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-How about re-gaining VAT when you leave the country? Any good/bad experiences or tips on how to go about doing that?
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From what I remember coming back from the UK, you couldn't reclaim the VAT on services, only goods,and you had to present the goods when you were reclaiming the VAT. (ie -- you couldn't have it it checked luggage -- because where you go to reclaim the VAT-- was right before you went thru security, and well after you checked in for a flight. (it's been a few years, though, so that might have changed)
I'd check before sitting down in a restuarant what plastic they accept, travellers checks were tough to cash when I was in Prague, cash machines were a lot easier, and a lot handier, and I got the daily conversion rate.
Coming back from Australia, that was the only place I went nuts on booze, I came home with 2 cases of wine, declared it, and didn't have to pay anything. For other countries, generally you just have to pay an additional duty, which is minimal., the 1 liter is the one that is tax free. Try to smuggle it, and you cause bigger troubles than an extra dollar or two would cost you.
I spent a weekend in Prague and never gave up my passport, but I stayed at an old hotel and language was a definite problem, so they could have asked me for it, and I didn't know what they were asking for. It's an old city that was just so.... amazingly beautiful... have a wonderful time.. (pick up a copy of The Lonely PLanet's guide to the Czech Republic - -that will give you some ideas of what you should do.