Welcome to the region of Slovak statesman Milan Rastislav Štefánik You can read this exclusive content thanks to the FALATH & PARTNERS law firm which assists American people with Slovak roots in obtaining Slovak citizenship and reconnecting them with the land of their ancestors When travelling to kopanice—a collection of scattered settlements in the hills of the Myjava region—from the town of Senica one cannot overlook the village of Sobotište Though linguistically tied to the Záhorie region the northern part of the far west of Slovakia the village geographically sits on the border of kopanice a rolling landscape on Slovakia's western edge near the Czech Republic hails from the Czech Republic and identifies as a Silesian He describes Sobotište as a place nestled between Záhorie and the kopanice region with a dialect that blends elements from both areas If this mix of cultures leaves you puzzled welcome to the complexity of Central Europe the hometown of Slovak national revivalist and cooperative movement founder Samuel Jurkovič features a local museum named in his honour is the recently renovated Habánsky mlyn mill settled in Sobotište in the 16th century after being expelled from Moravia They were known for their strict Christian faith located in a former water mill and its adjoining yard offers visitors a glimpse into this unique heritage The mill and the history of the Haban people draw foreign tourists to Sobotište notes that descendants of Habans from Canada have visited The mayor plans to install a charging station for cyclists making the village a convenient stop on the way further to kopanice there is currently no accommodation available in the village visitors can enjoy a meal at the local pub and pizzeria privately owned and in a state of disrepair doubling as an information centre for tourists The library also displays regional products on a table The name Milan Rastislav Štefánik resonates far beyond Slovakia where he was voted the greatest Slovak in history featured on a variety of products and souvenirs available at the mound on the hill Bradlo above the town of Brezová pod Bradlom the final resting place of this multifaceted figure The road to Bradlo from Brezová pod Bradlom is a narrow with a few tables and chairs scattered nearby In the background stands a modern concrete structure seamlessly integrated into the landscape and resembling an airplane wing This design subtly nods to the tragic death of Štefánik who perished in an airplane accident in 1919 Today's territory of Slovakia was part of different monarchies throughout history including the Austro-Hungarian Empire from 1867 until 1918 with the exception of the inter-war years 1939-1945 during which the Nazi-aligned Slovak state existed the territory was a part of Czechoslovakia the current names of Slovak municipalities were different Here's a list of the largest municipalities in Myjava district with their historical names stated in brackets: Brezová pod Bradlom (Berezó) The full list of all Slovak municipalities, including their historical names, can be found at ww.geni.sk (in Slovak only) constructed this modern information centre finally providing long-needed public toilets for the location the operator of the Infopoint in the Bradlo area eagerly welcoming tourists into the centre's concrete building It functions as both a projection hall and a museum dedicated to the life and works of Štefánik Tomáška offers a concise yet fascinating overview of the renowned astronomer's life His presentation is especially captivating for children inspiring them to follow in Štefánik's footsteps to pursue their dreams despite any challenges they may face visitors can purchase souvenirs celebrating Štefánik and his legacy The offerings include caps emblazoned with his surname's abbreviation and T-shirts featuring his graphic image "Most of our souvenirs are sourced from local producers as we aim to support our community," says Tomáška the information centre buzzes with tourists We sometimes utilise a nearby meadow for overflow," explains Jaroslav Ciran He acknowledges that parking can be an issue during rainy weather unresolved disputes with the neighbouring municipality over the land under Bradlo coupled with opposition from preservationists have prevented the town from collecting parking fees or expanding the area Tourists in the area are predominantly Slovaks from nearby regions with a notable presence of school groups and Czech visitors "We also see Italian and French travellers often en route to the spas in Piešťany with which we collaborate," says Eva Zekucia of the Odkaz Štefánik civic association The region is popular among cyclists and motorcyclists frequently attracts backpackers making their way to the mound Mayor Ciran is keen to reinstate the summer train service from Trnava unlike a traditional castle," the mayor notes The mound now draws around 200,000 visitors annually a significant increase from the 130,000 recorded in 2019 Bradlo offers new dining options for tourists now serves simple fare such as halušky and quality craft beer from Piešťany's Žiwell brewery City-owned yet managed by the Slovak Cycling Club the lodge attracts both cyclists and film enthusiasts with its summer cinema Its location in a valley makes it accessible without a steep climb though this also renders it somewhat inconspicuous Mayor Ciran plans to improve and unify the information system near the mound and to conceal dustbins He also plans to install a giant chess board at the burial mound renowned for its flourishing plum and fruit trees used in brandy production entrepreneurs Mariana Turáková and Ľuboš Straka have embarked on a venture to celebrate and sustain this storied tradition Their journey began in the town of Stará Turá previously owned by Turáková's father Drawing inspiration from their travels in Tuscany Turáková and Straka are determined to infuse a family-centric ethos into their business aiming to revive a legacy that faltered under the former communist regime Ľuboš Straka and Mariana Turáková embarked on an ambitious project establishing a distillery and adding a brewery to cater to the summer season there were no distilleries in the region where you could buy homemade brandy So we decided to build one." Turáková named "Turák & vnuk" (grandson) despite uncertainty about whether their son will eventually take over the business helps with the technical aspects of the brewery and distillery and I'm the one who puts the labels on by hand," Turáková says The entrepreneurs primarily market their craft beer through their own restaurant and supply kegs for family gatherings ideal for the plum festival," notes Turáková Their attempt to distribute the beer to local pubs ended in disappointment as many pub owners lacked the expertise to handle unfiltered and unpasteurised brews the high cost of craft beer makes it less accessible to local consumers The entrepreneurs have opted against selling to supermarkets due to the low profit margins and high volume demands imposed by traders The brewery has the capacity to produce 180 hectolitres of beer each season translating to approximately 36,000 bottles The owners are dedicated to maintaining the use of traditional glass bottles and have no intention of switching to cans which are generally used for pasteurised beer—a product they do not offer a taproom and bar were added to the distillery and brewery grilled meat," Turáková recalls of their foray into the gastronomy business the owners opted to lease the restaurant rather than manage it directly they decided to take over the restaurant themselves and are currently renovating it citing poor experience with tenants who struggled to attract patrons The restaurant had previously operated only on weekends or for private events such as company gatherings and family celebrations "We even hosted a smaller wedding here," Turáková notes highlighting the pub's capacity of 50 people and its charming terrace with a view of kopanice Turáková indicates that they plan to manage the restaurant themselves during the summer weekends we might consider leasing the business again," the co-owner adds The company's clientele includes businesses and cottagers—many from Bratislava—as well as cyclists and tourists we don't see families with children among the cyclists; the trails here cater more to experienced mountain bikers cyclists typically ride early in the morning and don't drink much at that time," explains Straka the family-owned business has faced challenges from the pandemic "We continue to feel the effects of Covid-19 and demand is half what it was last year," admits Turáková over staying local for a drink priced at €2.50 last year's poor fruit harvest led to a significant drop in distillery demand operating costs for the business have been rising they invested approximately €30,000 in photovoltaic panels which now cover the entire roof of the restaurant and the adjacent kitchen as both spirit and beer production require substantial cooling consuming considerable amounts of electricity The Turáks' distillery exclusively uses locally sourced fruit "We don't distill imported macerates because we can't ensure the quality," says Turáková the distillery also offers wine and is exploring the creation of chokeberry liqueurs the co-owners plan to focus on company tastings and team-building events While they have completed a project for a small hotel Travellers heading from Stará Turá to the Veľká Javorina hill in the White Carpathians will encounter a large inn that Braňo Uherek acquired in a state of disrepair eight years ago Transforming the derelict building into a vibrant restaurant and guesthouse Uherek was soon joined in this endeavour by his wife Uherek Meisner recalls that her husband had long admired the inn during his frequent trips to his nearby cottage before deciding to purchase it The inn's commanding hillside position offering breathtaking views of the valley below The Uhereks invested several years in meticulous restoration using traditional techniques to maintain the building's historical character including preserving the stone foundations and mud brick walls they employed clay plaster to retain the inn's rustic charm The structure's distinctive blue façade and a large wooden spoon carved by a local artisan now make it a local landmark their renovation was completed just as the coronavirus pandemic began named U Klačkov after the nearby settlement Its concept centers on home-made Austro-Hungarian cuisine crafted from locally sourced ingredients the owners lacked prior experience in the restaurant industry Uherek Meisner acknowledges the difficulties of running a gastro business in this region which is why the inn operates only on weekends She has decided to shift her focus away from daily restaurant management she envisions a future centered on organising events at the inn for both tourists and local residents she hosted yoga sessions and workshops on traditional crafts such as sheep wool processing and beeswax candle making Uherek Meisner plans to lease the restaurant to experienced culinary professionals who can dedicate themselves to the trade she and her partner Braňo will concentrate on their new ventures including corporate and community events and the planting of fruit orchards the inn welcomed its local herb supplier from the nearby village of Moravské Lieskové The zucchini are sourced from local farmers the inn serves apple cider from regional orchards The inn has further embraced sustainability by producing tableware and glasses from recycled beer and wine bottles at a nearby Moravian glass factory Conveniently located on the route to Veľká Javorina a mountain straddling the border between Slovakia and the Czech Republic and popular with hikers and cyclists the owners have introduced an electric bicycle rental service and provide a charger for electric cars including many from the Czech Republic as well as local regulars A helping hand in the heart of Europe thanks to our Slovakia travel guide with more than 1,000 photos and hundred of tourist spots Our detailed travel guide to the Tatras introduces you to the whole region around the Tatra mountains Lost in Bratislava? It's impossible with our City Guide as an unofficial representative of the City of Little Falls I suggest that you read the excellent article Louis Baum had published in the May 19 edition of the Times Telegram Baum introduced and explained the historical importance Myjava has had on Little Falls With the recent introduction and effort of Peter Adasek the cities of Little Falls and Myjava have partnered in Sister City status Peter and I grew up in Little Falls and have since moved away; Peter lives in Colorado and I live in Florida as a representative of the Little Falls Historic Society travelled to Slovakia and met with the Myjava primator to obtain the documents which were hand carried to former Mayor Robert Peters Through the official efforts of Peters and current Mayor Mark Blask and the Little Falls Historic Society Sister City status was established in 2014 Peter’s and my grandparents were among the thousand or so Myjava immigrants who left a Europe in chaos just before and after World War I and travelled to Little Falls looking for a better future I visited Myjava once in the summer of 2000 and Peter has been there many times The city of Myjava has a population of about 13,000 but covers an area smaller than Little Falls dot the landscape and are known as concrete boxes Czechoslovak President Vaslav Havel said something to the effect that "We live in houses like rabbits." In the past they were all gray and covered with graffiti but now sport new pastel and bright colors The town is basically their main street with a Catholic Church at one end and a Lutheran Church at the other end with several blocks of shops in between which was modern and clean and up to date by any standards We could have been in any large city in the civilized world Myjava was celebrating its annual International Folk Dance Festival the weekend we were there and we were given VIP wrist bands which allowed us into the fest for all three days and also into the VIP/Press area for food and drink and to meet and greet the local dignitaries and dancers We met with Primator Pavel Halabrin and were introduced by one of his staff through a translator Immediately we were presented with a toast of slivovitza (plum brandy with 52 percent alcohol for those of you not of Eastern or Central European heritage) One shot is never enough and more followed Peter and I said that we had had enough for now and the primator as he raised his glass and handed more to us said "To Little Falls!" Not wanting to offend the mayor and possibly create an international incident we obliged and had another couple of shots of slivovitza Myjava has a small museum and historical society At different times they feature the history of Little Falls memorabilia and history were all stored away in the warehouse Instead we learned about the Gypsy influence on the Myjava region dancers and instrumentalist from seven countries including the Czech Republic and of course the home team Myjava The outdoor arena seated 5,000 people and was filled for each day with guests from around the world It was estimated there were 40,000 people total in the three-day event There was a small "village" with little huts each featuring some local traditional food such as klobasa (sausage) and bryndzove halusky (small dumplings with sheep cheese) Another area was also set up with booths selling souvenirs from Slovakia and from other countries that were participating in the event On Saturday morning there was a parade down the main street in town with the primator riding in a horse drawn cart wearing native costume The parade delivered him to a stage area where about 2,000 people were waiting for his welcoming speech Peter and I were on stage with him and I introduced myself to the audience and through a translator related to the crowd how happy I was to be there and how I had been warmly received by the townspeople and the primator delivered a hand written speech that was understood by all in attendance I presented the primator with an American flag lapel pin and a satin purple and white golf jacket from the Little Falls High School golf team The mayor beamed and put the jacket on over his Slovak costume Handshakes all around and smiles and good wishes and we were through with the morning festivities At noon we were back to Hotel Stefanik where we were interviewed by a reporter for the Czech National Public Radio He asked us about our ties to Little Falls and Myjava and if we were involved with the folk festival Of course my answers were translated for the listening audience I really had no idea what was the tone of the interview The interview was scheduled to be broadcast later that week On Sunday morning we didn’t set the clock so missed the church service that we had intended to attend we headed up Main Street to look for a restaurant We counted eight cafes or restaurants in town and all were closed Sunday at lunch time We found a grocery store open and settled on some ham and cheese rolls and mustard for our lunch back at the hotel The main street in town was devoid of automobiles or pedestrians It was much different from the day before when booths selling food and souvenirs lined both sides of the main street and thousands of people were enjoying the festivities Peter had visited Myjava several times when it was part of Czechoslovakia he noticed many of the buildings were in very poor condition and crumbling The tenants were not land owners because the government owned everything so the people had no desire or incentive to fix up their homes It was the government’s responsibility and the government never seemed to get around to repairing anything owned by the average citizen Peter wanted to purchase a Slovak-English dictionary He went to many different book stores and could not find any for sale They were all in the Prague warehouses awaiting transport the book sellers and warehouse employees were all getting a set salary whether they sold any books or not so there was no incentive to request that the books be delivered To me these are two pretty good examples why Socialism doesn’t work Czechoslovakia became free of the Soviet Communist dictatorship in 1989 and was a democratic country once more The event was called the Velvet Revolution because it occurred without war Then in 1993 the Czech and Slovak Republics (the latter also known as Slovakia) split peacefully and that was known as the Velvet Divorce On the last day in Myjava we went to the primator’s office to say good bye and pick up a few small gifts from him He offered us coffee and the mandatory slivovitza It was 8:30 in the morning and again hard to say no to the mayor "To Little Falls!" We left that morning with promises to write and come back for a visit We were asked to have our Little Falls mayor visit Myjava and we also got promises from Primator Halabrin that he would come to Little Falls to make an official visit I hope that I’ll be visiting Little Falls