Once you break through the stereotypes of Lego and pastries, Denmark offers travelers rich experiences from its Viking heritage and Renaissance castles to modern design stores and a cutting-edge food scene where you can’t move for Michelin stars.
21.07.2023 - 07:35 / roughguides.com
Hungarians and Turks came to Slovakia for its natural resources, and so do today’s tourists. A wide band of sprawling mountains means lots of good skiing and snowboarding, while Karst areas are perfect for caving and the rambling hilly midlands are a hiker’s paradise. In addition to its stunning natural beauty, Slovakia is one of the most budget-friendly destinations in Europe. Here is our pick of the best things to do in Slovakia.
The information in this article is inspired by The Rough Guide to Europe on a Budget , your essential guide for visiting Europe.
One of Europe’s most low-key capitals, Bratislava is a warren of cobbled streets, low arches and tiny squares. It’s small enough to explore in a day, but big enough to hold your interest for a long weekend. Straddling the Danube in the southwest corner of Slovakia, Bratislava is one of Europe’s quieter capitals, its meandering streets and tiny but grand buildings attracting far fewer tourists than Vienna or Prague.
In fact, with its slightly small-town atmosphere, on a hot afternoon, a flock of sheep wouldn’t look out of place grazing on Františkánske Square. The Old Town showcases the skill of Slovak town planners, who crammed a city’s worth of palaces, shops, cafés, pubs, restaurants, museums and churches into a few blocks.
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Saint Michael Gate tower, Bratislava, Slovakia © emperorcosar/Shutterstock
Lying in a great caldera created by the collapse of a long-since-extinct volcano, Banská Štiavnica is Slovakia’s oldest mining town. In the third century, the Huns discovered precious metal here, and by the Middle Ages, it was the largest source of gold and silver in the Hungarian Empire.
During the Ottoman Wars, the town sprouted fortifications, watchtowers and a castle to repel marauding Turks. As the metal reserves dwindled the inhabitants migrated, leaving the town with a slightly frozen-in-time feel.
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View of calvary in Banska Stiavnica, UNESCO, Slovakia. Spring colours © Hike The World/Shutterstock
Defining the border with Poland, the High Tatras (Vysoké Tatry) are Slovakia’s pride and joy and a popular lure for tourists too. The highest peak, pyramid-shaped Gerlach, is the tallest mountain in northern and eastern Central Europe at 2655m high. The beauty and splendour of the mountains made them a magnet for Romantic and Nationalistic types in the eighteenth century.
In 1844 a student in Bratislava composed a song beginning with the words “There is lightning over the Tatras” – and today it is the national anthem. One of the exciting things to do in Slovakia is to explore the peaks and foothills which are abundant with rare flora and
Once you break through the stereotypes of Lego and pastries, Denmark offers travelers rich experiences from its Viking heritage and Renaissance castles to modern design stores and a cutting-edge food scene where you can’t move for Michelin stars.
The Peninsula Tokyo is synonymous with impeccable service, spacious rooms and tasteful luxury, however in addition to this elegant guest experience, there are also many one-of-a-kind amenities and experiences that might surprise you. You’ll turn the corner in your hallway to see something unexpected or find a nook in your room that offers more than the eye perceives at first glance. For gourmets, there’s also a room service experience that gets a modern update for the discerning culinary traveler. Here are five things to experience at The Peninsula Tokyo that you won’t find elsewhere.
It takes about an hour and a half to travel from one end of tropical St Lucia to the other – maybe one hour with light traffic.
Eastern Europe has become a popular, mysterious even, destination for the intrepid backpacker. While it’s undoubtedly impressive in its diversity, there are a number of universal lessons that every traveller will learn at some point during their time here.
Georgia long attracted visitors from neighbouring countries – and there's really no wonder, in addition to its wealth of culture and natural beauty, it is also one of the most budget-friendly travel destinations. In this article, we cover the best things to do in Georgia, from stunning mountain hikes to cosmopolitan cities, ancient monasteries and — of course — some of the world's best wine.
Georgia, nestled in the Caucasus Mountains, is well known for its strong traditions and the vintage appeal of its capital, Tbilisi. Until recently the country was mostly frequented by tourists from neighbouring Russia, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Armenia.
“Little Big City” proclaims the sign on the side of Bratislava’s trams. It’s certainly right about the first, Slovakia’s capital is dinky compared with its neighbours on the Danube – Vienna, the grand old dame of European capitals, ninety minutes to the west by boat, and exuberant Budapest, three hours to the southeast by train.
Serbia is a buzzy and boisterous country, compact enough for visitors to sample both Belgrade’s urban hedonism and the gentler pace of the smaller towns or national parks – and it’s one of Europe’s most affordable destinations to boot. Grittier than its neighbour Croatia, it is nevertheless an integral part of any backpacker’s Balkan tour. Here is our pick of the best things to do in Serbia.
Discover winter destinations in Eastern Europe. Prepare for freezing temperatures and look forward to frosty cities, frozen rivers andsnowy ski resorts. Take a look at our 10 top wintery destinations.
When days are damp, sunlight is in short supply, and you have to don a fleece just to put the bins out, it’s time to make a break for it. If you're hankering after sunshine and want to throw off your winter woolies, our run-down of the best winter sun destinations around the world has you covered.
From the towering peaks of Durmitor National Park to the historic old towns of Kotor and Budva, there is no shortage of things to do in Montenegro. Whether you're a nature lover, a history buff, or just looking for a relaxing getaway, this country has something to offer everyone. Here is our pick of the best things to do in Montenegro.
Huddled at the base of a rugged mountainside, the elegant city of Dubrovnik is Croatia's irresistibly beautiful star attraction. Lapped by the glittering Adriatic Sea, its sturdy walls encircle white marble streets and Baroque churches. Off of the coast lie wooded islands with extensive, rocky beaches and crystal-clear seas. Explore this list of our favourite things to do in Dubrovnik and the surrounding area.