In just nine days, we explore the highlights and hidden treasures of three countries; Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Austria. This circular discovery tour allows you to explore Slovakia´s TOP destinations including Bratislava and the Tatra Mountains—Slovakian Alps. In the Czech Republic, the focus is on the region of southern Moravia known as the Moravian Versailles. Finishing the tour in Vienna is a royal ending to this discovery tour in central Europe. We´ll take you to medieval mining towns, fairy-tale castles, and spectacular UNESCO sites. This is a great opportunity to enjoy three countries in the heart of Europe in one holiday.
Over nine days, you´ll discover:
On day one you will be met by your tour guide who will brief you about the programme about the next seven days. The meeting time is scheduled for 5 pm. Depending on your arrival time, there might be time for a stroll around the old town.
Meals included
None
Accommodation
Bratislava, Hotel Devin (or similar)
Bratislava, often called the beauty of the Danube, has a very good strategic location, situated on both banks of the Danube at the foothills of Malé Karpaty (Little Carpathians), near Vienna. With this excellent location, Bratislava was always the centre of busy life.
During the Austrian-Hungarian Empire, Bratislava was in 1536 declared the capital of Hungary. Despite the rich history, Bratislava is one of the youngest capitals of the world. Visitors are attracted by the cosiness of the city and historical monuments.
The dominant feature is Bratislava Castle towering majestically above the Danube. During our guided tour, you will also see Michalska Brána Gate, Primate’s Palace and the President’s Palace, St Martin’s Cathedral, and more.
Meals included
Breakfast
Accommodation
Bratislava, Hotel Devin (or similar)
The jewel of town, Bojnice is fairy-tale-like Bojnicky Castle, which belongs to the most visited and most beautiful castles in Central Europe. After a guided tour of the castle, our trip continues toward the ancient town of Banska Stiavnica. It lies in the middle of Stiavnicke Mountains and is included in the UNESCO list. This former mining town is one of the most beautiful and extremely valuable historical towns in Slovakia.
Meals included
Breakfast
Accommodation
Banska Stiavnica, Hotel Salamander (or similar)
This morning we’ll travel 3.5 hrs to Kosice located in eastern Slovakia. En route to Kosice, we´ll visit the manor house of Betliar. The manor house in Betliar is the only manor house in Slovakia, which has been preserved after 1945 with its original equipment and collections. It was not exposed by the fate of our other aristocratic residences—his facilities were not stolen, he was not rebuilt, and he has been serving museums practically since nationalization. So everything you will see here belonged to members of the Andrássy family, whom we consider to be the most important aristocrats in Europe in the 19th century. After arrival in Kosice, we have a stroll across the old town and Kosice´s gardens.
Meals included
Breakfast
Accommodation
Kosice, Hotel Maraton (or similar)
After breakfast, we travel 1 hour north to the spa town of Bardejov. Thanks to its beautifully preserved city centre, this medieval town has been on the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List since 2000.
Our next stop will be the Spissky or Spis Castle. With an area of more than 4 hectares, Spis Castle is one of the largest castle-ruin complexes in Europe. In 1993, it was included on the UNESCO list.
Our adventure then continues in the nearby ancient town of Levoca—once a royal town with massive city walls—which is a cultural and historical treasure with a number of architectural monuments.
The wooden altar in the basilica of St. Jacob is 18.6 m high. It is the highest altar of its kind in the world. Levoca is also one of the biggest and oldest pilgrim sites in Slovakia.
This brilliant day is then concluded with a 25-minute trip to Smokovec, the oldest settlement in the High Tatras mountains, the natural border with Poland, and our home for the next two nights.
Meals included
Breakfast
Accommodation
Smokovec, Hotel Villa Siesta (or similar)
Today is free for optional activities in the spectacular national park of the High Tatras, the biggest mountains in Eastern Europe, and home to wolves, lynx, brown bears, and seven species of eagle.
This territory is known for its spa settlements and mountain villages with typical small wooden architecture and breathtaking fauna and flora, and it is a paradise for the lovers of nature.
For stunning panoramic views, you can take a cable car to Skalnate Pleso 1754 m; go for a walk to mountain lakes, huts, and waterfalls; or perhaps experience a trip by a mountain tram to Strbske Pleso, Slovakia´s highest village.
You can also visit the stunning Belianska cave or relax in outdoor thermal pools in the foothills of the Tatras. Or why not to experience a traditional rafting on wooden rafts through the Pieniny Mountains. The choice is wide, and your tour guide will be there to assist you with anything you might need.
Meals included
Breakfast
Accommodation
Smokovec, Hotel Villa Siesta (or similar)
The first stop on our journey from east to west will be the mountain village of Vlkolinec (Wolves´ Place). This UNESCO settlement is hidden in the mountains of Velka Fatra with beautifully preserved coloured log houses is a must when visiting Slovakia.
