Post em Čierny Balog, Banská Bystrica Region, Slovakia

Hello,

It depends what would you like to see. I guess take winter jacket if you want to visit High Tatras. There is already snow in mountains. Also nights are quite cold, take warm clothes if you are going to sleep in a car.

The places which are worth to visit: Castles: Bojnice, Orava castle and Spis Towns: Banska Stiavnica, Levoca, Kosice Hiking: High Tatras (there are many possible hiking routes, you can start from Strbske pleso-lake and do easy hiking to Popradske pleso-lake), Slovak Paradise - Tomasovsky vyhlad (view from rock) Folk architecture: Cicmany Caves: Domica, Dobsinska ladova jaskyna (ice cave)

Not sure how much time do you have because here are many beautiful places to see :)

Martina

Hi there Juliane! Thanks for choosing our country :-D I live in the western-ish part, so i could only give you advice for that, but also some minor tips on other places as well. If you are starting from Bratislava, the capital, you should see the whole city, for example the "Staré mesto" part is really nice, but i adcise that you leave you car somewhere and go on foot or travel by MHD, the public transport. The city is jam-packed with with cars, it's ridiciulous. And also the "Bratislavský hrad", bratislava castle. The venture down to Trnava, a little city, with tons of culture, "sightseeing" locations, full of traditions, medievaly-looking streets & buildings (not all but some), and also night life, if you are interested. Then go to "Smolenický zámok", chateau of smolenice, and after the visit, go around the forest, there are plenty of tourist marks so you can't get lost. Then for you hike go up the "Záruby", the biggest mountain in the area of Smolenice. It's a lovely hike, not extreme, semi-long. But before all that, meave your car down at the local pizza/bar restaurant, that's the farthest you can go up. And from there, you are on your own :-D If you want some nice foresty roads to drive through, go through "Biela hora", or around záruby. You can get to both roads from Smolenice. First you go to "Trstín", a village right next to "Smolenice". From there you can go to "Buková" or "Jablonica". But be wary, the roads to "Jablonica", is through "Biela hora", this road is notoriously famous for car accidents and with them, deaths. But if you drive slowly and with caution, nothing will happen with certainty. If you choose to go with the road leading to "Buková", you can take a turn right in the middle of the way there, to visit "Korlátko", it's the remains of a castle with beatiful views of the far of lands, and near it, some gorgeous wild fields. The road up there is not hard, but long. If you want a shorter trip, go to "Cerová" and then from there. And then, of course visit the High Tatras :-D Bring a map, or download an offline one. The locals are nice and friendly, but i strongly suggest you learn some really basic Slovak before , you get here, and write down on a paper you will have on you, some phrases that you will use. Around these parts, peolple "lack" in english. For example: "Kadiaľ na (insert location name)" -> How do I get to (....) "Kde je tu najbližší obchod/práčovňa/pumpa/zámok/hrad/reštaurácia/turistická tabuľa?" -> Where is the nearest shop/laundrymat/gas station/chateau/castle/restaurant/tourist info/board? Put them into google translate so you know how to pronounce them correctly. And have fun :-D On other parts... you have to be spontaneous! If you want more advice or something wasn't clear, message me, or come visit me :-D I live in "Trstín", just message me beforehand Enjoy your trip! PS- It should be warm for a week now, but then the cold snap will set in. I suggest that you bring warm clothes, and a raincoat. PPS- local stuff is cheap, and tasty, no need to worry about cooking. The reataurants here have fine foods for good prices.

Hallo, Juli. Weather is changable, but anyway cold. In the middle of the Slovakia, near Detva town, lies mountain Polana. Under the mountain is beautiful waterfall Bystro. Next - near Banská BYstrica lies Harmanec town and very closely Harmanecka jaskyna (cave). It is a tourist-visit trip, but worth to see ! Next : not fareway from Rimavská Sobota, in the north direction lies little valley Teply Vrch. Is on the "beach" of lake and next to the lake lies hiccory wood - very strong place. and next - near town Terchova lies mountains complex with the name Mala Fatra. there is a "canyon" with the name Janosikove diery - journey through the canyon on the rocks, through water stream, on ladders...and last tip: city cald Banska Stiavnica, old minor city with nuggets, silver and gems under (and sometimes on the) ground layer, town of intelectuals and artists...strong, deep energy of silver banes...enjouy your trip. Juraj, Hrinova

if you go to Liptovsky Mikulas I can help you plan some trips around. I speak german as well.