A country with many faces

Slovakia is a holiday destination with many faces, where everyone is sure to feel at home. Slovakia is a country for nature lovers. 9 National Parks, with impressive rock massifs, deep gorges, and plenty of lakes, waterfalls, caves and ravines, make it a virtual paradise. The country is home to 12 accessible caves of all kinds. Most of these are dripstone caves, ice caves and the most special type, the aragonite cave (in Ochtine, with many needle-shaped crystals).

Slovakia is a country for cycling and hiking. There are more than 12,000 kilometers of marked and well-maintained mountain trails through varied country sides and 5,400 km of marked cycling routes which wind their way past rivers (also suitable for mountain bikers of all ages). Slovakia is a country for those who love water. There are 360 lakes, reservoirs and "beaches" here. You can also enjoy a variety of water sports in the 25 rivers and streams of Slovakia.

Slovakia is a country with nearly 1,500 thermal and mineral water sources, many with medicinal properties so you can be physically rejuvenated. This healing water is also used in 23 spas, often combined with sulfur, mud baths, medicinal gases, peat and a curative climate, where almost all diseases can be benefited. This thermal water also appears in 40 recreational facilities, some open year round.

Slovakia is a country with a temperate climate, with the typical change of the four seasons. The average temperature in winter is around -2 ° C and in summer 21 ° C. The coldest month is January; the warmest months are July and August. And for the seasoned skier it is important to know that some mountainous areas are covered with snow for 130 days per year.

That's why Slovakia is a country perfect for skiing, with more than 30 well-equipped ski areas. The runs are so good and the ski slopes are so well equipped and maintained, that the inhabitants of the surrounding countries love to come here to ski, cross-country ski and go snowboarding. Slovakia is a country full of cultural heritage. Two natural sites and four historic cultural sites are included on the list of UNESCO. Many picturesque historic towns, including several listed buildings, protected areas with folk architecture, 10 outdoor museums that provide a lively overview of the Slovak national building culture, all help make Slovakia a fascinating country. The (wooden) churches and chapels are also very interesting to see.

Slovakia is a country with a rich history that is reflected in the many estates and about 200 castles and fortresses, from ruins to well-preserved castle complexes, which form the setting for original events. There is a dense network of museums, art collections, technical monuments as well as many archaeological findings. Slovakia has a rich cultural life; there are regular performances by top artists and numerous festivals and exhibitions with significant foreign participation. The colorful folklore that differs greatly by region, the handmade products with high artistic value, the living culture of different ethnic groups and the original national cuisine will make your holiday stay in Slovakia an experience to remember.

Slovakia is a Member of the European Union, and you can pay in Euros. You can use most credit cards for cash withdrawals at ATMs of larger banks, and also to pay in many Slovak hotels, restaurants, large stores and service stations. Most stores are open from Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 6:00 p.m., and larger shopping centers to 9:00 p.m. On Saturdays shops close at 12:00 noon. Stores are also open on Saturdays and Sundays, usually until 5:00 pm. The TESCO hypermarkets (e.g. in Banská Bystrica, Bratislava, Košice, Nitra and Trnava) are open non-stop, so 24 hours a day…

Finally Slovakia is a very healthy country, but from an unexpected angle. You are required to use safety belts, even in urban areas. For driving, you should definitely not drink any alcohol (including beer)!

In urban areas the maximum allowable speed is 50 km per hour, outside the village 90 km per hour and on highways and motorways 130 km per hour. While driving, the driver is not to have anything in his hand that can take his attention away from driving: no phone, no bread, and no cigarette!

Slovakia is a country that many of us do not know, but is certainly worth exploring.