Travel to Central &Eastern Europe has surged in popularity in recent years, fueled by cultural pilgrimages and the region’s new affordability. Slovakia is a country that has a tremendous amount to offer, from medieval castles to rare caves and the lively, friendly atmosphere in the bars and pubs of the capital. You can experience all the charm of the old Europe in a newly independent country with no crowds, no slick marketing, no mass tourism.

The cobblestone streets of the Old Town of Bratislava (the capital) are filled with history and youthful vitality. Tucked away in centuries-old cellars, courtyards or alleyways are cafйs, cabarets, restaurants, and pubs popular with locals, especially young people. You can savor excellent coffee, Slovakia’s own wonderful, bargain-priced beers and wines, a variety of cuisines and music and catch the energy and optimistic spirit of the city’s 60,000 students, attending three universities.

It is a combination of both very old, with evidence of settlement from 22,800 years ago, and very new, having become an independent democracy only in 1993. Slovakia is a melting pot of nationalities and ethnic groups which include Slovaks, Hungarians, Czechs Rusyus (related to Ukrainians), Romany (Gypsies), Polish, Unkranians and with heavy influences from Germany and Austria.

Slovakia is a compact country (just twice the size of Vermont) which makes it very easy explore.

For a small country, Slovakia has an amazing number of castles … more than 300. Take your pick from evocative ruins on a cliff overlooking a river (Devin and Orava), to fairy-tale perfect where knightly games are re-enacted (Bojnice), or ghostly remains of the largest walled fortress in Central Europe (Spis), and even refined chateaux/manor houses with elegant parks and gardens (Betliar, Strazky).

Compared to prices in Western Europe, you’ll get good value for your dollar on everything from beer and wine to museum entrances, hotels, meals and entertainment.

Below are some averages costs for the capital, Bratislava, which has substantially higher prices than the rest of the country elsewhere costs can be 40 – 50% less expensive.

Hotel:

3-star hotel room in international chain $80 (per room per night, not per person)

4-star hotel room in international chain $100
Comfortable 3-star level pension (like B&B) $35-55

Food & drink:

Breakfast (usually included with hotel room)

Substantial lunch with beer or soft drink and coffee/tea (moderate restaurant) $8-10

Dinner with appetizer, main dish, dessert, beer/wine, coffee (moderate restaurant) - $12-15

Bottle or on-tap pint of good Slovak or Czech beer $1.50

Glass of good-excellent Slovak wine in restaurant $1.50-$3

Bottle of good-excellent Slovak wine in restaurant $9-18

Cup of coffee in restaurant/cafй $1.00

Museum entrance $2-3

Opera ticket $6-33

Ballet ticket $4-25

Taxi: Up to $1 to start plus $1.20 per mile

Rental car

From international companies, similar prices as the rest of Europe

From Slovak companies, such as www.rentpoint.sk, lower, starting at $27/day or $191/wk

Gasoline per gallon - $4/gal (generally twice as expensive as in U.S., but remember the country is small, so distances are shorter)

No visa is required for Canadian or American citizens, no vaccinations are required, credit cards are widely accepted. ATMs are available with good exchange rates in major cities only.

The time zone is the same as Western Europe (6 hours ahead of Canadian/US Eastern time).

A sample of a 6-day self-drive itinerary might be the one found below:

DAY 1 - BRATISLAVA - Your pick of Sights/Activities in the Capital city of Slovakia

DAY 2 - Medieval religious centers, Lovely old towns, Beethoven Memorial, Unique cave dwellings carved out of volcanic hills - (TRNAVA-NITRA)

DAY 3 - UNESCO World Heritage site, Picturesque old town, Open-air mining museum, Mansion - (BANSKA STIAVNICA)

DAY 4 - Royal mint and memorial to anti-Nazi uprising, Modern Slovak and foreign artists, Wooden church, Ancient forest, Spa, Castle, Ecological village - (KREMNICA-BANSKA BYSTRICA, ZAJEZOVA)

DAY 5 - Traditional architecture, Scenic mountains, Folk art, Picturesque castle, raft rides - (VLKOLINEC –DEMANOVSKA DOLINA)

DAY 6 - Ice cave, Hiking, Open-air museum of folk architecture, of the biggest annual folk festival held late June early July - (LOW TATRA MOUNTAINS, VYCHODNA)