when the time comes and I can offer him some slivovitza This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Dine at the restaurant that hosted two presidents You can read this exclusive content thanks to the FALATH & PARTNERS law firm In the picturesque Myjava region of western Slovakia where small farms are nestled among undulating hills a deep-rooted tradition of distillation thrives which yield an abundance of high-quality plums some rare hemlocks stand as silent witnesses to centuries gone by with lifespans extending up to 300 years and requiring decades to fully mature This unique agricultural bounty has spurred local entrepreneurs to craft exquisite fruit distillates sustaining a proud heritage and a burgeoning local industry Nestled in the town of Stará Turá the distillery affiliated with the craft brewery Turák & vnuk offers a delightful escape Visitors can indulge in high-quality spirits and beers all while savouring a meal in a quaint restaurant that boasts panoramic views of the idyllic countryside In the town of Myjava, one finds another distillery well worth the visit, Myjavská pálenica This establishment is not only a feast for the palate but also for the eyes with its striking brick-lined exterior and view of gleaming copper cauldrons where high-quality distillates are meticulously crafted Much like the well-known Turák & vnuk brewery this distillery offers tasting experiences complemented by carefully curated food pairings For those who lean towards a more caffeinated indulgence Café CoolTura in nearby Stará Turá provides a delightful alternative This cosy spot serves up quality coffee sourced from a Slovak roaster alongside a selection of house-made lemonades and delectable desserts making it a perfect destination for coffee aficionados and sweet tooths alike five-acre family farm has been lovingly tended by Patrícia and Jaroslav Zemans since 2019 which included a house and a spacious garden the couple cultivates 800 lavender bushes behind their home "We grow two varieties of lavender: one edible and one inedible," Patrícia explains "The edible variety can be used to make syrup The inedible variety is utilised for making oil the couple assembles gift packages for customers Their farm is a popular destination for wedding photo shoots and they also offer self-harvesting opportunities for lavender but we receive many orders for wedding baskets especially from eastern Slovakia,” Patrícia said the couple experienced their most successful season attracting around 200 visitors to their farm for self-harvesting over a single weekend they realised they were working 16-hour days they decided to cancel the farm photoshoot as the preparations proved too time-consuming While they continue to offer self-harvesting they have also begun harvesting for themselves "We wouldn't be able to pay workers." the couple remains optimistic about the future They recently purchased a sewing and embroidery machine to create folk designs on T-shirts with plans to expand the sale of local products through an online store They have also opened a new shop in Myjava the Na nátoni restaurant in Myjava - a cellar built on the foundations of an old cottage - offers a taste of traditional local dishes alongside specialties from global cuisines Rastislav Viskup prioritises local sourcing for his ingredients He sources meat from the local company Svaman cheese from a sheep farm in a nearby Moravian village and vegetables and herbs from the Vlčí mak farm in Gbely located in the Záhorie region in the far west of Slovakia The restaurant focuses on providing a personalised experience for guests and offers special events and catering services in addition to regular dining as the establishment specialises in tasting and grilling menus Viskup envisions Myjava and its surrounding hills and scattered settlements as a prime destination for gastronomic tourism He believes that visitors can enjoy a meal at the restaurant while exploring the area on foot or by bike Viskup also proudly recounts that both former President Andrej Kiska and former President Zuzana Čaputová have dined at his establishment While he welcomes the increase in tourism to the region Viskup suggests that more promotional efforts are needed He points out that the Myjava hills are easily accessible from Bratislava and offer stunning natural landscapes ideal for walking and cycling He advocates for enhanced support in developing accommodation and dining facilities to cater to growing visitor numbers Viskup hopes to expand the restaurant's hours of operation while maintaining its high standards recommends the restaurant and guesthouse Holotéch víška in the village of Košariská Housed in a tastefully renovated historic building tourists can also visit the restaurant Gurmán for a tasty meal Another option is the recently renovated Gregorov mlyn in Hradište pod Vrátnom which also operates only on weekends and by special arrangement Tourists have the opportunity to discover many hidden gems in the hills of Myjava encountered only by chance or through local recommendations a member of the civic association Odkaz Štefánik notes that while the area boasts numerous intriguing sites they lack a network or system to get the word out visitors may be unaware of unique attractions such as the manual paper production in the nearby village of Prietrž Zekucia is encouraged by the emergence of positive developments in the region which are creating beloved destinations that people look forward to revisiting Observatory and Habánsky mlyn (mill) M.R. Štefánik Museum Košariská: The exhibition highlights key moments in the life of General Milan Rastislav Štefánik Mohyla pod Bradlom: A significant architectural monument this site is the final resting place of M.R Štefánik and three Italian pilots FarmaPARK in Lubina is an ideal destination for families with children The park offers a chance to see a variety of animals as well as more exotic creatures like camels and kangaroos Prameň na súši in Súš Stará Turá: A Christian centre for young people and families also serves as a hub for local production Záhrada Podjavorina Blue little houses Chata Bradlo Štefánik Barrow on the Bradlo Holubyho chata Veľká Javorina: A well-known tourist lodge in the White Carpathians on the border of the Czech Republic and Slovakia Hostinec U Klačkov a pension and restaurant with good food and local products Biomila SK Herbex Hand-made paper production Branč castle ruins {{loadedArticle.publishedAt | daymonthyear}} Follow us on social media for more news and content from our experts and events Access your digital knowledge base everywhere with our mobile apps German photographer Lizzy Petereit has won this year's Macro Art Photo Project with a lovely close-up of an Anemone flower (inline below) Other celebrated images in the impressive competition include an extraordinary snap of a tiny snout-nosed beetle (above) and surreal cross-section of a developing fig fruit The Macro Art Photo Project is one part of the larger International Garden Photographer of the Year competition encompassing a massive variety of categories is open for entries until later in October several smaller "photo projects" run across the year focusing on topics such as Black & White or Still Life photography The Macro Art competition is perhaps the most interesting side project exploring the art of flora and fauna in profound close-up Some of the celebrated entries in this year's competition reveal mesmerizing and magical perspectives of common insects and plants Hasan Baglar's incredible image of a swallowtail butterfly's wing reveals patterns of color that resemble pixels on an RGB monitor Alan Price's highly commended portrait of a cockchafer beetle (above) offers an amusingly sassy look at a relatively common insect Take a look through our gallery at all of this year's amazing macro winners Source: IGPOTY Rangers lost their Women's Champions League first-round play-off against Atletico Madrid at Meadow Park in London. Both sides were playing for third place in their section after losing Wednesday's semi-finals, Rangers to Arsenal and Atletico to Rosenborg. The Spanish side moved into the lead through Synne Jensen three minutes before half-time. Sheila Guijarro doubled that advantage midway through the second half and Vilde Boe Risa added a third. Jo Potter's Rangers, who were SWPL runners-up last season, return to league action at home to Spartans on 15 September. Head coach Jo Potter told Rangers TV: "You look at the whole performance and we're probably pleased with it but it was 3-0 so we're not pleased with it. "We've shown we can compete against a really strong Atletico team but we've also got to remember this at the back end of the season as well, remember how it felt in these games. "It'll be important for us in the long run because it just makes you hungry to want to get here again and produce performances and results that better this." The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made substituted for Lauren Leal at 76 minutesNumber 21 substituted for Dana Benítez at 75 minutesNumber 17 Yellow Card at 65 minutesYolanda Sierra 83' substituted for Yolanda Sierra at 83 minutesNumber 27 substituted for Gio Garbelini at 62 minutesNumber 14 Yellow Card at 90 minutesSubstitutesNumber 15 Wilkinson Match OfficialsReferee: Minka VekkeliAssistant Referee 1: Heini HyvonenAssistant Referee 2: Ieva RamanauskieneFourth Official: Rasa GrigoneMatch StatsKey Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. Here's what to do during the weekend of August 16-18 In the picturesque Myjava region of western Slovakia, where small farms are nestled among undulating hills, a deep-rooted tradition of distillation thrives. But that is not the only thing of interest; in the local hills, alongside traditional fruit orchards, are also nestled a lavender farm, beautiful mill, architectural monument, and much, much more. Find out more here TIP: It's as if time stopped. Few know about unusual lake in south Slovakia TIP: Fruity, tranquil, rivery: The call of Slovakia's famous wine region On Saturday, beekeepers from the village of Dolná Krupá near Trnava, western Slovakia, will host a special event in the Medolandia experience centre, with families as the target audience. In addition to tasting delicacies made from honey such as Slovakia's renowned local mead, children can look forward to activities inspired by a host of fairy-tales. Learn more here The Lovestream festival is back, once again bringing world-famous musicians to Slovakia. This year's edition is headlined by rappers 50 cent and Macklemore, singer Rita Ora, DJ Tiësto and many, many more musicians. The festival will be held in Bratislava-Vajnory from Friday to Sunday. In previous years, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Dua Lipa, The Killers, Imagine Dragons headlined the festival. Get the tickets here TIP 1: The "little genius" confronts her Slovak-Vietnamese dilemmas through writing TIP 2: A bistro owner taught people in a northern-Slovak town to eat real Vietnamese food is a Slovak electronic music producer who blends dynamic rhythms and melodic lines while putting emphasis on atmosphere Žitný Ostrov in south-western Slovakia is the biggest river island in Europe Combine the two together and this is what you get High temperatures are still expected this weekend August 17, 24, 31:Discover Abov region in eastern Slovakia using bike bus August 21-23:Dobrofest 2024 international music festival dedicated to the dobro guitar August 22-25: Traditional fair in Bardejov August 23-25:Kremnické Gagy humour and satire festival August 23-25:Gran Prix Slovakia on Slovakia Ring in Orechová Potôň August 24:International Jazz Festival in Špania Dolina August 31: Dragon Days fairy-tale festival at Ľupča Castle WHAT TO DO FOR FREE: Join the Three peaks challenge and visit three Little Carpathians mountains WHAT TO EXPLORE IN BRATISLAVA: Listen to electronic music below the castle, spend some time playing board games in this week's Top 10 events WHAT TO TRY: Irin. Bratislava: "A three-hour epicurean adventure" (restaurant review) WHAT TO LEARN: Today, corruption is considered one of the factors pushing Slovaks to leave their homeland; 135 years ago, it facilitated their widespread departure WHAT TO BE HAPPY ABOUT: Slovakia's national dish briefly goes global, thanks to an influencer – and the Olympics Slovak leaders wrestle with Brussels – and each other Twenty-one years after joining the European Union — on 1 May 2004 — Slovakia finds itself at a crossroads While membership has brought economic growth billions in investment and a sense of security in uncertain times national leaders and political parties remain deeply divided on how the country should shape its future in Europe peaceful coexistence and respect for human dignity,” Radim Dvořák acting head of the European Commission’s Representation in Slovakia He added that the EU has helped deliver stability and prosperity but warned that unity and cooperation should not be taken for granted Slovakia has received more than €38 billion in EU funding ranging from schools and hospitals to roads Slovakia’s gross national income has grown by an average of 7 percent annually with GDP per capita rising from 59 percent of the EU average in 2004 to 71 percent by 2022 President Peter Pellegrini struck a more sombre tone “We are witnessing global changes at a pace unseen for decades and the rules of the past are being rewritten,” he said Yet Pellegrini also criticised the bloc’s shortcomings including “excessive bureaucracy” and bold but impractical initiatives he called the EU “our civilisational anchor and security space” urging Slovaks to embrace their place at the table while advocating for reforms According to a Eurobarometer survey conducted in December 53 per cent of Slovaks said they trust the European Union while two-thirds described themselves as feeling connected to it The debate over Slovakia’s role in the EU is The ruling Smer party took a sharper stance calling for a return to sovereign cooperation between member states and rejecting what it sees as centralised decision-making and unrealistic green policies It warned that scrapping the national veto could marginalise smaller countries turning them into “mere statisticians” in the European project though through commercial contracts rather than donations from its own armed forces MEP Martin Hojsík said the EU must become a true global power ready for enlargement towards Ukraine and the Western Balkans including reducing the use of vetoes in foreign policy “We need an EU ready to defend itself and protect democracy,” Hojsík told TASR warning that Slovakia risks being sidelined in common defence plans has warned that the country’s place in the European Union is no longer guaranteed as leading political figures continue to question its value He argued that the nation should act as a strong and constructive partner in Brussels — a role he believes it is failing to fulfil Slovakia finds itself in perhaps its weakest position yet,” Šimečka said Our only ally is Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán we are seen as problem members of the EU.” Prime Minister Fico rarely travels to meet European partners firmly rejected any notion of leaving the EU “The EU is our living space,” party leader and Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok told TASR leaving is a red line.” He stressed that while Slovakia should not be subservient it must remain a constructive and responsible member Slovakia has seen protests under the banner “Slovakia is Europe” sparked by remarks in January from Deputy Speaker of Parliament Tibor Gašpar (Smer) who suggested the country might one day leave the European Union EU membership remains vital despite its flaws and Europe stands for human dignity and freedom,” he told TASR though he lamented Slovakia’s lack of leadership on key EU issues saying those advocating departure are harming the country the border town is home to the only preserved windmill in Slovakia Visitors to Slovakia’s westernmost district, Skalica, would do well to begin their journey in Holíč, a border town steeped in history and flavour. You can explore this district through our Trnava Region guide One of the best places to start – especially if you are feeling peckish or in need of a drink – is Wywar Brewery a family-run establishment easily spotted from the main road this brewery not only serves high-quality craft beer but also dishes up hearty meals and oven-baked pizza They have named their restaurant Jozef II – paying tribute to the Austrian emperor left their mark on the town; Francis was instrumental in establishing Holíč’s first factories and farms “Don’t miss the restored duck house (kačenáreň),” urges Martin Kadlec one of the four brothers who run the family business dates back to the mid-18th century and was originally used for catching ducks it now serves as an information centre for tourists and provides access to the nearby Church of St Margaret of Antioch The attic houses archaeological finds from the surrounding area A helping hand in the heart of Europe: a travel guide to Slovakia the duck house also offered refreshments for tourists during the season Kadlec notes that the buffet is not operating as well as it could and draws a comparison with the village of Mikulčice “It’s a different world; they have better facilities for tourists including a restaurant and a lookout tower,” says the entrepreneur Mikulčice is best known for its archaeological park home to ancient monuments and a Slavic hillfort from the Great Moravian era One advantage is the cycle path near the duck farm which allows tourists to reach the reconstructed imperial stud farm in Kopčany or cross the Morava River via a cycle bridge to Mikulčice has been undergoing renovations for several years the castle was owned by Francis of Lorraine Although the main castle building appears worn with its façade still awaiting restoration the surrounding structures have been renovated The former stables now serve as the tourist information office a pleasant room houses two employees at work One of them kindly explains to visitors that the other renovated buildings include a wine bar and a café and that only one wing of the castle has been restored where visitors can also explore the chapel and the extensive castle cellars When asked about the sign prohibiting the feeding of nutria (a beaver-like animal) in front of the castle Zuzana Miklovičová from the tourist office smiles and explains that the animals had multiplied in the moat and were causing problems for the castle With the Trnava region travel guide in hand you’re sure to find that “Little Rome” is larger than life and ready to welcome you with open arms (and mead) “They are damaging the ramparts and gnawing on the ropes of boats used for sailing along the moat,” she tells The Slovak Spectator Holíč is home to the only preserved windmill in Slovakia Next to it stands a charming lookout tower offering views not only of the surrounding landscape but also of a large Jewish cemetery a region in western Slovakia bordering the Czech Republic and Austria was once home to one of the largest Jewish communities in the country St George Chapel: A Romanesque building from the turn of the 12th and 13th centuries Franciscan Monastery: Features a charming courtyard and a kitchen where Skalický trdelník Culture House: An Art Nouveau building designed by the renowned architect Dušan Jurkovič Ice House: A historic cellar once used for food storage Pilárik Brothers Mill: A reconstructed technical building with functional milling machines Zlatnická dolina: A recreational area ideal for cyclists Kamenná búda: A mountain hut nestled in the heart of the White Carpathians Duck Farm: A mid-18th-century farm building originally used for catching ducks Stud Farm: The grand former stud farm of Francis of Lorraine Church of St Margaret of Antioch: The oldest church in the Záhorie region Holíč Castle: A vast castle developed from a medieval water fortress Windmill: One of the oldest preserved brick windmills in Slovakia Lookout Tower on the Ridge: A 17-metre-high observation tower offering panoramic views of the town and surrounding area Unín Hillfort: One of the most picturesque hillforts in western Slovakia A helping hand in the heart of Europe thanks to our Slovakia travel guide with more than 1,000 photos and hundred of tourist spots Our detailed travel guide to the Tatras introduces you to the whole region around the Tatra mountains Lost in Bratislava? Impossible with our City Guide a push for experience-based tourism is reshaping how visitors explore its past and present You can read this exclusive content thanks to the FALATH & PARTNERS law firm we pull up in front of a striking Art Nouveau building home to the local Tourist Information Office and a vibrant cultural hub eager to share not just plans for restoring the town’s historical treasures but also the evolving trends shaping tourism in this once free royal town.  “Tourists typically visit Skalica for two to three days but we aim to encourage them to return regularly for unique experiences,” explains Medňanská.   modern tourists are no longer satisfied with simply strolling around historical sites and churches while listening to stories of long-forgotten founders which boasts excellent acoustics,” she elaborates For those uninterested in churches or historic houses Skalica offers a range of technical monuments to explore visitors can access locations not typically open to the public including the historic building of the Špicer Brewery The renovation of the town icehouse is one of several projects funded by a cross-border cooperation programme (Interreg) with neighbouring Czechia Visitors will learn about the icehouse’s historical role as the town’s refrigerator we are nearing completion of the renovation of the historic pharmacy which will include antique furniture and equipment It is set to open in May,” says Medňanská Although the city’s tourist office offers guided tours of the monuments many visitors prefer to use an audio guide available via a mobile application "Everything about the city is narrated in three languages and we are also planning a guide in language suitable for children to ensure that kids are engaged without being overwhelmed by facts and figures," explains Medňanská An interesting initiative is the installation of “windows into the past” throughout the town These windows depict monuments that no longer exist because they were demolished or rebuilt Visitors arriving in Skalica at the end of May can sign up for a themed tour called “In the Footsteps of Skalica’s Specialities” which includes a demonstration of how to bake Skalický trdelník The town has its own trdelník bakery capable of producing 80 pieces per day but this often falls short due to high tourist demand Private companies therefore help meet this need It is unfortunate that to buy the famous trdelník one has to explore the side streets rather than find a shop directly on the main square the saleswoman is very friendly and offers us a larger version of the trdelník instead of the smaller one we had originally wanted Skalica plans to invest in expanding the port on the Baťa Canal with the assistance of EU funds the renowned entrepreneur Tomáš Baťa which is home to Slovakia’s only port Czechs state that the Baťa Canal ends in Skalica Construction work is already underway on the Czech side of the port while the Slovak side remains quiet as they await EU funding The Czechs are expanding the navigation channel to accommodate more tourist boats Access from Skalica to the port on the Baťa Canal is via a narrow asphalt road and pedestrians - a less than ideal situation having to navigate not only speed bumps but also potholes in the asphalt while driving “The port is located nearly four kilometres from the town centre which discourages many visitors from walking into town,” admits Medňanská the number of cyclists in the town is on the rise the town plans to construct a cycle path from Mondokov kříž to the neighbouring Sudoměřice in the Czech Republic “Czechs tend to be more enthusiastic visitors and cyclists than Slovaks so we aim to attract them to our town,” adds the head of tourism in Skalica reflects on the history of his family’s vineyard when his grandfather first planted vines in Novosady and built a wine cellar he could not have predicted that his descendants would carry on the tradition of grape growing and winemaking The journey to the current vineyards has not been easy the communist regime nationalised the vineyards uprooting them and converting the land into fields many winemakers in Skalica reclaimed their ancestral vineyards but later we began selling wine,” Kopeček recalls of the early days of the business they have faced challenges in expanding their vineyards due to the issue of land fragmentation in Slovakia which has made it difficult to acquire consolidated land The town of Skalica has decided to revive its winemaking tradition by planting several hectares of new vineyards Part of this land was rented by the Kopeček family they cultivate vines on 10 hectares and produce between 20,000 and 30,000 bottles of wine each year In addition to Kopeček’s wife Renáta Kopeček mentions that visitors primarily attend winemaker events and the Trdlofest The largest and oldest event is the Open Cellars Day in October when around 70 winemakers from Skalica showcase their wines This event attracts approximately 2,000 wine lovers from Slovakia the town and the civic association Vínna cesta Záhorie are working to draw visitors to the Vínna špacírka (wine wandering) This smaller event features 15 wineries from the region and offers visitors the chance to explore the town’s historical monuments with a guided tour Visitors can also enjoy local gastronomic specialties and live music Slovakia's territory has been part of different monarchies throughout history the current names of Slovak municipalities are different than during that era Here's a list of the largest municipalities in Skalica district with their historical names stated in the brackets: Vrádište -  Várköz The full list of all Slovak municipalities, including their historical names, can be found at www.geni.sk (in Slovak only) Another attraction for visitors is the Summer at Skalica Winemakers event a different winemaker opens their winery each week Kopeček admits that attendance at the summer tastings is often low When asked why there are more wine travellers on the Czech side of the Morava River winemaker Kopeček struggles to provide a clear answer “I don’t know what they do differently since we also host events with open wine cellars Maybe it’s the quality of the service.” points out that the wine huts on the Czech side are concentrated in one area in Skalica they are spread out over several kilometres and some have been converted into family homes which discourages visitors,” she notes Kopeček also recalls that visitors often complain about the limited accommodation options directly in Skalica they must book rooms six months in advance the guesthouses tend to be less busy.  “We need to find a way to keep visitors here longer,” concludes Lucia Their family winery can host around 35 people for company events or family celebrations but they do not provide accommodation. Nor do they plan to open their own winery in the town centre as Kopeček believes it would not be profitable “There aren’t many visitors outside the summer season and the locals have their own wine,” he explains Visitors to Skalica can find three wine shops selling Skalica wine One is located on Štefániková Street another is tucked away near the Franciscan Church and the third is by the famous St George Chapel a wine with a protected designation of origin only a few major winemakers can afford to finance their own wine shops “Most other winemakers are small-scale producers who only make wine for their own consumption so they do not open wine shops in the city Their own wine cellar is sufficient for their needs,” concludes Kopeček beer enthusiasts can find a welcoming spot the Špicer craft brewery opened its doors The brewery’s name honours the last tenant of the Skalica city brewery The brewery is housed in a historic building constructed by Eliáš Berger who served as the court historian for several Hungarian kings from the Habsburg dynasty in the 16th century the house changed hands among various nobles until the 1920s when it was purchased by Slovaks returning to Skalica from America “They undertook extensive renovations of the house and its roof The area where the stainless steel beer tanks are now located was once a pub the beautiful historic building had a bowling alley and a dance hall,” explains Peter Tomčík He founded the business along with his brother and cousin Jánošík also proposed using the building for the brewery partly inspired by the traditional rivalry with the neighbouring town of Holíč “We plan to continue the traditions of Skalica which include not only trdelník but also beer brewing,” Tomčík explains he measures the sugar content of the beer and enthusiastically discusses both the history of the brewery and the beers they produce in honour of Ján Amos Komenský who briefly visited Skalica,” he shares visitors come to Skalica primarily for its gastronomy which is why he aims to offer them not only craft beer but also high-quality food at the brewery he also hopes to attract cyclists who pass by their brewery on the cycle route leading to Zlatnická dolina a well-known tourist destination near Skalica a region in northern Slovakia (see our Žilina travel guide to discover this part of Slovakia) prepare for a journey that may take longer than your navigation app suggests The drive along the D1 highway through the Váh valley to the city of Žilina is smooth but delays begin to mount after reaching the city The road beneath Strečno is notoriously narrow and frequently congested and tightly clustered villages make for slow progress we find ourselves stuck behind a Polish lorry inching along at a frustrating 50 kilometres per hour which makes the journey to Trstená stretching to over an hour for a mere 53-kilometre drive from the turnoff near Kraľovany For many foreigners tracing their Slovak heritage, finding the burial sites of their ancestors is a deeply personal journey. To aid in this quest, we have provided maps of the districts we visited, with every cemetery carefully marked. Here you can find cemeteries in Orava Region The worst delays hit in Tvrdošín where the long-awaited bypass remains unfinished Traffic crawls—or grinds to a standstill—at two roundabouts and a bridge spanning the Orava River we arrive half an hour late for our meeting with the mayor of Trstená “Politicians in Bratislava can hardly imagine what it’s like to drive from Orava to the capital,” remarks Mayor Magda Zmarzláková ironically Once the bustling heart of the Upper Orava region the small town of Trstená has seen its prominence wane eclipsed by the neighbouring district town of Tvrdošín For many of Trstená’s 7,000 residents They argue their town holds greater significance boasting a hospital — something Tvrdošín lacks — and serving as a regional market hub Discover Northern Slovakia with our Žilina Region travel guide Here's a list of the largest municipalities in Northern Orava Region with their historical names stated in the brackets: there is little bitterness when it comes to the progress being made locally The town’s municipal office now occupies a recently restored historic building with renovations focused on energy efficiency “Our energy consumption has dropped by 70 percent,” the mayor said “We barely need heating,” she added underscored by unseasonably warm December weather with temperatures hovering around 10 °C The conversation turned to Trstená’s historical landmarks and its untapped potential for tourism The mayor’s vision includes a cycle path encircling the Orava Dam “The dam has so much unused potential Its cold water makes it unsuitable for swimming but cycling could transform it into a draw,” she said involving municipalities from Slovakia and Poland Zmarzláková explained that the cycle route could extend visitors’ stays in Orava creating new opportunities for the region’s tourism economy Slovaks could look to their Polish neighbours for inspiration when developing this cycle path “There are cycle paths through peat bogs as well built in a way that accommodates the natural movement of water in the area but the Poles manage it brilliantly,” the mayor says praising their innovative approach to integrating nature with infrastructure At the bridge over the Oravica River in Trstená the cycle path to the Polish town of Nowy Targ begins Developed collaboratively by towns and villages on both the Slovak and Polish sides of Orava as well as in the Polish region of Podhale nestled beneath the Tatras this 40-kilometre route has become a magnet for cycling enthusiasts the path is equipped with blue bike boxes and a stand stocked with tools for repairs Cyclists can take breaks in gazebos and even visit chapels along the way The mayor of Trstená envisions significant potential in attracting more cyclists she hopes to see buffets established along the route in the future A major advantage of the project was its use of an old railway line which eliminated the thorny issue of land acquisition often complicated by Slovakia’s fragmented ownership its tracks replaced by this bustling cycle path we visit the ceramics store in Trstená the master potter and owner of the ceramics business is absent The saleswoman suggests we head directly to his nearby workshop He welcomes us warmly into a cosy space heated by the active furnace Find out more about the region of folklore, national parks and modern attractions in our Žilina Region Travel Guide his employees are carefully selecting fired ceramics from the kiln—among them large bowls glazed by Hoľma’s wife and sister-in-law with Ján Balek as the newest recruit he discovered a stronger passion for pottery but ceramics allow for more creativity,” he says the team is busy fulfilling Christmas orders “We supply local restaurants that favour traditional bowls and mugs for serving food,” explains Hoľma “Clay is an invaluable material in gastronomy Hoľma began his career in construction before turning his attention to reviving a fading ceramic workshop Determined to preserve a tradition dating back to 1870 he rented the space to continue its legacy the workshop once housed a brewery and a drying room for local mushrooms and fruit Hoľma crafts ceramics using local clay adorned with folk patterns and that’s what matters,” he says Trstená’s ceramics are sold at local markets and exported to Poland “We’re selective about which markets we attend choosing those that align with our values rather than chasing every opportunity,” he explains Hoľma is passionate about promoting ceramic craftsmanship He hosts workshops where visitors can mould their own cup A glimpse of this traditional art is also on display at the Orava Village Museum in Zuberec-Brestová offering an immersive taste of this timeless craft we make our way to the Garden Hotel & Resort Oravský Háj Arriving just ahead of the Christmas season we take in the shelves adorned with Trstená ceramics “Our goal is self-sufficiency in meat production,” Hrbáň explains free-roaming horses catch our eye—the pride of the resort’s owner also feature prominently in the resort’s riding school “We attract both locals and horse enthusiasts,” Hrbáň adds the resort’s current owner has been steadily enhancing its offerings transforming it into a popular venue for corporate events and weddings The resort boasts cottages with apartments Jankulák acquired the neighbouring Brezovica mountain hotel with plans for a revamped restaurant and a new wellness area Future developments aim to attract adventurers and families alike unseasonably warm weather in Orava poses challenges for snowmaking at the ski resort the resort offers bike rentals and is planning a dedicated bicycle depot with a route stretching all the way to Poland,” the manager notes The vision is to transform Orava Háj into a year-round destination inspired by foreign resorts where skiing transitions to biking as the seasons change amenities include a restaurant with a children’s corner Local entrepreneurs are keen to expand accommodation options and draw more visitors from Poland calling for improved marketing across the border to tap into the region's significant growth potential it was annexed to Poland for nearly five years as part of an effort to incorporate parts of Slovak Orava it was returned to Czechoslovakia following a revision of the border The village is home not to Poles but to Gorals a highland community who identify more as Slovaks despite speaking a dialect closer to Polish Suchá Hora has a population of nearly 1,500 and several grocery stores—but notably “The pub went bankrupt because people work during the week and prefer to spend weekends with their families rather than at the bar,” says Jozef Kovalik The only guest house is a quaint wooden cottage owned by Mayor Kovalik himself there is no larger accommodation in the village “Suchá Hora is a bit farther from Oravice and other popular tourist spots in Orava so we mainly attract visitors who find Poland too expensive,” he explains the Polish village of Chocholów boasts a large water park that has been a major draw for nearly a decade The sprawling car park was crowded with buses unloading Russian-speaking tourists Alongside the water park—advertised with striking billboards—Chocholów offers beautifully restored wooden houses and ample guest accommodation Strategically located along a cross-border cycling route from Trstená to Nowy Targ the village is a popular stop for cyclists Mayor Kovalik is eager to capitalise on this with plans to convert the bike path into a cross-country skiing trail during the winter months The mayor observes that Poles tend to be more enterprising than Slovaks he recalls a time when as many as 30 grocery stores thrived in Suchá Hora largely catering to Polish customers who flocked to Slovakia in search of goods unavailable in Poland due to shortages Slovaks travel to Poland to buy nearly everything,” Kovalik notes “It’s not that we lack products but prices are much lower in Poland—everything from food to building materials and furniture.” Kovalik also admires the Poles’ proactive approach to development “They actively seek funding from European Union resources and invest it in their regions while we Slovaks seem less inclined to pursue such opportunities,” he remarks Kovalik remains optimistic about the future of the border village Having recently secured land for 250 family homes he believes the development will entice young people—particularly those working abroad or in nearby villages and towns—to settle in Suchá Hora winding route through Oravice towards Huty and the Liptov region and we noticed that the turn in Vitanová towards Oravice—a village known for its popular thermal aqua park—was poorly marked lacking the large billboards commonly seen in Poland were not yet ready for eager skiers awaiting colder temperatures a picturesque mountain resort and a key base for hikers venturing into the Roháče area of the Western Tatras Passing the warmly lit Koliba Holica near Huty we navigated winding roads as we made our way into the Liptov region Upper Orava is a fantastic destination year-round offering something special in both summer and winter you’ll need more than just a weekend the Sobrance district has seen brain drain There is a small shop in Vyšné Nemecké standing by the road just a stone's throw away from the Slovak-Ukrainian border A lorry driver is unloading barrels of beer outside I'm wondering if the beer is for the many lorry drivers crossing the village or for the some 200 local people living here Vyšné Nemecké, a town in the Košice Region's Sobrance district, is the only road crossing point for lorries on the Slovak-Ukrainian border. Find many similar interesting facts about Eastern Slovakia in the Košice Region guide "The locals will drink it," the shop owner Andrea Jenčíková laughs when she tells The Slovak Spectator She inherited the business from her parents and wanted to keep running it but her competitors have gone out of business nothing would be here," Jenčíková notes briefly The border regions in eastern Slovakia have been of little interest to most Slovak governments after the fall of communism in 1989 they are described as Slovakia's "Far East" by people living in the west of the country These easterners point out that nobody pokes fun at Bratislava for being on the periphery of Slovakia The Slovak capital also lies on the border with Austria and Hungary.