Spectacular Slovakia

This week, Spectacular Slovakia spotlights the art of storytelling, a verbal craft typical for Slovak regions like the Hont Region. You can listen to two stories popular in the area: ‘The Bull on the Tower‘ and ‘How a Gypsy Prayed’. Aside from storytelling, you will also learn where the Hont Region, also called Poiplie, lies and what it has to offer. Presenters: Anna Fay, Peter Dlhopolec

Cardiffian Mike Valek, based in the Slovak town of Piešťany, compares and contrasts Slovakia and Wales on this episode of Spectacular Slovakia. He even mentions Owain Glyndŵr! Wait, who? Photo: Pixabay Snippets: Gwyneth Angharad (YouTube), Dinogad's Smock (YouTube) Presenter: Peter Dlhopolec

American Hannah Falchuk taught English at a grammar school in Revúca, one of the Gemer Region centres. Listen to the latest episode to find out where to head out for a trip in the region and why to fall in love with this corner of Slovakia, despite some drawbacks. Photo: Slavošovce Tunnel by TASR Presenter: Peter Dlhopolec

Expat Talley Sjoberg Varney has lived in five different countries and travelled quite a lot as a child with her parents, too. Working as a school counsellor in Slovakia, T. S. Varney talks about mental health and how to cope with culture shock. Listen to “shoulds” and “should nots” when it comes to lifting your spirits. Presenter: Anna Fay Picture: Unsplash

This week, we’ll dive into the history of Slovakia as we discuss the 1944 Slovak National Uprising (SNP). He might not be Slovak, but James Thomson is a history devotee and knows enough to introduce us to this period of Slovak history. We’ll also tell you where to visit to discover more about the uprising. Presenter: Peter Dlhopolec Photo: TASR

Anna and Peter have a chat about the best breakfast spots in Bratislava. They will tell you more about US and Slovak breakfast. No matter what time you listen to the episode, go get some breakfast!

American Talley Sjoberg Varney, who lives in Slovakia, has been a practitioner in aromatherapy for about 10 years. How can aromatherapy help us? Talley also talks about yoga, meditation, and their benefits. Namaste! Presenter: Anna Fay Picture: Pixabay

May I have your attention, please? We are sorry that your journey will take longer than planned. In the interest of safety and comfort, we are going to prepare you for your trip around Slovakia prior to your train departure. Listen to the podcast before your phone dies as there may not be a plug on the train to charge your phone. Presenter: Peter Dlhopolec Picture: Zomri

Piešťany, one of several spa towns in Slovakia, is unique in several aspects. Mike Valek from Cardiff has lived there for four years. He joins Peter Dlhopolec to disclose what life in Piešťany is all about.

Jedáleň is a Slovak self-service canteen that was popularised under socialism. Years after the revolution, it was rediscovered as a hotspot for affordable, hearty meals. What kind of vibe does a jedáleň exude? What meals can you get there? And why do you need to come in before midday? Listen to this podcast and fall in love with the jedáleň. Guest: James Thomson Presenter: Peter Dlhopolec Photo: B...

This week’s Spectacular Slovakia episode will be about visits to the best art galleries in Bratislava. Is your favourite on the list? Presenter: Peter Dlhopolec

“It’s lovely to live on a raft. We had the sky, up there, all speckled with stars, and we used to lay on our backs and look up at them,” reads the 1885 book by American novelist Mark Twain, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. A young boy, Huck, and a black slave, Jim, spend most of the novel on a raft travelling down the Mississippi River, the second largest river in the USA. Tourists can go on a...

Press play and discover out more about Bratislava, and most importantly, about Vilnius. Which capital is going to win the battle? Lithuanian student Ugnė Mažonaitė and American Anna Fay, who have experienced both of the capitals, talk about what these cities have in common and where they differ. What is Plus Plus Plus and why is it worth a visit in Vilnius? Why should you try kibinai, saltibarscia...

