:::ABOUT US::: INEX Slovakia is a non-profit, non-governmental organization founded in 1993. Its main aim is to play an active role within the international youth exchange that promotes international understanding, intercultural learning and tolerance. INEX Slovakia organizes activities that are focused on youth mobility and non-formal education and international volunteering. We organize different voluntary activities like international voluntary workcamps, trainings, seminars, various activities on national level, regular meetings of non-formal groups, workshops, activities for children with difficult background etc. We are a sending and hosting organization within European Voluntary Service. These activities provide an opportunity for young people of different national and cultural background to live and work together; facilitate personal growth and a personal responsibility. INEX Slovakia became a member of the Alliance of European Voluntary Service Organizations in 1993. Apart of the Alliance INEX Slovakia is an official partner of Service Civil International (SCI), co-operates with organizations associated in Youth Action for Peace (YAP) and other partners. We are member of Youth Council of Slovakia. :::GENERAL CONDITIONS FOR PARTICIPATION IN OUR WORKCAMPS::: Age limit: Usually it is 18+ except: ISL 02 (20+), ISL 08 FAMily camp (adults: 18+, children: 3 - 13y/o), ISL 18 TEENage camp (16 - 18y/o). Common language used in the camps: English Extra fee: Yes for certain camps: ISL 08 FAMily Camp, ISL 18 TEENage camp Insurance: Please notice that INEX Slovakia does not provide any insurance. To join the workcamp in Slovakia you have to be insured. Do not forget to take your insurance with you. :::CONTACT::: INEX Slovakia Košická 37 821 09 Bratislava Slovakia www.inex.sk TEL: +421 2 5564 3030 FAX: +421 2 5564 3031 :::LIST OF THE WORKCAMPS::: Code Name Location Dates Type Age limit No./ Vol Remarks ISL 01 Bojnice Bojnice 15/06 – 28/06 ENVI/MANU 18 + 10 ISL 02 Sihla Sihla 22/06 – 05/07 ENVI/MANU 20 + 10 MOT ISL 03 Integra Bratislava 29/06 – 12/07 DISA 18 + 6 MOT ISL 04 Youth Exchange: “Ready to share your cultural values?” Stratena 04/07 – 13/07 STUDY/RENO 16 - 25 20 trilateral TO BE CONFIRMED ISL 05 Kalvaria Bratislava 06/07 – 19/07 RENO/ENVI 18 + 10 HDW, MOT TO BE CONFIRMED ISL 06 Black Castle 1 Zlatno 06/07 – 19/07 RENO/ENVI 18 + 10 HDW, MOT ISL 07 Youth Exchange: “Leave nothing but footprints” Levice 14/07 – 24/07 STUDY/ENVI 18 - 25 20 trilateral TO BE CONFIRMED ISL 08 FAMily Camp Motycky 14/07 – 25/07 FAM/ENVI Kids: 3 - 13 Adults: 18 + 20 FAM No alcohol, no drugs Fee € 100/ adult person TO BE CONFIRMED ISL 09 Black Castle 2 Zlatno 20/07 – 02/08 RENO/ENVI 18 + 10 HDW, MOT TO BE CONFIRMED ISL 10 Senne Senne 21/07 – 03/08 ENVI 18 + 10 ISL 11 Levice Levice 21/07 – 04/08 ENVI/MANU 18 + 10 ISL 12 SPOSA Stiavnicke Bane 27/07 – 09/08 SOCI 18 + 5 MOT ISL 13 Sklabina 1 Martin 27/07 - 09/08 RENO/ENVI 18 + 10 HDW ISL 14 Casta Casta 03/08 – 16/08 RENO/MANU 18 + 10 ISL 15 Motycky Motycky 03/08 – 16/08 ENVI 18 + 10 HDW, MOT ISL 16 Saris Velky Saris 09/08 – 23/08 RENO/ENVI 18 + 10 ISL 17 Sklabina 2 Martin 10/08 – 23/08 RENO/ENVI 18 + 10 HDW ISL 18 TEENage Camp Cunovo Cunovo 18/08 – 27/08 TEEN/ENVI 16 - 18 10 TEEN No alcohol, no drugs Fee € 80 ISL 19 Banska Stiavnica Banska Stiavnica 07/09 – 20/09 MANU/ENVI 18 + 10 HDW ISL 01 BOJNICE 15/06/2008 – 28/06/2008 Vols: 10 Type: ENVI/MANU Language: English Age limit: 18+ Work: Cleaning, gardening and maintenance work at the castle and its surroundings. Accommodation & Food: Lodging will be provided in the castle, with all facilities needed. Sleeping bag and mat are needed. Volunteers will prepare meals themselves in the kitchen from supplies provided. Vegetarian catering is possible. Location: The castle Bojnice is located in the city Bojnice nearby the city Prievidza, approximately 150 km north-east of Bratislava. It’s a fabulous piece of architecture that was built as a fortress in 11th century, then renovated many times and transformed into different styles, reaching its neo-gothic look, that we can see nowadays. Terminal: Airport, train, bus station Bratislava; Bojnice