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 southeast, do not skip the visit to some above-ground sights, notably the Betliar mansion and the Krasna Horka castle (closed for reconstruction since 2012, but about to be opened), and the Jasov monastery. https://spectator.sme.sk/c/20060073/exploring-slovakias-caverns-and-caves.html

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, time gets telescoped, so be ready for long but scenic drives.

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 up Lomnicky Stit and what is his favourite place in Bratislava?

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, and even the military barracks.