Since its separation from Czechoslovakia on Jan. 1, 1993, the Slovak Republic began to emerge as a sovereign and independent nation. Despite its position as the less-developed member of the old federation, it has rapidly integrated with the rest of Europe since the late 1990s. Slovakia joined NATO in March 2004 and entered the European Union in May 2004. The Slovak Republic has been strongly influenced by Hungarian, Austrian and German customs due to its long history with those countries, and that association is exemplified in its culture and people today.
Bratislava is a major summer tourist destination, and the rest of Slovakia is replete with ski resorts in the High Tatra mountains, castles, caves, lakes and spas. The climate is mild in summer and moderately severe in winter, tempered by the ubiquitous hills and mountains in the central part and lowlands in the south. Precipitation is more plentiful May-August.
Bratislava Airport (BTS) is accessible by air from a few European cities including Prague and Zurich. The Vienna International Airport, Wien-Schwechat (VIA) is located 50 km (31 miles) from Bratislava and accessible by train (less than hour). Bratislava and most Slovak cities are served by an efficient rail network from Berlin, Frankfurt, Zurich, Vienna, Warsaw and Prague.
Most incidents that travelers may encounter can be avoided by exercising common sense personal security awareness, never traveling alone at night and maintaining a low profile while visiting. ATMs are common, especially in the larger cities; credit cards are also gaining in popularity and ease of use. The phone system is not very reliable, but is being modernized. English media are available in upscale hotels and shops in large cities.
The official language is Slovak. English is spoken, particularly in the larger cities. About 60 percent of Slovaks are Roman Catholic, 6 percent are Slovak Evangelic Lutheran and the rest espouse a variety of other religions. Slovaks are known for their friendliness and hospitality.
The Slovak road network is good and in good repair; traffic drives on the right. A new-found affluence has resulted in an increase in the number of cars on the road, so traffic congestion and parking, mostly in Bratislava, can be a problem, which is compounded by narrow country and inner-city roads. Travelers are advised to take public transportation due to its efficiency.
Slovak food is simple and generally safe. You can drink the water but, as in all destinations, bottled water is recommended to ensure water purity, especially in smaller towns and villages. Prices for goods and services in Bratislava tend to be closer to Western norms than in the rest of the country.
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