SLOVAKIA
Slovakia sits a stride of the northwestern end of the Carpathian Mountains, which divides it from Poland, Hungary and is home to many lush green spruce forests, the spectacular High Tatra alpine range and the River Danube.
Although tourism to this country is relatively new Slovakia still attracts more than 100,000 visitors a year. Slovakia is famous for being one of Eastern Europe's best hiking & adventure holiday destinations, it offers excellent hiking through beautiful forests, rafting in the Pieniny National Park and in the winter some good quality skiing.
Worldmark's range of services:-
Due to our extensive overseas network we are able to offer any client a full range of services. These can be purchased individually or as part of a package.
* Discounted hotels.
* Discounted flights.
* Private car transfers.
* Sightseeing & Guided Tours
* Theatre Tickets
* Rail & Air tickets
* Chauffeur & Car Hire
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Bratislava
Sits one of the important European trade routes and astride the Danube River and sits lies below the Carpathian Mountains where Slovakia, Hungary and Austria converge. Here you will be able to stroll through the vineyards lining the slopes of the Carpathian Mountains or take a leisurely boat trip along the River Danube.
It is the largest city and capital of Slovakia and The River Danube separates the new residential area from the Old Town with it's many popular museums and ancient castle that still stands guard out over the city today as it has done for centuries.
Bratislava is studded with buildings from all major periods, Art Nouveau, Gothic and Renaissance and the Hviezdoslavovo Namestie (square) makes for an ideal starting point from where you can explore the city. Visitors should also visit the food market which is located in the centre of town, here you will find many excellent small local restaurants and bars that offers it's visitors a friendly smile and a glass of excellent wine.
We can offer discounted rates at the following hotels:-
Holiday Inn,Radisson SAS,Hotel West,Forum Hotel,and the Ibis Bratislavia.
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Other destination suggestions:-
The Vysoke Tatry
Despite being one of the smallest ranges in the world, they offer the only true alpine mountains in Eastern Europe. The ranges offer is visitors some excellent hiking through dense forests where you can stumble across 30 valleys and almost 100 glacial lakes. Hikers should take the red-marked Tatranska magistrala trail, which will take you through many beautiful landscapes.
The Mala Fatra National Park
This mountain range stretches over 50km across the north-west of the country. At the heart of this area is the beautiful mountain valley of VRATNA, which is a hikers paradise with trails snaking through lush forests leading to scenic ridges It is a popular destination all year round with hiking in the summer and skiing in the winter. The area is full of hotels and restaurants and within reach of the town of Zilina.
Trnava
This pretty walled town is Slovakia’s oldest settlement stretching back over 3 centuries and was the centre of the Slovak National Revival. Although it is a shadow of it's former self the town still offers any visitor an interesting stopover or day trip.
Bardejov
An attractive and well preserved 14th centiury Gothic town.It is considered to be one of the prettiest town’s in Slovakia
Slovensky Kras
Has been a protected area since early 1977 and has been added to the UNESCO World Natural Heritage list in 1995 and is home to 4 wonderful caves.
Dobsinka Iadova Jaskyna
This ice cave was discovered in 1870 and was the first cave in Europe to be illuminated by electricty.Another of Slovakia's UNESCO World Natural Heritage sites.
Strazky
A delightful 16th century one-storey mansion house decorated in the style of the “Spis” renaissance. The castles history is linked to the famous Mednyansky family and other important families of Spis. Their heritage is to leave interesting art collections and a rare historical library there. The castles beautiful surroundings are completed with a lush green park and local Gothic church with Renaissance bell tower. Which has housed exhibitions on loan from the Slovak National Gallery, these have featured work by L.Mednyanský, F.Katon.
Kosice
This is a vast 13th century city with an interesting and illustrious past which occupies a picturesque location in the River Hornad valley. It has grown into the countries 2nd largest city with a popular of 25,000.The cities centre has been designated an Urban Heritage Area, due to the delightful reconstructed main street, lined by burgher houses and palaces. It offers visitors a chance to take a pleasant stroll through the cities past history. The cities other main attractions is the gothic masterpiece that is ST.ELIZABETH CATHEDRAL, the cities 2nd oldest building of ST.MICHAEL’S CHAPEL and the beautiful FORGACH PALACE with the STATE SCIENCE LIBRARY.
Levoca
A beautiful town, which occupies a serene spot at the foot of the Levoca Peaks. It sits in the heart of one of the oldest regions of Slovakia and has existed since the middle ages when it was an influential Slovakian trading centres. In 1323 the city become a free royal town and the towns attractions reflect this affluence. The towns main tourist attractions include the ROMAN CATHOLIC PARISH CHURCH OF ST.JAMES which is one of Slovakia’s most important religious sights and the building is a national monument as is the woodcarving of Master Pavol of Levoca. The 15th century TOWN HALL is also home to the SPIS MUSUEM, and the CHURCH & MONASTERY OF THE MINORITIES, which has been called one of the most beautiful examples of Gothic art in the country.