​ the mayor of Vyšné Nemecké says that six shops and eight pubs existed in the town in the times of communism New people don't come in droves to settle down in the village here A case in point: only one house has been built here in five years Well-paid jobs have long been a scarcity in these border areas Older houses in Vyšné Nemecké have been bought in recent years by people from Ukraine the neighbour invaded by Russia in February 2022 Discover Eastern Slovakia with our Košice Guide Slovakia's territory was part of different monarchies throughout the history Here's a list of the largest municipalities in Michalovce and Sobrance district with their historical names stated in the brackets: Trhovište (Vásárhely) Petrovce (Ungpetróc or Ungpéteri) Vyšné Nemecké (Felsőnémeti) "I'm glad that those houses are not falling into decay and that they decided to renovate and move into them," the mayor says about the Ukrainian newcomers Dozens of customs officers and police officers work at the Vyšné Nemecké border crossing The mayor estimates that about 20 locals work at the border Almost everyone who has moved out of Vyšné Nemecké left for work either to Košice or even to other countries "If a person can earn €3,000 a month abroad but only €600 in Sobrance they won't stay here," the mayor explains The average monthly Slovak salary in 2023 was €1,430 salaries are much lower compared to the rest of the country and to the other parts of Košice Region the unemployment rate in the district is high the recipe for persuading people to live in the border area is simple "People must have a job and the prospect of a decent living not even a new football field," Meňköová says A large factory would bring life back to the region Those who remain in this area work mainly in agriculture or in the woods There's plenty of forests and arable land agriculture does not attract young people because it is hard work and there is a lot of uncertainty The two mayors add that it would be for the best if the long-awaited construction of a motorway began connecting Košice with the Ukrainian city of Uzhhorod should start Locals would then take care of the little things such as the revival of small local businesses But the outflow of people isn't the only thing that bothers the mayors They think the border villages should look nicer.​ ​"We're no periphery of the republic we are a gateway to the European Union," Meňköová says The Pinkovce mayor herself sets a good example for the government Meňköová mows the the local Jewish cemetery at the expense of the municipality some houses in the village are falling apart The owners died and the descendants aren't interested in them Either they're living abroad or in other parts of Slovakia A large house can be bought here for the price of a small flat in Košice People from Pinkovce have emigrated abroad for a long time "We're in contact by email and she's interested in what goes on in our village," says Meňköová But immigrants from larger towns are the hope for the aging village of Pinkovce whose population decreased from 400 to less than 200 in the past years People from Michalovce and Košice buy houses and plots of land here They mostly have ties to the village through their ancestors "We can't all live in Bratislava," Meňköová argues There's a community reading room named after the local painter Štefan Hapák in the village and also several traditional country houses that have been sensitively renovated to make the village look beautiful the water isn't suitable for swimming in the summer the banks of the river are full of the invasive plant called cow parsnip; the plant can cause burns on skin part of the river is the external EU border so it isn't possible to move completely freely in some areas "There are cameras because it is the Schengen Area border It's different from the rivers on the border with Hungary," explains the mayor The Schengen Area is a zone within the EU that allows people to travel freely in it as there are no internal borders not all EU member states are part of the area the mayor would recommend visiting Rudolf Felšӧci's cafe and The Museum of Smuggling in the neighbouring village of Lekárovce Felšӧci and his family returned to his native village of Lekárovce eight years ago they had planned to stay for three months for family reasons they had lived in Košice and worked in the media When Felšӧci was thinking about what he could do for a living in Lekárovce he came up with the idea of establishing a cafe and a museum his wife Vanda and he had often worked on the Slovak-Ukrainian border and listened to many interesting stories from local people Not only about people smuggling and smugglers "We thought that it could be interesting to collect all the stories about the border in one place," recalls the co-founder of the Na Čiare (On the borderline) project While researching the local real estate market they learned that there was no place in the area where people could drink good coffee and have a cookie The cosy cafe is housed in a shipping container The adjacent Na Čiare Museum can also be found in such containers Visitors can learn here how creative local and Ukrainian smugglers were when smuggling people and cigarettes to the other side and journalists from the French newspaper Le Figaro The cafe is busy even in the off-season at the beginning of March at the time of The Slovak Spectator's visit Customers come from the surrounding areas but also from abroad Ukrainians stop by for coffee and Hungarians from Veľké Kapušany come to grab a cookie it'd be enough to have what a village near Bratislava has to develop tourism: the motorway "We'll develop tourism ourselves We have enough natural beauty and attractive places here," Felšӧci says Jana Ray-Tutková is also a returnee "We came here because I am a Husák child," Ray-Tutková jokes about the reasons for settling down in the tiny village Husák children were a generation born in a strong population wave in former Czechoslovakia which began at the time of so-called normalisation (a reversal of political and economic reforms following the 1968 Prague Spring Slovak Gustáv Husák served as First Secretary of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia Ray arrived in Slovakia for the first time as a volunteer After many years of living in the south of the USA his Slovak wife and he decided to settle in the house of his wife's grandma the couple looked for peace from city life and wanted to establish an organic farm in Husák although they breed sheep for their own needs All he needs is a computer and a reliable internet It was the high-speed internet that surprised him in Husák "I was very impressed that a local entrepreneur had a business built on bringing the internet to a remote village there was no internet on farms or it was unreliable and expensive," he says The pair agree that Husák is yet another village with an aging population Only a few families with small children live here They are usually engaged in farming or working in the forest Some young people work at the Lidl in Sobrance The police are a big employer in the region Farming is limited by fragmented land parcels which is difficult to buy from the original owners "If someone wants to do business here The state should make land readjustments easier," thinks Ray This is also why he sees cattle and sheep breeding as more promising than growing wheat he's convinced the region is a great place for cycling tourism But villages or the state must invest in the infrastructure "When Ukraine joins the EU and the Schengen Area I can imagine that cycling tourism will develop even across the border," the American continues A few people know about a nice water park and hotels around the Zemplínska Šírava reservoir It's nicknamed the "Slovak Sea" "I tell my friends that Slovakia has everything they don't have at home," Ray says The American believes that the Sobrance district could be as popular as Tokaj There are plenty of vineyards in the district the winery in Orechová established 30 years ago Orechová winemakers cultivate 56 hectares of vineyards and produce around 300,000 litres of wine every year Ukrainian people from Uzhhorod used to come to the region for wine tastings before the war Ray would also want to show the region's thriving winemaking tradition to Americans one day "I don't feel enthusiasm from the people here to move things forward negativism prevails here," the American says describing his feelings after 14 years spent in Husák Foreigners and tourists like the region's nature and peace Petrovce Town Hall worker Alena Horňáková tells The Slovak Spectator "We feel we are on the periphery because everything is far from here Next to us is only the natural border," she says Petrovce - a rare Slovak village due to edible chestnuts growing here - is the last village before reaching the border with Ukraine one can only see forests before arriving in Huta Negativism comes from the fact that the availability of work is limited and buses run infrequently making it difficult to get to work or a shop in Sobrance That is also why the 200 inhabitants of the village are mostly old people they just bought weekend cottages," notes Horňáková A school and a kindergarten were closed in the village in the 1990s Residents of Petrovce also used to have more active contact with Huta residents But after Russia's invasion of Ukraine we're still better off than the Ukrainians," Horňáková says about the economic situation of local people A cooperative continues to operate in the village Horňáková notes that several villages grouped in the Koromľa Microregion are working on improving tourism Once some investors wanted to build a golf course in the area but it eventually remained just on paper due to fragmented land ownership "It's hard to start something here when the grocery shop didn't last here either," concludes Horňáková A helping hand in the heart of Europe thanks to the Slovakia travel guide with more than 1,000 photos and hundred of tourist spots Detailed travel guide to the Tatras introduces you to the whole region around the Tatra mountains Lost in Bratislava? Impossible with our City Guide Záhorie is a storybook waiting to be pedalled through You can read this exclusive content thanks to the FALATH & PARTNERS law firm Tucked behind the forested folds of the Little Carpathians the Záhorie region in western Slovakia was where our journey began a tranquil stretch of western Slovakia just north of Bratislava a café named after the nearby ruins of Pajštún Castle which perch high in the Little Carpathians describes it not merely as a local food spot but as a gathering place for the community he says he has always felt a pull towards hospitality “My great-grandfather and grandfather were innkeepers,” Nespala says “The communists didn’t get the chance to take away the local pub because my grandfather managed to sell it beforehand it was eventually nationalised and gradually fell into ruin,” he adds reflecting on a family legacy that once revolved around a village taproom his father was quick to seize a new opportunity the family turned their attention to an old house left behind by his grandfather—once used as an ice cellar they painstakingly restored the structure to its original form revealing its stone walls and preserving the timber ceiling The café officially opened in 2015 and will mark its tenth anniversary this year inviting space with a spacious cellar beneath it has no competition in the village: the local pubs have long since faded into memory For many foreigners tracing their Slovak heritage, finding the burial sites of their ancestors is a deeply personal journey. To aid in this quest, we have provided maps of the districts we visited, with every cemetery carefully marked. Here you can find cemeteries in Malacky district When The Slovak Spectator visited at the end of March a handful of guests were gathered inside the café Judging by the cluster of bicycles propped outside Along with hikers and tourists exploring the Little Carpathians they make up the café’s regular clientele Its appeal is enhanced by its location—next to the village church and right at the main crossroads “Summer is our busy season; in winter We also host film screenings and quizzes,” says Nespala reflecting on the café’s seasonal rhythm the number of tourists has begun to outpace that of local visitors the owner of Borinka’s Pajštúreň café the village is falling short of its tourism potential Beyond a handful of food stalls and his own establishment A single cottage tucked away in the Carpathians is reserved exclusively for corporate team-building events with a few venturing in from the Czech Republic or Austria persuading them to linger beyond a weekend is a struggle “If they aren’t passionate hikers or cyclists they’ll likely get bored here,” Nespala admits He points to the village’s neglected car park as a missed opportunity—both practical and financial it could generate revenue to fund improvements such as completing cycling paths to the neighbouring towns of Stupava and Lozorno visitors could connect to the Morava River and continue their journey into Austria “People are bringing money right to our doorstep—we just need to pick it up,” he says Among his suggestions are horse-drawn carriage rides to Medené Hámre which he believes would appeal to families with children He also proposes offering electric scooter and bicycle rentals to make exploring the area more accessible Tourism can leave a lasting imprint on the life of a village—something clearly visible in the neighbouring settlement of Marianka one of Slovakia’s most storied pilgrimage sites At the entrance to a sprawling park dotted with religious monuments stands Pútnický Mlyn a guesthouse and restaurant catering to travellers a grand historic building offers accommodation for pilgrims just steps from the Basilica of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary and a sacred spring long believed to have healing properties Lining the park’s edge are rows of wooden stalls which in summer bustle with the sale of souvenirs and refreshments they sit shuttered—lending the area a slightly forlorn air the site’s potential extends far beyond religious devotion well-marked cycling routes and hiking trails weave their way into the forested slopes of the Little Carpathians inviting a broader kind of pilgrimage—into nature At the northern edge of the Malacky district lies the village of Veľké Leváre where the hum of renovation work fills the air outside the municipal office The morning bustle is punctuated by the clatter of construction “We have ambitious plans for the village,” he says noting that essential infrastructure remains the top priority One promising project already under way is a cycle path linking Malé and Veľké Leváre—a car-free illuminated trail he hopes will draw more visitors Veľké Leváre offers a handful of quietly compelling attractions Chief among them is the Habánsky dvor a cluster of historic buildings that once housed the Habans—a community of Protestant craftsmen who arrived in the Záhorie region in the 16th century the site now includes a small museum and open-air amphitheatre The Habans brought with them a tradition of fine ceramic and blade craftsmanship and established a mill traces of which still shape the village's cultural fabric “The descendants of the Habans from Canada Switzerland and Germany often visit us,” the mayor says and they’re amazed at how well-preserved and beautifully restored these houses are.” But the village is grappling with a familiar rural dilemma: a lack of accommodation there are no guesthouses or restaurants to speak of The mayor sees room for growth — perhaps a hostel that could serve not only tourists but also seasonal workers in the region Veľké Leváre is also home to the annual Haban Festival crafts and stalls offering distinctive local fare Among the highlights is the Haban cake — a nut-and-raisin confection served with elderberry syrup a favourite the mayor is quick to recommend The Roman Catholic Baroque Church of the Name of the Virgin Mary is among the most striking landmarks in the village Commissioned by the Viennese Archbishop and Cardinal Žigmund Kolonič Not far from the church stands another relic of the Kolonič family’s legacy: an 18th-century mansion the grand building—once a psychiatric hospital during the socialist era—has stood abandoned since its closure in 2004 rich in potential for community life but left dormant “We tried to negotiate with the University Hospital of Bratislava