Greenhouse Studio Manual, Tajovského 19, Bratislava

Dear guest,

I am pleased that you are going to stay at our greenhouse at Tajovského 19. This document contains information about arrival and check in, some rules to help you with know-how for the special apartment, info about the city and more. Anything you are missing here, please drop me an email. Enjoy your stay! :)

Content:

1.      To the greenhouse

a.      Getting to the greenhouse, checkin and checkout

b.      Connection between our property and the city centre

c.      Connections to and from Bratislava

d.      Public transport

e.      Parking space, taxi service

2.      In the greenhouse

a.      Key policy and bedding

b.      Cleanliness, rubbish and terrace

c.      Cooking and breakfast

d.      Heating, windows

e.      Laundry

f.       Internet

g.      Bratislava City Tax

3.      Away from the greenhouse

a.      Supermarkets, shopping malls, pharmacies

b.      Restaurants, pubs and bars

c.      Useful info about Bratislava

d.      My recommendations what to see

1.         To the greenhouse

a.          Getting to the greenhouse and check in

Arrival by CAR

– the easiest way is to use Google or other navigation and to put “Tajovského 19, Bratislava” as your destination

Arrival by TRAIN TO BRATISLAVA-HLAVNA STANICA

if you have a big bag and you are not in a mood to walk carrying it, take the bus Nr. 93 (2 stops, 4 min.) to “Hodžovo námestie” and just on that stop change to the minibus Nr. 147 (leaves every 25 and 55 min. passed the hours, between 8h25 and 19h55 ). In 10 minutes, the minibus will pass just in front of our house. There bus stops in the residential area everywhere, where you want it, but on request, so please, when getting on the bus, politely ask the driver to stop you at “Tajovského 19” street (have it marked on the paper), in front of our yellow house. This option comprises a little bit of sightseeing as it is not the shortest way, but it drives you comfortably directly to our street before our house without any need to walk more than 1 minute.. (Ticket needed - 1,10 eur, up to 30 minutes)

        OR

           Walk slightly in direction to downtown ca. 300 m further to “SAV” stop on the crossing of Šancová/ŠtefánikovaˇPražská streets (close to the pedestrian bridge) take the bus Nr. 63 (1 stop) to “Hroboňova” stop slightly on a hill (Ticket needed - 1,10 eur, up to 30 min.) and than walk ca. 7 min. to our house according to the info further in the text.

OR

if you don't mind a little bit of workout in the nice area and your bag/suitcase not too big, just walk through Predstaničné square (in front of the station), take the pedestrian bridge over the street crossing near the bus stop, in the middle of the bridge turn right and it leads you to Hlboká street. Follow the street to the hill through pedestrian and cyclist only part of the street in nicely forested part (this part doesn't have to be marked on the navigation as a standard street, but is well walkable, at the the end turn right in front of beer garden Funus and after small slope up continue straight to Laučekova street which leads you to Tajovského street. Turn left and then continue ca. 300 m to our house. (this whole itinerary takes ca. 20 minutes with a standard low cost airlines luggage)

Arrival by TRAIN TO BRATISLAVA-PETRŽALKA

          use the underground passage, take bus Nr. 93 in direction to “Hlavná stanica” and on “Hodžovo námestie” stop change for the bus 83 or 84 and continue to “Hroboňova” stop

OR if you are at “Hodžovo námestie” between 8h20 and 19h50, you can cross the road and take the minibus 147 mentioned in the previous paragraphs. In 10 minutes, the minibus will pass just in front of our house. There bus stops in the residential area everywhere, where you want it, but on request, so please, when getting on the bus, ask politely the driver to stop you at “Tajovskeho 19” street (have it marked on the paper), in front of our yellow house. (1,60 eur ticket for up to 60 minutes ride will be fine for this option)

Arrival by BUS to STATION NIVY (Bratislava AS)

           take trolley-bus 40 in direction “Hlavna stanica”  and on stop ”Račianske mýto” (3 stops) change for the bus 63 and continue to “Hroboňova” stop (2 stops)

