Slovakia, the Natural Jewel

ABOUT THE DESTINATION: Vienna, the capital of Austria, is a city where imperial history and contemporary culture blend seamlessly. Grand boulevards, elegant palaces, and ornate coffeehouses create an atmosphere of old-world charm, while vibrant neighborhoods, modern museums, and a thriving creative scene keep the city firmly in the present. From the Ringstrasse lined with monumental buildings to cozy side streets filled with local shops and bakeries, Vienna invites you to explore at a leisurely pace. No visit is complete without discovering Vienna’s imperial heritage. Start at Schönbrunn Palace, the former summer residence of the Habsburgs, with its lavish interiors and expansive gardens. In the city center, the Hofburg complex houses the Imperial Apartments, the Sisi Museum, and the Spanish Riding School, where you can watch the famous Lipizzaner stallions. Nearby, St. Stephen’s Cathedral rises above the old town, offering panoramic views from its tower over the rooftops and the Danube. Vienna is equally renowned for its cultural life and music. The city was home to Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss, and you can still feel that legacy in venues like the Vienna State Opera and the Musikverein, where classical concerts are held almost every night. Art lovers should head to the MuseumsQuartier to explore the Leopold Museum and the MUMOK, or visit the Kunsthistorisches Museum for one of Europe’s finest collections of Old Masters. In between sights, relax in a traditional coffeehouse, sipping a Melange and tasting a slice of Sachertorte. Beyond the monuments, Vienna is a city of green spaces and relaxed living. Walk or cycle along the Danube Canal, picnic in the Prater park beneath the iconic Giant Ferris Wheel, or take a short tram ride to the vineyards on the city’s outskirts for a glass of local wine at a Heuriger (wine tavern). Efficient public transport, safe streets, and a compact center make it easy to explore, whether you have a weekend or a week. Vienna’s mix of history, culture, and laid-back charm makes it a rewarding destination in any season.

ABOUT THE DESTINATION: Halfway between East and West, North and South of Europe, Bratislava is in a crossroad, bordering Austria and Hungary. It is a beautiful old city, lovely and warm, and its tranquility contrasts with the busy and active life of the present inhabitants. Surrounded by a pastoral landscape of vineyards and historic castles, occupying both banks of the River Danube, Bratislava gives a sense of time travelling. Bratislava has a delightful medieval quarter, Stare Mesto, with small and narrow streets, a castle on top of a hill near the Danube and many castles and ancient churches to explore. The old town consists of two squares, Hlavne namestie , Main Square and Hviezdoslav Square, named after the famous Slovak poet. Communist buildings that stretch endlessly along the river speak of the country’s pre-incorporation into the European Union in 2004. Since then the city has rose in fame for cultural tourism as well as becoming a thriving business centre. Visitors to Bratislava will find an ever-increasing choice of plush accommodation and a plethora of chic bars and restaurants, as well as the chance to visit its great offer of museums, galleries and modern art spaces. And when you’ve had your fill of exploring the city itself, it’s easy to escape from the hustle and bustle to walk, cycle or picnic in the forested hills that surround it – or to discover some of the many vineyards and castles of the surrounding region.

ABOUT THE DESTINATION: The oldest of our protected areas, the National Park of Tatras (TANAP) in the north of Slovakia, was founded in 1949. It covers the high-mountain area of the Tatras and it is the unique protected area of flora and fauna among the tallest European high mountains situated north of the Alps. The National Park of High Tatras was established as the first of its kind in Slovakia. Five years later the Polish side of the Tatras won a similar statute. Along with its Polish part, the High Tatras constitute the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 1993. The administrative headquarters of the National Park is located in Tatranská Lomnica. The TANAP contains mountain and high-mountain plants such as dwarf pine, pine woods and a wonderful flora. Rare animal species such as the eagle, bear, or marmot live here as well. The chamois is the symbol of Tatras. It is one of the most precious species, as it developed in isolation since the glacial age. This is the reason why it differs from its relatives living in the Alps or Apennines. Its protection is extremely strict because only 1000 animals survive at present. The tallest mountain of Slovakia is one of the peaks of the High Tatras - Gerlachovský štít (2,655 m). Symbol of the country though is the mountain Kriváň. The Park contains more than 100 alpine lakes and several waterfalls. The biggest and deepest lake of the Tatras is the Veľké Hincovo pleso, while the one situated highest is the lake Modré pleso (2,192 metres above sea level). The most visited lakes are the Štrbské pleso and Popradské pleso. The only cave open to public in the TANAP is the Belianska jaskyňa. For the sake of security, the hiking paths in the high-mountain levels of the TANAP are closed from 1 November to 15 June. Visitors accompanied by mountain guides are allowed to divert or abandon officially marked hiking routes only between 16 June and 31 October. The Museum of TANAP in Tatranská Lomnica founded in 1957 provides exhausting information about TANAP and its inhabitants. In fact, it is the best source of information before one visits the mountains, as it offers the natural and overall history of the place. Among the best localities to choose for access to the TANAP is the town Poprad and the tourist resorts Starý Smokovec, Tatranská Lomnica, Štrbské pleso (the highest situated tourist resort). The mountain ranges of Západné Tatry - Roháče are best accessible from tourist centre Zuberec.

