Venue
IKEM (Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine) Congress Center.
Vídeňská 1958/9,
140 21, Praha 4.
Tel: +420 261 362 580, 724 170 276;
Fax: +420 261 362 810.
e-mail: kongrescentrum@ikem.cz;
website: www.ikem.cz
The Congress Center is located in the southern part of Prague within the Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine.
Dates/Times
The course will commence at 09.00 on Thursday 17 April and end at 12.00 on Saturday 19 April 2008. Participants are therefore advised to arrive in Prague on Wednesday, 16 April.
Transport and Travel
Arriving by Air
Prague’s international airport, Ruzynì, is situated 20km (12.5 miles) north-west of the city. There are several forms of transport available direct from the airport to the city centre:
Departure/Arrival queries – tel: 2011 3314, 2011 3321 or Czech Airlines WWW.
Passport/Visa Regulations
A passport with a minimum of six months’ validity is required for entry into the Czech Republic. Please ensure that you check visa entry requirements from your country of origin. For further information please visit the Czech Republic immigration website: www.czechembassy.org (click on Visa and Consular Service and then Travelling to the Czech Republic).
Taxis
Taxis are regulated however it is important to establish the fare before embarking on your journey, the cost for the 25-30 kilometre drive from the airport to IKEM is approximately 650 CZK (€30). To reach the Conference Center directly from the airport you can take an airport taxi (FIX) or shuttle (CEDAZ) offering door-to-door service. The stands are located in front of the Airport arrival exit (outside). Contacts: FIX (+420) 22011 3892; CEDAZ, (+420) 220114286, (+420) 220114296 www.aas.cz/cedaz.
The cost of a taxi from IKEM into the centre of Prague is approximately 300 CZK (€10.5) and will take 20-25 minutes. From the airport to city centre the cost will be approximately CZK 650 (€23).
Public Transport
Prague has an excellent and almost 24-hour integrated public transport system which runs from 05.00 until 24.00. Tickets can be bought in yellow sales machines (in each metro station) or at newsstands for 20 CZK (€0.70) and are valid for 75 minutes and multiple transfers (the ticket must be validated immediately after first boarding a bus or tram, or entering the area of a metro station). A one day unlimited use card can be purchased for 80 CZK (€3) and a one-week unlimited use card for 280 CZK (€10). Other information can be found at www.dpp.cz.
TRAVELLING TO THE IKEM CONGRESS CENTRE
- from Prague Airport ‘Ruzynì’
Board bus No. 119 which will take you from the airport to the metro (subway) station Dejvicka on metro line A (the green line). At Dejvicka board the subway train and travel to the Muzeum station stop. Get off the train there and transfer to the metro line C (the red line) and board the train travelling in the direction Haje. Proceed to the Budejovicka metro station stop and get off the train there. There is also a bus station where you will board bus No. 193 (direction "Microbiologicky ustav") and travel to the stop "Zelena louka", which is located across the street from IKEM. Tickets for public transport cost 20 CZK (€0.70) and can be bought in the newspaper stand at the airport. The ticket price includes all transfers.
- from the centre of Prague
Board bus No. 114 at the metro (subway) station "Kacerov" on the line C (the red line) and travel to the stop "Zelena louka" (the 5th stop from "Kacerov"). The building of IKEM is opposite the bus stop. Public Transit Co. Inc. pages.
- from the main train station
Hlavni nadrazi or from Nadrazi Holesovice board the subway (metro line C) and proceed to Budejovicka station and get off the subway there. There is also a bus station where you will board bus No. 193 (direction "Microbiologicky ustav") and travel to the stop "Zelena louka", which is located across the street from IKEM. Tickets for public transport cost cost 20 CZK (€0.70) and can be bought in the newspaper stand at the airport. The ticket price includes all transfers.
- by car
Travel along Vídeňská street (exit Jesenice from Jižní spojka), to IKEM see map
Participants who have booked accommodation can book car parking at the Emmy Rezidence at a cost of CZK 200 per night (€7)
Programme/Participant Profile
The course is primarily oriented towards academic surgeons who are pursuing or planning the scientific career in the field of cardio-thoracic surgery. Certain experience in publishing and presenting material is advantageous. The course is a tutorial, consisting of introductory lectures and practical, mentored activities. Leading experts in the field will address the topics, and will be present for practical demonstrations and for work in small groups.
Deadline for receipt of applications is 11 April 2008.
IMPORTANT NOTE: It is imperative that course participants bring a laptop with them to Prague for use during the workshops. Wi-Fi enabled laptops would be most beneficial. EACTS are unable to supply laptops to participants.
Course Dinner – Thursday 17 April
A dinner will be held on Thursday 17 April for all participants and faculty. The course dinner is included in the registration fee for participants.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Dinner on Wednesday and Friday evening is not included in the registration fee and participants are therefore advised to make their own arrangements in this regard.
Dietary Requirements
Please indicate any special dietary requirements by email to registration@eacts.co.uk.
Lunch and Refreshments
Lunch and refreshments are included in the Course fee and will be served at appropriate breaks in the programme.
Insurance and Liability
Participants are advised to make their own arrangements for health and travel insurance. Neither EACTS or their agents can be held responsible for any personal injury, loss, damage, accident to private property or additional expenses incurred as a result of delays or changes in air, rail, sea, road or other services, strikes, sickness, weather and any other cause.
Banks/Shopping
Banks in Prague are generally open Monday to Friday from 0830-1800 and closed at weekends and public holidays. The general opening hours for shops are Monday to Friday from 0900-1800 and Saturday from 0900-1300.
VAT
Prices for goods in Prague include the government’s 19% VAT.
Voltage
The power supply in Prague is 220 volts AC with two-pin plugs, it is advisable to bring continental adaptors or converters as they are not readily available in Prague.