Slovakia Holiday Tours

The sweeping Carpathian Mountains and serene Danube River envelop a country embracing mediaeval towns and deep-rooted folk traditions influenced by its intriguing past. Now an independent European country, Slovakia offers a wealth of discovery at every corner, from the prominent castle in Bratislava to the simple wooden churches in the country’s villages. Though young, Slovakia has heaps of history waiting to be unearthed.

While Slovakia is one of Europe’s youngest countries, its origins date back to the 6th century BCE when the Slavic people settled on the banks of the Danube River. After centuries of oppression by the Hungarians and Austrian Habsburgs, and decades of imbalanced co-existence with the Czech Republic, Slovakia finally became an independent state in 1993 in a peaceful separation. Joining the European Union in 2004, this young country has positioned itself among the ranks of democratic European states but has not forgotten the long repressive history that has shaped it today.

The cities in Slovakia are dripping with reminders of the country’s unforgiving past. In Bratislava, the capital and largest city of Slovakia, the cobbled streets of the Old Town are surrounded by opulent Baroque palaces, old churches and mediaeval fortifications attesting to the city’s history of invasions. Peering proudly over the Danube River, the imposing Bratislava castle has long been an important site, first inhabited by the Celts and later housing the Hungarian royalty until the 19th century, when a fire destroyed it. Today, restored to its original grandeur, the castle serves the Slovak Parliament.

Although young, Slovakia boasts rich culture that is firmly rooted in its folk traditions. Folk architecture, characterized by austere wooden churches and brilliantly coloured houses, is preserved in open air museums and tiny villages dotted around the country. There is also a wealth of museums to broaden your mind, including the late 19th century Slovak National Museum in Bratislava, which features history, archaeology and musicology exhibits.

Slovakia is also set apart by its brilliant natural surroundings. Located in the heart of Eastern Europe and flanked by the meandering Danube River to the south, Slovakia is blessed with the unspoilt beauty of the Carpathian Mountains, the largest mountain range in Europe. The soaring peaks of the High Tatras are a ski enthusiast’s paradise in the winter, drawing locals and tourists alike to the picturesque villages scattered throughout this natural haven.

Explore Slovakia with Trafalgar and you’ll discover a modern city drenched in rich history and folk culture, capped off with the awesome environment of majestic mountains and a lulling river.