OR from the bus station Mlynské Nivy (Bratislava AS) take bus 21 in direction “Devinska Nova Ves – Volkswagen” a and on stop “Pod Stanicou” (3 stops) change for the bus 44 or bus 63 and get off on “Hroboňova” stop (1 stop for Nr. 63, 2 stops for Nr. 44)  and then walk ca. 7 min. to our house according to the info further in the text. It takes ca. 17-21 min (1,10 eur ticket)

Arrival by BUS to MOST SNP

 take the bus Nr. Nr. 37 until the stop “Patrónka”, pass the underground crossing to the other side of the road and take there the bus Nr. 83, 84 (2 stops) or Nr. 63 (1 stop) to “Hroboňova” stop and then walk ca. 7 min. to our house according to the info further in the text. It takes ca. 15-20 min (1,10 € ticket).

Arrival by PLANE – BTS (Stefanik airport)

      take bus 61 in direction to “Hlavna stanica” and on stop “Račianske mýto” (just one stop after “Trnavské mýto” stop) (in, ca 22 minutes) change for the bus 63 and continue to “Hroboňova” stop (2 stops) and then walk ca. 7 min. to our house according to the info further in the text. (Ticket needed 1,60 eur for up to 60 minutes ride is the correct option)

COMMON INFO - From the BUS STOP HROBOŇOVA use pedestrian bridge to cross the main road and then continue on Gorazdova street, take 2nd left to Langsfeldova and the 1st right is Tajovskeho street. This takes ca. 7 min.

If you decide to take a taxi from anywhere in the city, tell the driver the address “Tajovského 19, Staré Mesto (Old Town)”. More about the taxis is written in section (e).

Check-in time is usually after 4 pm and prior to 9 pm but according to your needs and actual situation in my daily work and other guests check-out it is possible to agree on earlier check-in time. Checkout time is 11h00 am unless otherwise agreed in advance.

b.          Connection between our property and the city center

DURING THE DAY, there are four recommended ways to get to the center:

1) there is a minibus Nr. 147 passing directly our street twice in an hour (5 and 35 min. after whole hour, it means 8h05, 8h35, 9h05. 9h35...) on working days (not on weekends and holidays) in direction to final stop Búdková (6 min)  and there you need to change in 4 min. to trolley-bus Nr. 47 in direction to Zimný štadión. You can either get of it on the stop “Hrad” (in 4 min) nearby Bratislava castle, if you plan to visit it or you don't mind taking the walking way to the city center around the castle or to continue 4 more stops to “Hodžovo námestie” square (Presidential palace, 9 min.) The ticket cost just 1,10 eur and you can stop the bus by raising your hand (or asking the driver to stop the minibus on your return trip) just a few steps out of our garden. (To return from the city during the day, you can use the same minibus from the same bus stop at “Hodžovo námestie”. The minibus leaves every 25 and 55  minutes after each hour - between 8h25-19h55). Unfortunately, this minibus doesn't operate on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.

OR

2) buses Nr. 83 and Nr. 84 leave the stop “Hroboňova”, just 5-7 min. walking from the house and taking you to the city center. They run every 7-8 min. in the day, from early morning until late evening. The ride to the Presidential palace in the Old Town takes ca. 5 min and costs just 1,10 eur. You can reach the bus stop Hroboňova easily when get out of our house, turn right, walk to the end of the street, then continue straight downstairs on an alley, at its end walk few meters right closer to the main road and then turn left in direction to the pedestrian bridge over the mains street. Bus stop Hroboňova is  situated just under that pedestrian bridge.

3) you can use a Taxi, Hopin or Bolt service to the center. It costs ca. 5-6 eur in the day.

4) The city center in the Old Town is well accessible on foot as well. You will pass few very calm and interesting streets in the way down to the city center, but be aware, if you decide for this option even for your return trip from the city center, you need to climb the hill, so this option is not recommended for you if your breath in not good enough or you have spent all your energy on partying/dancing until morning hours. During the whole time of your stay, you can have your car parked in the garden so you do not need to pay for parking that is obligatory in the whole city-center area during the day.

