SLOVAKIA. Travel Documents, Health Care, Vaccinations, Electricity, Telephones and Internet, Money and Banks, Shopping, Typical Products

USEFUL INFORMATION FOR A TRAVEL TO SLOVAKIA

SLOVAKIA

Travel Documents: For the citizens of the European Union a valid personal ID is sufficient. The list of countries, the citizens of which need a valid visa to enter Slovakia, you find on the home page of the Ministry of foreign affairs of SR or you can get informed directly at the competent Embassy.

Health: There are hospitals in all larger towns. In smaller towns and tourist areas outpatient clinics and pharmacies are available. Since mid 2004 citizens from the individual EU member states, who travel temporarily to another EU member state and hold a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), are automatically insured. For citizens of others countries it is recommended to close a health insurance contract before coming to Slovakia.

Pharmacies: Pharmacies are open usually on workdays from 8,00 to 18,00, during weekends and holidays there is always one pharmacy in town non stop on duty.

Telephones: Country Dialing Code 00421.

In towns it is possible to use public phone cells/booths, which accept coins or phone cards. The cards can be purchased in post offices or some newspaper stands.

Mobile Telephones: The country is well covered with GSM 900/1800 mobile phone networks.

Mobile Telephone Companies: Orange, T-mobile, Telefónica O2.

Internet: Internet is widely available in the cities and larger towns. A number of Internet retail outlets and cyber-cafes in almost every town offer convenient Internet access. An increasing number of hotels offer data ports with high-speed modem connections for guests to access the Internet and retrieve e-mail in their rooms.

Money and Banks: The official currency in Slovakia is the Euro from 1st January 2009.

It is recommended to exchange money at the border crossings, in official exchange offices concentrated in bigger towns and tourist centres, in hotels, at post offices or in banks. Travel cheques are cashed in banks.

Banks and ATMs accept the common international credit cards.

Major credit cards including American Express, Mastercard and Visa are accepted in large hotels, car rental companies and stores in the main cities.

Banking Hours: The banks are usually open Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., in larger towns also to 6:00 p.m. in the largest shopping centres the bank services are available also during weekends, holidays and that to 8:00 p.m.

Electricity: 220 V/50 Hz, standard two-pole socket with safety pin.

Shopping hours: Shopping hours: 09,00-18,00 Monday to Friday. 09,00-12,00 Saturday. Shopping centres open until 21.00, with hypermarkets open 24 hours.

Post offices: are open from Monday to Friday 8.00 - 18.00 and on Saturday to 13.00. The main post offices in larger towns or shopping malls are open daily to 20.00 h.

National holidays (are at the same time days off): 1st January - Day of Slovak Republics Establishment 5th July - St. Cyril and Metod Day 29th August - Slovak National Uprising anniversary 1st September - Day of Slovak Republics Constitution 17th November - Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day. Days off: 6th January - Epiphany (The Three Magi) Good Friday Easter Monday 1st May - Labour Day 8th May - Day of victory over fascism 15th September - Lady of Sorrows Day / Blessed Virgin Mary 1st November - All Saints Day 24th December - Christmas Eve 25th December - Christmas Day 26th December - St. Stephens Day.

Cuisine: The Slovak national dish is "bryndzové halušky" - a sort of potato dumplings (halušky) with special sheep cheese (bryndza) and usually also topped with fried bacon. Popular drinks include Slovak beer, wine from the Tokaj region and sparkling wine from the Bratislava region are particular specialities. SLOVAK CUISINE RECIPES.

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