08/01/2024
Get ready for our 2024 Treasures of Slovakia Celebration Tour
Our 33rd season of trips to Slovakia!
Best of Slovakia! East to West and North to South! Experience castles, culture, folklore, folk art, crafts, museums, local food, wine tasting, parties, festivals, music, song, museums, village interaction, finding long-lost family!
Sat., July 6 - Early Birds – If you arrive July 6, the day before the tour begins we can reserve a room for you at our Bratislava Hotel.
We have a festive dinner planned at a super Slovak restaurant. Both early bird hotel and dinner are optional. Our hotel stay includes a lavish buffet breakfast. (Bratislava, Slovakia’s capital, Crowne Plaza Hotel across from the Presidential Palace, a block from the historic tiny bridge to the Old Town) This will also be our hotel for the 2 nights at the end of the tour.
Sun., July 7 - Our Treasures of Slovakia Celebration Tour begins. Time for church before we depart for historic Kezmarok under the majestic Tatra Mountains. Travel scenic roads and marvel at the High Tatras. We'll enjoy the streets filled with craft demonstrations and treasures for sale at the largest International Crafts Festival in Europe, 100-plus exhibitors, folk dancing, a medieval parade, and local foods. Dinner includes a Slovak Party as we enjoy villagers presenting music, dance, and wedding customs of eastern Slovakia. Bring your dancing shoes!
(3 nights in North Eastern Slovakia... Chalet-like Park Cingov Hotel on the edge of the Slovak Paradise)
Mon., July 8 - Travel into remote, beautiful Zamagurie to Stara Lubovna’s outdoor museum – the homes depict the birth, wedding, death, and holiday customs. Take a unique raft ride on the scenic Dunajec River in Pieniny National Park and step into Poland. Raft drivers tell legends. Visit the Litmanova Pilgrimage site and end with a festive Goral picnic with local food and lively tunes.
Tues., July 9 - Everyone loves walled, medieval Levoca with its historic buildings, Master Paul’s statues, and old legends. We’ll tour the grand St. Jakub’s Cathedral with a dozen carved & painted altars from the late 1500s. Explore Spis Castle, the largest Gothic ruin in Europe, and/or take a mini-hike to see butterflies/ mountain flowers. Feast on local gulas and dance with vibrant villagers at a Rusyn wedding. Experience the warmth of Slovak hospitality!
Wed. July 10 - We head east to charming Presov to marvel at the Greek Catholic Cathedral with icons galore. Time to explore the historic square, the beautiful Catholic cathedral, or the superb local museum. A short ride to beautifully restored Kosice's old town. Our local guide will tell the history of Slovakia’s second-largest city. You will marvel at the grand St. Elizabeth’s Cathedral, and be delighted with the famed Singing Fountain and more. Tonite - dinner on your own at one of the varied Kosice Old Town restaurants (we have a fave right across the street from our hotel) and then marvel at the night lights of Old Kosice! 2 nights in Kosice (ABOV) at the Doubletree Hilton Hotel adjacent to the Old Town walking zone.
Thurs., July 11 - To Bardejov, the Pearl of Saris, Slovakia’s other walled town and a UNESCO Treasure. Tour the historic square and magnificent St. Egidius Church. Enjoy the unique icon museum (the only museum in the world to have a full iconostasis). Find out why the statue atop the town hall moons the mayor's office. On to a most amazing, ancient onion-domed wooden Rusyn village church with all kinds of treasures. Dine at a historic restaurant.
Fri., July 12 – Time for Kosice’s varied shops for jewelry, books, maps, furs, folk crafts, souvenirs, paprika, etc. Then we travel to the dramatic Orava Castle perched high up on a mountain cliff. Our castle tour is 1,000 steps up or the option to shop at the kiosks around the castle. Dinner at a charming inn, St Christopher’s! A short ride to Banska Bystrica, in the heart of Slovakia. (2 nights - Banska Bystrica, central Slovakia) Hotel Urpin is steps from the famed main square. Jozef will lead a bar-hopping tour for anyone interested.
Sat., July 13 – Enjoy a Mimosa Brunch then a guided tour of Banska Bystrica’s gorgeous square, considered the loveliest in Slovakia. Time to visit the local market for fruit, flowers, and nuts, climb the quaint leaning tower, and visit the War Museum in the shape of a Slovak shepherd's hat. On to the magical Detva Folk Festival to hear Slovakia’s unique Fujara, see thousands in folk dress, enjoy the spirited dancing and cymbal music, browse the crafts fair & sample local delights. Dinner on your own – a huge variety of grilled goodies & Slovak specialties at festival kiosks & super Slovak beer. Or enjoy an outdoor cafe on the square with local music and Slovak delights!
Sun., July 14 – Time for church then drive through spectacular scenery. We head west and follow the mighty Vah River on a castle-studded ride. Visit the stunning Bethlehem, a famed mechanical Nativity focusing on Slovak village life and history, then charming Cicmany to marvel at the log homes decorated with ancient motifs. We’ll party, dine, and dance in Krakovany where a folk group performs western Slovak village wedding customs just for us. (2 nights in Bratislava, southwestern Slovakia at the Crowne Plaza Hotel across from the Presidential Palace)
Mon., July 15 - Immerse in Slovakia's famed capital...Bratislava is the only capital in the world that abuts two other countries, Austria and Hungary. See the charming Old Town with a local guide to learn the history and legends; time to shop...so many souvenir stores and stands, antique shops and boutiques, cathedrals, and charming cafes and pastry shops. Festive farewell dinner in a quaint village inn plus wine tasting.
Tues., July 16 - Farewell or travel to Golden Prague for 2 nights Add on. 7/16 - 7/17 and fly home on July 18.