bus stop. Remarks: Bring warm sleeping bag, mat, water resistant boots, working clothes and gloves, raincoat, warm clothes, swimming suit, pictures of your country and a smile on your lips ? Also music instruments and songs from your country. For more info about the location and for the photos of the castle visit: eng.bojnice.sk or www.bojnicecastle.sk ISL 02 SIHLA 22/06/2008 – 05/07/2008 Vols: 10 Type: ENVI/MANU Language: English Age limit: 20+ Work: Manual work at the horse farm: repair fences, and cleaning meadows. Maintenance works in the village Sihla. Helping with the organization of exhibition and the horse race. Accommodation & Food: In a local school in the village Lom nad Rimavicou, very close to Sihla. Sleeping bag and mat are needed. Volunteers will prepare breakfast themselves from supplies provided. Lunch and dinner will be provided by the local partner in the local restaurant. Vegetarian catering is possible. Location: Sihla is approximately 280 km east from Bratislava. The nearest big city is Brezno. Terminal: Airport, bus and train station Bratislava; Lom nad Rimavicou bus stop. Remarks: Bring warm sleeping bag, mat, water resistant boots, working clothes and gloves, raincoat, warm clothes, swimming suit, pictures of your country and a smile on your lips ? Also music instruments and songs from your country. Attention: MOTIVATION LETTER IS NEEDED For more info about the location: www.sihla.sk, www.hucul.sk ISL 03 INTEGRA 29/06/2008 – 12/07/2008 Vols: 6 Type: DISA Language: English Age limit: 18+ Work: The volunteers will organize free time activities (e.g. workshops, trips, games etc.) for mentally and physically disabled children. Volunteers who want to help them in social integration are welcomed. Accommodation & Food: Lodging will be provided directly in the building of the facility for disabled children. Sleeping bag and mat are needed. Meals will be provided by the local partner in the local canteen. Vegetarian catering is possible. Location: The capital of Slovakia – Bratislava is situated in south-western part of Slovakia next to the border with Austria and Hungary. It has a fascinating history and culture, magnificent Old Town, picturesque castle on a hill just above the city, and – last but not least – the night life has a lot to offer too ;) Terminal: Airport, bus and train station in Bratislava. Remarks: Bring sleeping bag and mat, swimming suit, some info, materials and pictures of your country, material which you could use in your workshop for children, musical instrument to play nice music, some ideas for games with the children, your enthusiasm and smile on your face ? Attention: MOTIVATION LETTER IS NEEDED For more info about Bratislava: www.bratislava.sk ISL 04 YE “Ready to share your cultural values?” 04/07/2008 – 13/07/2008 TO BE CONFIRMED Vols: 20 Type: STUDY/RENO Language: English Age limit: 16 - 25 Work: Renovation works Study theme: Intercultural Diversity Accommodation & Food: Lodging will be provided in a big house in the village Stratena nearby the working place. Sleeping bag and mat are needed. Volunteers will prepare their food themselves with the coordination of the host representatives. Vegetarian catering is possible. Location: Stratena (in English “Lost”) is a very small village in the heart of Slovensky raj (Slovak Paradise), one of the most beautiful national parks in Slovakia. Stratena is close to the highest mountains of Slovakia – the High Tatras. Terminal: Airport, bus and train station in Bratislava, Stratena train/bus station. Attention: Youth Exchange - trilateral Fore more info about the location: www.stratena.sk, artkruh.org ISL 05 KALVARIA 06/07/2008 – 19/07/2008 TO BE CONFIRMED Vols: 10 Type: RENO/ENVI Language: English Age limit: 18+ Work: The work will take place in the old Calvary. It is situated in the famous city park Horsky Park near the city centre of Bratislava. The volunteers will revitalize the area: uncovering the old historical path, cleaning and gardening works. Accommodation & Food: Lodging will be provided in the school located in the city centre. Sleeping bag and mat are needed. Volunteers will prepare all meals