Spectacular Slovakia

The Slovak Karst might be off most tourists’ radar, unless they are speleology enthusiasts visiting Slovakia for the sole purpose of seeing its numerous caves. In the Gemer region, surrounding the town of Roznava, every town has a cave. James Thomson has seen some of them, and in this episode of our podcast he gives some practical tips about visiting a Slovak cave. Once you make it to the southeas...

Travelling with your dog? Dave Rubin is a proud dog owner and knows all the best dog-friendly places in Bratislava. You should not be surprised if you see dogs in most shopping malls, restaurants, and cafes. If you want to give your dog a special treat, a dog cafe in Petrzalka might be the place for you and your furry companion.

There’s actually quite a lot of Slovakia east of Presov and Kosice, says James Thomson, who has seen most of it on his travels around the country. In this week’s episode, we explore the far northeast, which includes the Poloniny national park and its primeval beech forests, the spa town of Bardejov with its UNESCO-enlisted mediaeval square and the must-see wooden churches. Without the highways, ti...

Let’s go to Spiš, the home of most of the High Tatras that also offers a combination of valleys, rolling hills, and mediaeval towns. We took a look at the Spiš Castle, one of the largest if not the largest in central Europe, the towns of Spišská Nová Ves and Levoča, with some of the finest gothic church architecture in the country and James’ favourite sight - the cage of shame.

This week, we are back to Orava, this time with Dave Rubin, who recommends visiting the open-air museum in Zuberec. For Americans, it’s like visiting Williamstown, Virginia, but Zuberec is hundreds of years older, he says. The north of Slovakia is a place to go when you want to try the best of the country’s sheep cheese too.

Slovakia is a good place to hike with your kids. Naomi, a mother of four living in Slovakia, shares some inspirational tips for trips that little feet can manage. Some of the best places, including hikes with a destination (like a small organic farm) are a simple day trip from Bratislava. What’s the best way to make kids walk fast? Listen to Naomi’s top tip for hiking with little ones.

Care for a plate of halusky? Sheep cheese is an acquired taste, say Americans.

“You really do feel like you have travelled back in time,” says Dave Rubin as he starts his brief intro to the northwest region of Kysuce. Here, visitors have the unique opportunity to walk to Poland, or the Czech Republic. It’s hilly and remote, and the wildlife is captivating. The stone spheres in Kysuce are another mystery to be explored in Slovakia.

Before leaving Slovakia, his first posting as an ambassador, Austrian Ambassador Helfried Carl stopped by the podcast studio to share some of his impressions while living among Slovaks for 4 ½ years , along with some tips for trips. He suggests a trip to Komarno, for instance, which offers stories of some Austrian connections that you probably don’t know about. Why did he decide to skip travelling...

Paul and Lynette Doege are an American couple who visited Bratislava for the first time last September. They started their trip in Prague, and feel that both capitals are relatively similar, with their Old Town areas and riverside. Bratislava is easier to navigate for tourists, and it is not as crowded as Prague. Paul and Lynette share their favourite sights: the Blue Church, Danubiana art gallery...

Wintertime is carnival time, and in Slovak villages, it’s also time to gather your family and prepare your cauldrons for zabijacka. Naomi Huzovicova explains what that means in this week’s episode of our Spectacular Slovakia podcast. Slovaks really do use the whole animal, and Naomi believes it is a sign of respect as nothing is wasted of the life that has been given. Listen to the podcast to hear...

When you descend into one of the mines of Banska Stiavnica, you literally feel the weight of the world on your shoulders, says Dave Rubin in another episode of our podcast. Yet Banska Stiavnica also offers many uplifting experiences. Exploring one of the “ten million hiking trails” winding through the beautiful, natural aftermath of an ancient volcanic explosion is undoubtedly one of them.

James Thomson has lived in Bratislava long enough to almost consider himself a native Bratislavan. Today, he takes us to Devín Castle, one of the iconic places of the Slovak capital that tourists are not always aware of. Nowadays, it’s just a ruin, but it stands in a spot that holds significance for the Slovak nation throughout several moments in its history. And you can get there by boat! Spectac...

At Christmas time, traditions come alive in Slovak villages and even cities, despite the ever-more globalised lives of Slovaks. Naomi Hužovičová talks about Slovak Christmas traditions.

Canadian Naomi Hužovičová talks about traditional Slovak food on the Christmas Eve table, from different soups to a carp served with potato salad. Enjoy your bite of Slovak Christmas.

It’s time we head east, and if you have not been to Kosice yet, you are about to learn what you’ve been missing. James Thomson offers some valuable advice on how to make your stay in Košice, and your journey there, worthwhile. This week’s podcast is a brief introduction to travelling to eastern Slovakia. Spectacular Slovakia travel podcast is the latest addition to our range of travel-related prod...

Christmas markets opened last Friday, attracting both tourists and locals. Even though Christmas seems to come earlier every year, the markets are something to look forward to. “My main experience of Christmas markets in Slovakia is fat dripping onto my toes,” says James Thomson, who walks you through the markets and the Slovak specialties that you need to taste when you visit.

This week’s podcast is special for golf enthusiasts. Don Stoll, a passionate golf player from the US, has played golf at some of Slovakia’s golf courses, most recently in Bojnice, and has a lot to say about them. Slovakia is a really interesting place: people go out to play by themselves, says Don. The scenery you get in Slovakia and the way courses are designed are different compared to the US. S...

Dave Rubin was a Manhattan-based lawyer when he landed in Bratislava during his travels around the world. That was ten years ago. Dave has since founded a successful language school in downtown Bratislava and spends his free time exploring his new town and country. How does a city boy from Brooklyn fall in love with castle ruins in the Small Carpathians? Dave names most of them in this episode - a...

Naomi Hužovičová was born in Canada’s Rocky Mountains so she loves the mountains - but not the crowds. In this episode of Spectacular Slovakia, she shares her tips for some hikes off the beaten track in the Slovak mountains. Naomi also talks about her favourite hill with an amazing 360-degree view that you probably haven’t heard of. Which places in the Tatras are worth visiting despite the crowds?...

Do you like wine? This week, Don Stoll and Pat Alexy Stoll, authors of the Spectacular Slovakia travel guides, will take you for a trip to Pezinok, where one of the country’s biggest wine festivals takes place every autumn. Wine is not the only delicious thing to be found there, though - you can also indulge in some tasty Slovak street food. What does a proper Slovak goose feast look like and why...

So far in our podcast, we have been telling you where to go in Slovakia. Now it’s time to give you a taste of the culinary melting pot that is Slovakia - at least as seen by blogger and keen cook, Naomi Huzovicova. Traditional Slovak cuisine does not begin and end with bryndzove halusky. What should you try when visiting Slovakia? It depends on how adventurous you are. And if you’ve never heard of...

There were 12 women and nobody said a word, Pat Alexy Stoll says about her favourite treatment in Trenčianske Teplice. She and her husband, Don Stoll, recently enjoyed the spa experience in this famed western-Slovak spa town. Ever heard of spa cakes? You should make sure to have some in between your treatments.

If you’re in need of some autumn relaxation, a visit to one of Slovakia’s many spas might give you just what you’re looking for. American travellers Don Stoll and Pat Alexy Stoll returned from a two-week-long trip around the country and have a lot of Slovak spa experiences to share in our latest podcast episode.

Autumn is a great time to explore the Small Carpathians. Naomi Hužovičová, a Canadian who has lived in Slovakia for 14 years, tells you why a trip to Smolenice at this time of year is a good idea. Did you know that this small town, along with its iconic castle, has a remarkable Iron Age settlement to visit?