The return to the greenhouse IN THE NIGHT

1) There are night buses operating every hour. They are marked by "N" before their number. You can take bus N93 at Zochova stop (or any other anywhere in the city) in the direction "Hlavna stanica" (main train station) it takes ca. 4 min. and there to change to the bus N37 and get off "Hroboňova" stop (ca. 3 min.). This whole transfer takes only 12 min. all together so it costs only 1,10 €.

From "Hroboňova" stop it is only 7 min. walking to our house.

2) you can walk up to the hill ca. 30 min. from the Old town to calm down before going to bed.

3) You can use a Taxi , Hopin or Bolt service from the center. It usually costs double the daily price, it means ca. 8-10 eur.

There are usually few 1,10 € bus tickets ready in our house, but it is better to buy at least two of them them in the machines that are almost on every bus stop in the city center, as just on our closest bus stop there is no machine and the news stand usually selling them in past is closed. If you use our tickets, please, buy replacement tickets on your return trip or leave a few coins for them to my father. It is also possible to pay with credit card in the machine in the bus. The ticket cost 10 cents more.

c.                 Connections to and from Bratislava

Many of you either arrive from or are going to Prague, Budapest or Vienna, here is a list of ways to get to and from these cities. If you need any assistance arriving from other places, please contact me.

Train is the easiest way to get to and from Prague, Vienna and Budapest. The prices for single adult tickets to these cities from Bratislava are 16,50 eur (17,50 eur return) for Budapest (train every two hours), 13,90 eur-27,60 eur (27,80 eur - 38,10 eur return) for Prague (train every two hours) and 7 eur (14 eur return) for Vienna (trains run every hour). When coming from these cities to Bratislava, prices will not be the same, but should not vary significantly. Trains might run a bit differently on bank holidays so please check for up to date departure times for the specific day on the following link:  http://cp.atlas.sk/vlak/spojenie/

Train tickets from/to Vienna can be purchased directly on the train station, no need to book anything in advance. From the main train station in Vienna - Wien Hauptbahnhof, trains depart 16 min past each hour to “Bratislava Hlavna Stanica” and 45 min past every hour to “Bratislava Petrzalka”. Trains from Bratislava Hlavna Stanica to Vienna Hauptbahnhof  depart 38 minutes after each hour and from Petrzalka at 15 mins after each hour. The journey takes about one hour.

Train tickets  from/to Prague are better bought in advance as these are EC trains and there is a small chance that they will be sold out during busy periods of the year. You can book a ticket from Prague to Bratislava on http://www.cd.cz/en/  but to buy a ticket from Bratislava to Prague you will need to visit the ticket office at the main train station. Trains to Bratislava from Prague run every two hours after 7.21am and from Bratislava to Prague every two hours after 6.10am. The journey takes about 4 hours.

Train tickets from/to Budapest are better bought in advance as these are EC trains and there is a small chance that they will be sold out during busy periods of the year. Trains to Bratislava from Budapest run every two hours after 7.25 am and from Bratislava to Budapest run every two hours after 7.41am. The journey takes nearly 3 hours.

Travelling by train in Slovakia is also popular. Main route passes from Bratislava through Trnava, Piešťany, Trenčín, Žilina, Poprad - High Tatras, Spišská Nová Ves to Košice. EU citizens - students under 26 (if supplying requested confirmation in Slovak language) and retired person above 62 years - are allowed for zero-fare travel. More info about it - http://www.slovakrail.sk/en/zero-fare.html

Bus/coach connections are generally a bit cheaper than trains. There is no search engine (I know of) which contains all the international bus connections with up to date timetables. So try to look up the prices and times of the connection for your specific day on the website of every company.

Buses to/from Vienna are operated by Slovak lines, Regiojet an Blaguss.

Buses to/from Prague and to/from Budapest are operated by Slovak lines, Regiojet and FlixBus

A bit more expensive but an enjoyable way to travel between Bratislava and Vienna is a boat. This service does not run through the winter, for up to date timetable and prices check website of the two providers Lod and Twin City Liner

http://www.lod.sk/en/Default.aspx?CatID=38

http://www.twincityliner.com/web/index.php?lang=en

d.          Public transport

There are three different vehicles used for public transport in Bratislava – tram, bus and trolleybus (like normal bus but it uses electricity from overhead trolleys :). No underground metro yet nor in the near future. This transport is integrated, that means it does not matter which kind of vehicle you use, the tickets are valid for all vehicles alike.

