Do you want to travel? to Slovakia?

[darinka]

www.slovakiatourism.sk/index?lang=en

GENERAL INFO
SLOVAK REPUBLIC

Established form: republic
Type of government: parliamentary democracy
Formation date: 1. January 1993
EU member since: 1. May 2004

President of the Slovak Republic: Ivan Gašparoviè (since June 2004)
Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic: Robert Fico
Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of the Slovak Republic for European Affairs, Human Rights and Minorities: Dušan Èaploviè
Minister of Economy of the Slovak Republic: ¼ubomír Jahnátek
Minister for the Interior of the Slovak Republic: Robert Kaliòák
Minister of Justice of the Slovak Republic: Štefan Harabin
Minister of Education of the Slovak Republic: Ján Mikolaj
Minister of Finance of the Slovak Republic: Ján Poèiatek
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Slovak Republic: Ján Kubiš
Minister of Defence of the Slovak Republic: František Kašický
Minister of Culture of the Slovak Republic: Marek Maïariè
Minister of Health Care of the Slovak Republic: Ivan Valentoviè
Minister of Agriculture of the Slovak Republic: Miroslav Jureòa
Minister of Transport, Posts and Telecommunications of the Slovak Republic: ¼ubomír Vážny
Minister of Construction and Regional Development of the Slovak Republic: Marian Janušek
Minister of Labour, Social Affairs, and Family of the Slovak Republic: Viera Tomanová
Minister of Environment of the Slovak Republic: Jaroslav Izák


Currency: Slovak Crown (SKK)
1 SKK = 100 hallers (h)
banknotes in denominations of 5,000, 1,000, 500, 200, 100, 50 and 20 SKK
coins in denominations of 10, 5, 2, 1 SK and 50 hal.
NBS exchange rate (www.nbs.sk)
Membership in international org.: UN, OECD, WTO, V4, NATO, EU


Area: 49,035 km2
Population: 5,379,450 (2001 census)
Population density: 109.9 inhabitants per sq km
Official language: Slovak
Capital: Bratislava (population: 452,288)
Largest cities (by population): Bratislava: 452,288; Košice: 249,915, Prešov: 92,687; Nitra: 87,357; Žilina: 86,685; Banská Bystrica: 84,919

Self-governing regions: 8 self-governing regions (Bratislava, Trnava, Trenèín, Nitra, Žilina, Banská Bystrica, Prešov, Košice)

Geographical location: The Slovak Republic lies in central Europe. Relatively large differences in elevation are characteristic of Slovakia. Central and northern Slovakia is more mountainous; the Carpathian bow extends across these regions. The south and east of the country lie in the lowlands, an important agricultural area in Slovakia. The most important river is the Danube, which connects the capital Bratislava with two European metropolises – Vienna and Budapest.

Borders: Hungary (679 km), Poland (597.5 km), Czech Republic (265
km), Austria (127.2 km), Ukraine (98 km)

Coordinates: Patince (47 43’ 55” [N] latitude), Oravská Polhora (49 36’ 54’ [N] latitude), Záhorská Ves (16 50’ 04” [E] longitude), Nová Sedlica (22 34’ 20” [E] longitude)

Maximum length: 428 km (Záhorská Ves [W] - Nová Sedlica [E])
Maximum breadth: 195 km (Štúrovo – Skalité [N])
Elevation (min./max.): 95 m (Bodrog) – 2,656 m (Gerlach)

Nationalities: Slovak (85.6%), Hungarian (10.8%), Roma (1.8%), Czech
(1.2%), Ruthenian (0.3%), Ukranian (0.3%), German (0.1%),
Polish (0.1%), other (0.2%)

Religion: Roman Catholic (60.3%), Greek Catholic (3.4%), Evangelic
(6.2%), Orthodox (0.6%), non-denominational (9.7%), no data (18.2%)

Climate: The Slovak Republic is located in a moderate zone with characteristic changes of season. The average daily temperature is -2ºC in winter and 21ºC in summer. The coldest month is January; the warmest are July and August. Snow remains on the ground an average of 130 days per year in the highest elevations.