Kezmarok
The pretty historical castle town, which is famous for its handcrafts, education and trading culture. The town is packed full of interesting historical sights such as the pretty BURGHER HOUSES, the remains of the once vast FORITFICATIONS which have been registered as an Urban Preservation Area, the THOKOLY CASTLE and two National Cultural Sites - the WOODEN ARTICULATED CHURCH and wooden articulated church and the PROTESTANT GRAMMAR SCHOOL. The town’s unique layout makes it ideal for visitors to walk the cobbled streets which fan out from the castle, one of the main tourist attractions to the vestiges of the town fortifications which can be seen on the streets Bastova ulica and Priekopa. The castle is an ornate Renaissance residence and is particularly worth a visit. You will be able to visit a pretty baroque chapel and interesting museum.
Piestany
A delightful little 19th century spa resort set in the beautiful Vah River valley. The treatments are all based on therapeutic effects of the local thermal springs and mud. The resort also allows visitors to stroll through beautiful parks, place a bet in the casino or do some relaxing shopping.
Spis Castle
Spis Castle is one of Slovakia's most extensive castles and is the most dominant feature of region. It sits beautifully in the lush green countryside on travertine rock. The main body of the castle was fortified by stone outer walls in the first half of the 13th century, enabling the castle to resist the rampaging Tartar raids of 1241 and the Romanesque palace & dwelling tower were built in the castle at this time. The castle has undergone various additions to its complex over the centuries but due to a fire in 1780 it suffered extensive damage. But the castle has received some extensive research and conservation before the exhibition hall was added giving this interesting historical monument a new lease of life. The reward for all of this hard work was the site being named among some 300 of the most important monuments in the world.
The Pieniny National Park
This vast national treasure spans over 2125 hectares which reaches the Polish border and is packed with a rich historical heritage, interesting folklore and stunning scenery. For the discerning tourist the Pieniny is synonymous with beauty, unspoiled scenery and is an ideal destination for anglers, kayakers and hikers alike. The major landmarks of the Zamagurie landscape is the striking rock formation of Tri koruny (Three Crowns, 982 m) and the river Dunajec which cuts into the limestone to forge a narrow gorge with high rock walls. A gentle trip along on the river on a typical "Goral" raft makes for a memorable outing.
Slovak Paradise
A stunning corner of Slovakia which has now received the protection of a national park. Visitors will be enchanted the beauty of the lush meadows, gapping canyons, gorges, 177 deep caves and cascading waterfalls. The area is one of exceptional natural beauty and should not be missed. The area is home to some stunning ravines with many hiking trails, these include Kysel, Sokolia dolina, Velky, Maly Sokol, Piecka and Sucha Bela. But we recommend that all visitors take in the beautiful Prielom Hornadu with the lively River Hornad.
Stará Lubovna
The castle dates back to the 13th century and is one of the original border outposts guarding the Northern border of the once great Hungarian Empire. In the 14th century the stronghold was strengthened with the addition of another fortified palace. The castle was home to the Polish crown jewels between 1655 and 1661, during the Swedish invasion of Poland. The Castle grounds is home to an open-air ethnographic museum, illustrating the folk architecture off North-Eastern Spis and is crowned by a Greco-Catholic church of 1883 from Matysova, adorned with icons from the first half of the 17th century. Although the years have taken its toll on the castle it has became a private residence and later into state property after 1948 where it now houses a local history exhibition. Visitors to the castle can arrange for a night tours with the accompaniment of "ghosts", live music or period fencing displays.
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Travel Warning / Information
There is a high incidence of petty theft. Pickpockets operate around the main tourist areas, and foreigners are easily identified and targeted.
Foreigners, including British nationals visiting Bratislava, should take sensible precautions against bag snatching and mugging. Do not leave valuables unattended.
Carry your passport with you at all times.It is an offence to be without it and you can be fined or held in custody for up to 24 hours. Travellers should ensure that their passport is in a presentable state. British nationals have been refused entry to Slovakia on the grounds that their passports were worn or damaged or looked as if they might have been tampered with.
This information is correct and current as of 10/5/04 and was provided by the FCO Update service.
Health Information
Make sure that you have a full medical insurance covering the whole territory of the Slovak Republic. Random checks are performed at Slovak border ports and entry can be refused if no medical insurance covering Slovakia is available.
If you intend to visit forested areas seek medical advice about immunisation against tick borne encephalitis before travelling to Slovakia.
Make sure that you have a full medical insurance covering the whole territory of the Slovak Republic. Random checks are performed at Slovak border ports and entry can be refused if no medical insurance covering Slovakia is available.
We suggest that travellers consult their local GP or check the Department of Health’s website prior to departing the UK.
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WORLDMARK TRAVEL
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The Arena
24 Southwark Bridge Road
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Tel:- 020 7 922 0670 Fax 020 7 401
E-Mail Worldmark.uk@hrgworldwide.com
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