for access to the property citing safety concerns,” says Mayor Richard Nimsch The estate is currently on the market for €3.5 million it could become a major driver of tourism for our village,” the mayor adds hopeful that someone might yet see the promise behind the crumbling walls visitors can follow a cycle path to Malé Leváre tracing the meandering course of the Morava River Along the route lies a recreation area anchored by the Rudava autocamp where swimmers take to the lake and sun-seekers sprawl across stretches of sandy beach Once shaped by winds sweeping in from the Morava Záhorie was rich in sand—a legacy still visible today in the scattered dunes that remain where oil is still extracted from the earth the path leads to Slovakia’s westernmost village Záhorská Ves sits quietly on Slovakia’s western edge with a single ferry linking the two countries across the Morava River A cycle path traces the river’s course from Devín to the Czech border offering a scenic route along this natural frontier visitors may be met with a less-than-charming first impression: a crumbling industrial building and the remnants of an old border crossing greet travellers before anything else Yet these initial impressions quickly fade an educational cycling trail invites visitors to linger each revealing a chapter of the village’s past For those wishing to cross into Austria by bike the nearby village of Vysoká pri Morave offers a more modern solution connecting cyclists directly to the Austrian town of Marchegg This corner of Záhorie is best discovered on two wheels Slovak Tokaj bets on cyclists who like wine A large white house outside the town of Veľaty is more special than it seems at first glance Not only does it have a pool with Croatian salt water a famous wine region on the border with Hungary as Europeans usually refer to small hotels who are proud of their long-running business that goes back to communist times Slavomír Rusňák's grandfather Jozef’s son and Slavomír's father built a car camping site with 15 cabins in the area Five years after the fall of communism in 1989 the family bought the motel from Jednota and turned the place into a gorgeous resort with somewhat tropical vibes Palm trees, a sandy beach, wellness, sea salt in the pool: the place seems to have it all - a perfect place from where visitors to the region can set out to explore Tokaj, which you can learn more about in the Košice Region travel guide "I initially considered using the Salty Well [a salt water spring ed.] in the village of Veľaty to fill our pools but it turned out to be not enough," Rusňák tells The Slovak Spectator That is why he decided to use sea salt from the Croatian island of Pag in the pools in the end runs its own bike rental office to encourage visitors to discover Tokaj from the comfort of a bike saddle the development of tourism in the Tokaj region would benefit from a combination of attractions and cooperation between winemakers "I have no problem recommending a local winemaker to my guests But I'd expect them to direct guests to my wellness too," he says He believes that tourists need a diverse itinerary in Tokaj in order to stay for more than a weekend "We have things to offer to them even for a week especially in enhancing the quality of and connection of cycle paths "I went to see Moravia [a region in the Czech Republic We have a lot to do to catch up with that region," the businessman thinks three cars with bike racks are already parked outside a small guest house owned by winemaker Matúš Vdovjak and cyclists sit on the terrace outside a renovated old farmhouse sipping wine has placed various snacks to go with wine on the table and and his grandson bring dried herbs under the roof to protect it from the approaching storm but also for the atmosphere and experience Here's a list of the largest municipalities in Trebišov district with their historical names stated in the brackets: Kráľovský Chlmec (Király Helmec) Zemplínska Teplica (Szécskeresztúr) Malé Trakany (Kistárkány) Malý Horeš and Veľký Horeš (Kis and Nagygéres) Malá Tŕňa and Veľká Tŕňa (Kis and Nagytoronya) The full list of all Slovak municipalities, including their historical names, can be found at www.geni.sk (in Slovak only) I'm going on a bike trip through the Tokaj vineyards with my guests Maybe we'll go all the way to Hungary," the winemaker tells The Slovak Spectator there are high-quality asphalt cycle paths separated from the roads used by cars side roads connecting towns usually serve as cycle paths "Hungarians know better how to use European funds which can also be seen on their cycle routes," thinks Vdovjak wine tourism could develop better in Tokaj provided the state does not burden winemakers who just want to sell wine from their own cellars they cannot do it officially if they are not registered as winemakers Vdovjak believes that the routes should be widened and extended as far as the town of Kráľovský Chlmec or even as far as the Zemplínska Šírava reservoir A skilled cyclist can be done exploring it in one day and then wants to explore the more distant surroundings," the winemaker opines Penzión u Macika is a large and modern building with a spacious garden in Malá Tŕňa notes that the region has seen a rise in cycling tourists the corporate clientele in Tokaj has decreased since then "Firms no longer organise team-building events as often as before the pandemic and we have noticed a drop in business clients," Macik explains He has also noticed another shift in the clientele as wine aficionados who used to visit Tokaj have started to attend wine events and tastings closer to their places of residence "They have become used to winemakers coming to them rather than the other way around," Macik thinks Macik is pleased with the increase in cyclists visiting the area but he emphasises that they can be demanding clients They often expect local winemakers to be available for a wine tasting at any time he says that winemakers spend most of their time working in the vineyards during the day which is why it is not feasible for them to accommodate on-the-spot tastings for just a couple of cyclists Winemakers prefer group tastings to be arranged in advance winemakers focus on working in the vineyards during the week and entertaining tourists during the weekends Wine tastings with vineyard owners in their cellars are considered more authentic than with a hired sommelier They educate their guests and allow them to spend time with them in the vineyards The twist is that people search for a hidden bottle of wine Macik says that local winemakers cooperate and recommend guests to each other if they cannot serve them It does not matter whether someone is a small or large winemaker which has attracted new people to the region I don't see them as competition," says Macik they also want to explore the other ones and spend money there as well." Malý Horeš is not part of the Slovak Tokaj region Almost everyone in the village is a winemaker and there are about 380 unique wine cellars carved into tuff rock These cellars are different from those in Tokaj because their entrances are lined with andesite rock After being revitalised and opened to the public almost two decades ago the place began to attract more and more visitors "We were inspired by the Hungarian Tokaj [region] then the Slovak Tokaj got inspired by us," recalls the mayor of Malý Horeš which started off with just a few winemakers and cellars now features 20 winemakers who open their cellars to visitors the village decided to convert a house into a small accommodation facility for tourists and Furik is considering expanding its capacity The mayor thinks that tourism in this region is growing but he admits it still lags behind Hungary up to 100,000 people visit the nearby Füzér Castle in Hungary every year located between the rivers Ondava and Bodrog After working as a manager in the IT industry in Prague for many years Bartolomej Gönczy decided to return to his hometown The coronavirus pandemic contributed to his decision While continuing to work for a large IT company from home he also ventured into winemaking and started purchasing vineyards around the town he set out to search for a suitable wine cellar and space for a winery eventually finding one in the neighbouring village of Veľký Horeš He wanted it to be as big as possible to be able to accommodate a wine shop and a larger number of guests A friend suggested a cellar under the local Csonkavár Castle The cellar was for sale along with the castle ruins I purchased both for €120,000," recalls the castle owner he has been working on repairing the castle archaeological research was conducted in the area It turned out that the castle was larger than the owner had originally thought On the day The Slovak Spectator talked to Gönczy he was helping a mason restore a castle wall "That's why we are uncovering more walls and there is no time for a cellar and a winery yet," explains the owner of the castle in his work clothes He plans to uncover as much of the original Gothic castle as possible demolish the later buildings around the ruins He has permission from conservationists to add one more floor to the castle Gönczy continues to explore potential uses for the castle and the cellar he discovered that the cellar serves as the ground floor of the castle with temperatures only good enough for wine storage "There can be a wine shop with wine tastings but not wine production and the cellar," he says Gönczy aims to complete the repairs within a year He is currently looking for grants to fund the full restoration the castle could also attract cyclists coming to Kráľovský Chlmec even though there are currently no cycling routes from Tokaj to this town A beach by the Tisa river is almost empty at the end of May but it gets crowded in the summer with locals and tourists Another attraction in the area is a triple point where Slovakia offers private accommodation in the village of Malé Trakany but plans to add two apartments for eight people in another house Her guest house accommodates business representatives no one believed that tourists would come here but also during the winter," says Kondásová prepares breakfast and even dinner at times There are not many restaurants within a 30-kilometre radius you won't even find any open restaurant in Kráľovský Chlmec," says the warm hostess she sees the potential for tourism development in cycling along the Latorica river "Hungarians sail it despite the fact that it borders Ukraine why we can't do it too," she asks A helping hand in the heart of Europe thanks to the Slovakia travel guide with more than 1,000 photos and hundred of tourist spots Detailed travel guide to the Tatras introduces you to the whole region around the Tatra mountains and traveller info as well as other guides dedicated to Nitra The Francis II Rákóczi Manor House in Borša which shares a border with Hungary and Ukraine is a fine renovated residence that serves as a hotel and a (art) museum But the popular attraction for history buffs welcomes visitors for another reason on a Saturday afternoon in late May: wine A Tokaj wine tasting event is about to kick off including noted names such as Jaroslav Macik from Veľká Tŕňa and brands like Grand Bari from Veľká Bara and Mea Grati from Ladmovce will try to convince fervent wine connoisseurs that their wine is the best All these wineries are based in the Košice Region, which visitors can also explore thanks to the comprehensive Košice Region Travel Guide full of photographs and stories Below is a map with all the major sights in the region: Nearby is Majer Bara a pension with a winery and restaurant in the village of Bara In addition to a typical Hungarian fish soup they should try the Somlói dumplings a rum or wine-flavoured trifle cake made of sponge cakes and custard cream studded with raisins and topped with whipped cream The lovely Majer Bara complex spreads out on the premises of a former cooperative which offers more than just a bed and breakfast Visitors can explore the vineyards on horseback or relax in a wellness centre that has a sauna and a whirlpool in it the owners of Majer Bara have a winery in the neighbouring village of Viničky They organise wine tastings accompanied by a tour of their production premises and tuff cellar where they bottle wine directly from a barrel In the village of Bara, near the local church, there is a caravan camping site The reception is located in a charming old house arriving guests can spot a wandering peacock the campsite offers accommodation in five wooden houses each named after a different grape variety and located 4m above the ground two wellness facilities with a hot tub and a sauna can also be found it means that the place enjoys much popularity but also that the summer season has already begun The Tokaj winemaking region is known for its vineyards and wineries there is a protected landscape area around the Latorica river making it one of Slovakia's few protected lowland areas the Bodrog river could only be toured on a motor boat connecting the Slovak village of Viničky and the Hungarian town of Sárospatak it is also possible to float on the river in a canoe a canoe rental place has recently opened on the banks of the Bodrog river "More experienced individuals who are up for a longer sightseeing tour on the Bodrog river can continue to our neighbours in Hungary to the town of Tokaj," explains the mayor of Ladmovce The town of Tokaj is located over 50 kilometres downstream confirms that water tourism is starting to thrive in this region The restoration of old cultural monuments is also contributing to the development of tourism as visitors are becoming increasingly demanding and are always looking for something new and exciting "That's why we built a historical children's playground opened an educational trail in a protected forest and launched a canoe and electric bicycle rental near the manor house," Vargová says the mayor plans to have a wharf built on the shore of the Bodrog Despite being situated outside the Tokaj area the village of Malý Horeš also offers a great experience linked to wine The place is home to wine cellars carved into the tuff rock which are not as touristy as the cellars in the villages of Malá Tŕňa and Veľká Tŕňa The cellars are located in a beautiful setting of an agate forest. Every year in May, they host an Open Cellars Day The popular wine event started 16 years ago with a small group of winemakers and cellars Those who are interested in wine tasting outside of the popular event must call local winemakers in advance as they are usually busy working in the vineyards they are happy to show the cellars to visitors and tell them more about the lesser-known local grape varieties The village of Malé Trakany hosts Plum Days a popular local gastronomic festival that has been held for 10 years The event is centered around plum products as plums have been grown in the area for centuries Festival-goers can see the production of plum jam both from local people and the local distillery there is a cultural programme featuring music and folk crafts The local festival has grown in popularity with attendance reaching around 2,000 people hopes to maintain the festival's local charm She does not wish for it to attract too large a crowd Malé Trakany is known for its sandy beach by the Tisa river and is home to the point where the borders of three countries meet Pension Aqua Maria in Veľaty offers bike rental Suspended rope bridge over the Latorica river in Ptrukša Latorica protected landscape area is home to rare species of fauna and flora as well as marshes Majer Bara: wellness Sandy beach in Malé Trakany (accommodation at U Aranky) Triple point: a place where the countries of Slovakia Boat trips from Viničky Campsite Malá Bara: camp Francis II Rákóczi Manor House in the village of Borša Canoe rental - municipal office in Ladmovce Tuff wine cellars in Malý Horeš Museum and Cultural Centre of Lower Zemplín (tourism region) in Trebišov Ruins of Parič Castle and Mausoleum of Count Julius Andrássy in the park in Trebišov Barrel-shaped Tokaj lookout tower provides views of the entire vineyard area Lowest point in Slovakia is in the village of Klin nad Bodrogom at 94.3 m above sea level you can find an information centre and the ruins of a Gothic church Wine tasting: Tokaj Macik Winery, Tokaj & CO, J&J Ostrožovič, Chateau Grand Bari, Víno Vdovjak Salt House in Veľké Trakany is a late-baroque monument from the 18th century recalling the times when salt from all over Hungary was transported to this place along the Tisa River Sennyeyi Manor House in the village of Biel is a partially reconstructed manor house with a library Gallery of Nations in the village of Pribeník is a renovated former Jewish synagogue Premonstratensian Monastery in Leles: This monastery is still functional and features Gothic frescoes. Next to the monastery is the historical Bridge of St. Gothard which is one of the oldest stone bridges in Slovakia Csonkavár: The castle ruin in Kráľovský Chlmec is currently under reconstruction It offers a nice view of the entire Medzibodrožie area Veľký Kamenec Castle: The ruins of the castle are easily accessible and offer a nice view of the surroundings and Slovakia isn’t giving up on Russian oil just yet Good evening. Here is theThursday, September 12edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes Heavy rainfall forecasted for the coming days threatens severe flooding in western Slovakia’s Záhorie region, which lies within the Morava River basin. Due to rising water levels in the Morava and Danube rivers, the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute has issued a third-level flood warning for the districts of Myjava while the rest of north-western Slovakia is under a second-level alert “It’s likely that smaller streams and brooks will overflow first, causing problems in the hilly areas of western and north-western Slovakia. There is also a risk of the Morava River overflowing, where dry polders and designated flood zones may not be sufficient. Unfortunately, many people have built structures within these flood zones,” the Institute wrote on its website are well protected by dams and embankments The most critical situation is anticipated from Saturday evening onwards Meteorologists are forecasting persistent and heavy rain in western and north-western Slovakia with total precipitation ranging from 100 to 180 millimetres from Thursday to Sunday Rainfall is expected to decrease towards the east Reports in the media suggesting a 1,000-year flood on the Danube are being met with scepticism from meteorologists Similar claims were made during the summer floods in Germany and Austria when media outlets referred to them as 1,000-year events the rise in the Danube’s water level in Slovakia did not reflect such extreme conditions Weekend temperatures are predicted to be unusually low for this time of year “This situation should conclude between Monday and Tuesday after which temperatures are expected to rise,” meteorologist Cyril Siman said on Thursday river levels are anticipated to begin decreasing