Founder´s Story
Petr Ivanek´s milestones
I was born in Prague, and at that time it was the capital of Czechoslovakia, but now the capital of the Czech Republic. That was the starting place for my life journey. Baptised as Petr (Peter in English), during the first two years of my life, we lived in the lovely village of Tuchoměřice near Prague.
Moving to Slovakia
Two years later, we moved to my dad´s home village of Mokrý Háj in western Slovakia. This laid-back, wine-growing village nearby the royal town of Skalica has been my permanent residence since then.
Military service and studies in the United Kingdom
After completing my military service in Slovakia in 1998, destiny brought me to England, where I studied English and business. For several years, the area of Ascot and Windsor became my temporary home.
During my studies, I had several jobs. One of them, and the one that I enjoyed the most, was as an assistant at the afterschool club in Ascot. Helping with school trips to local farms, aqua parks, Legoland, or even Disneyland in Paris was, I guess, my “baptism” for working with people.
The next challenge was to organise a ski trip for the school. I thought, Wow, but where? The school director, Arlene, had several options in mind, including ski resorts in Austria and France. I thought, I am sure they are beautiful, but what about Slovakia?
The question was, are there ski resorts in Slovakia? Of course, and good ones! Slovakia is one of the most mountainous countries in Europe, and I was sure that taking the school to Slovakia would be a success, and indeed it was. The children, teachers and parents, a group of 50, loved it so much that the following winter we skied in Slovakia again!
Setting up my travel business in 2003
After completing my Oxford certificate in English and business course suddenly the idea was born. Could I set up my own travel business promoting Slovakia worldwide? I thought, People love Slovakia, the ski trips were successful, so could this be my full-time job? The answer was a clear YES!
Moving back to Slovakia
I decided to return to Slovakia for good and begin my official career in the travel industry. To start with, working from home, I contacted some of the leading UK-based tour operators selling adventure tours worldwide. At that time, Slovakia wasn´t in their brochures yet, so I thought that was an opportunity!
Success right from the beginning
With the help of God, I somehow managed to establish cooperation with some of the world’s leading tour operators in adventure travel. Providing ground service to customers of my partners in Slovakia and Central Europe was a valuable lesson for us.
Slovakia Explorer
The demand for Slovakia was growing. I began to feel the need to establish a brand that would highlight the most-attractive holidays in Slovakia and provide travel guides, accommodation and transfers. And so Slovakia Explorer was born. We are far from perfect, but I strongly believe that there are several solid reasons why you may want to book your holiday to Slovakia with us. If you do, on behalf of the Slovakia Explorer team, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Something from my family life
Married and a dad of three boys Matus, Marek and Michal, my family forms an integral part of my life. I also enjoy spending time in our family vineyard and, from time to time, playing the accordion.
A matter of the heart is also working in my apiary where I currently look after 24 beehives, focusing on the health effects of bee products, such as 100% natural honey, propolis, pollen, royal jelly or breathing the bees’ air from the beehives.
If you like our company, I look forward to meeting you on one of our tours.
With kind regards,
Petr Ivánek