Fact File Getting there By air Bratislava Bratislava Airport is one of the fastest growing airports in Europe. Until a few years ago it only handled seasonal charters and connecting flights to Prague. Today, however, Bratislava is a dynamic hub for national and international connections. Vienna Just 30 minutes by car from downtown Bratislava and served by major international airlines, Vienna Airport at Schwechat is a favorite port of entry that serves the two closest national capitals in Europe. Poprad Poprad airport, in northern <strong>Slovakia</strong>, lies within an hour’s drive of <strong>Slovakia</strong>’s main mountain and winter sports resorts and increasingly serves as the principal gateway to the High and Low Tatra regions. Košice Served by regular flights from Bratislava, Prague and Vienna, Košice is the easternmost international airport in <strong>Slovakia</strong> and affords convenient access to all corners of Eastern <strong>Slovakia</strong>. By the Danube In summer, hydrofoils to Bratislava run from Vienna and Budapest. By rail and road Bratislava, the Slovak capital, is <strong>Slovakia</strong>’s main rail hub, with direct, frequent train service to and from Vienna, Budapest and Prague. By car or coach, <strong>Slovakia</strong> is easily reached from neighboring countries by motorway and secondary roads. Getting around <strong>Slovakia</strong> has an extensive rail and road network. Several comfortable Intercity (IC) trains commute daily between Bratislava, Liptovský Mikuláš, Poprad and Košice, and most towns and many villages are on local rail lines. The Slovak motorway system is constantly being expanded, and within a few years the east and west of the country will be well connected by modern four-lane highways. In addition, there are regular domestic flights between Bratislava and Košice. Official name: Slovenská republika [Slovak Republic] Population: 5.4 million inhabitants Capital: Bratislava (462,000 inhabitants) Language: Slovak, but many people, and particularly young people, speak English or German Currency: Euro (EUR) Time: GMT + 1 hour (GMT + 2 hours during daylight savings time) Visa: <strong>Slovakia</strong> is a member of the Schengen zone. For a detailed list of countries and visa requirements see www.foreign.gov.sk 5+1 Reasons to hold your incentive event in <strong>Slovakia</strong> 1. It’s somewhere you’ve never been before Really − <strong>Slovakia</strong> is Europe’s best kept secret. Though it’s a conveniently located, fast-growing destination, you will still find <strong>Slovakia</strong> a country that has not become overcrowded and commercialized, and one that still prides itself on genuine authenticity and openhearted hospitality. 2. The people are warm and welcoming (and, dare we say it, good-looking) The Slovaks really do offer visitors timehonored Slavic hospitality. This is not a tourist industry cliché! They may seem shy at first, but once you break the ice, local people of all walks of life readily open their hearts to new friends. They are eager to show off their culture and share their love of their country. 3. The countryside is brimming with unspoiled natural beauty <strong>Slovakia</strong> packs a surprising variety of natural wonders in a conveniently compact area. The most spectacular scenery is found in the High Tatra, Low Tatra, Little Fatra, Pieniny and Slovak Paradise National Parks. But other parts of the country are also stunning. Many prefer the uplands of the hilly central region, where rushing rivers wind through lush, forested valleys. The country is also studded with beautiful caves, twelve of which are open to the public. Most are located in the mountainous heartland, and five have been put on the UNESCO list of World Natural Heritage. 4. You can trip over the multitude of outstanding cultural treasures For a country of its size, <strong>Slovakia</strong>’s cultural patrimony is immense. It includes hundreds of castles, palaces, and churches dating back many centuries − more than 300 castles alone! There are picturesque medieval towns galore, plus well preserved examples of wooden folk architecture − and even a museum devoted to pop icon Andy Warhol. Four unique sites in particular have been placed on the UNESCO list of World Cultural Heritage: the majestic Spiš Castle and its environs, the medieval towns of Bardejov and Banská Štiavnica, and the village of Vlkolínec, a unique complex of folk-style timber buildings. 5. The food and drink are out of this world As befits a country in the heart of central Europe, Slovak cuisine reflects a flavorful mixture of influences from neighboring Austria, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Ukraine. The Bratislava region is famed for its meat dishes in savory sauces, and hearty potato dishes and small dumplings served with sheep cheese and bacon are favorites from the mountains. Local restaurants, of course, also feature excellent Mediterranean and international cuisine. And don’t forget to sample the superb wines from the Small Carpathian region and eastern <strong>Slovakia</strong>’s famous Tokai! kai! <strong>Enjoy</strong> incentive in <strong>Slovakia</strong> The aim of an incentive event is to provide an active group experience that enables participants to escape the stress of everyday work, get to know their colleagues better, and build a strong professional team. Conference events focus on an exchange of knowledge and ideas among a specific professional community and also provide participants with the opportunity to meet new people, network, and encounter a new culture. Our experience has taught us that, given the facilities, the ideal size of a group for these kinds of events in <strong>Slovakia</strong> is about one hundred persons. <strong>Slovakia</strong> has all the preconditions to make your incentive event a real success. Thanks to international airports with good flight connections and excellent road and railway networks, the country is easily accessible. Top-class hotels and superior restaurants provide quality services. With its wealth of cultural monuments, historical cities, national parks and entertainment opportunities, <strong>Slovakia</strong> makes a perfect destination for incentive events or conference tourism. 4 <strong>Enjoy</strong> <strong>Slovakia</strong> <strong>DMC</strong> <strong>DMC</strong> <strong>Enjoy</strong> <strong>Slovakia</strong> 5