Car Hire in Slovakia

Slovakia

Slovakia is a country of amazing natural beauty, though few travellers in Eastern Europe get to see this side of it. Most simply pass through on the way to Hungary or the Czech Republic, missing out on its stunning mountains, forests and rivers, along with the folk culture that it has to offer. For some reason, many people also – and entirely mistakenly – believe that the war in Yugoslavia involved Slovakia, and that it is dangerous as a result. Despite this, since its independence in 1993, Slovakia has for good reason become an increasingly popular destination for tourists.

Language

Slovak is closely related to Czech, although there are regional differences across the country. Due to its location, Hungarian and Russian are also spoken in the south and east respectively, and some people will speak German. English is becoming increasingly common too, especially amongst the younger population.

dobrý deň (“dobree dyen”) – hello
dovidenia (“doveedyeniya”) – goodbye
áno (“aano”) – yes
nie (“niye”) – no
prosím (“pro-seem”) – please
ďakujem (“dya-kooyem”) – thank you

Currency

Currency in Slovakia is the Slovak Koruna. At the time of writing:
US$1 : 29.46 Sk
�1 : 37.48 Sk
UK£1 : 55.68 Sk

Notes are available in denominations of 5000, 1000, 500, 200, 100, 50 and 20 Sk. Coins come in denominations of 10, 5, 2 and 1 Sk, and 50, 20 and 10 hellers.

Exchange rates will probably be better if you wait until you get to Slovakia. The best place to change money (the cheapest and most reliable) is in the bank. Many hotels will also change money for you. Note that it is illegal to accept offers from people trying to sell currency on the street.

ATMs are available in most large towns. Be aware that travellers cheques will not be accepted by many shops, restaurants and hotels.

Weather

Slovakia's climate is temperate, with cold winters and reasonably warm summers. The weather is damp and highly changeable; even in the summer months, when temperatures reach the mid-20s Centigrade, sudden heavy storms can frequently wreck an otherwise pleasantly sunny day. Winter temperatures can dip below zero, and it can be far colder in the mountains, where snow may be seen for long periods of the year. In the lower regions, thick fog replaces the snow. The south and west of the country tend to be warmer.

Attractions

Part of Slovakia's charm is precisely that it is less well-known and attracts fewer tourists than its neighbours. Its attractions tend to be lower-key, but also less commercialised and spoiled. The country's mountainous terrain makes it a popular destination for outdoor pursuits such as skiing, hiking and caving. There are many ski resorts in the mountains, and in the towns and villages away from the bigger settlements you will find walking trails winding through the hills. Slovakia has 12 caves that are open to the public, four of which feature on the UNESCO list of world heritage sites. The Belian Cave in the Tatra National Park and the Dobsina Ice Cave in the Slovensky Raj National Park are particularly worth seeing.

If you are not a fan of outdoor activities, Bratislava's operas and museums are said to be some of the best on the continent. There are also the remains of many castles and fortresses scattered throughout the country, perhaps the most impressive of which is Spišský Hrad in eastern Slovakia, which is said to be the largest castle ruin in Central Europe. Early wooden churches, mainly in the northeast, are still used and form a unique and important part of the country's heritage.

Shopping

Although life in Slovakia is not so different from the the rest of Central Europe, commercialism has not taken such a strong hold, and prices can be a pleasant surprise. Traditional Slovak craft includes pottery, textiles such as weaving and hand-embroidered clothing, and wood carving. Though high-quality glassware can also be found in many souvenir shops, this is usually of Czech origin.

Note that prices are not always displayed on goods for sale, and you do not have the legal right to exchange a product unless it is faulty (though some retailers will do so anyway).

Nightlife

Since the split of Czechoslovakia into two countries, many new bars, clubs and discos have opened in Slovakia. Alcohol is very cheap. The capital Bratislava has a particularly healthy social scene, though as nightlife is geared around its large student population, entertainment tends to wane a little outside of term time. There are still strong folk traditions, and during the summer months folk festivals are held all around the country.

Driving

If you are driving in Slovakia, remember:

• Drive on the right


• There is no permissible level of blood alcohol, and drink-drivers face serious penalties


• Speeding is punishable with on-the-spot fines


• Roads are often poorly lit and may not even have reflectors

Food and Drink

Slovakian meals are typically based around simple ingredients such as potatoes, cheese, cabbage, onions and garlic. Soups and stews are common, influenced by the cuisine of the surrounding regions. In the south, goulash is popular. Bread is often eaten for two meals a day and pork is the most widely eaten meat. Bryndzove halusky – small potato dumplings with bits of bacon and sheep's cheese – are a favourite Slovak dish, as are stuffed cabbage leaves. Traditionally, lunch is the main meal of the day. A lighter meal is eaten in the evenings, and breakfast is often only a pastry and a cup of coffee (served thick and strong, like Turkish coffee).

Beer is popular in Slovakia, and Vineyards in the south produce a range of white wines. Borovicka, a gin-like juniper brandy, and Slivovika, plum brandy, are classic Slovakian spirits.

When eating out, a 5-10% tip is usual.

Tourist Information

www.slovakiatourism.sk

Destinations

We provide car hire in the following cities within Slovakia:

Bratislava	Nove Zamky	Povazska Bystrica
Kosice	Partizanske	Zilina-dolny Hricov
Nitra	Poprad

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