Main agricultural crops: wheat, rye, corn, potatoes, sugar beets

Breeding: cattle, pigs, poultry, sheep, goats

Main fields of industry: automobile industry, chemical industry, iron ore processing, fertilizers, plastics, brown coal mining
Natural resources: iron ore, mercury, copper, lead, zinc

Electric current: 230 V/50 Hz, outlets with safety peg

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USEFUL INFO

Time zone: Central European time (GMT +1 hour), daylight savings beginning on the last Sunday in March and ending on the last Sunday in October - GMT+2
Telephone: Direct international telephone connection is possible with numerous countries in the world. IDD is possible. Calls in Slovakia – SR country code: +421 and the area code of the given city/region (e.g. Bratislava 02)
Calls abroad – use code: 00 + the appropriate country code + local area code + telephone/fax number.
Important telephone numbers:
SOS, emergency calls 112
Police 112
Ambulance/Rescue 112, 16155
Fire/Rescue 112
road service (ASA Slovakia) 18 124
Directory assistance for Slovak numbers 1181
Directory assistance for foreign numbers 12149
telegram 12 127

State and bank holidays:
1 January Day of Establishment of the Slovak Republic
6 January Epiphany (and orthodox Christian Christmas)
April Good Friday
April Easter Monday
1 May Labor Day
8 May Victory over Fascism Day
5 July St. Cyril and Methodius Holiday
29 August Anniversary of the Slovak National Uprising
1 September Slovak Constitution Day
15 September Our Lady of Sorrows
1 November All Saints Day
17 November Fight for Freedom and Democracy Day
24 December Christmas Eve
25 December Christmas Day
26 December Boxing Day

Traveller’s checks:
Thomas Cook, American Express and Visa traveller’s checks are accepted at all larger banks (VÚB, Tatrabanka, Slovenská Sporite¾òa) and exchange offices. The exchange fee is in the range of at least 1% of the face value of the check. The most advantageous, without higher fees, are traveller’s checks in dollars or pounds sterling.

Visa: (as of 1 August 2005) A visa is required of all except:
a) EU citizens,
b) citizens of Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Chile, Croatia, Israel, Japan, Canada, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Romania, Salvador, Uruguay, USA and Venezuela for visits up to 90 days,
c) citizens of Monaco and New Zealand up to 3 months,
d) citizens of San Marino and the Vatican up to 30 days.

Duty-free imports:
Tobacco products:
1. 400 cigarettes
2. or 200 cigars
3. or 400 cigarillos
4. or 1 kg of tobacco for smoking
5. or a proportionate combination of these products

Alcohol and alcoholic beverages:
1. 10 l of distilled liquor and spirits
2. or 90 l of wine
3. or 110 l of beer
4. or 20 l of aperitifs
5. or a proportionate combination of these products

Accommodations:
There are more than 2,500 accommodation facilities in Slovakia (2004, Slovak Economy Ministry); 470 of these are hotels/motels and the number of private accommodations is growing. Hotels are classified according to Economy Ministry Directive 419/2001 Coll., from 1 to 5 stars depending on the facilities and services provided. Tourist accommodations can also be found in privates, pensions, boarding houses and camping facilities. There are a large number of mountain and submontane villages in Slovakia with well-equipped family homes which partially serve as rentals for tourists. There are many well-equipped individual recreational cottages in recreational areas.

Shopping – shop hours:
Most shops are open Monday – Friday from 9:00 to 18:00; the large department stores and shopping centers until 19:00 or 21:00on Thursday and Friday. In general, shops are open from 9:00 to 13:00 on Saturday. The chains TESCO, Carrefour, BILLA and others are open Saturday and Sunday. The TESCO hypermarkets (Banská Bystrica, Bratislava, Košice, Martin, Michalovce, Nitra, Poprad, Prešov, Prievidza, Trenèín, Trnava, Žilina) are open non-stop, 24/7. Over the last years, a smaller network of shops has opened in cities, usually called Veèierka. These shops are also open seven days per week, but they carry only common foodstuffs.

Gastronomy:
European continental cuisine is commonplace, but there are regional and foreign specialties as well. The selection in Bratislava is truly unlimited, including French cuisine, high-quality buffets at exclusive hotels, pizzerias, Chinese, Indian, kosher and Arab. Transport cafés and roadside restaurants present regional specialties - from Slovak specialties in the north to Hungarian cuisine and specialties of Danube fisherman in the south of Slovakia.