themselves from supplies provided. Vegetarian catering is possible. Location: The capital of Slovakia – Bratislava is situated in south-western part of Slovakia next to the border with Austria and Hungary. It has a fascinating history and culture, magnificent Old Town, picturesque castle on a hill just above the city, and – last but not least – the night life has a lot to offer too ;) Terminal: Airport, bus and train station in Bratislava. Remarks: Bring sleeping bag and mat, working clothes and gloves, swimming suit and a smile on your lips ? Also music instruments and songs from your country. Attention: HDW - Hard Work; MOTIVATION LETTER IS NEEDED For more info about the location: www.bratislava.sk, www.staremesto.sk ISL 06 BLACK CASTLE 1 06/07/2008 – 19/07/2008 Vols:10 Type: RENO/ENVI Language: English Age limit: 18+ Work: Reconstruction works in the area of an ancient castle – “Black Castle“. It will involve manual works, such as walling, digging, cleaning the area, cutting the grass. Accommodation & Food: Lodging will be provided in tents, on a meadow. Warm sleeping bag and mat are needed. Field toilet, showers and drinking water will be provided. However it is far from the civilization so there is no electricity and no public transport. All meals will be prepared by the volunteers themselves, field kitchen is available. Vegetarian catering is possible. Location: The camp will take place in the middle of the forest close to the village Zlatno, approximately 130 km east from Bratislava. Zlatno was one of many villages in Slovakia that during 1500 century was washing gold. Many believe that the gold was so important that the castle was built, with the name “Black Castle“ to protect the gold. Terminal: Airport, bus and train station in Bratislava; Zlatno Bus stop. Remarks: Bring sleeping bag and mat, working clothes and gloves, strong boots, raincoat, hat, repellent, warm clothes, swimming suit, fork, knife, plate, spoon, enthusiasm and a smile on your face ? Attention: HDW - Hard Work; MOTIVATION LETTER IS NEEDED The camp is for history and nature lovers and for those who are not afraid to rise to the challenge of living in difficult conditions for two weeks! For more info about the location and also photos from previous workcamps: www.ciernyhrad.sk ISL 07 YE “Leave nothing but footprints” 14/07/2008 – 24/07/2008 TO BE CONFIRMED Vols: 20 Type: STUDY/ENVI Language: English Age limit: 18 - 25 Work: Manual and environmental works in the area of an old local Calvary. Study theme: Environmental Protection, Intercultural Dialogue Accommodation & Food: Lodging will be provided in the boarding school in the town centre. Sleeping bag needed. The volunteers will prepare all the meals by themselves from supplies provided. Vegetarian catering is possible. Location: The town Levice is 132 km far away from Bratislava, in the southern part of Slovakia. It is rich for its history, so you can visit the Tekovian museum with a castle or make trips in the countryside there. Travel: Airport, bus and train station in Bratislava; Levice train station. Attention: Youth Exchange - trilateral For more info about the location: www.levice.sk ISL 08 FAMILY CAMP 14/07/2008 – 25/07/2008 TO BE CONFIRMED Vols: 20 Type: FAM/ENVI Language: English Age limit: adults: 18+ children: 3 - 13 Work: Marking tourist paths, bike paths, cleaning the paths. Manual works in the village Motycky. Various handcraft workshops. Accommodation & Food: Probably in a local hotel. Meals will be provided in the canteen of the hotel. Vegetarian catering is possible. Location: Motycky is a village very close to Banska Bystrica. It is surrounded by beautiful mountains and nature. Travel: Airport, bus and train station in Bratislava; Motycky bus station. Remarks: Bring working clothes and gloves, warm clothes, raincoat, strong boots, swimming suit and a smile on your lips ? Also music instruments and songs from your country. Attention: No alcohol, no drugs Fee: € 100 / adult person For more info about the location: www.motycky.wgz.cz ISL 09 BLACK CASTLE 2 20/07/2008 – 02/08/2008 TO BE CONFIRMED Vols:10 Type: RENO/ENVI Language: English Age limit: 18+ Work: Reconstruction works in the area of an ancient castle – “Black Castle“. It involves manual works, such as walling, digging, cleaning the area, cutting the grass. Accommodation & Food: Lodging will be provided in tents, on a meadow. Warm sleeping bag and mat are needed. Field toilet, shower and drinking water will be provided. However it is far from the civilization so there is no electricity and no public transport. All meals will be prepared by the volunteers themselves, field kitchen is available. Vegetarian catering is possible. Location: The camp will take place in the middle of the forest close to the village Zlatno, approximately 130 km east from Bratislava. Zlatno was one of many villages in Slovakia that during 1500 century was washing gold. Many believe that the gold was so important that the castle was built, with the name “Black Castle“ to protect the gold. Terminal: Airport, bus and train station in Bratislava; Zlatno Bus stop. Remarks: Bring sleeping bag and mat, working clothes and gloves, strong boots, raincoat, hat, repellent, warm clothes, swimming suit, fork, knife, plate, spoon, enthusiasm and a smile on your face ? Attention: HDW - Hard Work; MOTIVATION LETTER IS NEEDED The camp is for history and nature lovers and for those who are not afraid to rise to the challenge of living in difficult conditions for two weeks! For more info about the location and also photos from previous workcamps: www.ciernyhrad.sk ISL 10 SENNE 21/07/2008 – 03/08/2008 Vols: 10 Type: ENVI Language: English Age limit: 18 + Work: Monitoring birds, doing environmental works in meadows (raking, making hays, cutting grass) cleaning, maintenance work in the surroundings of the village Senne, reconstruction of the walking paths and of an ornithological building. Accommodation & Food: Lodging will be provided in a local school/kindergarden. Sleeping bag and mat are needed. Volunteers will prepare food themselves from supplies provided. Vegetarian catering is possible. Location: The small village Senne is 15 km far away from the town Michalovce in the eastern part of Slovakia. The nearest big city is Kosice. Terminal: Airport, bus and train station, Bratislava or Kosice, Senne bus station. Remarks: Bring sleeping bag and mat, working clothes and gloves, warm clothes, raincoat, strong boots, repellent, swimming suit and a smile on your lips ? Also music instruments and songs from your country. Attention: If you have pollen allergy you may have a hard time here. For more info about the project: http://www.sovs.sk/eng_index.htm ISL 11 LEVICE 21/07/2008 – 04/08/2008 Vols: 10 Type: ENVI/MANU Language: English Age limit: 18 + Work: Manual and environmental works in the area of an old local Calvary. Accommodation & Food: Lodging will be provided in a dormitory in the town centre. Sleeping bag needed. The volunteers will prepare all the meals by themselves from supplies provided. Vegetarian catering is possible. Location: The town Levice is 132 km far away from Bratislava, in the southern part of Slovakia. It is rich for its history, so you can visit the Tekovian museum with a castle or make trips in the countryside there. Travel: Airport, bus and train station in Bratislava; Levice train station. Remarks: Bring sleeping bag, working clothes and gloves, warm clothes, raincoat, strong boots, swimming suit and a smile on your lips ? Also music instruments and songs from your country. For more info about the location: www.levice.sk ISL 12 SPOSA 27/07/2008 – 09/08/2008 Vols: 5 Type: SOCI Language: English Age limit: 18 + Work: Volunteers will prepare free-time activities for a summer camp for autistic children with their families. They will be a support and help for parents and siblings of these children during the therapy and creative workshops. Volunteers who want to take part in the camp with autistic children and their families are welcomed. Accommodation & Food: Lodging will be provided by the local partner in the cottage. It is surrounded by beautiful nature and mountains. Meals will be provided by the local partner in the canteen of the cottage. Vegetarian catering is possible. Location: The camp is located