You need to buy a ticket prior to entering a vehicle in a yellow/orange machine situated at most of the stops. Basic one costs 1,1 eur with which you can travel up to 30 minutes. For longer routes there is a 1,6 € ticket for a 60 minutes ride. Always have coins ready as the machine does not accept notes (as well as 1c and 2c coins) or bank cards.

You can pay the bus directly with a credit card in the machine in the bus.

When entering a vehicle, put your ticket in the red/orange box which will mark it, otherwise the ticket is not valid. Name of the next stop along with the final destination is shown on an overhead panel near the driver so try to sit somewhere to the front of the vehicle so you can see it clearly.

To plan your journey within the boundaries of Bratislava in advance, you can use a very good search engine by IMHD  (http://imhd.zoznam.sk/ba/journey-planner.html). Starting from apartment you can best use stops called “Kalvaria or Gorazdova” (minibus stops on request even directly in front of the house) , “Hroboňova” (located within 6-7 min walk near pedestrian bridge over Pražská/Brnenská street close to Gorazdova street)

e.                 Parking space, taxi service

As the apt. is situated in a residential area, you can park in the street or in the court nearby our house. Even two vans can fit there with no problem.

You can stop a taxi on the street (those with taxi lights off are available) although it is more usual to call an operator and order a taxi. I recommend Taxi Bratislava which you can order by phone on +421216300.

As anywhere in the world, some taxi drivers that you stop directly on the street are charging a premium to rich looking foreigners... Always ask the driver for a receipt before the ride. If everything is normal expect to pay for getting a taxi about 1-2€ basic charge and 1,2 eur for every kilometer.  So a journey from the bus station should cost you about 7-10€. Be aware that you are getting charged if a taxi waits for you. Charges at night or on a bank holiday are generally double. Taxis waiting at stations have usually double the normal rate than when you order yourself a taxi.

But I advise you shortly prior to your arrival to Bratislava to download the application Hopin Taxi or Bolt taxi for your smartphone.

2.         In the greenhouse

a.          Key policy and bedding

You will be given two keys. One of the key is from the street entrance and the other from the greenhouse entrance door. Usually, my father is in our nearby house or somewhere in the garden so the space should be more or less under control all day, when leaving, preferably lock the entrance doors to the greenhouse on key. During the night, it is advised to close the entrance door to the greenhouse by key as well and take the key out of the lock. It will also increase your security.

When leaving the apartment for the last time, me or my father will try to manage to be there personally to pick up the keys from you. Just knock on the entrance doors or the window in the courtyard of the house and somebody will meet you when checking out. If not, please just leave the keys in the doors from inside and close doors from outside.

Your fresh bedding is already on the bed with a towel for each of you. If more towels or new bedding are needed, you can ask for another one from my father in person or by a message sent to me. We will do our best to make them available for you as soon as possible.

b.         Cleanliness, rubbish and terrace

Please try to keep the apartment generally clean. If you spill something, please wipe it off. If you need some cleaning equipment, it can be found in the bathroom behind the shower box. Toilet paper is stored near the toilet as well.

Preferably, do not walk inside the greenhouse in your shoes outside, especially on wet days. Use provided slippers when walking inside the apartment. It will also make the environment cleaner for yourselves.

Usually it is me who empty your bin, but If the bin is full earlier than expected, please empty it in the garbage bin that is situated at the garage entrance path close to the street. New bin bags are stored in the cabinet in the bathroom.

c.          Cooking and breakfast

There is no real kitchen in and outside the greenhouse. There is black tea and instant coffee for your breakfast in the fridge, and there is a kettle available on the “breakfast corner” of your sleeping platform too. Propan-butan stove for your simple meals (pasta or so) is situated in the summer kitchenette outside the greenhouse. You are expected to clean used dishes after yourself.

d.         Heating and windows

There is a central heating in the greenhouse connected to the heating system in our standard house as well.