Selected types of goods and services Goods/service Informative price
Shopping
Bread 19,-
Roll 2,-
Butter 14,-
Milk 21,-
Yoghurt 9 - 14,-
Chocolate 15 - 35,-
Fruit 20 - 30,-
Demänovka (0,75 l) 250,-
Services
Bratislava TAXI approx. 10 Km 300,-
Dry cleaning (suit) 200,-
Beauty salon 50 - 250,-
Manicure 300 - 1200,-
Restaurants
Bratislava - prix fixe in restaurant 200 - 500,-
Outside the capitol 150 - 300,-
Slovak beer, 10% 20 - 50,-
Coffee 30 - 60,-
Dessert 20 - 150,-
Accommodations
Bratislava hotel**** person/night 2.500 - 6.000,-
outside the capitol, hotel** person/night 300 - 800,-
Culture and sports
Movie theater 80 - 150,-
Museum 0 - 150,-
Theater 80 - 200,-
Swimming pool, person/day 30 - 150,-
Aquapark, person/day 400 - 600,-
1-day ski lift ticket 250 - 700,-
Fitness 50 - 150,-
Sauna/hour 100,-

[darinka]

TRAFFIC INFO
Air Transportation:
www.slovak-airports.net

National airlines:
Slovak Airlines (9S)
Tel.:[phone], Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail], www.slovakairlines.sk
(scheduled flights – Moscow, Brussels; charter – Greece, Spain, Turkey, Tunisia, Bulgaria, Egypt, Montenegro)

Air Slovakia (GM)
Tel./fax:[phone], e-mail: [e-mail], www.airslovakia.sk
(scheduled flights - Israel, Cyprus, Kuwait, India, Great Britain)

SkyEurope Airlines
tel.: [phone], fax: [phone], e -mail:[e-mail], www.skyeurope.com
(direct flights from Bratislava to Košice, Prague, Dubrovnik, Copenhagen, Manchester, Nice, Krakow, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Rome, Warsaw, London, Paris, Stuttgart, Venice, Milan and Zurich, scheduled connection between Košice and Prague)

Foreign airlines:
Aeroflot www.aeroflot.org
Air Ukraine www.ukraine-international.com
Czech Airlines www.csa.cz
Tunis Air www.tunisair.com.tn
Tyrolean Airways www.tyrolean.at
Lufthansa www.lufthansa.com
Easy Jet www.easyjet.com
Austrian Airlines www.aua.com
Ryanair www.ryanair.com
Aeromost Kharkov www.aeromost.com

State airports:
Bratislava Airport (BTS), (M. R. Štefánik) 9-12 km from city center, transportation options: bus (trip length – 30 min.), taxi (15 min.) tel: [phone] fax: [phone],
E-mail: [e-mail], www.letiskobratislava.sk
Košice Airport (KSC), 10km from city center. Taxi (15 min.) and bus are available. Tel: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail], www.airportkosice.sk
Tatry-Poprad Airport (TAT), 5km from town. Tel.: [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail], www.airport-poprad.sk
Airport Sliaè tel.: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail], www.airportsliac.sk

International airports:
Vienna International Airport (VIE) – Schwechat – just 50km from Bratislava, www.viennaairport.com


Water Transportation

The Danube River is significant for over-water passenger and freight transportation. The Danube is the most important river transportation artery - it connects Bratislava, Vienna and Budapest, or Slovakia with Austria and Hungary. Thanks to the Danube-Rhine-Mohan canal , it connects the North Sea with the Black Sea.

River cruises:
Bratislava – Vienna - Bratislava
Bratislava – Budapest - Bratislava
Bratislava – Devin - Bratislava
Bratislava tour

Slovenská plavba a prístavy -lodná osobná doprava, a.s., Fajnorovo nábrežie 2, 811 02 Bratislava
Tel:[phone], Fax:[phone], E-mail: [e-mail], www.lod.sk

Rail Transportation

Among the most important railway routes are the segments Bratislava – Kúty, Bratislava – Žilina, Žilina – Košice and Bratislava – Štúrovo. The Slovak railway network is connected to neighboring countries and is part of the European rail corridors. There are direct international connections to Vienna, Warsaw, Budapest, Bucharest, Moscow, Kiev and Prague.

