A First Time Guide to Slovakia
Slovakia is a fantastic holiday destination with beautiful scenery, great food and interesting attractions. The low cost of living also makes it a sensible choice in the current economic climate. From the High Tatras mountain range to Danube valley meadows, the landscape will not leave you disappointed. It is the sheer diversity of a Slovakian holiday which is the real selling point. Enjoy gastronomic delights in Bratislava, visit medieval towns and ski or hike in the mountains. Slovakia has so much to offer it would be impossible to fit it all into one trip so this article helps pick out the best attractions for your first visit.
Bratislava wears the scars of many Eastern European cities but there is much more to the city than meets the eye. In particular, the city is famous for its gourmet culture and has an astonishing array of international cuisine at a variety of prices. If you wish to splash out, Camouflage is an expensive but outstanding restaurant with original Andy Warhol pictures hanging on the war. The food and service are superb and delivered in sophisticated surroundings. Alternatively, the Modrá Hviezda will give you a taste of traditional local cuisine for a very reasonable price.
You could then get out of the city and head to Banská Štiavnica, a UNESCO-protected former mining town set in beautiful countryside. It is particularly worth visiting for the Holy Trinity Column, a daunting red marble structure. The “Clapper Tower” is also a popular attraction as it stems from the town’s mining history and gives a sense of its previous purpose. Banská Štiavnica’s background of the High Tatras provides a huge adrenaline rush and those who attempt the challenging hikes up the mountains are rewarded with awe inspiring views.
Slovakia can be easily reached by air, with most international visitors flying into Bratislava or Košice airports. If you are travelling from the continent, Slovakia also has reliable rail connections with Austria, Hungary, Poland and the Czech Republic, most of which terminate in Bratislava. For a more scenic route, you can take the hydrofoil and travel from Budapest or Vienna to Bratislava along the Danube. A key part of organising any holiday is travel insurance. In particular, if you plan to visit the mountain region for skiing, make sure you get a good deal on ski travel insurance.
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