Slovakia's biggest music festival, POHODA, is drawing near. Have you wondered why the festival starts on Thursday? How many types of toilets there are on site? Is the festival green? And how can #spolunapohodu help you get to the festival? Its international PR manager Suzanne Verschueren from Belgium popped by our studio to tell us more about what to expect from this year's edition at Trenčín airp...

As the reformation movement expanded across Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries, the Catholic Habsburg empire, which included Slovakia, began to oppress Protestants. Although reluctantly, Emperor Leopold I eventually allowed them to build their churches under strict conditions scribbled in Article 25 and 26. There are nearly 40 wooden churches in Slovakia today, but only four are truly articular...

Many people like to give back to their community, but few are as dedicated as American Jennifer Sturgeon, a full-time volunteer who has lived in Bratislava for two years now. Whether it’s organising a charity Christmas bazaar or smiling at strangers on the street, Jennifer does what she can to make Bratislava a better place, one act of kindness at a time. She has plenty of tips on how locals and f...

With cliffs towering above and water raging below, a visit to Slovenský raj (Slovak Paradise) is not for the faint-hearted (or clumsy). But Briton Jacqui Fay, who worked as a diplomat in Bratislava for three years, insists it is well-worth a visit. This national park in eastern Slovakia, famous for its adventurous paths through waterfalls, gorges and ravines, is not just for fearless rock climbers...

Briton Jacqui Fay worked as diplomat in Bratislava from 1995-1998 and has returned several times since to visit her daughter, Anna. Jacqui has many fond memories of life in Slovakia, including pancake races in Hviezdoslavovo námestie and broomball, a strange take on hockey involving witches brooms and tennis balls, in Železná studienka. Slovakia has experienced many monumental changes since Jacqui...

How to put on a Slovak folk costume? Naomi Huzovicova has learned when her daughters joined the local folklore group in her town, and even a few years into their hobby she learns something new every year. “The attitude towards folklore has changed a lot in the 15 years I’ve been in Slovakia,” Naomi admits. Folklore music is still quite popular in Slovakia and people would often be able to sing at...

Everyone in Slovakia knows why Trnava is called the Little Rome. Hence, it is time for Massimo Guglietta from New Jersey to hear the legend, as well. Massimo, who is currently living in Trnava, joins Peter to chat about why he has fallen in love with the city. Its spirit, people, local football club Spartak Trnava, bike lanes, pub Zelený kríček (Green Bush) and club 69 are some of the things and p...

Spring has sprung in the Slovak capital! Visitors can take advantage of Bratislava’s bike-sharing service, which invites tourists to try sightseeing on two wheels. How safe and enjoyable is it, though? James Thomson was cycling around Bratislava before it was cool and he can compare the situation now to some ten years ago. He and Anna Fay have tried the bike sharing service, and they both have som...

Everyone in Slovakia should go to Modra at least once in their life, says American teacher, Grace, who has lived in Modra for seven months (and has been the only American there, apparently). The once royal town was the home of one of the most shining personalities of the history of Slovakia, Ludovit Stur, who is also responsible for how difficult the Slovak language is. Modra is just a short bus o...

Dating a Slovak, or dating in Slovakia, sometimes has its peculiarities. Two Americans who live in Slovakia and date Slovaks talk about their own experiences in this week’s episode of the Spectacular Slovakia podcast. Do Slovak men talk a lot or should you be ready to do the talking? Are they huggers or less affectionate than Americans? Listen to Anna and Grace to find out. Presenter: Peter Dlhopo...

Canadian Naomi Hužovičová talks about Easter cuisine and one of the weirdest traditions in Slovakia.

Skanzen is not a Japanese means of transport,. It is a name for open-air museums in Slovakia that show what village life once looked like. Each region has its own. Naomi Hužovičová has visited a few of them and has some useful advice for tourists who are up for an excursion into the past. Good news for parents - a visit to a skanzen is a child-friendly activity.