Slovakia surprises with mountain resorts, thousand-year-old caves and dozens of medieval castles – haunted, of course. This small country is definitely worth visiting at least once in your life. The Slovak capital Bratislava is known to most by the old comedy Eurotour. Arriving in the country, the heroes of the film lament: “Lord, help us: we are in Eastern Europe,” and then they lived like millionaires – dinner with a change of dishes, spa, fun in a nightclub – all this for 1 dollar 87 cents. However, prices in Bratislava, although are not so low. By the way, the scriptwriter Jeff Schaeffer later admitted that he had never been to Bratislava.
Shoot from medieval weapons
The largest castle in Slovakia and one of the largest in Europe, the Spiš Castle, hang on top of 200-meter dolomite rock. Behind its stone walls there are dozens of rooms and hundreds of back streets that have seen several generations of Hungarian kings.
At the local museum of medieval weapons and armor, you will find yourself on a costume tour with alchemists, knights and princesses. And in the lower courtyard you can even shoot from old guns. Be sure to climb the tower of Spiš Castle: although the wind knocks down, the panorama of the picturesque mountains and villages is worth it.
Go to heaven
Impenetrable canyons and ice caves, fast streams and cool waterfalls – this is how paradise looks, according to the Slovaks. Wear durable waterproof hiking boots, choose your strength path and go straight to Slovak Paradise. “When you find yourself in this breathtaking place you immediately think about famous Guns `n` roses song “Welcome to the paradise city” because it seems like the best place on the Earth”, says William Bolton, a travel writer from PaperLeaf.
The beauty here is such that it is easy to lose track of kilometres traveled. Go narrow paths, climb the tops of waterfalls, go directly along the channels of mountain rivers. Romantics should definitely take a picture against the backdrop of the 70-meter Zavojovy waterfall. And those who like to tickle their nerves will be interested to go down to the Dobinska ice cave – a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Become a caveman for half an hour
The nature of Slovakia is generous with miracles, and the most impressive of them are hidden underground. Researchers were not too lazy to study all the caves found – stone, ice, aragonite – and counted about 4000. True, only thirteen are open for visiting. Dress warmly, choose a cave to taste and go explore the kingdom of Hades.
Domica Cave looks like an underground palace with elaborate halls, five kilometres of corridors and even its own river Styx, which is great to sail on a boat, admiring the fantastic vaults. From Gombasetska cave you will bring stunning photos of stalactite droppers – tiny stone threads up to three meters long. And if at some moment it seems that all the caves are similar, the only aragonite cave in Europe, “overgrown” with cave flowers, will dissuade you.
Find the ghost
Bojnice Castle owes the fabulous beauty to one French aristocrat: she promised its owner Jan Frantisek Palfi, who was deeply in love with her, her hand and heart if he rebuilds the citadel in the French style. Inspired by the bridegroom so carried away that he devoted reconstruction for more than twenty years. During this time, the beautiful woman managed to marry another. Since then, the sad shadow of the owner of the castle has been hanging in luxurious interiors among carved antique furniture, idyllic tapestries and royal portraits.
Conquer the mountain slopes
The main advantages of Slovak ski resorts are a long season from the beginning of December to the end of April, a variety of terrain and a mild climate. If you ride from childhood and do not think of descent without a whistle in your ears, go to Yasna. There is almost 50 km of ski slopes, 5 areas for freeriding and a snow park for fans to tickle your nerves.
If you recently embarked on board, are going on vacation with children, or there is just enough adrenaline at work, choose Stary-Smokovec. There are gentle slopes, a ski school for children and adults and the most fun is the 2.5 km long toboggan run. And lovers will not only ride but also heal, like the resort of Vysne Ruzbachy, famous throughout Europe for its 14 healing thermal springs. “This place heals your soul, not only your body”, says Ivy Serah, a travel blogger from EssayYoda.
Take a selfie above the clouds
While you are at the foot, the peak of Lomnický štít seems unattainable. Only serious climbers can conquer it, but there is a cable car for tricks and sloths. A three-stage lift on the funicular will take half an hour, and now you are already above the clouds.
The weather above changes instantly: once – and the peak is clouded by fog, and after a couple of minutes, a dizzying view of the Tatra Mountains has opened. If you get cold, warm yourself in a small cafe “Dedo” right on top, there you will have time to put your sky-high selfie on Instagram.
Take a whole bag of souvenirs for family and friends
For souvenirs, bring the largest and strongest bag with you to Slovakia: in the picturesque foothills of the Tatras, they know how to warm themselves in winter and how to make life more beautiful. For friends, buy a couple of colored ceramic beer mugs from the town of Modra near Bratislava, and for mom and girlfriends grab pulp – painted with onions and made of porcelain.
If you are indifferent to folk crafts, pay attention to the elegant Slovak crystal: it is not a shame to give it to the chef. Do not forget about local fruit tinctures: raspberry, pear, plum, or apple trees increase the degree of comfort in any weather. And if there is still space in the bag, bring Fujara, an authentic wooden flute with an enchanting low sound, home. These can be found only in Slovakia!
Take a ride on the Orava Forest Railway
The Orava Forest Railway seems like a toy, but once it breathed life into a whole region. Today, it’s not a forest, but tourists. Traveling on an 11-seater trolley or in a panoramic car will take a little more than an hour, including climbing to the observation deck. But there will be enough impressions at any time of the year: even in winter, a trip through a snowy valley will be magical if you dress warmer.
Some facts about Slovakia
Delicious Slovak (Czech) beer is brewed in Slovakia. For tasty and cheap Czech beer, it is customary to go to crowded Prague, but it can easily be found in Bratislava. After the collapse of Czechoslovakia into two states, several excellent factories and small breweries remained in Slovakia. For example, the famous Zlaty Bažant.
Slovakia is a very inexpensive country. Despite the transition to the euro, prices in Slovakia remain significantly lower than in neighboring Hungary and Austria, except perhaps the Czech Republic. However, in the season when hundreds of thousands of tourists travel last, the cost of everything in the Czech Republic grows significantly, but not in Bratislava. In addition, you can get here very cheaply with Ryanair or Wizz Air flights. Tickets start at $ 15 one way.
Slovakia has delicious national cuisine (and drinks). The main Slovak word that needs to be learned is Borovichka. The strength of this traditional drink, obtained by triple distillation, is from 37 to 55 degrees. Grain alcohol for her insists on the berries of juniper, so that to the taste of borovichka remotely resembles gin. Among other dishes that are indispensable for tasting, it is worth noting lard with cracklings, garlic vole, dumplings and Skalitsky trdelnik.
One of the most unusual hotels in Europe is located in Bratislava. If Gaudi or Hundertwasser saw the building of the Galeria Hotel in the Slovak capital, they would surely be furious. The authors of the building, clearly inspired by the work of these great masters, rethought their heritage and built the Galeria, it turned out strange. By the way, the prices for accommodation here are quite fair – from 30 euros per day.
The city of Kosice is the cultural capital of Europe in 2013. There are many monuments of architecture and culture, the construction of some dates back to the XII century. You should definitely pay attention to the St Elizabeth’s Cathedral (Dom Svatej Alzbety), which took its modern look by the beginning of the 16th century, and the one-nave church of St. Michael the Archangel, founded in the 14th century.
Jennifer Broflowski young travel blogger, who has visited a lot of countries and is really passionate about castles and ancient legends. In her time free from traveling she also gives advice on how to write a perfect resume, as she has been working for business center for 2 years. Jennifer likes to tell about her experience and helps people to be closer to their dreams.