Spectacular Slovakia

Bratislava-based Teheran-born comedian Nastaran "Nasi" Alaghmandan Motlagh, who will host events at the upcoming fjúžn festival in Bratislava, is the latest guest on the Spectacular Slovakia podcast.

In the final episode of this summer series, we will immerse ourselves in exploring Žilina, rafting the Váh river, and hiking some of the most beautiful peaks in Slovakia. Presenter: Peter Dlhopolec Guests: Ivan the rafter, David Cartwright, Róbert Hlaváč

A Dutch couple always wanted to have their own farm. What is impossible in the Netherlands, they accomplished near Krupina.

In addition to a spa town and a Marian pilgrimage site, the quaint Čičmany village can be found in the Rajec region. Presenter: Peter Dlhopolec Guests: Jean Gâteau, Juraj Kudjak

The region is known for Orava Castle. But have you gone on a cruise in Námestovo or tasted some scrumptious ice cream in Dolný Kubín? Presenter: Peter Dlhopolec Guest: Vladimír Klocok, Tamari Mikatsadze, Tatia Basilaia, Jozef Ferenčík

The Kysuce region is a quintessential Slovak region, with quaint hilltop villages and plenty of adventures to offer. Presenter: Peter Dlhopolec Guests: Mirka Petríková, Avuzwa Ngubo, Pedro Viola de Abreu

The Liptov region is a great holiday destination that is not just about Tatralandia, Jasná and Vlkolínec, although they are also worth a visit. Presenter: Peter Dlhopolec Guests: Linda Šimunová, Zuzana Trnovská, Gerdi Vanfleteren

Peter expands his textbook knowledge about the Turiec region. He talks to three people who know the region quite well: Zuzana, Stanislava and Scott.

For American Jeremy Hill, his number one enemy in Slovakia has always been winter. He’s not a fan of the bitter cold and after the holidays, this “vegetarian with a sensitive tummy” usually requires some medical assistance… and a stool sample. Listen as he recalls with a mixture of shame and amusement the day he presented a Slovak nurse with a stool sample in a Tesco shopping bag.

Listen to Jeremy Hill recount his very first Christmas in Slovakia, when he rediscovered the healing magic of the holiday season.

Austrian Ambassador Margit Bruck-Friedrich on why she loves Bratislava and what to not miss out on in surrounding towns. Presenter: Peter Dlhopolec Photo: TASR

Japanese Ambassador Makoto Nakagawa is here to talk about his hobbies - biking and birdwatching - in Bratislava. Plus, it's time to compare capital cities again. Presenter: Peter Dlhopolec Photo: TASR

Israeli Ambassador Boaz Modai shares his views on Bratislava and talks about the city's Jewish heritage. Presenter: Peter Dlhopolec Photo: TASR

Swiss Ambassador Alexander Hoffet on where in Bratislava he walks his dog, favourite spots, and Bratislava rolls. Presenter: Peter Dlhopolec Photo: TASR

Ambassador Barbara Wolf talks about German presence and her favourite places in Pressburg, as Bratislava was referred to in days of old. Presenter: Peter Dlhopolec Photo: TASR

Spectacular Slovakia meets Dutch Ambassador Henk Cor van der Kwast in Danubiana to talk art, classical music, cycling and tulips. Presenter: Peter Dlhopolec Photo: TASR

Canada’s Chargé d’affaires John von Kaufmann has learnt a lot about Slovak history. Moreover, in Bratislava, he discovered a nudist beach and a farmers’ market by accident. How’s life in the capital going for him? Presenter: Peter Dlhopolec Photo: TASR

In 1993, Nigel Baker found himself in Bratislava for the first time. What does the British ambassador recall from the old times? Presenter: Peter Dlhopolec Photo: TASR

Bridget Brink, US Ambassador to Slovakia, considers the country and Bratislava fantastic places to live in. Why does she think that Bratislava and D.C. are quite similar? Presenter: Peter Dlhopolec Photo: TASR

Despite a bug, the [fjúžn] festival will kick off on September the 18th. Nina Galanská and Kristína Hamárová of Milan Šimečka Foundation will guide you through the week-long event.

Hilda Ó Riain, Ambassador of Ireland to Slovakia, reveals where in Bratislava you can often meet her and what she loves about the city. She even provides a short Irish language class. Photo: TASR Presenter: Peter Dlhopolec

Get your pen and paper ready before you set off on a trip around Slovakia. Presenter: Peter Dlhopolec

American musician Francisco Mejia talks about his debut album 'Ghost Sex Empire' and how his dream of becoming a musician was finally realised. Presenter: Peter Dlhopolec

Stay home, stay safe. It is time to have some fun in our virtual quiz club. Are you ready to play? Presenter: Peter Dlhopolec

It is not only a furniture museum. The well-preserved fortress, hidden in the Small Carpathians, is home to a replica of Madonna of Bruges and breathtakingly huge cellars. Explore this covert and cozy place with Englishman James Thompson. Presenter: Peter Dlhopolec