10 days around Slovakia

IVCO TRAVEL offers you an unforgettable and detailed exploration of Slovakia. During 10 days we will discover step by step this small but beautiful country in the heart of Europe. We will meet its friendly inhabitants, taste top wines from various regions, be intoxicated by Demänovka or borovička, discover wonderful soups, great Slovak specialties and desserts. Half board is usually enjoyed in typical Slovak restaurants. The journey will take us to the beautiful Tatras, to the metropolis of the East - Košice, places on the UNESCO list and locations where something interesting takes place during the season. We run this round trip all year round, although we recommend a date in May/June or September/October. There must be at least four participants, a group of 8 is ideal and verified. If you are coming from abroad, choose the date according to your ideal connection, or according to where you will board in Slovakia. Even many Slovaks, apart from foreigners, are very surprised at how many beautiful places are hidden in Slovakia.

PRICE: €999/person, minimum 4 persons

Year-round

Included:

Pick up at the airport in Vienna/ Bratislava/ Budapest/ Prague

10 days transport by minibus or car

9 x accommodation in a 2-bed room with half board

1 x entrance to the museum per day

Guide

1. day

Arrival in Slovakia. Sightseeing tour of the capital Bratislava. The main landmark is the Bratislava Castle with its baroque gardens. Tour of the old town with Michael's Gate, the old town hall, the archbishop's palace and the main square with Roland's fountain. During the season, a boat cruise on the Danube. In the evening drive through the Malokarpatska wine route to Piešťany. Accommodation in Piešťany.

2. day

A tour of the most important spa town and the Balneological Museum with an exposition of the history and traditions of spa treatment. In the afternoon we will visit the Červený Kameň Castle with its rich collection of historical furniture, paintings and weapons. On the way back, we will stop in the city of Trnava. The city has many churches, a city tower, two synagogues, a town hall, city walls, the West Slovak Museum and many cafes and restaurants. Accommodation in Piešťany.

3. day

After breakfast, the road along Váh will take us to Trenčín. The northernmost Roman inscription (military camp Laugaritio) is hidden in the city. The majestic castle above the city enchants every visitor. After refreshments at the local brewery, we head towards the village of Čičmany. Picturesque wooden houses with ornamental decoration are hidden in the mountains of Strážovské vrchy (visit the museum of costumes and traditions). A short distance from there is the world's unique – Slovak Bethlehem, carved out of wood. In the spa town of Rajecké Teplice, we will draw new strength for today and possible inspiration for a stay in these spas in the future. We continue to the Malá Fatra National Park, where we will take an easy hike into the gorge. Accommodation in the village of Terchová.

4. day

We will reach the Slovak Village Museum in Pribylin through the Carpathian mountain chains. A tour of individual buildings of the original architecture of Liptov and the possibility of buying original souvenirs. In the afternoon, we will go for a walk to Štrbské pleso, we will go to Starý Smokovec, where there is a cable car. Here we have a choice of a hike to the Studenovodské waterfalls or a cable car ride to Skalnaté pleso from Tatranská Lomnica. In the evening we will visit Poprad with its beautiful pedestrian zone and many cafes and restaurants. Accommodation in the Tatras.

5. day

This day we are intensively dedicated to the Spiš region. Many destinations of this day are included in the UNESCO list - Spiš Castle and Levoča. In addition, we will also visit the historic town of Kežmarok (UNESCO wooden articular church) and Spišská Nová Ves. In good weather, the possibility of swimming in the Vrbov thermal swimming pool with a view of the majestic Tatra peaks. Accommodation as the previous night in the Tatras.

6. day

After breakfast, we will head towards Zamagurie, pass under the Ľubovnian castle and discover the magical city of Bardejov (UNESCO) - a tour of the city and monuments. There are several wooden churches (UNESCO) in the vicinity of the historic town of Bardejov. We will visit two of them, e.g. Hervartov. Then we will go through Prešov towards Košice. Accommodation and an evening tour of the city will surely excite you. The musical fountain by the theater will be a farewell to this day.

7. day

In the morning, let's take a tour of Košice (European Capital of Culture in 2013). The huge number of monuments of the second largest city in Slovakia will captivate you. Above all, the completely renovated Gothic Cathedral of St. Elizabeth will take your breath away, as will other historical buildings on one of the largest squares in Europe. In the afternoon we will go to Betliar manor. The completely preserved facility and hunting collection made it possible to win the Europa Nostra prize for original preserved historical heritage. The next stop will be the Ochtinská Aragonite Cave (UNESCO). It is unique among caves in the world. Accommodation in the Low Tatras National Park.

8. day

After breakfast, the road will take us from the Low Tatras to the town of Banská Bystrica. This ancient mining town became the center of the Slovak National Uprising in 1944. A tour of the museum of the eventful period of the Second World War as well as a walking tour of the original town castle and the main square will allow us to understand part of the history of Slovaks and Slovakia. In the afternoon we will move through the town of Zvolen to the historical town of Banská Štiavnica (UNESCO). A tour of the Banské Museum in nature or a tour of the largest mineralogical collection in Slovakia will surely enchant you. The whole city has a beautiful relief with the Old Castle, the New Castle, the knocker, or the calvary. In the evening, drive to the spa town of Sklené Teplice (possibility of bathing in a cave bath with thermal water). Accommodation.

9. day

After breakfast, we will leave Štiavnické vrchy and discover the most beautiful castle in Slovakia - Bojnice. In the spa town there is a zoo, a craft yard, a dinosaur park and many cafes and restaurants. After the tour, we will head towards Topoľčianok. Here we will see the national stud farm, or the winery Chateau Topoľčianky or relax in the courtyard of the castle. If we still find enough strength, we will go to see Europe's largest animals - bison. From there it is only a short hop to the city of Nitra. The seat of the kings of the ancient Slavs and the place of work of St. Cyril and Methodius, patrons of Europe, will allow us to discover the history of Slovaks. In the 9th century, Christianity began to spread in the territory of Central Europe through the activities of these two believers. However, the city of Nitra also enchants us with its sophistication and specialties. Accommodation.

10. day

On the last day we will go to the south of Slovakia. In the town of Hurbanovo there is a Zlatý phazant brewery, which we can taste. The goal is the city of Komárno, which is home to the largest fortress from the period of the Turkish wars in Central Europe. After the tour, we will visit the Courtyard of Europe, which symbolizes the unification of Europe after the fall of communism. Along the Danube, we will head towards the Danubiana gallery, which is located next to the huge Gabčíkovo dam. After a tour of modern art, we will say goodbye to Slovakia. We will end the trip in Bratislava. Or in another city (according to your wish).