in an amazing area Stiavnicke Bane – 4 km from Banska Stiavnica. Banska Stiavnica is a beautiful and historical interesting city in Slovakia, about 180 km east from Bratislava. Terminal: Airport, bus and train station, Bratislava, Stiavnicke Bane bus station. Remarks: Bring sleeping bag, tourist clothes, strong boots, warm clothes, swimming suit, some info and materials and pictures of your country, material you could use in your workshop, musical instrument to play nice music and some ideas for games with the autistic children. Attention: MOTIVATION LETTER IS NEEDED For more info about the location: www.banskastiavnica.sk ISL 13 SKLABINA 1 27/07/2008 – 09/08/2008 Vols: 10 Type: RENO/ENVI Language: English Age limit: 18 + Work: Renovation and reconstruction of an old historical building and the ruins of the Sklabina Castle from the 13th century. Gardening works and taking care of livestock (goats). Accommodation & Food: Lodging will be provided where the workcamp will take place, in an old building. Sleeping bag and mat are needed. The volunteers will prepare all the meals by themselves from supplies provided. Vegetarian catering is possible. Location: Sklabina is situated about 230 km north - east from Bratislava, close to the city Martin. It is surrounded by amazing nature (Low Fatra Mountains). Terminal: Airport, bus and train station, Bratislava; Sklabina bus station. Remarks: Bring sleeping bag and mat, working clothes and gloves, warm clothes, raincoat, strong boots, swimming suit and a smile on the lips. Attention: HDW – Hard work People with dust allergy can have a hard time here. For more info about the location: www.martin.sk, www.castles.sk/sklabina.php ISL 14 CASTA 03/08/2008 – 16/08/2008 Vols: 10 Type: RENO/MANU Language: English Age limit: 18 + Work: Renovation of an old Jewish cemetery: renovating the old walls and the gate, cutting grass and tree, marking the walking path. Making the records on the cemetery and the graves. Study theme: Holocaust and history of World War 2 Accommodation & Food: Lodging will be provided in a local school. Sleeping bag and mat are needed. Volunteers will prepare food themselves from supplies provided. Vegetarian catering is possible. Location: Casta is a village with a beautiful castle Cerveny Kamen. It is situated in the western part of Slovakia - very close to Bratislava and to a nice town Pezinok. Travel: Airport, bus and train station in Bratislava; Casta bus station. Remarks: Bring sleeping bag and mat, working clothes and gloves, warm clothes, raincoat, strong boots, swimming suit, fork, knife, spoon, plate and cup, and a smile on your lips ? Also music instruments and songs from your country. Attention: The camp is for people interested in history and Jewish culture. For more info about the location: http://www.obec-casta.sk ISL 15 MOTYCKY 03/08/2008 – 16/08/2008 Vols: 10 Type: ENVI Language: English Age limit: 18 + Work: Marking tourist paths, bike paths, cleaning the paths. Accommodation & Food: Probably in a local cottage. Sleeping bag and mat are needed. The volunteers will prepare all the meals by themselves from supplies provided. Vegetarian catering is possible. Location: Motycky is a village very close to Banska Bystrica. It is surrounded by beautiful mountains and nature. Travel: Airport, bus and train station in Bratislava; Motycky bus station. Remarks: Bring sleeping bag and mat, working clothes and gloves, warm clothes, raincoat, strong boots, swimming suit and a smile on your lips ? Also music instruments and songs from your country. Attention: HDW - Hard Work; MOTIVATION LETTER IS NEEDED For more info about the location: www.motycky.wgz.cz ISL 16 SARIS 09/08/2008 – 23/08/2008 Vols: 10 Type: RENO/ENVI Language: English Age limit: 18 + Work: Revitalizing the old ruins of the Saris Castle in Slovak Carpathians: Renovation works, cleaning the area, making wooden fences, taking care of livestock (goats), making records about tourists, making the records of fauna and flora, collecting certain river stones. Accommodation & Food: The Saris Castle is situated on the top of 300 m high volcanic hill, covered by old forest (it is Nature