Simply Slovakia

Breathtaking snowcapped mountains. Ancient castles standing guard on hill tops. Strong Slivovica1 created from dark purple plums. The haunting notes of the fujara. Young Slovak girls dressed in bright, rustling folk outfits to celebrate their culture. Tasty Kapustová polievka2 with spicy klobása3 served on snowy days. These are just some of the sights and sounds and tastes that are on offer in Slovakia, a small and somewhat undiscovered country located in Central Europe.

Despite its beauty and heritage Slovakia is still not very well-known within Europe, and sometimes not at all when venturing even further afield. The country is often confused with Slovenia, a smaller and richer former Yugoslav country to the south. And it's not uncommon to still hear the word Czechoslovakia slip off of an old tongue and hint at the country's long past of ownership. Slovakia does struggle to escape from under the shadow of its big brother, the Czech Republic, and its famous capital, Prague.

History has forced “Slo-what-ia?” to work hard to forge its own identity. It must shake off its communist cloak of smoke and factories and demolish the image of blandness that is generally associated with the former Eastern Bloc countries. Slovakia still has its fair share of factories and industries in rather unfortunate locations, but these hallmarks of a previous era are slowly making their presence less felt these days.

Slovakia truly has a lot to offer those with an open mind and an adventurous spirit. The country's northern most border is defined by the majestic Tatra Mountains, which separate Slovakia from Poland and form part of the Carpathian mountain range. The mountains spread from west to east and are ideal for sporting activities in every season. Together with Slovakia's abundant lakes and forests these are the main draw card for nature and outdoor enthusiasts.

Slovakia's capital, Bratislava, lies to the southwest and is the gateway to Slovakia for many travellers. This young capital is nestled on both sides of the Danube River under the watchful gaze of the Bratislava Castle. It is here that the country's parliament and government are seated and the driving force behind Slovakia's economy grinds away at the money mill. Bratislava is considered the cultural centre of the country but much of the country's heritage is to be found and explored in the more rural parts of Slovakia.

In many of the smaller towns the passage of history has been well preserved. Attractions include centuries old castles and churches, cobblestone squares and monuments, and the folklore and traditions of the Slovak people. Invite yourself to come travelling and discover the delights of Slovakia – a land where castle ruins appear on hills in the distance, quaint villages line the roadside, dark lakes invite bathers in the summer and delight skaters in the winter, and eagles swoop down from their perches to prey on mice in the fields. It's simply beautiful. It's Simply Slovakia.

 

1 Slivovica – plum brandy
2 Kapustová polievka – cabbage soup
3 Klobása – sausage