BRATISLAVA
KOŠICE
Welcome to the Tatra Jam vol.4 Survival Guide, welcome to Slovakia! Please read carefully our guide. Do not hesitate to ask us for any extra information if there is something that is not clear to you. We wish you a very pleasant stay in Slovakia!
Bratislava The Capital of the Slovak Republic BRATISLAVA, in BEST known as PARTYslava also referred to as the Beauty on the Danube can not only boast interesting history but it also is the centre of the most dynamically developing region of central Europe at present. Here you can find more information: http://visit.bratislava.sk/EN/
Slovakia
Slovakia, long form Slovenská republika is a sovereign state in Central Europe. It has a population of over five million and an area of about 49,000 square kilometres. Slovakia is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south. The largest city is the capital, Bratislava, and the second largest is Košice. Slovakia is a member state of the European Union, Eurozone, Schengen Area, NATO, the United Nations, the OECD and the WTO, among others. The official language is Slovak, a member of the Slavic language family.
Košice The second biggest town of Slovakia KOŠICE is not only the centre of eastern Slovakia but also the core of the Eastern Carpathians where several ethnicities live. Here you can find more information: http://www.kosice.sk/index.php
Welcome to Low Tatras! From the view of hiking, the National Park Low Tatras is very popular place. The surrounding hills offer the opportunities for more demanding hiking, however, which you will be able also to manage without any special training. The highest and the most known tops of National Park Low Tatras – Ďumbier (2043 m), Chopok (2024 m) and Kráľováhoľa (1948 m) are the unique objects by their magnificent view of the hills and valleys of Slovakia. At the same time, it is a footpath to the mountain chalet Štefánikova chata, which serves to the alpine carriers for supplying. Probably, during your hiking trail you will not be able to see yourself this unique way of supplying. Another popular hiking trail leads to the mountain chalet called as the Kamenná chata.
Very popular local attraction is a trip by dogsled or horse-drawn sleigh in other seasons, Donovaly is an excellent place for hiking, cycling, mushroom picking and collecting forest fruits those interested can utilise the paragliding school, which operates the whole year round. The close proximity to the so-called capital of central Slovakia.
Donovaly The second largest ski resort of the Low Tatras is Park snow Donovaly. The ecologically clean surroundings with undulating meadows are equipped with ski-lifts, and offer excellent conditions for beginners and pre-intermediate skiers. Nová hoľa (1403) represents more complicated landscape with a possibility of using 6 seat cableway, cabin and close towns. Excellent skiing, snowboarding and iceskating in winter in addition to downhill pistes, cross-country routes of varying lengths and degrees of difficulty can also be enjoyed.
Interesting places to visit • BANSKA BYSTRICA (30 KM), makes further sightseeing available, not to mention the cultural and social activities offered by its outdoor swimming pool, cinemas, theatres, exhibitions and other events • the distinctive settlement of VLKOLINEC (25 km) (UNESCO protected monument) • in the direction of Ruzomberok (32 km) we can find KORYTNICA SPA (13 km) • heading towards Liptovsky Mikulas, we have the THERMAL BATHS OF BESENOVA (40 km), which offer the special experience of bathing outside in winter • AQUAPARK TATRALANDIA (60 km) with water slide and lot of water attractions near Liptovský Mikuláš
Parties
Drinks
Schedule: 30.12. 2014 International Evening - The Region Style a.k.a. IE RS 31.12. 2014 Swing party & New Year’s Eve celebration 01.01. 2015 Luminous party All the accessories related to the party theme are welcome!
There is going to be a bar inside our accomodation. There will be a special price for few drinks. During whole event will be possibility to buy Booze-card and pay with them in bar, also you can use cash.
International Evening - The Region Style a.k.a. IE RS As many discussions on the topic of IE improvement happened, Bratislava and Košice decided to give it a shot and try out a new idea. You won't need any unusual stuff for the party. The only thing what is needed from you is to make a small preparation before the event. Stay tuned! More info will come in e-mail.