Reserve) upon the river Torysa. Lodging will be provided in little double-bedded scout cottages or tents, on a meadow amidst the ruins of the castle. Warm sleeping bag and mat are needed. Field toilet, showers and drinking water will be provided. However it is 3 km far from the civilization so there is no electricity, no water-supply and no public transport. All meals will be prepared by the volunteers themselves, field kitchen is available. Vegetarian catering is possible. Location: Velky Saris is a little town near Presov located in the Eastern part of Slovakia. From Velky Saris you can get to the ruins of the Saris Castle – the place of the workcamp. Travel: Airport, bus and train station in Bratislava or Kosice; train to Presov; Velky Saris bus station. Remarks: Bring sleeping bag and mat, working clothes and gloves, warm clothes, raincoat, strong boots, swimming suit and a smile on your lips ? Also music instruments and CD with your favourite songs from your country. Attention: The camp is for history and nature lovers and for those who are not afraid to rise to the challenge of living in difficult conditions for two weeks! For more info and pictures about the project: www.hrad.wbl.sk ISL 17 SKLABINA 2 10/08/200 – 23/08/2008 Vols: 10 Type: RENO/ENVI Language: English Age limit: 18 + Work: Renovation and reconstruction of an old historical building and the ruins of the Sklabina Castle from the 13th century. Gardening works and taking care of livestock (goats). Accommodation & Food: Lodging will be provided where the workcamp will take place, in an old building. Sleeping bag and mat are needed. The volunteers will prepare all the meals by themselves from supplies provided. Vegetarian catering is possible. Location: Sklabina is situated about 230 km north - east from Bratislava, close to the city Martin. It is surrounded by amazing nature (Low Fatra Mountains). Terminal: Airport, bus and train station, Bratislava; Sklabina bus station. Remarks: Bring sleeping bag and mat, working clothes and gloves, warm clothes, raincoat, strong boots, swimming suit and a smile on the lips ? Also music instruments and songs from your country. Attention: HDW – Hard work People with dust allergy can have a hard time here. For more info about the location: www.martin.sk, www.castles.sk/sklabina.php. ISL 18 CUNOVO TEEN 18/08/2008 – 27/08/2008 Vols: 10 Type: TEEN/ENVI Language: English Age limit: 16 - 18 Work: Monitoring birds, doing environmental works in meadows (raking, making hays, cutting grass, cleaning). Accommodation & Food: Lodging will be provided in tents, on a meadow. Warm sleeping bag and mat are needed. Field toilet, field shower and drinking water will be provided. However it is far from the civilization so there is no electricity and no public transport. All meals will be prepared by the volunteers themselves, field kitchen is available. Vegetarian catering is possible. Location: Near to the village Cunovo which is located very close to the capital Bratislava, there is the river Danube with an islands area with many birds - Hrusovska zdrz. Volunteers will be transported by a boat there :) Travel: Airport, bus and train station in Bratislava; Cunovo bus station. Remarks: Bring sleeping bag and mat, working clothes and gloves, warm clothes, raincoat, strong boots, swimming suit and a smile on your lips ? Also music instruments and songs from your country Attention: If you have pollen allergy you may have a hard time here. The camp is for nature lovers and for those of you who are not afraid to rise to the challenge of living in difficult conditions for two weeks! Attention: No alcohol, no drugs Fee: € 80 For more info about the project: http://www.birdlife.sk/eng_index.htm ISL 19 BANSKA STIAVNICA 07/09/2008 – 20/09/2008 Vols: 10 Type: MANU/ENVI Language: English Age limit: 18 + Work: Manual works in the area of a Calvary in Banská Štiavnica, manual and gardening works in the area of a Scout House. Accommodation & Food: Lodging will be provided in the Scout House in the centre of Banska Stiavnica. Sleeping bag and mat are needed. All the meals will be prepared by the volunteers themselves from supplies