To get some fresh air you can open the 6 windows and 2 doors. For the night, please, lock at least the entrance doors to the greenhouse and sleep free and safely by all the windows open.

e.          Laundry

There is a 5 kg washing machine in our nearby house. If needed, we will be happy to wash and dry (outside in summer, on the radiators in colder days) your laundry for 3 € per load.

f.           Internet

Connect yourself to the internet through a wifi network. The network and password are written in the section Greenhouse Rules and it is printed on another paper you find in the greenhouse.

g.  Bratislava City Tax

        Airbnb guests pay the city tax directly through the system. Booking.com guests are supposed to pay the tourist occupancy tax (3,5 eur per person per night) at the time of check-in by cash.. (Please, do not forget to fill in the city tax form / guestbook flyer right after your arrival.  I am sorry, but we are not willing to pay a fine from 100 to 6000 euros if there is a control of it. Thank you for your comprehension. ;-)

3.         Away from the greenhouse

a.          Supermarkets, shopping malls, pharmacies

Names, description  and location on the map is directly on my listing or printed version is also available further.

Pharmacies are abundant in Slovakia. If you need any flu pills, painkillers (some are in the box in the kitchen) or anything else you can ask for them in English as most of the pharmacists will be able to help you also in this language.

 Culture of big shopping malls is very popular in Slovakia; if you really want to see these you have a great choice. The nearest one is Eurovea (https://eurovea.com/en/) with a nice promenade next to river Danube and Aupark (https://www.aupark-bratislava.sk/W/do/centre/pristup) is on the other side of Danube. In both of them 3-hours parking id free. Another a bit small is Central on “Trnavske myto” (http://central.sk/) or VIVO on Vajnorská street ( https://vivo-shopping.com/sk/bratislava )

b.         Restaurants, pubs and bars

Bratislava is quite a tourist orientated city so there are many nice restaurants and pubs. You can choose the ones in the historical part of Old Town, they have a nice charm but you will pay extra for this. All menus in this part of the city are in English and German and maybe some other language. Most of the restaurants outside this touristic center also have menus in English or personnel who will be able to speak English. Typical price for one good meal is about 8-13€.

During lunch time (usually 11am-2pm) you can go for a lunch deal which starts from 5-6€ and has two courses. You will find nearly all restaurants advertising their cheap lunch menus on small blackboards during the daytime.

 You would most likely want to have some traditional Slovak food, I recommend very stylish restaurant called Slovak pub (www.slovakpub.sk/kontakt/) on “Obchodna” street, the menu is really Slovakian, staff and prices are good and you can try well prepared Bryndzové halušky (Slovakian national dish) if you are adventurous enough. Another restaurant with gorgeous atmosphere is Vlajková loď (Flagship) on “Postova” street (www.bratislavskarestauracia.sk/kontakt) which offers goulash inside a bread loaf.  A restaurant called Bastion (https://www.bastion.sk/restaurant/contact-map/) on “Smrecianska” street offers old Bratislavian food. If you are looking for vegetarian cuisine you can try Govinda (https://www.govinda.sk/govinda-bratislava/kontakt) on “Obchodna 30”, or Veg Life (www.veglife.sk) on “Mickiewiczova 18”.

About the pubs/bars, everybody likes something different, so it would be best just to stroll in the town and find what suits you best. But anyway my very favorite is Funus (on “Prokopa Velkeho” street or Patrónsky pivovar (on “Brnianska” street). There is a good rock-styled pub Randal in the building of Y.M.C.A. on “Karpatska'' street.

There are no strict rules for tipping in Slovakia. When going to a restaurant for dinner, you might leave a small tip of 10% (1 or 2€). It would be too gracious to leave 5€ unless you are in a very posh restaurant. In bars, you might leave a tip, if you really want to, but if you are having just two beers, aim for a tip of about 50c or less (round to the closest 50 c or 1e)

c.          Useful info about Bratislava

Most people in Bratislava speak English, especially the younger generation. People on streets are very tolerant and nice so they will be happy to help you out with finding your way or advising you of their favorite restaurant or some other place. Many people (usually older generation) also speak German, but it is not common, feel free to try. The Russian language is also prominent because of the likeness to our language so that you can actually speak basic Russian to Slovakians and you will be able to understand but be aware that some words are false friends! The older generation can still speak Russian very well, because it was an obligatory language to learn during the communist era.