Our next stop will be the mountain village of Terchova. Terchova, the birthplace of Juraj Janosik, Slovakia’s very own Robin Hood, is probably the most famous village in Slovakia. After lunch in this beautiful village, we´ll continue to the royal town of Skalica.
In the 17th century, it was one of the most important towns in Slovakia, flourished by wine production, which remains. Here, an authentic wine-tasting with a local wine dresser will be prepared for us.
At a local wine cellar, you´ll have the opportunity to taste a number of locally produced Slovakian wines, including the red wine Skalický Rubín (Skalica´s Ruby), which refers to its specific colour.
With other locally made specialities, while listening to local music and learning about the rich folklore traditions, this is an excellent ending to a spectacular discovery circular tour across Slovakia.
Meals included
Breakfast, Dinner (buffet)
Accommodation
Skalica, Hotel Sv. Michal (or similar)
The Chateau of Lednice is one of the most famous Romantic buildings in the Czech Republic and long-time summer residence of the Liechtenstein family, wealthy landowners and influential figures.
Indeed it remained in the family for 700 hundred years and was redeveloped on separate occasions in Neo Gothic and Baroque styles.
There is also the chance to wander through the Baroque-style French park with soft landscaping, Empire Pavilions, and reproductions of classic churches. After lunch, we then travel to the royal town of Mikulov.
Mikulov lies at the heart of the winegrowing area and is another area once ruled by the Liechtenstein family. We take a tour of the city, taking time to appreciate some of the many monuments and buildings.
These include the historic square with its Renaissance surroundings, St. Anne's Church, which dates back to 1623, and the impressive Chateau, a dominant feature of the local landscape.
Meals included
Breakfast
Accommodation
Mikulov, Hotel Galant (or similar)
Transfer to Vienna, tour ends.
This morning we´ll travel 1 hour to Vienna, where your tour ends. On request we can arrange extra nights in Vienna.
Meals included
Breakfast
This trip operates daily, so you can pick a date that suits you. Choose a day between April and October, and we’ll make all the arrangements for you. Just let us know when you want to travel.
| Dates | Status | Adult price | Child price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tue 01 Jun 21 - Mon 31 Oct 22 | Available |
|
- |
| Guided Groups | Minimum 6 people. Smaller groups are welcome, but the price may be amended accordingly. | ||
Please note that our official rates are in Euros. Other currencies are informative only.
This well-thought-out trip is a great choice for people who like cultural discovery holidays. This trip is classified as easy with no demanding walks, so it can be managed by people with an average level of fitness.
Single room supplement: 150 EUR
Normally 16 max.
This tour starts in Bratislava.
This tour ends in Vienna.
To enhance flexibility our holidays do not include flights. This gives you the freedom to choose a local airport that works for you and shop for the best deal.
List of airports with distances to the first hotel in Bratislava:
Bratislava Airport – 14 km / 20 min
Vienna Airport – 64 km / 45min
Once you have decided which airport works for you best you will need to choose the way how to get to the starting hotel / joining point. There are two options:
Public transport
You can reach Bratislava city by public transport (bus, train). Using the public transport is another way of experiencing your destination, which puts you right in the centre of the action. If you prefer to travel by public transport we can help you find the best option.
Private transfers (door to door service)
Book your private airport transfers directly with us. Our fast, reliable and affordable private transfers are the best way to reach your starting hotel quickly and comfortably. For up-to-date prices of Airport private transfers click here.
During this tour you´ll stay in three star hotels.
If you need to arrive or leave on a different date, please contact us and we’d be more than happy to arrange extra pre or post tour accommodation for you.
We recommend you pack as light as possible, with a suitcase or backpack that are easy to lift and carry. A daypack for activities is also useful. Below you will find a recommended packing list. It is by no means exhaustive, so if you’re in any doubt, please contact us.
Please note, we want to run this trip following the day-to-day itinerary on the trip notes. However, sometimes operational circumstances may sometimes prevent us from doing this. Your tour leader will keep you fully informed of any alternative plans that are necessary on-the-ground. Also, based on feedbacks from past travellers, occasionally our itineraries are amended. Final version of your trip notes will be emailed to you prior to travel.
Download the detailed trip notes for everything you could possibly want to know about this trip, including detailed itinerary and full kit list.
To download trip notes, please submit your email address down below.
This holiday is operated by our expert, in-country team at Slovakia Explorer. By booking with us, you’ll benefit from our unrivalled local knowledge, and have 24/7 support during your trip.
Our holidays offer unique experiences, which give you an unparalleled insight into Slovakia. During the planning and booking process, we pay attention to every detail of your holiday to ensure your trip is perfect.
Slovakia Explorer offers great value, high quality holidays.
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