provided. Vegetarian catering is possible. Location: The old mining and gold city Banska Stiavnica is located about 180 km east of Bratislava. It is surrounded by beautiful mountains and nature. Banska Stiavnica is very interesting city from a historical point of view. The whole city is like a giant hill. Terminal: Airport, bus and train station, Bratislava, Banska Stiavnica bus station. Remarks: You should bring sleeping bag and mat, warm clothes, raincoat, working clothes and gloves, swimming suit and a smile on the lips. Attention: HDW – Hard work For more info about the location: www.banskastiavnica.sk About Slovakia Slovakia is located in Central Europe. It is a member of the European Union (since May 1, 2004). Slovakia is surrounded by Czech Republic, Austria, Poland , Ukraine and Hungary. Capital: Bratislava Total area: 49,035 km2 Population: 5 430 000 inhabitants Religion: Roman Catholics (69%), atheists (13%), Lutherans (7%), Greek Catholics (4%) Language: Slovak. It is a Slavic language (like Czech, Russian, Polish, Bulgarian, Serbian, Croatian, Ukrainian, Belarusian or Slovenian). Time zone: Central European time (GMT +1 hour) Currency: Slovak Crown (Slovenská koruna, SK), international code SKK, 1 SKK = 100 haliers Approximate Exchange Rate (February 2008): 1 US dollar – 22,75 SKK; 1 EURO – 33,40 SKK Visa Of course citizens of European Union don’t need any visa (actually not even a passport) to enter Slovakia and there are mutual visa abolitions between Slovakia and many other countries, so if you’re not sure just check out the information about visa requirements here: www.foreign.gov.sk or on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your country. Climate The climate in Slovakia is determined by the geographical position of the country. If you are in the mountains it can be pretty cold at nights and in the mornings even during the summer, but otherwise the climate is continental in character, with warm summers and cold winters. It can often get hot in July and August, with afternoon temperatures sometimes in the mid-30 degrees Celsius (90 degrees Fahrenheit) and cold in January and February, when the temperature will not rise above freezing point, even in the afternoon. The period from May to August is often considered to be the best season. What are the typical Slovak food and drinks? The most typical Slovak dish is called ‘bryndzové halušky’, which are potato dumplings with sheep’s milk cheese. As far as drinks are concerned wine and beer are the most popular, but you’ll also find a wide variety of herbal liqueurs and brandies here (like ‘slivovica’ – the plum brandy and ‘borovička’ – the juniper brandy). Once in Slovakia you definitely have to try some of its famous non-alcoholic drinks, which include ‘kofola’, a soft drink that tastes like something between cola and kvass, and ‘vinea’, which is a grape soda. Tourism in Slovakia Slovakia is famous for its numerous picturesque medieval castles, as well as for its natural landscapes, mountains, caves and mineral springs. Bratislava, Nitra, Banská Bystrica, Prešov, Trnava, Trenčín, Žilina and Košice are only few of the multitude of beautiful towns with many notable historic sites and gorgeous architecture. I bet you didn’t know… …that the first helicopter in the world was constructed by a Slovak engineer Ján Bahýľ and it took off from today’s Hodžovo square in Bratislava …that a Slovak inventor called Štefan Banič was the first man to use a military parachute; he demonstrated his invention by jumping from a skyscraper in Washington and soon after it, in August 1914, the U.S. Patent Office granted him a patent document …the last man to have walked on the moon is an astronaut Eugene Andrew Cernan (Ondrej Čerňan) whose family comes from northern Slovakia For further information visit these websites: www.slovakia.org www.slovensko.com www.travelguide.sk Bratislava Most of you will probably arrive to Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. So here is some info about the city and how to move around it. Bratislava is situated in the centre of Europe, in the south-west of Slovakia, on the banks of the Danube river, only 