some period.

Exhibition: Oniricos en color

Supposed to be some painting from Argentine (?)

When: From the 3th of May until the 14th of June 2009

Where: Kozi 15, Prague 1

30 images from Bolivia, Brazil, Laos, India, Lithuania – Cafe gallery V SEDMEM NEBI

20.4 – 31.5.2009

Zborovská 68, Praha 5, Monday to Sunday, 10:00 to 01:00

Top 10 Places to visit in Zürich (Switzerland)

Another post from the series of top-10 places to visit… now it is about Zürich in Switzerland. Zürich is the largest (by population) city of Switzerland.

• Search for hotel in Zürich

In the city center (check google map):

1. Fraumünster (famous Marc Chagall window paintings)
2. St. Peter Kirche (you will see the Europe largest clock face on the church)
3. Grossmünster – Romanesque-style church – another symbol of Zurich and Rathaus
4. Wasserkirche – church built on the water (wasser in the name is for “water”) , it used now for different exhibitions, including photo exhibitions of young artists.
5. Kunsthaus (5-10 minutes walk from city center) – one of the best art galleries, diffidently worth visiting! I’d take 1-2 full days to check all interesting galleries and exhibitions in the city, check now the hotels available.
6. 

   Chinagarten - a piece of China in Zürich

   Chinagarten (15-20 minutes walk from the city center) – a piece of China in Zürich built together by Zürich and Chinese landscape specialists. It works from 28 March to 18 October, opening hours are 11.00 to 19.00 all days, including holidays. Get there by tram 2 or 4 or by bus 33 or just walk by the side of the Zürich lake.

7. Museum of design (Museum fur Gestaltung)
8. Rietberg museum – museum of Asia and Africa, also features related exhibitions.
9. 

   Uetliberg - great view in the evening

   Uetliberg – great view on the city, especially in the evening

10. Rhein waterfall (1 hour from Zürich, need to get on train to Schaffhausen and there take the bus to Rhein waterfall). Opened all time during the year , but boat service works only in good weather, also, in the later sping the supposed to be much more water than usually.

• Search for hotel in Zürich

Public transportation: consider ZürichCard, it includes round boat travel, Zürich main zones and free entry to some museums, for instance to Museum of design (Museum fur Gestatung).

The Chemistry Gallery in Prague

The Chemistry - exhibition place for young artist

The new gallery in Prague, started just few months back. Very nice place to visit as the gallery combine both – great exhibition and show room for young artist works. Some of the pictures are for sale.

Official web-site: The Chemistry Gallery (http://www.thechemistry.cz/)

Location:

U Kanálky 4
120 00 Praha 2

St – Pá 13.00 – 21.00
So – Ne 12.00 – 18.00

Up-to-date information including opening hours check on gallery contact page.

Laterna Magika (www.laterna.cz ) is playing various performances depending on the day. The idea is the mix of classical and modern dance as well as video installations. Definerely a must see in Prague, very original.

The new musical, Zorro (http://www.zorrothemusical.com/ ), is going to open in Paris in October and will continue to play in other european cities. This musical is completely based on Gipsy Kings songs.

The great story of Dirty Dancing is now on stage all over Europe! Germany, The Netherlands and Great Britain are all playing the show simultaneusly.