Železnièná spoloènos Slovensko, a.s.: www.slovakrail.sk
Železnice Slovenskej republiky: www.zsr.sk


Road Transportation

There is an expansive network of roads in Slovakia, comprised of highways, expressways and 1st, 2nd and 3rd class roads. 316km of highways were constructed in 2004. Tolls for using highways and expressways are paid by way of highway stickers, which can be valid for one year/one month or one week; vehicle tonnage-based. 24-hour stickers can be purchased for vehicles over 3.5 tons.

There is also a fairly dense intrastate and inter-city bus network. The EUROLINES international network allows travel to many European destinations: Prague, Budapest, London, Frankfurt, Paris, Zurich, Amsterdam, Nice, etc. (www.eurolines.sk)

Timetables (rail and bus): www.cp.sk, www.vlak-bus.cz, www.zsr.sk

Slovenská správa ciest (Slovak Highway Management): www.ssc.sk
Slovenský autoturistický klub (Slovak Auto-Tourist Club): www.satc.sk
Dia¾nice a tunely (Slovak Highways): www.highways.sk
Information for drivers: www.zjazdnost.sk
Motor-tourist information portal: www.mototuristika.sk

Traffic regulations

Traffic signs correspond to European standards. Safety belts are mandatory, even in cities. No alcohol before driving (0 blood alcohol tolerance!). The speed limit is 60km/h in town, 90km/h outside of town and 130km/h on motorways and motorway-type roads.
Vehicles must be equipped with a first aid kit, tow rope, warning triangle and a functioning spare tire. Children under 12 and animals may not ride in the front seats.
The weekly highway sticker for vehicles up to 3.5 t is 150 SKK; weekly sticker for over 3.5 t is 800 SKK

Fuels

Unleaded and leaded fuels with 91, 95 and 98 octane, as well as diesel fuel are available in Slovakia. The network of filling stations is relatively dense.

Parking

Parking in city centers is allowed only in designated areas. Parking cards are used in big cities, which must be placed in a visible place in the car. They can be purchased in parking machines, newsstands or directly from the parking ticket seller. Parking in no-parking zones is punished by fines or a wheel boot, or by towing away the vehicle.
www.bps.sk

Metropolitan transportation

Mass transit operates in larger cities. Buy tickets at newsstands, machines at the stops or directly on the bus. www.imhd.sk

Taxi
Taxi service is available in all cities in Slovakia. The tourist rate for 1km in town is 10-20 SKK (varies by town). There is an additional charge, a so-called boarding fee, which runs generally from 20 to 40 SKK.

Car hire
Car hires are available in all larger cities.
www.ab-wickam.sk
www.acr.sk
www.autopozicovna-rijak.sk
www.autovkm.sk
www.avis.sk
www.carbooking.eu
www.eurocar.sk
www.hertz.sk
www.rai-internacional.sk

Selected travel distances:
Bratislava – Vienna 65km
Bratislava - Prague 350km
Bratislava – Budapest 205km
Bratislava - Košice 400km
Bratislava - Žilina 200km
Bratislava – Banská Bystrica 208km
Banská Bystrica - Košice 217km
Banská Bystrica - Poprad 119km
Žilina - Košice 253km

Informative price

Bratislava - 10 minute ticket 14,-
30 minute ticket 18,-
tourist daily ticket 75,-
Petrol - Super plus 98 40,-
Super Natural 95 39,-
Special 91 38,-
Diesel 38,-
Intercity local train, 2nd class, 91-100km 126,-
Intercity bus 91-100km 128,-
Weekly highway sticker up to 3.5t 150,-
weekly sticker 3.5t to 12t 800,-
weekly sticker over 12t 1400,-
Parking, 1 hour 20 - 100,-

[darinka]

SHOPPING

MAKE YOUR HOLIDAY IN SLOVAKIA MORE PLEASANT BY SHOPPING

You can liven up your holiday in Slovakia not only with delicious meals, drinks, theater performance, but also by quality shopping. Whether you prefer large shopping malls, municipal markets or small shops, you will certainly come into your own in large cities and small towns.

