Tour Information
Note: The information presented here is an abbreviated version of our formal General Information for Tours to Slovakia. Its purpose is solely to give readers a sense of what might be involved if they take this tour. Although we do our best to make sure that what follows here is completely accurate, it should not be used as a replacement for the formal document which will be sent to all tour registrants, and whose contents supersedes any information contained here.
TRAVEL TO SLOVAKIA: This tour is organized by our British company, Sunbird, and starts and ends in Krakow. Please read the Important Travel Information for Participants on Sunbird Tours.
ENTERING SLOVAKIA: US citizens visiting Slovakia for less than 90 days do not need a visa, only a valid passport. Citizens of other countries may need a visa, and should contact the nearest Slovak embassy or consulate.
SLOVAKIA MAP AND COUNTRY INFORMATION: You can view maps of Slovakia in the University of Texas series. You can also review the US Department of State Background Note on line.
HEALTH: There are no specific health concerns in Slovakia. Tap water is generally regarded as safe to drink, but bottled water is available. Mosquitoes and biting insects are not much of a problem.
It may be impossible to obtain any special medication during the tour, so bring all you are likely to need.
You and your physician can read more details advice for travelers to Slovakia from the Centers for Disease Control on line.
CLIMATE: The Indian Summer festival is well named, as this region usually enjoys warm, sunny weather at the beginning of October. Average daytime maximum temperatures can be expected to be around 70°F, with temperatures dropping to around 46°F at night. (Our 2010 tour witnessed an unprecedented cold spell, with nighttime lows below freezing and daytime highs of 50 or below.) Visits to the mountainous regions will be cooler, and a jacket or sweater will be necessary. Rain is possible at any time, so bring a rain jacket and small umbrella.
PACE OF TOUR AND DAILY ROUTINE: This tour is a fairly gentle one, and there will be plenty of opportunities to “opt out” of a particular activity to simply enjoy the weather and the surroundings.
ACCOMMODATION: Our hotels are of a good standard, with private bathrooms and showers in every room.
DRESS: Informal, even for concerts.
FOOD: Potatoes, flour, cow and sheep cheese, cabbage, onions, and garlic are traditional ingredients in Slovakia. Rice is widely used, as are beans, corn, lentils, and other vegetables; fruit is common. Pork, beef, chicken, and fish are popular; lamb, goose, duck, turkey, or venison may also be on offer. Breads vary from region to region within Slovakia. We’ve found that our restaurants are very good at accommodating vegetarians and those with gluten sensitivities.
TRANSPORT: We’ll have a local driver driving our own small bus (with a trailer for luggage).
SMOKING: Smoking is not allowed in the vehicles or when the group is gathered for meals, checklists, etc. If you are sharing a room with a non-smoker, please do not smoke in the room. If you smoke in the field, we ask that you do so well away and downwind from the group. If any lodge, accommodation, or location where the group is staying or is gathered has a more restrictive smoking policy than the WINGS policy, the more restrictive policy will prevail.
GENERAL INFORMATION AND CONDITIONS OF WINGS TOURS: Please take a moment to read the WINGS General Information and Conditions. This section contains important information about how we conduct tours, e.g., what is included in the tour price, refund and cancellation policies, pace of the tours, and other information that will help you prepare for the tour.
FINAL INFORMATION: A more complete General Information for Tours to Slovakia will be sent to each registrant on receipt of booking. Final information with instructions for meeting the group, hotel addresses, etc., will be mailed about three weeks before trip departure. Other news will be communicated as necessary. If you have any questions, please contact us.
Updated: December 2010