Round trip · Slovakia

7-day round trip through Slovakia

Itinerary

Seven days discovering the loveliest corners of the country

IVCO TRAVEL offers you an unforgettable and detailed round trip through diverse Slovakia. In 7 days you will discover the country piece by piece. Our popular route takes you to places foreign tourists rarely find on their own. In a short time you will get to know this small, little-known EU country with its friendly people, excellent wines and spirits, unique soups, dishes and desserts. For half board we eat and drink together in traditional restaurants. We travel to the Tatras — the smallest high mountains in the world — to Košice, European Capital of Culture 2013, to many UNESCO sites and wherever interesting events are taking place. The trip runs all year round, although we particularly recommend May/June or September/October. The minimum number of participants is four. You choose how to arrive: fly to Vienna (Schwechat) or Bratislava, or take the train to Vienna or Bratislava. You decide the length of your stay according to your interest in the round trip and a possible relaxing stay afterwards. When you arrive, we pick you up and the round trip begins. The arrival day is up to you.

Type

Round trip

Duration

7 days

Dates

By arrangement

Country

Slovakia

1DAY

Pick-up at Vienna/Bratislava airport. We continue into Slovakia, through Bratislava and the vineyards of the Little Carpathians to Červený Kameň Castle. Then a walking tour of the historic town of Trnava (known as Little Rome) with its many churches, two synagogues, Renaissance town tower and preserved town walls, the first university (founded in 1635) and the Museum of Western Slovakia in the historic Poor Clares’ convent — all beautifully restored. Overnight in Piešťany.

2DAY

After breakfast we drive to the regional capital Trenčín — the Roman inscription and the sights of the old town or the huge castle complex. In the afternoon we continue to the mountain village of Čičmany (unique wooden houses and folk costumes), followed by the huge wood carving of the Slovak Nativity Scene, a world rarity. Overnight in the spa town of Rajecké Teplice; in the evening, swimming at the Aphrodite thermal spa.

3DAY

After breakfast we drive to the High Tatras National Park, above the Low Tatras National Park. In the morning we visit the open-air museum of the Slovak village in Pribylina. The High Tatras with the 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). In the evening we drive to Poprad. Overnight in the Tatras.

4DAY

Have your cameras ready today! We set off for the nearby Spiš region. The Spiš area with the towns founded by the Zipser Germans — Levoča, Kežmarok, Spišská Nová Ves — and the mighty Spiš Castle (UNESCO World Heritage) are uniquely beautiful and firmly part of our programme. Overnight in the Tatras.

5DAY

Early in the morning we leave the Tatra peaks and drive to the East Slovak town of Bardejov — a UNESCO World Heritage Site. More than 30 valuable wooden churches of different denominations stand in the area, and we visit some of them. In the afternoon we drive via Prešov to Košice, the metropolis of eastern Slovakia. Overnight in Košice.

6DAY

In the morning we tour Košice (European Capital of Culture 2013). The country’s second-largest city enchants every visitor: St Elisabeth Cathedral captivates all the senses, as do many historic buildings such as the theatre with its chimes on the huge main square. A visit to the Aida patisserie is a must. In the afternoon we drive to Betliar (château tour); the château has received a Europa Nostra award. Overnight in the mining town of Banská Bystrica.

7DAY

After breakfast a wonderful drive through central Slovakia, stopping at the historic mining towns of Banská Bystrica, Zvolen and Banská Štiavnica (UNESCO World Heritage). We continue to Bratislava or, if you wish, to Vienna or Budapest, where we say goodbye. Or you extend your stay in Piešťany.