Most of the shops in Slovakia are open during the week from 9:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. and on Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 12:00 A.M. The shopping malls are open all week long from 9:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. You can pay in cash or with credit cards in the department stores. Credit cards are generally accepted in most shops.

Shopping Malls

The best commercial and entertainment centers in Slovakia are found in the capital, Bratislava. In addition to great shopping, the malls offer rest and relaxation, entertainment and sports opportunites. The most popular malls are Polus City Centre, Aupark, Avion, Tatracentrum, Danubiana Shopping Center and Soravia Shopping Palace. And what exactly will you find in these malls? Name brand shops like Piere Cardin, Swarovski, Tom Tailor, Follie Follie, Trussardi, Sisley, Mango, Adidas, exchange and banking services, photo services, pharmacies, restaurants, cafés, multiplex cinemas and sporting facilities like fitness centers, bowling alleys and squash courts.

And what in particular can you bring home from Slovakia? We would like to offer you several tips:

SOUVENIRS

Folk Art Items

The most popular and authentic souvenirs from Slovakia include dolls dressed in the folk costumes, ceramics, carved wooden figures, a “èrpák” – a wooden pitcher used by shepherds for acidified sheep milk, a “fujara” – a long wooden shepherd’s pipe, a “valaška” – a shepherd’s decorated hatchet), leather goods, fabric (embroideries, embroidered pillow cases, folk costumes) and very popular products made from corn husks and wire.

You can find all of these products in souvenir shops and in special shops of the ULUV organization (the Center of the Folk Art Production). ULUV shops can be found in Bratislava (Obchodná ulica, Námestie SNP) ), Banská Bystrici (Dolná ulica), Bardejov (Radnièné námestie), Košice (Hlavná ulica), Prešov (Hlavná ulica) and Trnava (Hlavná ulica). For more information go to www.uluv.sk .

Wine, Cheeses, Chocolate…

But not only folklore and national traditions are typical here. Connoisseurs of wine and fine drinks will certainly enjoy shopping for wines from the Slovak wine regions. The most popular wines are those from the Tokaj, Small Carpathians, Nitra, Topo¾èany and Záhorie regions. The World Wine Chronicle mentions also Hubert, the Slovak sect which is highly rated and “Karpatské Brandy Špeciál” (the Carpathian Brandy Special). Typical Slovak liqueurs are Demänovka and Horec, from the region of the High Tatras. Slivovica (plum brandy) and Borovièka (the juniper berry brandy, gin) are popular Slovak aperitifs. Let’s not forget that Slovakia also produces excellent beer. The most popular brands are Topvar, Zlatý Bažant, Šariš, Corgoò, Gemer and Martiner.

If anyone in your family has a sweet tooth, we recommend Slovak Figaro chocolate.

Cheese and cheese products are other typical Slovak specialties. The most popular are the “korbáèik” – cheese strings interwoven into fine braids, “parenica” – steamed cheese strips woven into snail-like curls, “oštiepok” – smoked sheep cheese shaped in wooden moulds and “bryndza” – processed sheep cheese. You can find these cheese products in any grocery store.

[darinka]

