Slovakia is all year round destination where you can spend marvelous time also in low season. In this article we will show it to you on the recent program of our clients who chose Slovakia History & Nature. The clients were from Barcelona, and they particularly liked the snow in November falling in the visited mountains.
Day 1: Arrival at Vienna airport
Arrival at Vienna airport, where the clients met the driver who was waiting them at arriving hall of Vienna airport. Vienna airport is located just 45 km, about 30 minutes from Bratislava city center. The clients chose 3* hotel alternative, and they were accommodated at Ibis Centrum Hotel Bratislava a lovely 3* hotel located below the Bratislava Castle. Overnight in Bratislava.
Day 2: Bratislava Grand City Tour
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. The clients had morning free time in Bratislava and at noon started their Bratislava Grand City Tour in Spanish. It is a comprehensive 3 hours tour, which contains of 1 hour panorama tour by car and 2 hours walking tour. We offer the tour in English, German, Spanish, French, Russian and Italian. After the tour the clients upon the guide Mr. Jozef tried traditional Slovakian plate “Bryndzove halusky” and traditional Slovakian beer Zlaty Bazant 73. After the tour and lunch they visited the Eurovea Shopping Mall which they liked thanks to beautiful riverside full of cafes and restaurants. Overnight in Bratislava.
Day 3: Bratislava - Zilina & Vratna Valley
Buffet breakfast and private transfer to Bratislava train station. Comfortable train from Bratislava to Zilina, the journey takes slightly above 2 hours. On the route to Zilina, the clients enjoyed beautiful view from train, above all on Beckov Castle and Trencin Castle. Arrival at Zilina Train Station prior midday and meeting with licensed Spanish speaking driver guide, who was waiting the clients on the platform. As it is out of the season, we flexibly adjusted the tour and instead of visit of Zilina city center, we went to beautiful Vratna Valley and took a funicular to Snilovske Peak. Even in the starting point of funicular Old Court was raining , at the top Snilovske Sedlo was a pure winter with snow fall. Even without any spectacular sights, due to snow fall the clients enjoyed really much the snow and freeze weather. On the route to Zilina, we visited also the church of St. Cyril & Method with Wooden Betlehem. Prior arrival in Zilina and check in at the hotel, stop for lunch in stunning hunting restaurant Diana, where the clients enjoyed the game goulash in beautiful ambience of the restaurant. Arrival in Zilina and accommodation at Hotel Majovey 3* located in Zilina’s city center. Overnight in Zilina, the 5th biggest city of Slovakia and important transportation knot and center of North – West Slovakia.
Day 4: Orava Castle - Demanovska Cave of Liberty - Vlkolinec
This day was almost completely changed to the original program, as the Orava wooden forrest railway does not work in low season. The Spanish speaking driver guide met the clients at the hotel at 08:15 am and they departed towards Orava Castle. Orava region is one of the most authentic regions of Slovakia, with one of the most beautiful and well preserved castles of Slovakia, the “Dracula Castle” Orava. In 1922 the first film about lord Dracula – Dracula from Nossferatu was filmed there. The clients really enjoyed the castle, although climbed 926 stairs :). Continue by comfortable highway to Liptovsky Mikulas and continue to the best Slovakian SKI Resort Jasna. Enjoy the snowing in ski resort and go to the most attractive Slovakian cave Demanovska Cave of Liberty. Above 1 hour walking tour thru the biggest Slovakian cave. Drive back to Liptovsky Mikulas and lunch break at traditional restaurant offering Slovakian cuisine – Salas Dechtare. After the lunch drive to Vlkolinec (UNESCO), the wooden village located in the mountains of Big Fatra National Park. The village is still inhabited. Return to Zilina, evening return to Hotel Majovey and overnight in Zilina.
Day 5: Cicmany - Bojnice - Rajecka Lesna - SPA Rajecke Teplice
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Meeting with Spanish speaking driver guide at 08:15 am at hotels reception. Drive to one of the most famous Slovakian villages Cicmany, famous thanks to 130 wooden houses painted by white ornaments. Stroll along the village, the highest village of Zilina’s region, which is not only famous thanks to wooden houses, but also thanks to beautiful nature. We have passed thru Rajecka Valley with Lietava Castle. Next stop was Bojnice castle, located close to the former mining city Bojnice. The Bojnice castle is similar to the French castles located on Loire river. The clients who were keen to visit the castles were amazed with this most romantic Slovakian castle. After the visit of the castle we tried traditional Slovakian spa’s cookies as Bojnice is also the spa town. Continue to Rajecka Lesna, where is located the factory producing Czechoslovakian Coca Cola – Kofola. During time of communism, in Czecho-Slovakia we did not have Coke, so we invented Kofola. Kofola is still popular in Slovakia, also the foreigners love it, as it has different taste than original coke. Rajecka Lesna is also famous Slovakian pilgrimage site with Slovakian wooden Betlehem, which shows landscape of Slovakia and the national custom and heritage. Continue to Spa Town Rajecke Teplice, where is possible to bath in SPA Aphrodite, which have healing hot mineral water and it is open all year round. The clients did not want to visit the SPA instead of this, we visited the local microbrewery where we had tasteful lunch with beer tasting. Return to Zilina and evening free time in the city.
Day 6: Zilina and return to Bratislava
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Check out from the hotel and meeting with Spanish speaking driver guide. Store the luggage at the car and start of the walking tour of Zilina. Visit of beautiful city center of Zilina with squared Holly Mary square, get know the Jewish heritage of the city. At the end we visited the Zilina castle with charming castle’s park. Drop off at Zilina train station and train back to Bratislava. Afternoon arrival at Bratislava Train Station, meeting with driver on platform of the train station and transfer to the hotel. Evening free time in Slovakian capital city. Overnight in Bratislava.
Day 7: Vienna Airport and Flight back to Spain
Rich buffet breakfast at the hotel. At scheduled time meeting with the driver and comfortable 40 min drive from the hotel to Vienna Airport. Flight back to Barcelona and end of our services.
As you can see Slovakia has a lot of to offer also in low season. Slovakia is still undiscovered touristic country, which has a lot of to offer it.