Most of the road crossings are equipped with traffic lights and people respect them when traffic is heavy. If there is no car near, it is custom to go on red if you are a pedestrian (not if you are a driver :). On some crossings, where cars turn left or right, it may happen that you have a green person on your pedestrian light but some cars which are turning are about to go through the crossing. This might seem chaotic, but you are the one who has the first right to go and in general you do not need to worry if the car stops at the crossing. But it is good to watch and check the situation on the street well.

You might want to have a look what Wikitravel guide says about Bratislava on http://wikitravel.org/en/Bratislava or to see an official Bratislava visitor site http://visit.bratislava.sk/en/

Emergency phone numbers are:  112 - Integrated emergency services, 150 - Firefighters,   155 – Ambulance , 158 - Police, 00421 907 706 104 –  myself

d.         My recommendations what to see

A must for anyone who is visiting Bratislava is our newly rebuilt Bratislava Castle. It is nice on its own, but for an entry of a few euros you can see some exhibitions, mainly on history but they vary throughout the year and you can also get into one of the turrets and enjoy a spectacular view. Next to the Castle is our Parliament so have a look at where Slovakian laws are made.

 Another must-do is to see the historical part of the Old Town, located around the apt. There are many museums and galleries, a cathedral, markets, pubs, restaurants, etc., everybody can find something that he or she fancies. Here is where to enjoy a range of nice Slovak beers, traditional Slovak cuisine, historical buildings, art on the street, so don’t forget to take a good stroll here :)

My favorite is a place called Slavín (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slavín). It is a memorial from the Second World War and it has a nice atmosphere with an excellent view over most of Bratislava. I recommend visiting it at sunset, especially if you are a couple. Sit down in a park and enjoy how everything around you is so relaxed…

Another dominant of Bratislava is TV tower Kamzík (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamzík_TV_Tower). You can get there by foot or by trolleybus number 44 which goes from “Hodzovo namestie” or “Búdková”. You will need to get off at the terminal stop “Koliba”(10-20 min depending on the starting point). Then walk for another kilometer up the hill to Kamzik or minibus nr. 144, check the google map to see exactly where to go but it is impossible to miss it. There is a bar and Veža restaurant in this TV tower. In one of them you can have a delicious lunch seeing not only all of Bratislava but also parts of Austria and Hungary (see restaurant links above). If you love action, you can try ropes courses (https://www.lanoland.sk/en) or bobsleigh courses in the vicinity (open summer only). There is also a chairlift connecting Kamzik Hill and area Zelezna studnicka (nearly 1 km long; driving from Thursday to Sunday). All these attractions are situated in the natural protected area “Malé Karpaty” where you can find many beautiful paths, highly recommended if you like nature and hiking. If nature is your favorite, you can also enjoy park called Sad Janka Kráľa, just go on the other side of bridge with UFO dish and turn left, or go for botanical gardens.

If you want to see something a bit away from the main city of Bratislava, you can spend half a day exploring the Slovak past in castle Devín or exploring very modern Slovakia in a contemporary art gallery Danubiana at “Cunovo”.

To get to Devin castle (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devín_Castle), you need to take bus number 28 or 29 from the stop “Most SNP”. If you take bus 29, just get off at the terminal stop, under the castle. In case you take bus 28, get off at stop “Devin” (request stop). From there just follow your eyes and enjoy this old castle at the confluence of rivers Danube and Morava.

Danubiana (https://danubiana.eu) is also situated on the Danube, more precisely on an artificial island at the start of the massive dam Gabčíkovo which is worth seeing by itself. How to get there? Take bus number 91 (driving every 20 minutes) from stop “Most SNP” under the bridge and after 29 min get off at a stop called “MiU Cunovo” (request stop). From here it is cca 3,5 km to the dam (use a map for orientation). For those interested in sports, there is also a Water Sports Complex with artificial water channels for water slalom in this area.

Have a nice stay in Bratislava,           

Erich Seemann