DictionaryÁno Yes
Nie No
Prosím Please
Ïakujem Thank you
Dobré ráno! Good morning!
Dobrý deò! Good day!
Dobrý veèer! Good evening!
Dobrú noc! Good night!
Ahoj! Hi!/bye!
Rád/rada a vidím It’s nice to see you ( male/female )
Dovidenia! Goodbye ( or see you later )
Maj/majte sa dobre! Have a good time!
Dávaj pozor Look out!/Take care!
Ako sa máš/máte? How are you?
Ïakujem, dobre Fine, thanks
Prepáète, ospravedlòujem sa Excuse me, Sorry, I apologise
Nechcem I don’t want….
Nemôžem I can’t
Ako sa voláš/voláte? What’s your name?
Odkia¾ si/ste? Where are you from?
Kedy?/ Ako? When? / How?
Èo?/ Preèo?/Kto? What? / Why? /Who?
Kde? / Kam? Where? ( location) / Where to?
Ko¾ko? How much?
Kde je....? Where is……?
Je tam....? Is there a ………… there?
Kde môžem dosta...? Where can I get ……………?
Kde môžem nájs.....? Where can I find ………….?
Kde bývate? Where do you live?
Ko¾ko mas/máte rokov? How old are you?
Ko¾ko je hodín? What time is it?
Zablúdil/zablúdila som I’m lost (male/female)
Hovorí niekto anglicky/nemecky/ Does anyone speak English/German/…
Rozumiete mi? Do you understand me?
Nerozumiem. I don’t understand
Môžete mi ukáza cestu na mape? Can you show me the way on the map?
Povedali by ste mi..... Can you tell me ……
Poèkajte. Just a moment, please
Staré / nové Old / new
Dobré/ zlé Good / bad
Drahé/ lacné Expensive / cheap
Ve¾ké/ malé Big / small
Blízko/ ïaleko Near / far
Vo¾né/ obsadené Vacant, free / occupied
Otvorené/ zatvorené Open / closed
V¾avo/vpravo/rovno Left / right / straight on
aha/tlaèi Pull / push
Mesto /dedina/ hrad Town or city/ village/ castle
Cesta/dia¾nica Road, path, route/ motorway
Rieka/jazero River/ lake
Hotel Hotel
Izby na jednu/dve noci Rooms for one/two night(s)
Parkovisko Car park (parking lot)
Raòajky, obed, veèera Breakfast, lunch, evening meal
Máte nejaké vo¾né izby? Do you have any rooms available?
Chcel by som si rezervova izbu na meno.... I would like to reserve a room under the name ……
Mohli by ste mi prosím donies menu? Could you please bring me a menu?
Môžete mi da úèet, prosím? Please can you give me the bill?
Máte vo¾ný stôl? Have you a table available?
Dal/dala by som si..... I would like ……….
Chcel by som vyskúša regionálnu špecialitu I would like to try a regional specialty
Na zdravie! Cheers!
Káva, èaj, mlieko Coffee, tea, milk
pivo, víno beer, wine
polievka, prílohy, desert soup, side dishes, dessert
mäso, ryby, zelenina meat, fish, vegetables
Na pitie by som si dal... I would like …… to drink
Platíme každý zvl᚝ Separate bills, please
Objednal som si... I ordered ……
V tom úète je asi chyba There seems to be a mistake on the bill
Pošta, stanica Post office, station
Ako sa dostanem na stanicu? How do I get to the station?
Ide ten vlak/autobus do....? Does this train/bus go to ……?
Kde mám prestúpi? Where shall I change ( train or bus )?
Prosil by som si lístok do.... I would like a ticket to ……
spiatoèný lístok return ticket
miestenka seat reservation
prvá trieda first class
O ko¾kej letí lietadlo? What time does the flight leave?
Pas, doklady Passport, identity card
Chcel by som potvrdi/zruši/zmeni rezerváciu. I would like to confirm/cancel/change my reservation
Kde je najbližšia autobusová zastávka? Where is the nearest bus stop?
stanica metra Underground station (metro, subway )
stanica trolejbusu Trolley bus station
Ktorý autobus ide do....? Which bus goes to ……..?
Povedzte mi prosím, kde mám vystúpi. Please tell me where to get off (stop/station)
Mohli by ste mi zavola taxi? Would you call me a taxi please?
Odviezol by ste ma na....? Would you drive me to ………?
Je to ïaleko? Is it far?
Zastavte tu prosím. Please stop here
Je tu požièovòa áut? Is there a car-hire office here?
Chcel by som si požièa auto na dva dni. I would like to hire a car for two days
Ko¾ko stojí prenajatie auta? How much does it cost to hire a car?
Mám pokazené auto. My car has broken down
Kde môžem zaparkova? Where can I park?
Kde je najbližšia benzínová stanica? Where is the nearest filling station?
Kde je....? Where is……?
centrum mesta town centre
divadlo theater
muzeum museum
katedrála cathedral
kostol church
palác palace
zámok castle
námestie town square
radnica town hall
trh market
obchodná štvr business district
informaèná kancelária information office
Ko¾ko je vstupné?/Èo to stojí? How much is the entrance charge?/How much does it cost?
Máte mapu....? Do you have a map………..?
Môžem plati kreditnou kartou? Can I pay by credit card?
Kde je najbližšia banka? Where is the nearest bank?
Chcel by som si vymeni nejaké peniaze. I would like to exchange some money.
Ko¾ko stojí známka do...? How much is a stamp to ………?
Kde je poštová schránka? Where is there a post box?
Známku na list/poh¾adnicu, prosím. I would like a stamp for a letter/ postcard, please
Kde je najbližšia internetová kaviareò? Where is the nearest Internet café?
Môžem si od Vás zavola? Can I make a call from here?
Máte telefónny zoznam? Have you got a telephone directory?
Pomoc/ Horí! Help/Fire!
Pozor! warning! beware!
Zavolajte políciu! Call the police!
Zavolajte lekára! Call a doctor!
Zavolajte sanitku! Call an ambulance!

