10-day round trip through Slovakia

Arrival in Slovakia and sightseeing in the capital Bratislava. We drive up to Bratislava Castle, visit the Museum of Carpathian Germans and stroll through the old town with its historic palaces and churches. In season (May to September) we take a boat on the Danube to the confluence of the Morava and the Danube at Devín Castle. Then along the Little Carpathians to Piešťany. Overnight in Piešťany.

Sightseeing in Piešťany, the most famous spa town (guided tour of the Spa Island and the park). In the afternoon we cross the Little Carpathians to Červený Kameň Castle. After touring its rich collections we drive to the regional capital Trnava (known as Little Rome) — the fortified historic town with many churches, two newly renovated synagogues, the first university (founded in 1635) and the Museum of Western Slovakia in the historic Poor Clares’ convent. Overnight in Piešťany.

After breakfast we head up the Váh valley to the regional capital Trenčín — the Roman inscription Laugaricio and the old town with its town gate. We continue to the mountain village of Čičmany, with its uniquely painted wooden houses and folk costumes in the museum. Highlights of the day are the Slovak Nativity Scene (a huge wooden depiction of Slovakia) and the thermal spa in Rajecké Teplice. Time permitting, an easy hike in the Malá Fatra National Park to the gorge with waterfalls. Overnight in Terchová.

Through mountainous northern Slovakia we travel to the open-air museum in Pribylina below the granite peaks of the Western Tatras. The High Tatras National Park with its three best-known resorts Štrbské Pleso (1,346 m), Starý Smokovec and Tatranská Lomnica are our destinations for the day. In fine weather we take the funicular in Starý Smokovec and hike to the waterfalls in the Veľká Studená dolina valley, or the cable car from Tatranská Lomnica to Skalnaté pleso (1,754 m). Overnight in the Tatras.

A day for the Spiš region. The Spiš area with the towns founded by the Zipser Germans — Levoča, Kežmarok, Spišská Nová Ves — and Spiš Castle are uniquely beautiful and firmly part of our programme. The wooden Lutheran church in Kežmarok (UNESCO) and its old town, the mighty Spiš Castle (UNESCO) and the old town hall and church with Master Paul’s altar in Levoča make this an unforgettable day. Swimming at the Vrbov thermal park. Overnight in the Tatras.

A lovely drive past Stará Ľubovňa Castle to the spa town of Bardejov — a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its historic old town has preserved town walls and a complete centre with the town hall and the Gothic Basilica of St Giles with Master Paul’s altar of St Barbara. In the surrounding area we discover Slovak wooden churches of different denominations — an experience for a lifetime and our insider tip on this round trip. An evening in Košice, European Capital of Culture 2013: the country’s second-largest city enchants every visitor, with the huge main square and the Gothic St Elisabeth Cathedral, countless historic buildings and museums and the chimes in the old town… Overnight in Košice.

In the morning we explore Košice once more. Then we drive towards the old mining town of Rožňava to Betliar (château tour) — its rich collection of historic interiors and the library are a must. We continue into the Slovak Ore Mountains to visit the Ochtiná Aragonite Cave (UNESCO), a world rarity. Magnificent landscapes of the Slovak Ore Mountains and the Low Tatras National Park line the route. Overnight in the countryside of the Low Tatras.

After breakfast a wonderful drive through the Low Tatras. The historic mining town of Banská Bystrica is marked by many old and modern buildings; it was the centre of the Slovak National Uprising in 1944. A mighty main square with the town castle and an impressive museum with a large open-air exhibition tell the stories of the Second World War. Next comes another UNESCO town, Banská Štiavnica — a day that delights lovers of colourful minerals and mining history; the silver and gold mines of Štiavnica still attract many collectors today. Overnight in the Štiavnica Mountains at the spa of Sklené Teplice with its unique thermal bath in a stalactite cave — the famous poet J. W. Goethe was also a guest here.

After breakfast we drive to Bojnice, home to the most beautiful romantic castle in Slovakia with a falconry and a zoo — a must on this trip, with the option of bathing in the healing water of the Bojnice spa. From Bojnice the road takes us to Topoľčianky: a short visit to the château park and the national stud farm. The wines of Chateau Topoľčianky convince every wine lover of the great successes of Slovak winemakers in recent years. The European bison reserve lies near Topoľčianky — if we still have the energy, we will go there. We continue to Nitra, the town of Saints Cyril and Methodius, which holds a special place in Slovak history as the first residence of Slavic rulers in the 9th century. Overnight in Nitra.

On the last day the road leads south from the mountains to Komárno on the Danube, where the Habsburg rulers built the largest fortress against the Turks. Across the Danube plain we reach the Gabčíkovo reservoir, and just before Bratislava lies the Danubiana gallery. We continue to Bratislava or, if you wish, to Vienna or Budapest, where we say goodbye. Or you extend your stay in Piešťany.