Additional info: - possibilities of buying drinks/alcohol and cigaretes is in grocery 2 minutes away from accomodation. (opening hours: Mon-Fri: 8:00-16:30, Sat: 8:00-15:00)
Swing party & New Year’s Eve celebration The evening will start with a swing party in the sign of "Chic and Glamorous". Prepare some nice clothes and prepare yourself for swinging. The second part of the evening will start with the firework and welcoming the New Year. Luminous party Our last party is going to be the most shining one. Prepare white clothes for the party the use the power of UV light to the maximum. Having at least a clear white top / t-shirt is a must!
Day activities • Skiing / snowboarding - help and basic instructions are going to be provided for beginners • Hiking - Organized hikes at touristic paths with organiz ers • Ice skating • Snowman building and snowball fights • Indoor chill out with activities and waterpipe
Languages and mini-dictionary The official language in Slovakia is Slovak. English and German are the most often used foreign languages. Less frequent is the knowledge of Russian (older people) French, Spanish or Italian. Formal greeting - Dobrý deň [Dobri: djenj] Hello / Hi - Ahoj Yes - Áno No - Nie [nje] Thank you - Ďakujem [Djakuyem] Please - Prosím Excuse me - Prepáčte [Prepa:cztje] How are you? - Ako sa máš [Ako sa ma:sh?] Good bye - Dovidenia [Dovidjenja] You are pretty - Si pekná (for female) - Si pekný (for male( I like you very much - Veľmi sa mi páčiš [Velmi sa mi pa:czish] One beer please - Jedno pivo prosím Water - Voda Vodka -Vodka Tea - Čaj [Czay] Cheers! - Na zdravie! How much does it cost? - Koľko to stojí Help! - Pomoc! Bus - Autobus Train - Vlak
What to bring? • Travel and medical insurance (warning: Basic travel insur ances doesn't cower sport accidents) • Passport / ID card / Visa • ISIC or other student card • Money (cash according to your possibilities for exchange/withdrawal) • Warm clothes • Slippers or flip-flops! • Party clothes and equipment - more info in Party section • Goods for International Evening - more info is coming in e-mail • Personal hygiene items • Medications • Camera • NYE mood :) • BEST spirit :) Optional: • Snow chains for tires! - if traveling by car • Ski / snowboard equipment • Hiking shoes • Water pipe + tobacco • LBG Mascots :) Prices Beer in a bar .............................1.2 - 2.5 Beer in shops..............................0.8 - 1.5 Shots in bar...............................1.2 - 2.5 Bottle of vodka and basic drinks in shop......5 - 20 Cigarettes.................................2.5 - 3.7 Coffee.........................................1 - 2 Pizza..........................................4 - 7 Meal at a restaurant..........................6 - 15 SKIPASS - 1Day - Donovaly - with ISIC.............24 SKIPASS - 2Days - Donovaly - with ISIC............47 SKI / Snowboard rent - 1day....................14-16 SKI / Snowboard rent - 2days...................27-30
EUR EUR EUR EUR EUR EUR EUR EUR EUR EUR EUR EUR
Electricity The voltage and the socket in Slovakia are identical with the most of the European countries. Voltage: 230V / 50Hz; Socket type is E (socket with safety pin). The widely used socket type F is fully compatible with type E used in Slovakia. Type E Type F
Currency and Exchange possibilities The currency in Slovakia is Euro. There is an accessible ATM in the ski resort close to our accommodation. The following currency you will be able to exchange in the Info Centrum of Donovaly without commision: • • • •
Czech crowns Polish Zloty British Pounds US Dollars
Weather The weather can be various at different places of the country. For sure you have to prepare for winter temperatures and high humidity. In Bratislava and farther from mountains the temperature should be in the range from -5 up to 10 °C. In mountains and in Donovaly the temperature is expected to be lower about 5-10°C in average compared with Bratislava or Košice. Warming sunshine in mountains is not rare although you should be prepared for snowing, raining and wind also. Drinking water There is drinking water from the taps, besides some exceptional cases, when a notification warns about the possible defect... but you can alwayls use Tatra Tea instead. Policies and law Drinking in the public places such as: streets, parks, bus/train stations is prohibited. Smoking at bus stops, tran stations and similar public places / gathering points is prohibited. The places with prohibited smoking are always marked with the corresponding sign. Fine for traveling with any public transport without the ticket is 100x the price of the basic ticket. In trains you can buy ticket inside, but there is a small additional fee.