[motorist]

darinka said:

Dovidenia! Goodbye ( or see you later )

Interesting. this one looks like the Russian goodbye
"do svidanya"

[darinka]

motorist said:

darinka said:

Dovidenia! Goodbye ( or see you later )

Interesting. this one looks like the Russian goodbye
"do svidanya"

russian and slovak are from the same group of slovanian languages. so we have some words very similar.

[darinka]

Something for DAZ


Malokarpatská vínna cesta (Small Carpathian Wine Road)
The Small Carpathian Wine Road links together the most notable regions under the Small Carpathians and welcomes visitors looking for excitement based on tastings of the local wines and specialties. Excursions to the Small Carpathian towns for a glass of good wine and enjoying a visit to a tavern or wine cellar have become very popular over the last several years. The history of growing and processing grapes comes alive every year at harvest festivals.
but, throughout the entire year the towns in the vicinity (Raèa, Limbach, Pezinok, Vinièné, Svätý Jur, Chorvátsky Grob, Slovenský Grob; Dubová, Píla, Modra, Šenkvice, Vinosady; Budmerice, Èastá, Do¾any, Štefanová, Vištuk, Dolné Orešany, Horné Orešany, Suchá nad Parnou, Báhoò, Èataj, Jablonec, Trnava, Smolenice) have their wine cellars and wine bars open and you can go in and get acquainted with the grape growing and processing that takes place in this region.
The region offers many facilities for summer and winter hiking, cycling and educational tourism.

Nitrianska krá¾ovská vínna cesta (Nitra Royal Wine Road)
The Nitra Royal Wine Road is the largest and longest in Slovakia, and the four branches – Hornonitrianska, leading from the source of the Nitra River, Tekovská from Topo¾èiany and Pukanec, Južnoslovenská from the Danube and Považská from Vrbove and Sered – all meet in old-time Nitra.
With findings dating back 2,300 – 2,400 years, archeological discoveries attest to wine-growing at the base of the fabled Zobor; but even so, viniculture and wine-growing began to spread only with the expansion of Christianity. Pribinov Church was built in Nitra between the years 828 and 830, so wine became a liturgic beverage and demanded high quality and purity.
As early as the ninth century, Benedictine monks from the St. Hypollita monastery under Zobor established the glory of Zobor wines, as can be seen from the Latin quote of Alexander Lombardini “vinum zoborense est decus et gloria mensae”, which in loose translation is something like “Glory to Zobor wine, you have accompanied us more than a century. You are the inspiration of artists, apprentices and poets; you are the joy, encouragement and refreshment of all your admirers”.
The delicious wines of this region were desired in many courts of sovereigns and princes in Prague and Vienna, in Krakow at the Coronation White Castle, in Budapest, Kiev, London and other courts. We know that King Svatopluk sent this Benedictine wine from the Zobor monastery as a gift to Prince Borivoj. It was also a favorite of Princess Ludmila, who had the vines planted in Mìlník and to this day the wine bears her name.
Our delicious wines were requested in many courts of sovereigns and princes in Prague and Vienna, in Krakow at the Coronation White Castle, in Budapest, Kiev, London and other courts. These precious beverages were transported from Nitra along old roads, and this tradition is being revived today. These are roads that connect the past with the present.


