1936 On the Continent

therefore advised to take a second-class ticket, especially as the third-class carriages are often crowded. Apart from the sleeping-cars and dining-cars which, of course, will be found on all the international expresses, most of the through trains in Czechoslovakia provide facilities for meals. Light refreshments are brought round at most of the stopping-places, which are provided also with refreshment buffets with a wide selection of food and drink.
    The customs examination on the Czechoslovak frontier will present no difficulties to the visitor. I have already pointed out that it is preferable to buy tobacco or cigarettes in the Republic than to pay duty on them. With regard to foreign currency, the traveller from abroad should inform the official how much money he has in his possession, and this amount will then be duly entered in his passport. This is an important formality, as otherwise the maximum sum which can be taken out of Czechoslovakia is 1,000 Czech crowns. I should perhaps here mention that subjects of Great Britain, France and the United States need no visa when proceeding to Czechoslovakia.
    Motorists entering the Republic by car need a customs’ certificate and a triptich or carnet which they can obtain from their respective motoring associations. Without this document, however, it is possible to receive at the custom-house a permit for a stay of one month which can beprolonged on application to any custom-house or to the Czechoslovak Auto Klub, Prague II, Lützowova 29. This latter organisation may, indeed, be approached by any motorist who needs advice or assistance. The regulations as to foreign currency are, of course, the same as those which apply to travellers by train. If the motorist has a wireless set in his car, particulars of the make, etc., should be entered in the triptich and he will be expected to pay the licence fee of 10 crowns at the nearest post office.
    The rule of the road in Czechoslovakia is the same as in England, and international sings for motorists are in use throughout the country. The motor fuel in Czechoslovakia consists of benzine with an add-mixture of alcohol which renders excellent service. Benzine costs about 3 crowns per litre and the price of the various motor oils ranges from 9 to 16 crowns. The motor roads are well supplied with filling-stations and repair shops, and there is a garage in every hotel. The general standard of the roads in Czechoslovakia is high, and this is true also of the secondary roads. Even in the eastern part of the Republic the conditions for motoring will be found satisfactory.
Hints to Lady Travellers
    Ladies travelling alone or together will meet with every courtesy in Czechoslovakia. They will receive also a friendly welcome from any of the Czechoslovak Women’s Clubs, such as the Ženský klubeský, the address of which is Prague II, Smeky. Here they can, if necessary, obtain accommodation or make the acquaintance of members. Similar services will be performed by the Lady Superintendent of the Y.W.C.A., which has branches in Prague, Brno and Bratislava. General advice to visitors from abroad, is available also at the Cizinecký svaz, Prague I, Obecni dm.
    Ladies are reminded that in Prague and in Czechoslovakia generally they can rely upon finding a high standard of hairdressing, beauty treatment and other toilet needs, the prices for which will compare very favourably with those elsewhere. The leading perfumes and toilet preparations of Western Europe are on sale in most of the shops which stock these commodities.
Souvenirs
    Visitors to Czechoslovakia who are anxious to take home some typical souvenir of their stay there have a wide choice of articles suitable for this purpose. Those who are fond of gems are advised to purchase some Bohemian garnets which are famous for their beautiful red tinge and can be obtained either in an old-fashioned or an up-to-date setting. Artistic embroidery is another product of the Republic which is not easily obtained elsewhere, and the range of designs among the Czech, Slovak and Carpathian Ruthenian varieties is considerable. A large supply is kept in stock by the “Detva” establishments, which has its headquarters at Bratislava (Stefanikova no. 4), and has branches in Prague (Národni tida 38), Karlovy Vary and Pištany. The “Zádruha” concern in Prague (na Pikope) also specialises in these goods. All the above-mentioned shops sell also fine specimens of home-made lace which is in no way