Police: Bratislava Municipal Police advises residents to check weather updates They also recommend limiting outdoor activities to an essential minimum Travel: Železničná spoločnosť Slovensko (ZSSK), Slovakia’s train company, has warned of potential delays to rail services due to adverse weather conditions expected in the coming days. Information on disruptions and changes to rail services are available on several platforms Energy: Slovakia’s Slovnaft refinery will continue purchasing Russian oil amid geopolitical tensions Sport:ASlovak basketball player shines as an NBA prospect Taxes: A tax on sugary drinks and tobacco products is expected to bolster Slovakia’s budget by millions of euros Tourism: The waters of the Zemplínska šírava reservoir in eastern Slovakia once again welcome its largest visitor attraction - a cruise ship Opinion: Within EU, Slovakia’s tax burden on labour is too high If you like what we are doing and want to support good journalism, buy our online subscription with no ads and a print copy of The Slovak Spectator sent to your home in Slovakia In the early Middle Ages, Europe was densely forested, with the first settlements emerging only after decades of extensive logging. In what is now Slovakia, these forests persisted longer due to the region’s isolation and rugged terrain fostering activities like logging and charcoal burning linked to the nearby metallurgical city of Banská Bystrica later evolving into Dolný Jelenec and eventually inspiring other nearby settlements such as Horný Jelenec and Prašnica which is still set to go ahead despite the weather forecast The festival will take place at the German Cultural House In Poprad, eastern Slovakia, another rally for democracy took place in the city centre on Thursday with participants expressing their dissatisfaction with the current government’s actions featured attendees using bells with the logo of the platform Poprad for Democracy and included a call to “ring for democracy” Organisers estimated around 450 people attended an extraordinary parliamentary session began concerning the proposal to dismiss Michal Šimečka (Progressive Slovakia) from his position as deputy speaker of parliament The motion was initiated by coalition MPs from Smer and SNS who seek his removal due to allegations that organisations linked to his relatives received state subsidies some coalition MPs or their relatives also received state subsidies but they do not seem to see this as a problem The coalition also accuses Šimečka of influencing subsidy allocation processes and polarising society but coalition MPs were unable to present any evidence supporting their reasons for Šimečka’s dismissal The vote is scheduled to take place next Tuesday The Slovak Arts Council was an independent cultural fund before the Culture Ministry gained greater influence over it in the summer The European Court of Justice has ruled in the case between the European Commission and Slovakia concerning solid waste landfills The court found that Slovakia had failed to rehabilitate and close 21 landfills that do not meet the requirements of the EU landfill directive Slovakia is in breach of EU regulations on waste management The ruling does not impose any financial penalties on Slovakia If you have suggestions on how our news overview can be improved you can reach us at editorial@spectator.sk Follow The Slovak Spectator on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram(@slovakspectator) where he used to work on construction sites Jaroslav Lechan realised that what he really loved was traditional crafts and that he no longer wanted to leave his family in eastern Slovakia for a long time but I did not see my family,” the Slovak recalls of the bygone days Lechan knew that it was not a dream job and began to toy with the idea of starting his own business Because he grew up on his grandparents’ farm and knew different traditions and crafts he had a clear vision of what services he would want to offer to people With a little help from the European Union he eventually turned the vision into reality Lechan opened his own centre of crafts in Topoľa a few years ago and even teaches visitors how to build a thatched roof or rake grass He also runs a sheep farm and provides accommodation in the attics of two houses owned by his family “A tourist usually enjoys luxury at home here they do not need any TV in their room,” says Lechan Topoľa is set in the Poloniny National Park, the easternmost Slovak national park. This preserve is known for its primeval forests, some of which are inscribed onto the UNESCO list, but also for the European bison and its dark skies (You can learn more about the far-flung area in our Spectacular Slovakia travel guide.) But unless visitors from abroad or western Slovakia have a car it may be a challenge to reach the national park and villages nestled in it The railroad ends in the village of Stakčín only infrequent buses will take visitors to the village of Nová Sedlica where many visitors start exploring the national park Nová Sedlica and Stakčín are less than 40 km apart and somewhere in between can be found Topoľa which is squeezed in between the national park and the Vihorlat Mountains making it almost impossible to develop local tourism Lechan and a handful of mayors and local entrepreneurs are living proof that things can change for the better if there is the will to do so Horný Zemplín (Upper Zemplín) a tourism region across which Poloniny spread a stone’s throw from the Slovak-Ukrainian border a furniture company had gone bankrupt even before Slovakia joined the EU It took the village a long time to recover a state-owned forestry company and the major employer in the region and logging in order to enhance nature conservation local people in Ulič have been leaving their homes to work elsewhere not just the jobless but also those who felt underpaid at the forestry company “Salaries are low there,” sighs Ulič mayor Ján Holinka Some locals also feel that the expansion of the national park is unjust because it limits their forestry jobs making earning a livelihood next to impossible They cannot log wood wherever they would like to and they have not yet learned to benefit from tourism there are people like Lechan who have returned to their home They are not interested in farming but in tourism or other businesses “Young people avoid farming due to hard work and a lack of land,” the Ulič mayor thinks they are building or repairing private accommodation for tourists.” tourism in Slovakia has long faced obstacles in many forms including strict legislation and poor infrastructure Some of the local people underscore that building a guest house in a village without access to water supply and sewerage during summers is challenging The nearby Starina water reservoir does not supply water to the surrounding sparsely populated villages due to high costs to the major eastern Slovak cities of Prešov and Košice Poloniny National Park borders Bieszczadzki National Park in Poland believes that Slovak people can learn a lot about how tourism should be done from the Poles Slovakia has been discussing reviving tourism for 20 years whereas the Poles have actually taken action built the necessary infrastructure and improved their services “The changes on the Polish side are evident at every turn,” Holinka asserts where the government tightened the protection of forests the government also helped people living near a national park affected by such changes “With the new zoning plan for Poloniny some of the forests that had previously belonged to people were taken by the state which then put them under strict protection without any form of compensation,” Holinka says it is imperative to establish precise regulations that will clearly define the areas that will be protected and the areas where guest houses will be permitted to exist the mayor of Zemplínske Hámre also agrees that Poland has less strict legislation making everything easier compared to how things are done in Slovakia Slovakia possesses a five-stage control procedure for the utilisation of European funds which can be detrimental to certain projects due to a lack of sufficient time for completion The unnecessary bureaucracy is a significant issue Kepič cites the example of a tourist train project He still has not completed all the necessary paperwork Here's a list of the largest municipalities in Snina District with their historical names stated in the brackets: Belá nad Cirochou (Cirókabéla) Dlhé nad Cirochou (Cirókahosszúmező) Kalná Roztoka (Kálnarosztoka) Zemplínske Hámre (Józsefhámor) The full list of all Slovak municipalities, including their historical names, can be found at www.geni.sk (in Slovak only) The fact that Polish people are more entrepreneurial is confirmed by Eva Kocanová from the local civic association Také Naše (Ours) “They are not ashamed to offer services to visitors and get paid for them Kocanová also underlines the difference in land ownership Despite the fact that Bieszczadzki National Park holds ownership of the land it intends to develop facilitating the construction of tourist infrastructure by Poles local entrepreneurs in the Poloniny area have established new companies which is a good sign for the future of this corner of Slovakia Two women in Ulič began cooking "tatarčane" pirohy The pierogi are named after buckwheat flour Hany Ulič produces several tons of pierogi a month The firm supplies them to various shops and restaurants the son of one of the founders of the pierogi company and his childhood friend Miroslav Telehanič started their joint business - natural syrups produced from local ingredients Telehanič had been bothered by the fact that syrups for mixed drinks contain only artificial flavours He convinced Kovaľ to make syrups without preservatives and thus they started their business in Ulič After initial attempts at cooking syrup in their parents’ kitchen They gradually began working with more fruits and flavours they have suppliers from all over Slovakia They also buy non-traditional fruits such as sea buckthorns and chokeberries from local growers they started planting their own berries such as gooseberries We can find out which bushes do well in this area and then we will plant them in large numbers,” says Kovaľ They call their syrups “vlčie” (wolf) because they are directly from the Wolf Mountains The mayor of Ulič believes that Poloniny has potential as a tourist destination particularly when it comes to the Rusyn cuisine the Rusyns are a distinct Slavic group from the Eastern Carpathians living in northeastern Slovakia The mayor recalls a recent visit by French tourists who were more interested in people these visitors saw the national park as an opportunity to experience the local culture and not just the natural beauty of the region Several local entrepreneurs approached by The Slovak Spectator believe that the best years for tourism in Poloniny were during the coronavirus pandemic Since then the number of visitors has decreased and the region still does not see enough tourists to rely solely on tourism Tourists often mention that they enjoy the natural beauty of the area but lack services and other attractions tourists have nowhere to spend their money Only a small share of tourists are interested in spending a week in the woods if the locals wish to attract more regular tourists they will have to find a way to provide additional entertainment options These families are not interested in hiking every day and therefore Kovaľ thinks that Poloniny should not be transformed into a tourist destination similar to the Tatra Mountains we must offer something unique while respecting nature but it will take another 10 years to develop,” he adds the best era in Poloniny ended with the pandemic when people travelled around Slovakia instead of abroad during the summer “Thousands of tourists a day will never visit this place but hundreds will come for sure,” he says the innkeeper believes that the region could benefit from constructing at least one top hotel which could attract more demanding guests in return that in order to attract more discerning visitors a more robust system of support and improved access to Poloniny are essential the village was fortunate enough to have some forward-thinking mayors who decided to revive the village’s iron-making past and attract tourists They obtained European funds for their projects showcasing the history of iron ore mining in the village a museum operates in Zemplínske Hámre There is an educational trail in the village where visitors can learn more about the history of the long-gone ironworks has revived unused routes along the former narrow-gauge railway which had been previously used to carry iron ore The new asphalt cycle paths have replaced the old railway tracks Kepič says that he plans to connect Lower Zemplín (Dolný Zemplín) and Upper Zemplín regions via the Vihorlat Mountains using cycle routes Although it takes 72 km to drive around the mountain range it takes only 17 km to the village of Remetské Hámre on the other side of the Vihorlat Mountains the Vihorlat area also covers military forests Zemplínske Hámre also collaborates with local craftsmen The mayor’s dream is to build a cable car to Sninský Kameň He also would like to see this cable car extended all the way to Morské Oko but he knows that conservationists may not like the project “We don’t want a Disneyland or mass tourism here but we have to offer people activities so they don’t get bored,” says the mayor Slovakia boasts a rich and long-rooted tradition of folk costumes and various traditional architecture This article was prepared for an edition of the Spectacular Slovakia travel guideand was published in the travel guide Slovakia ​The small village of Čičmany in Žilina Region resembles a village of gingerbread homes.To prevent the wood from rotting residents began a tradition of painting the outer wooden beams with white lime – it soon blossomed to ornamental paintings on the front side of the houses These unique patterns inspired the embroidery in the region and have come to represent the country as a whole Slovak Olympic teams of recent years have included such patterns on their official uniforms ”The pattern is supposed to symbolise Slovakia so that our sportsmen would be easily recognised,” Ľubomír Souček from the Slovak Olympic Committee told The Slovak Spectator While the embroidery tradition has been maintained “This version [of the village] is a result of a big effort of architects [Dušan] Jurkovič and [Jindřich] Mergan,c who measured and documented the village in detail in 1920s,” says Nadežda Hrašková from the Faculty of Architecture at the Slovak University of Technology “Based on their work it was possible to reconstruct Čičmany completely after it burned almost to ashes in 1921.” The aesthetically pleasing houses were declared a historical reserve of folk architecture in 1977 and some are available for use as accommodation facilities interesting architecture took its inspiration from abroad The types and styles of houses often vary from region to region and are a symptom of not only natural conditions but also surrounding nations and cultures “The region of western Slovakia is for example notable for the cultural impact of Moravia and Austria who settled here,” says ethnologist Matej Kotal Practicality and frugality prevailed in these areas In this vein, an appropriate exhibition of folk architecture is the village of Vlkolínec, near Ružomberok, with its still-inhabited, preserved wooden houses. The area is a unique display of rural life in the foothills of the Veľká Fatra mountain range. More information about Vlkolínec can be found in our Žilina region guide History buffs have ample opportunity to visit museums and castles in Slovakia but another possibility is an open-air museum that replicates a traditional peasant village the name comes from the designation of the first open-air museum in Sweden established in 1891 which became the model for other such sites in Europe Check the list. is in the town of Martin and represents the architecture of various regions “Many visitors could be labelled as tradition enthusiasts alternatively people often come here to look for inspiration when renovating reconstructing or building their own houses,” says Slávka Straková spokeswoman for the Museum of the Slovak Village Folklore fans eager to experience more than just traditional buildings and who enjoy traditional music and dance should not miss the annual festivals held in summer in various regions of Slovakia Čierny Balog: Opening of the Čiernohronská railway and forestry outdoor museum, www.chz.sk Skalica: Trdlofest, www.trdlofest.sk Terchová: World Cup in Cooking and Eating Sheep Cheese Dumplings, www.haluskyterchova.sk Svidník: Festival of Culture of Ruthenians in Slovakia, www.rusinskyfestival.sk Myjava: International Folklore Festival Myjava, www.myjava.sk Košice: Cassovia folkfest, www.folkfest.sk Detva: Folklore Fest Under Poľana, www.fspdetva.sk Korytárky: Slovak Fujara Player Exhibition in Korytárky, www.fujara.sk Kežmarok: European Folk and Crafts Festival, www.elro.kezmarok.sk Východná: Folklore Festival Východná, www.festivalvychodna.sk Terchová: Jánošík’s Days, www.janosikovedni.sk Bratislava: Craftsmen Days ÚĽUV, www.uluv.sk Trnava: Traditional Market, www.tic.trnava.sk Oravská Polhora: Bagpipes festival, www.gajdy.sk The Centre for Folk Art ProductionB Bratislava: Ústredie ľudovej umeleckej výroby (ÚĽUV), www.uluv.sk Every year the second weekend of July is dedicated to the Podpolianske slávnosti festival or Folklore Fest Under Poľana The region is rich in traditions and typical folklore phenomena blend history with music and dance ensembles amid hundreds of participants from all around the world It all takes place in a wooden amphitheatre The oldest folklore festival however is in the village of Východná in the Liptovský Mikuláš district It has taken place every year in the first weekend of July since 1953 The organisers of Východná Festival are aiming to present the national culture interactively and do so with new and creative approaches Fifty years ago it was still possible to spot older women dressed in richly embroidered folk costumes walking to church on a Sunday morning in the Slovak countryside While traditional folk costumes are gradually disappearing as everyday wear awareness of their cultural value seems to be growing – fuelling a whole segment of craft businesses Slovak couples more and more frequently opt for a traditional-style wedding and wear folk costumes for their big day The number of websites offering part or whole sets of traditional attire from all over Slovakia is growing while wearing a folk costume at formal occasions is no longer considered only a sign of nationalism Slovakia boasts a rich and long-rooted tradition of folk costumes with many remaining well preserved in regions until the mid 1950s ethnographic collections as well as performances of folk ensembles display a variation of these traditional costumes Clothing indicates not only the region the owner came from but often the social status “I see the folk costume at its utmost as a work of art which in traditional culture bears similar importance to architecture a song or a tale,” said Karel Plicka folklorist and one of the founders of the ethnographic film genre in his homeland Folk costumes have been created and formed by generations of folk artists which Plicka cites as occuring after World War I Plicka describes folk costumes as an exhibition of “refined beauty material” and “an ideal harmony of all elements” from head to toe Plicka noted that the person dressed in a folk costume is no longer anonymous because he or she has identified themselves with a “concrete human and spiritual community” and at the same time they were obliged to “preserve the good name of the community” as the folk costume “spiritually united people” as it also fulfilled a function of signals and signs – it became the identification of the person who wore it “a kind of non-verbal communication between wide communities of inhabitants” specialising in traditional folk costumes explained in a piece written for the Centre for Folk Art Production (ÚĽUV) Our Spectacular Slovakia travel guides are available in our online shop there were 60 folk costume regions in Slovakia according to Gazdíková.Slovak folk costumes preserved some archaic elements the creators were able to transform several details of the fashion of particular periods in a way that other members of the village community accepted The costumes often feature embroidery inspired by Renaissance ornaments Western and central Slovakia – mainly areas around Trnava and Krupina – boast richly embodied clothing while bobbin or braided lace was a popular technique throughout the country a variety of weaving techniques rich in different patterns and colours can be found Parts of the traditional folk clothing include a baranica a warm hat made of sheep’s fur; a jacket apron and vests or lajblíks in Slovak A helping hand in the heart of Europe thanks to the Slovakia travel guide with more than 1,000 photos and hundred of tourist spots Detailed travel guide to the Tatras introduces you to the whole region around the Tatra mountains Lost in Bratislava? Impossible with our City Guide When asked to pick the most remarkable Slovak folk costume Gazdíková told The Slovak Spectator that “each of these have something remarkable” Traditional forms and ornaments are also making it into mainstream clothing today an organisation for documenting and protecting traditional crafts and folk production has attempted to inspire young designers to create modern products that combine the traditional elements through a competition called Circles on Water head of the ÚĽUV marketing department told The Slovak Spectator.