Tokaj Wine Road
The singularity of Tokaj wine, the presentation of the Slovak part of the Tokaj vineyard region, growing and processing grapes as well as production technology led those involved and the local enthusiasts, growers and producers of wine to create the Tokaj Wine Road. The Tokaj vineyard region, with 998 ha, is the smallest of the six vineyard regions of Slovakia. It is comprised of 7 towns in the Trebišov district: Bara, Èerhov, Èernochov, Malá Tàòa, Slovenské Nové Mesto, Ve¾ká Tàòa and Vinièky. The history of the Tokaj region reaches back to the 3rd and 4th centuries B.C.E. Hungarian King Belo IV arranged a revival of the Tokaj vines after the vineyards were destroyed by Tartar raids.
The royal towns of Upper Hungary – Prešov, Bardejov, Levoèa, Košice and Kežmarok – saw to the advancement of viniculture in the Slovak section of the Tokaj region in the 17th and 18th centuries, where they owned and leased vineyards in the Tokaj region. During that period, Polish Tokaj wine was a much sought after article. The authenticity of Tokaj wine was indicated by the designation “samorodný” (wine from selected grapes). Tokaj wine achieved its greatest fame and admiration in the French royal court under the rule of Louis XIV. The famous phrase “Vinum regum – rex vinorum” comes from this era, meaning ‘wine of kings – king of wines’.
The quality and exceptionality of Tokaj wines is due to the natural and climatic conditions as well as the varieties grown, which are capable of noble ripening and the formation of cibeba (a grape which has dried on the vine almost to raisin consistency and is usually covered with a type of fungus), the special processing technology and the unique form of storage and long-term aging. Three basic varieties comprise the character of Tokaj wines: Furmint, Lipovina and yellow muscatel. During the course of a long and warm autumn, these varieties use the help of the fungus Botrytis cinerea to create the cibeba-raisin.
At present, the Slovak Tokaj vineyard area produces varietal wines – Furmint, Lipovina and yellow muscatel; dry wines – Omšové, Tokaj samorodný dry; and sweet wines – Tokaj samorodný sweet, 2 – 6 tub Tokaj select.

[Daz Madrigal]

At £1.80 for two litres of Wine...I'll go anywhere!!!!

[darinka]

what are you waiting for?

[Daz Madrigal]

I'll ask Mimi this because..the days of going to the shop or the local Pub and coming home with a large jug of ale are long gone.

But Dara tells me interesting tidbits..and even tit bits..about Slovakia and over there you can get an empty litre bottle filled with red or white wine for less than a quid. Not sure whether its good but its drinkable I suppose..well anything is drinkable apart from Cider!!

btw. is anyone watching that English Doc about a Couple who have just refurbished one of the biggest hotels in Bratislava?

[Daz Madrigal]

darinka said:

what are you waiting for?

Good question!

[Daz Madrigal]

Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic: Robert Fico

Oh he invented the pendulum didn't he.



The pendulum happily swinging in the first floor of the Kirchhoff Institute of Physics proves the Earth's rotation about its own axis. In fact, the vertical plane through which the pendulum swings to and fro is fixed in space, and our planet merely rotates beneath it - the terrestrial observer believes that it is the pendulum that moves! As time goes by, the brass pins are kicked down by the pendulum - if you count how many of them fall down within 24 hours, you can even tell Heidelberg's geographical latitude!

Can you explain that again, Dara.

[darinka]

Sorry, but i dont like physics.

[Daz Madrigal]

darinka said:

what are you waiting for?

The bleedin menu and the Wine list.

..heres a jug - fill her up

FRIDAY
20/04/2007
Soup
Bouillon with gnocchi
0,3l
*
Vegetable bosch
0,3l
*
Main dish
Roast fish fillet
boiled potatoes
80/150/200
*
Pork risotto, cheese
350/50

*
Vegetarian dish
Seafaring spaghetti
350/50

*
Choice dish
Chicken slice with mushrooms
American potatoes
120/100/150
*
Floury dish
Noodles with cottage cheese, milk
350/2dl


Cottage cheese with a glass of Warm Milk!?!

...wrong board methinks!!!