This small and relatively new member of the European Union has a lot to offer visitors. Most of Slovakia’s action is centred in the capital city of Bratislava, where you can find the bulk of the country’s cultural institutions, nightlife and dining. The Old Town and imposing Bratislava Castle are just two of the attractions of this 1,000-year-old city. Outside of the capital, visitors can soak in the wonderfully undeveloped countryside as it rises towards the towering High Tatras Mountains along the northern border. Vineyards, thermal spring spas and old ruined castles round off the list of attractions this country has to offer.
Although it’s possible to fly directly into the airport outside Bratislava, many visitors fly into Vienna’s massive international airport, just 60kms away, and take a bus to Bratislava. The number of direct international flights into Slovakia is limited, so travellers often opt to arrive by bus or train, both of which run regularly from neighbouring Vienna and Prague.
Although Slovak is the main language in Slovakia, English is spoken by most people, making travel and communication very easy. Accommodation options in Slovakia range from posh and expensive hotels in Bratislava and the spa town of Piestany to affordable pensions and family-run hotels throughout the country. Slovakia has a well-developed and prosperous tourism industry based around its abundance of outdoor activities, particularly the ski industry.
Though not as cheap as Hungary or Romania, your money will go a long way in Slovakia. The food is very cheap, even for a nice meal in a Bratislava restaurant. Lodging prices are reasonable and public transportation costs are practically nothing. Slovakians do their best to make most visitors feel welcome, so you should have no trouble getting around and having a wonderful experience while you explore this quaint, up-and-coming Eastern European country.
Slovakia has what is generally considered a damp continental climate. Summers tend to be warm with occasional showers, and winters are typically cold and snowy. The temperature stays fairly consistent throughout the country, changing accordingly with rises in elevation. The warmest and driest parts of Slovakia are found in the eastern lowlands and southern plains, while the mountainous regions up north can be cool all year with some truly harsh winters.
The one thing you can count on in Slovakia is the chance of precipitation. The weather can change quickly at any time of the year, from a sunny morning to a chilly afternoon downpour. Summertime brings the warmest temperatures, averaging around 26˚C, except in the mountains where it’s always a bit cooler. Thunderstorms are common, but for the most part, this is the most enjoyable time of year.
Winter brings cold temperatures across the country, with daytime temperatures hovering around freezing, and nights often dipping into icy depths. Slovakia is at its busiest from May to October, as organised sightseeing tours flood into the country. Winter is the prime ski season up in the High Tatras, but many of Slovakia’s attractions such as castles and monuments are either closed at this time or have shorter hours. The shoulder seasons of spring and autumn are perhaps the finest times of year to visit, as the crowds are low, everything is open and the weather is refreshingly cool and alive.
The area that is now Slovakia was first inhabited by Slavic tribes, from the 5th century BC until 833 AD, when the prince of Morovia incorporated it into the Great Morovian Empire. The empire was converted to Christianity in 863 AD with the arrival of the Thessaloniki brothers, and soon the Morovian dynasty began to collapse, eventually falling to Hungary in 1018. For the next 900 years, Slovakia was more or less controlled by Hungarian forces.
Yet throughout this long period, many outside forces took their chances at breaking off pieces of the country for themselves. The Spis region of eastern Slovakia was ruled by Poland from 1412 to 1772. A Tatar invasion in the 13th century caused the Hungarian king to invite Saxon Germans to settle the deserted northeastern borderlands; and the Turks took over Hungary in the 16th century, forcing the Hungarian capital to move from Buda to Bratislava.
When the Austro-Hungarian monarchy was formed in 1867, Slovakia’s territory was forced into a period of Hungarianisation. By 1907, Hungarian was the only language being taught in schools. This had the effect of driving the intellectual and cultural community closer to the Czechs, who were influenced by Austria. After WWI, the various Slavic territories united into Czechoslovakia. WWII brought the country into conflict with Nazi Germany and later with the Soviets, who enforced a communist takeover in 1948.
The Prague Spring uprising in 1968 began the slow decay of communism in Czechoslovakia, which finally fell apart in 1989. A resurgence of Slovak nationalism and autonomy quickly followed, culminating in the split of the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1993. Vladimir Meciar took over as prime minister and put the new country under his authoritarian rule. After just a few years, the Slovaks finally tired of Meciar’s suppression of democracy and voted him out in 1998. Six years later, in 2004, Slovakia joined the European Union and NATO, which completed the country’s remarkable transformation.
Good hotel and booked at a good price via Hoteltravel. Otherwhise it should have been to expensive for what it is. Staff is really excellent and always willed to serve the client. ...
