Slovakia
Slovakia, a mountainous landlocked country has its capital and largest city in Bratislava. Slovakia is a year round tourist destination. Spring times are the ideal time to visit Slovakia, as the days are warmer and consistently pleasant and also brings with many fun festivals. During autumn, the weather is usually clearer and there is a lot of weekend wine festivals. If you enjoy outdoor music festivals and hiking, summer is a great time to visit. Winters in Slovakia are great for snow sports too. Slovakia is home to 9 ethnic groups of the Slovaks, Hungarians, Romani, Czechs, Rusyns, Germans, Poles, Moravians and the Ukrainians. The majority of the Slovak people are Christians while the second-largest percentage of the people considers themselves as atheists. Its popular foods include: potato dumplings, potato pancakes, cabbage soup, and goulash soup. Slovak is the official language and Hungarian is spoken as a second language by the locals.
Slovakia has 3 international airports for easy and direct transit to and from the country. There are also domestic flights for transportation within Slovakia, however, it is generally easier and of better value to use the excellent bus and railway service for getting around the cities. The roads in Slovakia are in excellent conditions, the routes are scenic and perfect for a road trip. For intra city travels, you can use taxis, trains, car rentals or buses. If you enjoy cycling, Slovakia’s quiet roads are great of using your motorcycles and bicycles. Cycling is one of the best ways to see the sights in Slovakia, through rolling countryside, forests and lakesides. Slovakia is generally a safe country for travelers to visit. The crime rate is at a low but there are usual cases of petty crimes like pick pocketing in the main tourist areas, particularly the Christmas markets, night clubs and in bars.
Slovakia is home to broad, sprawling mountains, medieval monuments and cobblestone streets. It takes pride in its rich folklore and folk traditions, which is evident in its architecture, music, dances and unique heritage. There are several amazing folk festivals happening in the country every year, which is a great way to experience the culture of the people. The picturesque Krivao mountain village of Vychodna celebrates the Vychodna Folklore Festival, the largest of folk festivals in Slovakia. The ancient Boginice Castle hosts the International Festival of Ghosts and Monsters. If you are ever in the capital city of Brastislava, you should attend the Junifest, a 10 day beer festival and more than 300 music performances. There’s also the Kosice Music Spring Festival, the oldest and biggest music festival in Slovakia. The Grape Festival featuring 2 days of live music takes place in the spa town of Piestany.
Slovakia offers an alluring mix of tourist activities – from mountains to vineyards to rivers to breweries. If you are visiting Slovakia, you should spend your time exploring some of the country’s incredible treasures and build amazing experiences. Some of the fascinating attractions you should never miss, while in Slovakia include:
The Spis Castle : this is the largest fortified castle in Central Europe, dating back to the 12th Century. You can take in the view of its fascinating mix of architectural style or climb the ramparts of the castle.
Modra Vineyards : Modes is a small town with a wine making tradition, you can taste the best wine at its vineyards. You can also attend the annual Modra Wine Cellars Day, when many of the wine cellars organize a day-long wine tasting for visitors to enjoy.
Bojnice Zoo : which offers more than 350 animal species for visitors to observe.
Slovak Paradise National Park : This is a magical forested piece of land in the east of Slovakia, full of ravines, gorges, chasms, meadows and waterfalls. Devoted local hikers can enjoy refreshing walks through the narrow canyons and up the waterfalls, often with the help of wooden bridges, high ladders and iron chains.
Zoo Kontakt : home to more than 400 animals which will provide visitors with an unforgettable experience. It's an opportunity for visitors to get close with animals such as lions, bears, llamas, parrots, rabbits, and owls.
There are over 10,000 hotels and apartments to stay in Slovakia, so you will be spoiled for choice especially when in Bratislava.
