General Information About Slovakia

THE CAPITAL
Bratislava (451.616 inhabitants) http://www.bratislava.sk/en

TIME ZONE
1 hr ahead of GMT, the summer time which lasts from March to December is 2 hrs ahead of GMT.

CLIMATE
Slovakia has a moderate climate, with cold and rigid winters, and with moderate and rainy summers. The average weather conditions for Bratislava in May (Time Period: 01.05 - 08.05) - the average daily maximum temperature is between 18°C and 25°C. At night it cooled down to temperatures between 8°C and 12°C

http://www.weatheronline.co.uk/Slovakia.htm

BANK HOLIDAYS IN MAY
1^st and 8^th May

CURRENCY
The National Currency of Slovak Rebublic is 1 Slovak crown (Sk) = 100 halier (h), bank notes with a value of 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000, 5000 Sk, coins with a value of 1, 2, 5, 10 Sk, coins with a value of 50 halier.
 1 Euro = approximately 34,00 SKK http://www.slovakia.org/currency2.htm
Most banks are open from 9:00 - 18:00 on weekdays, and many are open on Saturday mornings. All banks offer currency exchange and cash advances on major credit cards. Exchange offices are also found in shopping centers and large hotels, as well as in the airports and railway stations. Currency exchange is available in all exchange offices. Most hotels, shops and restaurants accept Visa, Mastercard, Eurocard, Diner's Club and American Express. Traveler's cheques can be exchanged in most banks, but are not always accepted in shops. All major credit cards are accepted in the country.

VOLTAGE & ADAPTORS
220 volts / 50 Hz, Slovakia uses the standard continental European "europlug", with 2 round pins, socket and plug system also found in Germany, France, etc.

TRAFFIC REGULATION:
On the main roads the speed limit is 90 km/h. On the highway the speed limit is 130 km/h, in the cities and villages it is 60 km/h. Children until 12 years of age must not be seated on front seat. The safety belts have to be fastened on the front seat and back-seat also in towns. To the requisite equipment of vehicle belong a medicine-chest, towing-rope, accident triangle, spare tire. The blood-alcohol level allowed in Slovakia is 0.0.

SHOPPING HOURS
Slovakia and Bratislava are really a shopping paradise. Stores have long opening hours and shopping malls are also open over weekends on Saturdays and Sundays as well as over holidays. Most establishments are open between 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., but some take lunch breaks. Many banks close at 3:30 p.m. Bratislava's top shopping destinations are its shiny new malls - Polus City Centre, AuPark, Avion, Palace City centre.

COMMUNICATIONS
To call Bratislava from abroad, dial your international access code (+421) for Slovakia, then the city code (2) for Bratislava and telephone number (seven-digit).
Within Slovakia you can make local and international calls from card-operated public telephones, located on streets, in hotels, restaurants and other public buildings. Cards are sold at newsstands, post offices or shopping centers.

MOBILE OPERATORS
GSM cellular mobile phones service is also available - check with your national cellular operator for roaming.

Orange - info line 905 +421 905 905 905

T-Mobile - info line 12345 +421 903 903 903

EMERGENCY CALLS

• Fire Department: 150
• Rescue Service-ambulance: 155
• Police: 158
• Municipal Police: 159
• Foreign Police: 0961031265