​ ​Most artisans delivering their products for ÚĽUV work at home but there is an exception with the pottery studio in Pezinok (20 kilometres from the capital) one in Banská Bystrica and one in Tatranská Lomnica there are leaflets in English and an English-speaking guide is available Brhlovce (rock dwellings), www.muzeumlevice.sk Cigeľ: Upper Nitra Open-air Mining Museum Cigeľ Mine (Hornonitriansky banský skanzen), www.banskyskanzen.sk Myjava - Turá Lúka: Traditional farm (Gazdovský dvor),www.myjava.sk Nitra: Slovak Agricultural Museum, www.spmnitra.sk Banská Štiavnica: Open-air Mining Museum (Banské múzeum v prírode), www.muzeumbs.sk Čierny Balog - Vydrovo: Forestry Open-air Museum (Lesnícky skanzen), www.lesy.sk Čičmany (traditional Slovak village), www.cicmany.viapvt.sk Havránok: Open-air Celtic Museum, www.liptovskemuzeum.sk Martin: Museum of the Slovak Village, www.skanzenmartin.sk Osturňa (traditional Slovak village, exterior views only), www.obec-osturna.sk Podbiel (traditional Slovak village, exterior views only), www.podbiel.sk Pribylina: Museum of the Liptov Village, www.liptovskemuzeum.sk Stará Ľubovňa: Ľubovňa Open-air Museum, www.hradlubovna.sk Vlkolínec (traditional Slovak village), www.vlkolinec.sk Vychylovka: Museum of the Kysuce Village, www.kysuckemuzeum.sk Zuberec: Museum of the Orava Village, muzeum.zuberec.sk Bardejovské Kúpele: Museum of Folk Architecture, www.muzeumbardejov.sk Humenné: Open-air Museum of Folk Architecture, www.muzeumhumenne.sk Svidník: Museum of the Ukrainian Culture, www.svidnik.sk The festival had international participation Men who make bobbin lace organized their first meeting in Slovakia in Krakovany near Piešťany Making bobbin lace is usually considered the domain of women grew up seeing his mother make bobbin lace She is passionate about the topic and helped organize other festivals of bobbin lace also dedicates his time to making bobbin lace “It is hard to say how many men make bobbin lace I know about 12 in Slovakia but I am sure there are more,” said Matej Pisca as quoted by the TASR newswire He thinks that it has begun to be more common for men to make bobbin lace the youngest lace maker at the festival was 22 years old and the oldest Vladimír Pagáčik from Myjava is over 60 years old there were also lace makers from South Africa and Estonia “We are glad that they came to learn how to make our unique lace here in Slovakia Those who have only seen Slovak lace in pictures did not believe that it was bobbin lace until now It is very different from others,” said Pisca for TASR The event is called Men Making Lace Festival Its location will change according to the homelands of attending lace makers they learnt how to make “krakovianska” lace krakovianska is made with five,” said Daniela Piscová director of the recent Festival of Bobbin Lace She explained that krakovianska lace is a university of lace making it seems like it is woven and it’s very colourful similar to folk costumes in Krakovany and its surroundings,” she added The Polish side of the Tatras is developing more dynamically a stretch of asphalt under repair greets us It’s a modest sign of change occurring in Slovakia’s north even a road repair feels like a big change in the village nestled in the Tatra Mountains Tatranská Javorina and the Belianske Tatry mountains are hidden gems Most of the land here falls under the stewardship of the Tatra National Park (TANAP) “The primary constraint on development is conservation policy which often obstructs local entrepreneurs and investors,” says Miroslav Michaľák With its unique natural setting and prime location near the Polish border we need more flexibility around land use,” Michaľák adds Tatranská Javorina remains tangled in a prolonged debate over TANAP zoning The village sits under third-level protection with areas designated as fourth and fifth levels—near the strict protections afforded to Gerlachovský štít “Protection here is treated like that of Gerlachovský štít,” notes the mayor underscoring the challenges this creates for local growth a former mayor expressed hope that easing these protections might allow young residents to build homes or guest houses Plans included permitting the purchase of state-owned land within the village limits the village counts just 176 permanent residents There are a handful of apartments and private accommodations Michaľák notes that tourism on the Polish side of the Tatras is developing more dynamically while still respecting nature Here's a list of the largest municipalities in the Stará Ľubovňa and Kežmarok districts with their historical names: Tatranská Lomnica (Tátralomnic ) Štrbské Pleso (Csorbató) He points out that Polish municipalities enjoy greater land use autonomy Tatranská Javorina has limited land available for development “The potential for revenue from parking fees for Polish visitors is near zero,” he states as up to 500 cars are illegally parked during peak season Visitors from Poland park on state land and charge for their shuttle service since there is no direct bus from Štrbské pleso to Tatranská Javorina “The Poles hike through the Tatras to Štrbské pleso with no return path,” the mayor explains the logistical challenges the Poles profit while we see nothing,” the mayor laments He notes one Pole who rented a former customs office at the border and is now collecting parking fees The Poles are also building two guesthouses but will primarily employ fellow Poles “They bought large buildings for hundreds of thousands of euros Locals cannot afford such investments,” the mayor adds The disparity is evident in nearby Bialka Tatrzańska which has seen significant development in the last decade “We prefer educational trails and rest areas over mass tourism We don’t want to become a second Demänovská dolina (a popular Slovak valley notorious for a construction boom - ed.)," he concludes referring to the construction boom in the Low Tatras Detailed travel guide to the Tatras introduces you to the whole region around the Tatra mountains with local entrepreneurs optimistic about continued growth The village has access to more private and municipal land Michaľák notes minimal cooperation between Tatranská Javorina and its more prosperous neighbour "There is a lack of strategy to unite these municipalities and create shared tourist routes or events," he explains while Ždiar is capitalising on its tourism potential Tatranská Javorina remains overlooked a crucial step for future tourism development in the village is addressing land managed by TANAP He proposes a model where the national park retains control over sensitive areas while granting access to less vulnerable parts for municipal development “If we had greater control over our territory we could better improve infrastructure for tourists,” the mayor explains He highlights the need for stronger collaboration with regional and national authorities This approach could lead to joint projects that balance nature conservation with tourism ensuring tourism does not damage the ecosystem the main attraction for tourists is Bachledova dolina The Strachan family has been actively running a business here for 25 years They own the luxurious Grand Hotel Bachledka Strachan in the valley This family enterprise began as a small boarding house they operate a ski resort in Bachledova dolina and recently acquired another one at the opposite end of Ždiar—Strednica where they also built a guesthouse on a green meadow nearby “We want to transform Strednica into a large ski resort with accommodation and extensive services,” explains Jaroslav Strachan highlighting its excellent location with views of the entire Belianske Tatras The Strachans travelled abroad for inspiration in the tourism industry exploring not only Austria but also Switzerland and Italy where they often went with their three daughters we saw how business could be managed locally; it caught our interest and that’s why we renovated the Grand Hotel Bachledka with respect for mountain traditions and wooden architecture,” says Strachan They chose not to replicate Tyrolean architecture in Ždiar they drew inspiration from the renowned Slovak architect Dušan Jurkovič The Strachan daughters are expected to pursue the family business attends a bilingual gymnasium and is set to enrol in a hotel school in Crans-Montana is a graduate of a hotel academy in Prešov and plans to study tourism at a university in Bratislava is pursuing molecular biology in Australia the daughters are involved in the family business “They are already coming up with ideas on how to do things differently,” says Janka Strachan explains that they have been taught from a young age to work hard and not simply rely on their status and worked as ski instructors,” he adds tourism has shifted: visitors now prefer shorter stays of a few days or a long weekend “Rooms are often booked last minute; no one makes summer reservations in January,” explains Strachan’s wife Weekend stays typically sell out by Wednesday people are willing to stay for just one night—not necessarily to save money but due to time constraints,” she adds The Strachan family hosts companies for team-building events during the week outside of the summer season “Tourists can spend a week in Ždiar because we have a lot to offer,” Strachan notes The ratio of domestic to international guests in Ždiar is about 70 to 30 percent with staff able to communicate in several languages The Strachans prioritise close contact with visitors and employees They provide dormitories for employees in Ždiar “We learned from Austria that providing housing and relaxation spaces for employees is important,” Strachan’s wife shares Employees enjoy free access to skiing and the wellness centre and they participate in alpine hikes to foster a love for the mountains A unique benefit for permanent staff is an annual multi-day trip abroad with the owners and their daughters Natália Bokníková is originally from Bratislava but fell in love with the mountains which prompted her to move to the High Tatras ten years ago she founded the café and teahouse U Vlka in Starý Smokovec Although the businesswomen were newcomers to the Tatras region they quickly gained favour with the local community through their involvement in cultural activities they organise book readings and film screenings where customers can find high-quality teas Most of these items are handmade by local artisans Bokníková and her business partners also organise local craft markets which initially took place seasonally but are now held every weekend Bokníková considers the lack of adequate parking to be the biggest issue in the Tatras The city attempted to address its insufficient parking capacity by introducing shuttle services as tourists prefer to drive as close to the mountains as possible Bokníková plans to organise more cultural activities She envisions a form of soft tourism in the Tatras Disneyland-like attractions that have developed on the Polish side of the Tatras Štefan Bačkor is a long-time mountain porter who has taken on a new venture alongside his regular work he has been running a café in the historic Swiss House in Starý Smokovec He also operates a private museum dedicated to mountain porters in this charming building which is recognised as a cultural monument Bačkor ended up running his café by chance but the idea of creating a gathering space for the mountain porter community had been on his mind for some time The village had been unable to find a use for this space for an extended period “We quickly submitted a project proposal and won the opportunity,” he recalls sometimes even at the expense of his family The last major repair involved a complete replacement of the electric wiring the technicians told us that the risk of fire was huge,” Bačkor adds he manages the café solely with his wife but in the summer they also hire part-time staff He notes that this season has been relatively weak While Poles continue to flock to the Tatras Slovakia is becoming increasingly expensive for Czechs who are saving and spending less than before they would typically have five beers and two portions of goulash at a mountain hut; now they opt for three beers and one goulash,” he explains and as long as Poles don’t switch to the euro he criticises mass tourism on the Polish side of the Tatras “Even some tourism experts from Poland have told me that Zakopane is spoiled in terms of urban planning for a mountain town and we could take a cue from Zakopane,” says the mountain porter and entrepreneur He acknowledges that the Poles are thriving in business terms since there is no off-season but he wouldn’t want such mass tourism in the Tatras “I’d rather spread it out over the off-season This is also up to us locals—to create an attractive offer for people in months like November and May,” Bačkor says traffic congestion in the Tatras becomes overwhelming and parking lots struggle to accommodate the influx of tourists and tourism can be managed in various ways but we must choose the right approach,” he adds expressing his discontent with the large apartment buildings sprouting up in the Tatras like mushrooms after rain he plans to expand the museum of mountain porters by incorporating modern technology “I appreciate the contrast of smart technologies within a historic house.” Tourists suffering from the so-called "Košice syndrome" You can read this exclusive content thanks to the FALATH & PARTNERS law firm finding affordable parking is a top priority especially if your hotel does not offer a spot I discovered a convenient public parking lot just a short walk from Hlavná ulica (Main Street) Košice is a city where everything feels delightfully close: I found that all my meetings were within a brisk 15-minute walk or a quick 10-minute electric scooter ride from the heart of the city This compactness made exploring Košice a breeze a former graphic designer whose journey took a thrilling turn six years ago launched Local Nomad—a unique travel agency dedicated to showcasing the lesser-known wonders of Košice and its surroundings their carefully curated experiences go beyond the city's renowned historical monuments With minimal marketing and a savvy use of the Internet Local Nomad has become the go-to choice for curious travellers Košice has become a popular destination for tourists thanks to the arrival of low-cost airlines connecting the city to Ireland and Britain there are connections to Košice from Vienna The city is particularly appealing to foreign visitors due to its UNESCO-listed monuments Oľhava mentions that they mainly take tourists to the Spiš and Gemer regions where there are up to 19 UNESCO-listed monuments Trips typically cost between €100 to €200 per person per day The clients come from diverse backgrounds and countries seeking unique experiences away from popular tourist destinations "These are people who want to experience something different from regular big cities like Prague or Budapest That's why we take them to islands of positive deviance the Zlá diera (Evil Hole) cave or the wall paintings in Žehra," explained Oľhava Some are also lured to a climbing rock in the Hájska dolina valley Most of the visitors have the so-called Košice syndrome "They do not know what to expect from this city Many are pleasantly surprised and even excited They are especially surprised by the number of monuments the cleanliness of the city and disappointed by the prices of services which are not so cheap in Slovakia compared to the West with spring and autumn being strong seasons “The goal is to attract more local clients to cover the weaker summer weeks,” Kupec said Here's a list of the largest municipalities in Košice district with their historical names stated in brackets: Trstené pri Hornáde (Abaújnádasd) Nižná Myšľa (Alsómislye Košice was named the European Capital of Culture Former industrial buildings were renovated with European funds and transformed into cultural hubs such as Kunsthalle and Kasárne-Kulturpark have not only survived but are thriving today The status enhanced the creative industry in Košice and the infrastructure is still visible and functional director of the organisation K13 Košické kultúrne centrá (K13 Košice Cultural Centres) The venues were meant to have a five-year sustainability plan but continue to operate today like the Bravo building (part of the Kasárne-Kulturpark complex) it also works as an art museum and a library