Despite its fairly recent entry into the European Union, Slovakia offers visitors a plethora of activities and sightseeing options with Western-style amenities. A country filled with castles, palaces and medieval ruins, Slovakia draws visitors looking to explore a country bursting with cultural riches and iconic historical sites.

Surrounded by more well-travelled neighbours, Austria and the Czech Republic, Slovakia offers a great value for visitors to its capital, Bratislava, its ski slopes, and its countryside. While Bratislava is the centre of culture for the country, along with most of its arts, museums and nightlife, quaint villages and small towns are tucked away in the hills as if barely touched by time. For the more cosmopolitan type, Bratislava offers everything modern, yet with the ambiance of a city more than a thousand years old. The capital also has its fair share of five star hotels, exquisite dining, art galleries, and museums. Venture toward the northern border of the country and you find yourself rising toward the High Tatras Mountains, where most of its best ski areas are located.

If you’re looking for a unique holiday off the beaten path, and could use a respite from the frantic pace of more established European city destinations, you might want to book a stay in Slovakia.