Travel Basic info: • Address: Donovaly, Slovakia (city code: 97 639) • GPS (latitude, longitude): 48.8759084,19.2263293 • Bus and train connections: http://cp.sk Additional info: • Foreign students do not have student discount for public transport in Slovakia • Train tickets is recommended to buy on web or train station: http://www.slovakrail.sk/en.html • Train tickets is possible to but in train also with some small additional fee • Bus ticket is recommended to buy on web (accord ing to bus company) or from the bus driver (mostly the best and only case) • If travelling by car we recommend to use high ways. For using them you need to buy a vignette (sold at most of the train stations and post of fices) • If traveling by car we highly recommend to take snow chains for tires! Searching for Bus and train connections in Slovakia By using http://cp.sk you can easily find bus and train connections in our country. The search engine also recommends combinations of bus and train if it is suitable. Using of the website is easy and intuitive; the results are highly reliable.
Hints for use: • Button for English is located on the bottom right side of the website • If you are searching use just the name of the city without additional specification (you will get suggestions with more details like specific city parts etc. so just ignore them) • In the search results there are some shortcuts is good to know o AS e.g. Bratislava, AS means Autobus Sta tion o hl or hl.st. e.g. Bratislava hl.st. stands for train station How to get to Slovakia Main entry points: BRATISLAVA Bratislava as the capital city is the most accessible point of Slovakia. There are good bus and train connections. There are also very good connections between the closest airports and Bratislava. • Bus station - GPS (latitude, longitude): 48.1446314, 17.1413061 • Main train station - GPS: 48.157769, 17.106235 • Airport - GPS: 48.170263, 17.210524 • There is a very good connection between Bratislava and: o Vienna airport: Slovak lines bus; Blaguss bus http://www.slovaklines.sk/index_en.html http://www.blaguss.sk/media/bratisla va-vieden%20blaguss%2006.08.2012.pdf o Budapest airport: Student agency bus; train http://www.studentagency.eu/
o o o
Praha airport: Student agency bus; train http://www.studentagency.eu/ Brno airport: Student agency bus; train http://www.studentagency.eu/ for more info contact our participant resp.
KOŠICE Košice is the most accessible city on the eastern part of Slovakia. Thus is easily accessible from Ukraine, some Polish or some Romanian cities. We recommend to check your possibilities and compare it with Bratislava. • Bus and train station - GPS (latitude, longi tude): 48.721368, 21.267159 • Airport - GPS: 48.672901, 21.237551 POPRAD Poprad is located on the northern part of Slovakia and is a well accessible from some Polish cities. Poprad has also a small airport. We recommend to check this possibility for some low-cost flights or if you are traveling through Poland. • Bus and train station GPS: 49.0595655, 20.2923732 • Airport - GPS: 49.068657, 20.248172 BANSKÁ BYSTRICA Banská Bystrica is located in the middle of Slovakia and is the closest city to Donovaly. You can find direct connections to Banská Bystrica from some Polish cities or from Praha. We recommend to check the possibility of a direct connection to Banská Bystrica. • Bus and train station GPS: 48.7341165, 19.1626533
Public transport in cities BRATISLAVA Public transport Bratislava has a well-developed public transport network containing buses, trams and trolley buses. Tickets are sold in every news-agency and also by machines at the most of the bus stops. Buy the ticket for 60min travel (costs 0.9 EUR and allows you to change the vehicle and continue with the same ticket). There is no possibility to buy ticket in the bus/tram! After entering a vehicle you have to validate your ticket at the machine! The fine for travelling without a valid ticket is 40 Euro. For connections you can check http://imhd.zoznam.sk/ba/public-transport.html Main connections: Airport