The Bravo building charges commercial rent and hosts local startups and a development centre for Tatra banka Another successful project in Košice is the transformation of unused heating substations in housing estates into local cultural centres The former military barracks (kasárne) while the SteelPark offers science and technology demonstrations for children but mostly when there is a big event," added Dani He plans to collaborate with local companies that use their premises for events which is building a factory for electric cars near Košice "The culture would not work without commercial partners The city contributes about €2 million annually covering only about half of the costs,”said the director of K13 Peter Radkoff and his team embarked on a groundbreaking project with the creation of the Kasárne-Kulturpark complex they had refurbished the rundown building of a former tobacco factory and its surroundings Transforming this neglected relic into a vibrant cultural hub a spacious pub-like space with a brick-like interior and a coworking space for young entrepreneurs this cultural centre was independently operated and was only supported by the Košice Region "We generate 80 percent of our revenue from our own business and the remaining 20 percent comes from grants," Radkoff the founder and director of Tabačka Kulturfabrik the centre currently lacks institutional support They do receive some funding from the Slovak Arts Council (FPU) but it is insufficient and only covers events Municipalities are unable to directly finance operations the civic association that is behind Tabačka reinvests all profits from its gastronomy business into cultural events Their main clients are the residents of Košice but people come to us for the restaurant and cultural events Local IT companies indirectly support them by organising events at Tabačka they find it challenging to secure cultural sponsors in Košice and that also affects culture," notes Radkoff their civic association took a loan of €250,000 from a private investment fund to improve the energy efficiency of the old building and heating," says Tabačka's general manager Filip Kakara Tabačka and former military barracks premises are also utilised by IT companies associated with the IT Valley organisation aiming to create a technologically advanced and innovative business environment in eastern Slovakia The initiative also supports entrepreneurs in the cultural sector by providing training in creative business emphasises the importance of self-sufficiency in eastern Slovakia and highlights the organisation's commitment to financing cultural initiatives in the region She notes that the improved gastronomy in Košice is partly due to the influence of the IT sector Hučková identifies the need for improvement in housing and education in Košice particularly to accommodate the requirements of foreign experts relocating to the area IT Valley aims to facilitate collaboration between the automotive industry and IT companies in Košice to work on joint projects such as developing software for cars is shaping up to be a game changer in the city's prosperity and development The factory is to employ more than 4,000 people and among them will be many qualified experts and managers The announced investment of the Swedish car company is already affecting the lives of people in Košice and the surrounding area "People are eager for new job opportunities and to improve their lives," said Martin Seman the car company has 90 employees in various engineering and technical positions The factory will not hire more people until the end of next year Seman promises that in addition to job opportunities the company will bring better roads and improved education to Košice and its surroundings Arriving in Valaliky from Košice might initially unsettle visitors as they navigate a narrow this rough start quickly fades into memory as the charm of the village begins to unfold Once a driver passes the threshold into Valaliky they will be greeted by well-maintained bicycle lanes The refurbished local church and municipal office also stand as proud testaments to the village's commitment to being a great place to live A new health centre and bustling public market with a stage for cultural events have recently transformed the local landscape According to Mayor Štefan Petrík these exciting developments underscore a thriving forward-thinking village that stands proudly on its own merits "We are a vital village with 4,500 people young people from Košice are also moving here Volvo's investment will only strengthen this trend," Petrík says He welcomes the emerging Volvo factory behind the village "We believe that the bypass of our village will be completed the broken and winding road from Košice will be repaired and a bicycle path will be built all the way to the city People would definitely commute there in the summer It's only 10 kilometres away," opines the mayor Petrík mentions that future employment at the Volvo plant may not primarily benefit local residents since many already work at U.S locals and others are hopeful for higher salaries at Volvo or in their current jobs The mayor also mentioned that Volvo plans to recruit workers from distant eastern Slovak areas such as Zemplín and Gemer regions Volvo aims to employ many local Roma people The mayor pointed out that even the Roma from Valaliky are mostly employed He stressed that the top priority should be the construction of a motorway from Košice to Zemplín via the Dargov Pass and to Gemer via the Soroška Pass This would allow people to commute to Volvo independently instead of relying on buses The mayor believes that the factory will benefit the entire region similar to the impact of the Kia Slovakia car plant on Orava which led to the growth of local businesses and motivated young people to stay instead of leaving for the West located near the Hungarian border and less than 20 kilometres from Košice stands as one of the wealthiest municipalities in Slovakia This prosperity is largely due to its expansive industrial park which has been thriving for over two decades and continues to expand took the lead in creating the industrial park had worked as a manager in the industrial park before taking office He is excited about the park's growth but is concerned about potential traffic issues due to the logistics companies operating there Konkoly is looking for alternative transportation options for commuting to work The companies have also built a cycle path from Kechnec to the neighbouring village of Perín-Chym through the industrial park Konkoly is also interested in improving railway transportation The municipality is working with the national railway operator hoping to encourage more people to use trains for commuting The industrial park's employee catchment area extends to the Trebišov district Konkoly is set to revamp local railway transportation with ambitious plans in the works to modernise the local train stop Partnering with the national railway operator the municipality aims to make commuting by train a more appealing option for residents The industrial park's employee catchment area stretches as far as the Trebišov district The mayor has observed that Kechnec's booming industrial park is now facing new competition from Volvo which has recently hired away some of its top managers This has sparked a lively battle for talent seeing it as a sign of the significant opportunities ahead for eastern Slovakia He envisions a major economic boom on the horizon Kechnec is currently buzzing with activity drawing people to the village with its array of amenities and plans for a vocational secondary school and about a hundred new homes The municipality is stepping up as a developer aiming to attract not only new residents but also Slovaks who have relocated to Hungary many Košice residents sought affordable weekend retreats across the border in Hungary often settling permanently in villages like Tornyosnémeti A similar trend was seen near Bratislava with the Hungarian village of Rajka with Hungary-based Slovak families commuting to Košice for work while their children attend school there Kechnec's closer proximity offers a promising alternative "I hope that this developing village will become a new home for these families," said the mayor 7.2.2023 14:55 | Posledná aktualizácia 10.2.2023 08:35Martina Šurnovská (číslo 21) je späť v kádri ženskej reprezentácie.autor: ROMAN FERSTL zdroj: SFZBRATISLAVA (SFZ) – Po troch mesiacoch sa opäť stretne ženské reprezentačné áčko v programe je výjazd do Turecka a počas neho dva medzištátne zápasy s Marokom (17 O dianí okolo výjazdu a v kuchyni tímu hovoril reprezentačný tréner žien Peter Kopúň Ten musel po zverejnení nominácie urobiť vynútené zmeny pre zranenie z nej vypadla Diana Bartovičová zdravotný stav nepustil do Turecka ani Patríciu Fischerovú Februárový medzištátny dátum má posledný raz status prípravného asociačného termínu vyhovujú vám súperi počas neho?„Posledný raz má február takýto prívlastok pretože keď sa rozbehne Liga národov pre ženské tímy budú sa i v tomto mesiaci hrať súťažné zápasy ktorí nás v Turecku čakajú: Maroko je účastníkom svetového šampionátu Srbsko sa momentálne nachádza v treťom výkonnostnom koši Ak sa doladí na aprílový termín avizovaný súper Fínsko budem absolútne spokojný s kvalitou rivalov v súbojoch ktoré sa nazývajú prípravné.“Pokračuje sa teda v trende aký razíte v práci s národným družstvom teda aby sme hrali najmä so silnými súpermi?„Presne tak je to úmyselná voľba stále ťažšej zápasovej cesty bárs i za cenu zlých výsledkov či ťažších prehier Čaká nás v Lige národov tvrdý futbalový život všetky hráčky v reprezentácii musia byť naň pripravené.“Potešilo že v nominácii sú späť Patrícia Fischerová a Martina Šurnovská.„Sme všetci radi u Martiny sa našťastie najhoršie prognózy pri jesennom zranení nepotvrdili takže je zas na ihrisku a klubový tréner ju chváli.“Naopak v nominácii chýbajú mená Bieliková a Mrocková momentálne zranenia by ich nepustili do akcie ani v druhej časti zrazu nemalo zmysel ich preto do Turecka povolať.“Úplným nováčikom v kádri je Rebeka Žihlavníková čím vás zaujala?„Minuloročný novembrový zraz nám ponúkol možnosť vidieť v akcii nové tváre dievčatá dostali priestor v ťažkých zápasoch do nominácie sme tentoraz zaradili ďalšiu novú futbalistku Žihlavníková je ďalšia z kategórie talentov typu Lukáčová Zvažovali sme zaradenie niekoľkých futbalistiek z Myjavy ale Spartak má nahustený špecifický program preto sme ich teraz zaradili medzi náhradníčky.“ Medzi brankárkami je zaujímavé meno Anika K Tóth z amerického univerzitného tímu UAB Blazers prečo?„Už pred rokom sme ju zavolali na turnaj na Maltu vtedy ju z USA pre covidové opatrenia tamojšie úrady do krajiny nepustili Referencie o nej z reprezentačnej devätnástky sú vynikajúce dobré vysvedčenie jej dal aj zväzový šéftréner brankárok Miroslav Hýll bolo by hriechom nevyužiť teraz túto možnosť ukáže sa až počas zrazu.“Nová tvár je aj v realizačnom tíme môžete ju predstaviť?„Je to doktorka Agáta Szabóová takže predpoklady má (úsmev).“Posledné dni sú plné smutných správ z Turecka neovplyvnilo to výjazdové plány?„Je to nesmierna tragédia že zrušili cyklistické preteky Okolo Antalye my sme komunikovali s organizátorom nášho výjazdu ktorý je v kontakte aj so srbskou výpravou a odozva bola jednoznačná: aby sme prišli.“ Pölten)Dominika Škorvánková (Montpellier HSC)Diana Lemešová (SKN St Pölten)Ľudmila Maťavková (Club Brugge)Valentína Šušolová (Slovan Liberec)Tamara Morávková (1 ÚTOČNÍČKYKlaudia Fabová (GKS Gornik Leczna)Rebeka Žihlavníková (MFK Ružomberok)Patrícia Hmírová (Sporting Club de Huelva)Martina Šurnovská (SK Slavia Praha)Kristína Panáková (Neulengbach SV)Stela Semanová (Hellas Verona) BRANKÁRKYDominika Rezeková (Slovan Bratislava)Vanesa Stachová (GFC regionálna akdémia)Janka Červíková (Spartak Trnava)Martina Geletová (Slovan Bratislava)OBRANKYNESára Kršiaková (Spartak Myjava)Monika Pirťanová (Spartak Myjava) STREDOPOLIARKYDominika Kucharčíková (Spartak Myjava)Ella Glatzová (Spartak Myjava)Timea Feketevíziová (Haladás Szombathely)Simona Pružinská (AS Trenčín)Michaela Havrilová (Slovan Liberec)Jana Boorová (Spartak Myjava)Karina Pelikánová (Viktoria Plzeň)ÚTOČNÍČKAKatarína Vredíková (Spartak Myjava) Hlavný tréner: Peter KopúňAsistent trénera: Michal ŠvihoríkTréner brankárok: Martin KrnáčKondičný tréner: Miroslav SeňanTechnický vedúci: Michal VenglošLekárka: Agáta SzabóováFyzioterapeutka: Veronika RybárováFyzioterapeut: Jaroslav HolubMasér: Jindřich DitrichKustód: Pavel OčovejiŠportová psychologička: Petra PačesováPR manažér: Peter Šurin Slovak regions near the Ukrainian border are a nice surprise for visitors Emigration is a significant part of Slovak history A third of Slovak people emigrated between the last quarter of the 19th century and the year 1968 Many of these people came from Dolný Zemplín ​Dolný Zemplín is made up from three districts: Michalovce Descendants of emigrated Slovaks often set out to Dolný Zemplín to see the places their ancestors came from it comes as no surprise that the Museum of Emigration opened in this region Here's a map with all the major sights in the region: Here's more details on some places tourists can visit while exploring the region: The village of Lekárovce is situated right on the Slovak-Ukrainian border the borders changed and Subcarpathian Rus became part of the Soviet Union although the majority of the residents were Slovak Subcarpathian Rus is a region that was once part of interwar Czechoslovakia the Kingdom of Hungary and the Soviet Union people wrote petitions and demanded not to be annexed to the Soviet Union The village was returned to Czechoslovakia The village marks this moment with a plaque and an obelisk by the Uh river Opposite the obelisk, a cosy cafe set up in a shipping container. It's called Na čiare (on the borderline) visitors will learn how bright border smugglers were when transporting people and cigarettes to the other side The idea of the cafe and the museum was born in the head of Rudolf Felšӧci Those who like music can visit a guitar museum in the town of Sobrance The founder of the museum was the local guitar “king” and musician Ján Ferko visitors can find keyboard and wind instruments The founder received offers to establish the museum in Prague A Czech guitar manufacturing company also wanted to obtain his collection The house in which the museum is located has been renovated inside and out the large garden full of fruit trees is still waiting for improvements Open-air music events should take place there There are many talented entrepreneurs in the villages near the border They cultivate 56 hectares of vineyards and produce around 300,000 litres of wine annually Pivnica Orechová was established 30 years ago and is still expanding Those interested in this experience will be seated in a spacious Part of the tastings are also local food specialties based on organically farmed pigs and chickens guests go on a tour of the nearby vineyards "Our plan for the future is to make increasingly high-quality wine and offer it mainly to wine shops," Jaroslav Michálek brother of the owner of Pivnica Orechová The winemakers also want to continue to support agricultural tourism and do not rule out building a cycling trail through their vineyards Besides this winery, visitors can find two more wineries in this region. Pivnica Tibava offers a vast variety of wines, also at a variety of price points. Finally, the boutique family winery Fundus Regius in the village of Priekopa can surprise wine lovers with high-quality products Swimmers and adrenaline junkies can visit a former quarry with turquoise water in the quaint village of Beňatina The village built a road around the entire quarry Moreover, people can use a rope to descend from the highest point of the quarry to the water. Thanks to the zipline tourists can enjoy 30 seconds of adrenaline on the 180 m-long rope Lucky ones might come across a fossil of small marine animals in the rock walls of the lake which is nicknamed a "Slovak Plitvice lake" due to the colour of water resembling the water in Croatia's famous Plitvice lakes Some call it the "Beňatina Whale" because of a formation on the rock that looks like a tail of the whale marked hiking trails and cycle paths with tips for more trips around the nearby area have also been added to this attraction Because migration is an essential part of Slovak history, and Slovaks from the east of Slovakia formed the majority of people leaving the region due to poverty, historian Martin Javor decided to establish the Kasigarda: Museum of Emigration in the village of Tahyňa near Michalovce The museum is based in an old house built by a Slovak returnee from the USA The museum provides visitors with powerful insights into and artifacts from the lives of Slovaks who sought refuge and prosperity in North America in the late 19th and early 20th century plates and much more can be seen in the museum The Greek Catholic Church of St. Michael the Archangel one of the smallest wooden churches in the country The sacred place was built in the first half of the 19th century It was declared a national cultural monument due to its great cultural and historical value The Greek Catholic Church of the relics of St Nicholas the Bishop is older and hidden in the village of Ruská Bystrá It was built at the beginning of the 18th century In 2008 it was inscribed onto the UNESCO World Heritage List Those who would want to see the churches from the inside must call the church administrators You can usually find their contact on the villages' websites or at the gates of the churches Ponds in Senné an important ornithological site in Central Europe The Sea Eye (Morské oko) in the Vihorlat Mountains Sninský Kameň (rock) is the most visited site in the Vihorlat Mountains offering a great view of Morské Oko lake The Vihorlat Mountains offer a variety of hiking trails which was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007 Zemplínska Šírava is the second largest water reservoir in Slovakia not all public beaches are in good condition Vinianske Lake is surrounded by woods, which gives visitors a feeling of being in the heart of nature. It is suitable for swimming, water sports, and fishing. Last year, new Wellness Under the Stars was opened there Climbing rock near the village of Vinné Spa in Sobrance was a famous spa with unique healing waters but a chariot race is held there during the summer The farm Nová Zem in Blatná Polianka offers horseback riding Children can also go crazy on a trampoline Farm Skarabeus in Veľké Raškovce offers horse riding Beekeeping outdoor museum in Moravany Vinné Castle the ruins situated near the village of Vinné has been worked on in recent years by volunteers in Michalovce is situated in the baroque-classical chateau of the noble family Sztaray Museum of Vintage Cars in Michalovce was opened in 2023 It is a must-see for visitors who love old American and European cars Museum of Mining and Ironworks in Remetské Hámre presents the history of mining and ironworks in the Vihorlatské Vrchy mountains and runs an ethnographic exhibition