About Slovakia

Slovakia is becoming one of Europe's focal points for travel and tourism. "Slovensko" in the native language of Slovak, officially named the Slovak Republic, the country enjoys moderate weather and a prime map location, bridging east and west.

Slovakia is modern European country mixed with a deep rural tradition. Geographically, it is primarily a mountainous country with numerous winter activities. It has a continental European climate with moderate winters and warm summers. Most infrastructure and many of the tourist facilities are on par or near Western European standards. There is refreshingly little McDonald's-style commercialism that is rampant across Western Europe. Quaint and jovial with a surprisingly rich cultural life, Bratislava is a capital city without the usual congestion. The High Tatras are a magnificent range of European mountains (only second to the Alps in elevation) dotted with villages with deep peasant traditions. You'll find Slovaks to be an extremely helpful, pleasant people prepared to go out of their way to welcome you. From city breaks, film and folk festivals, to castle tours to snow boarding and hiking you'll find Slovakia a spectacular country to visit.

Slovakia's capital city Bratislava is a growing hub of culture, as well as the national seat of politics and business. Its thousand-year history offers a great deal to visitors. The second-largest city of Kosice is a centre of heavy industry, but also of architecture and multiculturalism. Slovakia joined both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004.

"According to the World Bank, Slovakia had the fastest transforming business environment in the world for 2004, and already comparisons are being drawn with Ireland's economic transformation in the 1990's" Tamsin Smith 02/05/05 BBC News Bratislava.

Bratislava

Slovakia's capital city is at last coming to life. Tourists are coming to love the freshly restored old town, now almost entirely closed to cars. Business of all kinds is booming in one of the European Union's most rapidly-expanding capitals. The population of some half-million inhabitants is quickly adapting to its new role in the expanded Europe. And Vienna is an easy hour's travel away!

Banska Bystrica

This town is living heritage of the former fabulous riches of central Slovakia's mining culture. The gorgeous architecture on the main square dates from the late middle ages and early renaissance, and was financed by vast mining profits that then dominated its economy. More recently, the Slovak National Uprising (or "SNP" after its abbreviation in Slovak) against the Nazi occupation during World War II defines its history, with Slovakia's largest museum on this subject located here.