60 km from Vienna. It is the only capital in the world that borders two other countries (Austria and Hungary). Bratislava is the largest city in Slovakia with its population of 450 000 inhabitants. What you definitely have to see in Bratislava is its picturesque Old Town which is easy to find, downhill from the hill-top dominating medieval castle – the symbol of the capital. Beautiful gothic churches, Rococo palaces and the Neo-Renaissance building of Slovak National Theatre will let you feel the charm of this ‘little big city’. A multitude of cafes, pubs and restaurants, which have their outdoor sections in the streets on warmer days, as well as a few souvenir shops and fashion stores will guarantee fun and relax for every visitor. For great view on the city visit the Slavin memorial site. For more information about Bratislava check following websites: www.bratislava.sk www.bkis.sk If you’re looking for cheap accommodation, these websites of youth hostels be helpful: www.backpackers.sk www.patiohostel.com www.possonium.sk hostel.eu.sk How to travel around Slovakia Plane: If you want to come to Slovakia by plane, the easiest way is to take plane directly to the Bratislava airport. From there you can catch a bus 61 that runs every 20 minutes every day and that will take you to the main railway station. An alternative is to fly to Vienna, one of Europe's busiest airports, and travel one hour by shuttle bus to Bratislava. Buses run every two hours from early morning until late evening. Bratislava airport: www.letiskobratislava.sk Vienna airport: www.viennaairport.com Shuttle bus: http://www.blaguss.sk/ba_wien.php, http://www.slovaklines.sk/Upload/CPhtml/10280601.htm Train: There are two big railway stations in Bratislava: • The Central Railway Station / Hlavná stanica: 10 minutes walking from the city centre, it covers almost all train connections all over the country. There is an exchange office, post-office and information Office. • Petržalka Station: connections to Vienna and bigger Slovak and Hungarian towns. For more information check: www.zsr.sk Bus: Central Coach Terminal / Autobusová stanica Mlynské Nivy You can get information about connections at Information office or International office (or Eurolines office). For national lines you can buy your ticket directly on the bus from the driver. For international coaches you should buy the ticket in advance. There is an exchange office inside the station and a bank in front of the station. For connections check: www.eurolines.sk and www.cp.sk In Bratislava The means of public transport in Bratislava are buses, trolleybuses and trams. All you need to do is to check the routes on the maps which are located on most of the bus stops. It’s a good idea to buy a 1-day ticket (for 90 SK) or a 2-day ticket (170 SK) in ticket machines that you can find on most bus stops. You can use those tickets to travel by all means of public transport: buses, trams and trolleybuses. Make sure that you always have a ticket before you get on the bus and mark it in the machine inside the bus, trolley-bus or tram. Otherwise, if you get caught without a ticket, you have to pay a fine that is quite high (1400 SK). While traveling in Bratislava, you also need to have a ticket for bigger luggage. For timetables and routes check: www.imhd.sk (English version of the website is available) TICKET LUGGAGE 10 min. ticket: 14,- SK 7,- SK 30 min. ticket: 18,- SK 9,- SK 60 min. ticket: 22,- SK 11,- SK Important connections in Bratislava: Airport – Central Railway Station bus 61 (ticket for 30 min.) Central Bus Station – Central Railway Station trolleybus 210 (ticket for 10 min.) WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO MEETING YOU IN SLOVAKIA!!! ? Contacts ADDRESS: INEX Slovakia Košická 37 821 09 Bratislava Slovakia www.inex.sk TEL: +421 2 5564 3030, FAX: +421 2 5564 3031 OPENING HOURS: Monday – Friday 10.00 – 15.30 Email: General: inex@inex.sk Outgoing: Barbara BRIEDOVA out@inex.sk Incoming: Dušana SLIMAKOVA in@inex.sk EMERGENCY CONTACT: In case of emergency please contact the office +421 2 5564 3030 if nobody answers try +421 905 501 078. ISBN 978-80-969432-5-8