Slovakia Poland & High Tatras
While the capital city of Bratislava gets most of the traveler’s attention, the Slovak countryside has a lot to offer in terms of hiking trails, national parks and simply fabulous drives through little hamlets forgotten in time. And just a couple hours north, the high Tatras form the natural border between Slovakia & Poland – alpine lakes and serene landscapes waiting to be explored. Driving through the medieval & neoclassical towns of Poland, tasting the extraordinary cusine and local brews, gliding past a rich and layered history, this itinerary is truly a slice of Eastern Europe!
Trip Highlights
- Begin your trip in Budapest – the cultural, political and commercial heart of Hungary, boasting iconic landmarks like Chain bridge & the Parliament and the magnificent Castle district.
- Drive through pine forests and valleys of Slovakia – cruising past pristine blue lakes, stopping at tiny villages for an occasional coffee in a town squares forgotten in time
- Make Zakopane as a base for a host of activities in the Tatras mountains – From short hikes to astounding vista points, horse-carriage rides to isolated lakes, strolling among lush green meadows to funiculars rising above skylines – this is your opportunity to cut away from the world and be one with nature
- Sip a coffee at Europe’s largest medieval city square in Kraków – or take a half-day trip to UNESCO listed Wieliczka salt mines & the dark, emotionally moving concentration camps at Auschwitz-Birkenau
Which Visa Do I Need
Indian citizens require Schengen Visa for visiting all the destinations in this itinerary. US & UK passport holders do not require visa.
Length of Stay
We recommend at least 7-8 days for this itinerary. You may choose to spend more time in Budapest or drive to Dresden or Berlin after the trip.
Best time to visit
Summer is the best time to visit – the days are long and there is plenty of sunlight. Shoulder months of June and September also offer the added advantage of lesser crowds. Zakopane is also a winter destination, with plenty of skiing opportunities.
architecture, river cruise, thermal spa experience, alpine lakes, trekking, auschwitz concentration camp, underground salt mines
Did you know
- Slovakia is home to world’s highest number of castles and chateaux per capita. An incredible number of 180 castles and 425 chateaux in a country with the entire population far smaller than the city of New York!.
- The picturesque village of Čičmany in Northern Slovakia has a status of world’s first reservation of folk architecture. Surrounded by mountains the village is famous especially for its traditional wooden houses. The walls of these timber houses are decorated with white geometrical patterns, same shapes can be found on the folk costumes of the villagers. More than 130 houses belong to the historic preservation area.
- Traditional Polish Last Names Change Depending on the Sex
Names that end with –ski/ska or –cka/cki work like adjectives and need to match the gender in Polish. So, if your father’s name is Kowalski, if you’re a female you’ll be called Kowalska. All Polish surnames in the US are a male version. - Wearing a Hat Indoors is Considered Rude in Poland.
- Poles Celebrate a Name Day. In addition to birthdays, Poles celebrate their name day or imieniny, which is the day commemorating the Saint they are named after. The names associated with each day is listed in all calendars in Poland, so the Name Day is often more important than a birthday because everyone remembers about it.
- Poland is World’s Biggest Exporter of Amber
- Located in Wrocław, the “Piwnica Swidnicka” is the oldest restaurant in Europe, open since 1275. You can still eat there today.