ABOUT THE DESTINATION: Nitra is a city in western Slovakia, situated at the foot of Zobor Mountain in the valley of the river Nitra. With a population of about 76,655 it is the sixth-largest city in Slovakia. Nitra is also one of the oldest cities in Slovakia; it was the political center of the Principality of Nitra. Today, it is a seat of a kraj (Nitra Region) and an okres (Nitra District).

ABOUT THE DESTINATION: Halfway between East and West, North and South of Europe, Bratislava is in a crossroad, bordering Austria and Hungary. It is a beautiful old city, lovely and warm, and its tranquility contrasts with the busy and active life of the present inhabitants. Surrounded by a pastoral landscape of vineyards and historic castles, occupying both banks of the River Danube, Bratislava gives a sense of time travelling. Bratislava has a delightful medieval quarter, Stare Mesto, with small and narrow streets, a castle on top of a hill near the Danube and many castles and ancient churches to explore. The old town consists of two squares, Hlavne namestie , Main Square and Hviezdoslav Square, named after the famous Slovak poet. Communist buildings that stretch endlessly along the river speak of the country’s pre-incorporation into the European Union in 2004. Since then the city has rose in fame for cultural tourism as well as becoming a thriving business centre. Visitors to Bratislava will find an ever-increasing choice of plush accommodation and a plethora of chic bars and restaurants, as well as the chance to visit its great offer of museums, galleries and modern art spaces. And when you’ve had your fill of exploring the city itself, it’s easy to escape from the hustle and bustle to walk, cycle or picnic in the forested hills that surround it – or to discover some of the many vineyards and castles of the surrounding region.

ABOUT THE DESTINATION: Vienna, the capital of Austria, is a city where imperial history and contemporary culture blend seamlessly. Grand boulevards, elegant palaces, and ornate coffeehouses create an atmosphere of old-world charm, while vibrant neighborhoods, modern museums, and a thriving creative scene keep the city firmly in the present. From the Ringstrasse lined with monumental buildings to cozy side streets filled with local shops and bakeries, Vienna invites you to explore at a leisurely pace. No visit is complete without discovering Vienna’s imperial heritage. Start at Schönbrunn Palace, the former summer residence of the Habsburgs, with its lavish interiors and expansive gardens. In the city center, the Hofburg complex houses the Imperial Apartments, the Sisi Museum, and the Spanish Riding School, where you can watch the famous Lipizzaner stallions. Nearby, St. Stephen’s Cathedral rises above the old town, offering panoramic views from its tower over the rooftops and the Danube. Vienna is equally renowned for its cultural life and music. The city was home to Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss, and you can still feel that legacy in venues like the Vienna State Opera and the Musikverein, where classical concerts are held almost every night. Art lovers should head to the MuseumsQuartier to explore the Leopold Museum and the MUMOK, or visit the Kunsthistorisches Museum for one of Europe’s finest collections of Old Masters. In between sights, relax in a traditional coffeehouse, sipping a Melange and tasting a slice of Sachertorte. Beyond the monuments, Vienna is a city of green spaces and relaxed living. Walk or cycle along the Danube Canal, picnic in the Prater park beneath the iconic Giant Ferris Wheel, or take a short tram ride to the vineyards on the city’s outskirts for a glass of local wine at a Heuriger (wine tavern). Efficient public transport, safe streets, and a compact center make it easy to explore, whether you have a weekend or a week. Vienna’s mix of history, culture, and laid-back charm makes it a rewarding destination in any season.