Custom Slovakia

Slovakia (49,035 km², 5.4 million inhabitants, 1993 independence « Velvet Divorce » with Czechia, EU member 2004, eurozone 2009, Schengen 2007) is one of Central Europe's most authentic countries. 8 UNESCO sites including SPIŠ CASTLE (UNESCO 1993, one of Central Europe's largest castles 4 hectares, 12th-17th c.), BANSKÁ ŠTIAVNICA (UNESCO 1993, medieval silver mining town, one of Slovakia's most beautiful), VLKOLÍNEC (UNESCO 1993, rural wooden village 45 preserved houses), SLOVAK KARST CAVES (UNESCO 2000, 1,200 caves including Domica + Dobšinská with permanent ice stalactites). HIGH TATRAS (Tatry, 2,655 m Gerlachovský štít summit — Carpathian highest point, national park, 25 km length, Štrbské Pleso ski). BRATISLAVA (440,000 inhab., Danube capital) with restored 2008 royal castle, baroque old town, 70 km from Vienna (closest capital-to-capital pair in world after Cairo-Jerusalem). KOŠICE (240,000 inhab., 2nd city, 2013 European culture capital). Slovak cuisine: bryndzové halušky (sheep cheese pasta, national dish), kapustnica (sauerkraut soup), borovička (Slovak gin). Slovak Tokaj wines (Hungarian Tokaj continuation). We design your Bratislava + High Tatras + Spiš trip guided by French-speaking Slovaks.

Highlights

• Bratislava Danube capital — 440,000 inhab., 2008 restored royal castle, baroque old town, 70 km Vienna (closest capitals after Cairo-Jerusalem). UFO Bridge panorama.
• High Tatras 2,655 m Carpathian peak — Tatry national park, 2,655 m Gerlachovský štít Carpathian summit, Štrbské Pleso alpine lake (winter ski, summer hiking), Lomnický štít funicular.
• UNESCO Spiš Castle 1993 — One of Central Europe's largest castles (4 ha 12th-17th c.), perched on 200 m limestone hill, photogenic partial ruins.
• UNESCO Banská Štiavnica 1993 silver mines — 13th-c.-founded medieval silver mining town, one of Slovakia's most beautiful, baroque calvary, visitable mines.
• Bryndzové halušky + Slovak Tokaj — National dish sheep cheese bryndza + bacon pasta, Slovak Tokaj wines (UNESCO Hungarian Tokaj continuation).
• Czechia/Austria/Hungary combos — Slovakia + Czechia (Bratislava-Prague 4h train), + Austria (Vienna 1h!), + Hungary (Budapest 2h30), + Poland (Krakow 4h via Tatras).

Frequently asked questions

How many days?

Essential Slovakia: 6 nights. With Banská Štiavnica + Košice: 9 nights. Vienna/Prague/Budapest combo: 10-12 nights.

High Tatras when?

Summer (June-September) hikes + ascents, winter (Dec-March) Štrbské ski. May and October intermediate (magnificent landscapes, moderate crowds).

Bratislava or Vienna base?

Vienna better for flights (Air France direct), 1h car Bratislava. Bratislava more authentic, cheaper, ideal base to explore Slovakia.

What budget for 6 nights?

Comfort: €1,890-2,200/person. Premium (Marrol's + Kempinski Tatras): €2,800-3,500.

Visa?

No for French/Europeans (EU 2004, Schengen 2007). ID card or passport.