Train station (Letisko Hlavná stanica) Takes about 25 min. Transport time can last up to 40 minutes in traffic jams morning time and afternoon from 4PM to 6PM. • Bus 61 Main train station Bus station (Hlavná stanica Autobusová stanica) Takes about 10 min. Transport time can last up to 20 minutes in traffic jams morning time and afternoon from 4PM to 6PM. • Trolley bus 210 Airport -> Bus station (Letisko -> Autobusová stanica) Count with about 1 hour duration for this transport. • The most easiest way is to get to the main train station and then go to the bus station (Bus 61 + Trolley bus 210) • Bus 96 to Slovinská + Trolley bus 205 to Autobusová stanica (change at Slovinská) • Bus 96 to Gagarinova + Trolley bus 202 to Autobusová stanica (change at Gagarinova)
Taxi Taxi service is relatively cheap in Bratislava. Price is cca. 1.0 - 1.2 EUR / KM. Easy Taxi Easy Taxi takes you everywhere is Bratislava for 5 Euro, but you can ask for only one drop off place! Tel: +421 918 555 555 Caribic Taxi: +421 902 313 311 Fun Taxi: +421 905 916 777 KOŠICE Public transport The way of using the public transport in Košice is the same as in Bratislava. Main connections: Airport Bus and train station (Letisko Staničné námestie) • Bus 23 Taxi Taxi service in Košice is just cheap :) Easy Taxi Easy Taxi takes you everywhere is Bratislava for 3 Euro, but you can ask for only one drop off place! Tel: +421 919 333 333 CTC Taxi: +421 905 955 955 POPRAD Public transport is not recommended to use in Poprad. There are only few bus lines and it is very difficult to use them for foreign people. The only transportation one can need in Poprad is to get to the city from the airport. For this transport we recommend taxi. City Taxi: +421 902587 876; +421 944 530 213 ABA Taxi: +421 911 334 773; +421 915 334 773
How to get to Donovaly - Hotel Vesel fFROM BRATISLAVA By public transport The easiest way to get to Donovaly from Bratislava is traveling by bus or train+bus. We recommend you to find the suitable connection by using the website http://cp.sk. Hints for using are in the chapter: Searching for Bus and train connections in Slovakia. Price about 15 EUR. By car Google maps rules. Don’t forget to buy vignette for highways and take snow chain Recommended path: 1. Highways: D1 till Trnava -> R1 to Banská Bystrica 2. Route 59/E77 to Donovaly FROM KOŠICE By public transport The easiest way to get to Donovaly from Košice is traveling by bus or train+bus. We recommend you to find the suitable connection by using the website http://cp.sk. Hints for using are in the chapter: Searching for Bus and train connections in Slovakia. By car Google maps rules. Dont forget to buy vignette for highways and take snow chain. Recommended path: 1. Highways: D1/E50 till Ružomberok -> R1 to Banská Bystrica 2. Route 59/E77 to Donovaly FROM OTHER CITIES Google maps is your friend. Don’t forget to buy vignette for highways and take snow chain.
Hostels Trip advisor is your friend ;-) As Tatra Jam is during NYE we highly recommend to book your hostel in advance. BRATISLAVA • Hostel Possonium - close to the Main train station (http://www.possonium.sk/) • Hostel blues - city center (http://www.hostelblues.sk/) • Patio hostel - city center (http://www.patiohostel.com/) KOŠICE • Košice Hostel - city center (http://www.kosicehostel.sk/) • K2 Hostel - city center (http://www.k2kosice.sk/)
All you need to know while coming to Slovakia Basic • • • • • • • •
info Country name: Slovak Republic Capital city: Bratislava Government: Parliamentary republic Time zone: UCT+1 (CET) Currency: Euro Electricity: 230V / 50Hz Phone prefix: +421 (00421) Emergency number: 112
Main Organisers: Juliana Gregussová email:
[email protected] mobile: +421 911 166 190 Martina Godalová email:
[email protected] mobile: +421 903 969 506 Participant responsible: Katarína Jasencová email:
[email protected] mobile: +421 908 640 910 Party responsibles: IE RS: Gábor Nagy Swing party & New Year’s Eve celebration: Kristína Uríčková Luminous party: Lukáš Frantal Graphic responsible: Katarína Malinaričová
