PAST TOUR: 2013 Day-by-Day

2013 Slovakia Heritage Tour
September 5- 15, 2013

Click on the images for each day to get a glimpse of where we’ll go & what we’ll do…

DAY 1:

Thurs. Sept. 5: Vienna – Bratislava – Nitra – Banská Bystrica
Morning pick-up in Vienna. Travel through Bratislava for lunch in Nitra, the oldest city in Slovakia, and on to the quaint city of Banská Bystrica . Gather for an evening Welcome Dinner (included) in a 14th-century fortress restaurant to review the travel plans, and have an introductory Slovak lesson. Stay in-town at the Pension Amarys.

DAY 2:

Fri. Sept. 6: Banská Bystrica – Spania Dolina
Step back in time in the ancient mining and craft village of Spania Dolina. Walk the village and forested lanes and visit the lace and mining museums. Afternoon will be free to explore the elegant and historical downtown of Banská Bystrica , visit the National Museum of the Uprising, shop, or relax and enjoy a contemporary spa.

DAY 3:

Sat., Sept. 7: Orava – Tatry Mountains
Travel through beautiful landscapes, stopping to visit Orava Castle, and a traditional sheep farm. Relax and watch the sunset on the mountains from our Pension 2004 in Stara Lesna. Dinner and traditional music at a nearby Koliba(folk restaurant).

DAY 4:

Sun., Sept. 8: Tatry Mountains – Spišská Sobota
Enjoy the beauty of the Tatry Mountains at your own pace. Several options for a day of out-door, scenic adventure in this dramatic small alpine range or relaxing in the resort towns. In the evening, explore the village and dine at the top-rated Pension Fortuna in Spišská Sobota.
Optional personal family and village visits can be arranged.

DAY 5:

Mon., Sept. 9: Levoča – Spiš Castle – Spišská Kapitula- Spišská Sobota
Explore the ruins of the majestic Spiš Castle one of the largest castle ruins in Europe. Visit the Romanesque Cathedral of St. Martin in Spišská Kapitula, the “Slovak Vatican,” a walled ecclesiastical village since the 12th century. Lunch in the medieval, pilgrimage town of Levoca with visits to see the large exquisitely-carved altar in St. Jacob’s Cathedral by 15th century master woodcarver Pavol. Learn to make Bryndzové Halušky for our traditional Slovak supper (Included).
Optional personal family and village visits can be arranged.

DAY 6:

Tues. Sept. 10: Pieniny National Park – Červeny Kláštor Monastery – Bardejov
Another day of scenic vistas, as we travel to the Pieniny National Park region. Green fields, forests and mountains cascade in a dizzying array. Several options to enjoy the outdoor beauty at your pace: hike the moderate Three Crown trails; enjoy the scenery from a traditional raft trip down the Dunajec river; and/or visit the 14th century Červeny Kláštor Monastery. In the evening, relax in the quiet medieval guild town of Bardejov at the Hotel Bellevue.
Optional personal family and village visits can be arranged.

DAY 7:

Wed. Sept. 11: Bardejov – Sabinov – Prešov – Košice
In the morning time to explore the well-preserved medieval town center and the Šariš Outdoor Museum which shows life in a late 19th century village. Sample the curative waters of the Bardejov Spa. Traditional Slovak lunch and music in Sabinov (included) Continue to Prešov for visits to the Šariš Museum with photos of 19th/early 20th century Slovakia, a social service center and mass with organ music at St. Nicholas Church before rest at the Hotel Zlaty Dukat in Košice.

DAY 8:

Thurs. Sept. 12: Košice
Morning guided walking tours of Košice’s well-preserved historic center. Afternoon free to shop and explore the thriving downtown. Optional evening special cultural program.
Optional personal family and village visits can be arranged.

DAY 9:

Fri., Sept. 13: Košice – Budapest – Bratislava
After hearing so much on the tour about the Austrian-Hungarian Empire which dominated the lives of our Slovak ancestors, return to Bratislava with a day-stop in the ancient Hungarian capital, Budapest. After an auto-tour of the central city, lunch and free time to explore the Danube Promenade, t and historic center, or take a boat ride. Return up the Danube Valley and an evening arrival in Bratislava to relax at the central, old world-style Radisson Carlton Hotel.

DAY 10:

Sat., Sept. 14: Bratislava – Modra Wine Festival
With a morning city tour, explore Bratislava from the medieval central streets and lovely plazas to the panoramic views from the Castle. Travel to the Small Carpathian mountain wine and ceramic region for the annual Modra Wine Festival to celebrate the new wine burčiak. Watch the master potters at a local pottery. Toast our wonderful tour at our Farewell Dinner in a local wine cellar restaurant.