Enchanting Slovakia: high-end Tatras and road trip to the beauty of centuries-old tradition. Will you venture a little over the border to discover a "new world"?
The most beautiful nature far and wide
The most beautiful thing about Slovakia is its nature. When you're surrounded by the majestic peaks of the High Tatras, you might think what a shame it is that our country was actually divided back then, because having these views at home makes us even more proud of our country.
To start with, staying at the beautiful Kempinski High Tatras Hotel is practically a must, if only because of its strategic location in close proximity to Strbske Pleso, from where a number of wonderful trails lead. Be sure to head to the top of Ostrva from here. The trail leads past Popradský pleso, which you can also see from above. The yellow trail leads from Štrbské Pleso to Solisko, which can be beautifully circumnavigated. This route is rightly described as one of the most beautiful in the Tatras. Some of its sections are not exactly easy, but all the effort is worth this unforgettable experience. Along the way, you will pass, or rather literally "climb over", the Skok waterfall, several lakes, climb up to the Bystra footbridge, from which you will have Vyšné Wahlenberg lake in the palm of your hand, and then return to the valley through the Furkotská valley.
Starry night
For a hike this challenging, you really deserve a few days of luxury and care at the five-star Kempinski Hotel. Take in the view of Štrbské pleso for a change from the comfort of the on-site spa, book a massage from the new spring detox menu and relax in the hot tub or by the pool. This is where you'll want to spend a lot of time, even if you're not a fan of doing nothing by the pool. Over two metres high, the floor to ceiling windows flanked by columns with decorative mosaics offer breathtaking views. Your morning's fast pace can very easily turn into a morning spent gazing at the majestic peaks.
Kempinski High Tatras is not only about luxury and relaxation, but also about exceptional gastronomy. There are five restaurants and bars to choose from. The main culinary facilities are to be found in the Grand Restaurant, whose design will transport you back in time to the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, when the original buildings of today's hotel were built. Here you will experience fine dining with international cuisine, which is a pleasant contrast to walks in the middle of the Tatra countryside. And don't forget to check out the local cultural programme too - concerts are often held in the restaurant's grand rooms, for example. Private dining in the tower is also worth a mention. After climbing to the highest point of the hotel, the setting sun will conjure up a unique atmosphere for you and your loved one, making you feel like the main character of your life.
Finish the evening with a glass of wine in the hotel's elegant bar or lounge, where you can experience an unforgettable atmosphere with a game of chess in hand and your favourite drink, highlighted by a view of the dazzlingly lit Tatra Mountains. The Kempinski High Tatras is simply a place where luxury, nature and excellent service combine into one perfect whole.
Taverns, waterfalls and halusky
In the Tatras, you must also visit the charming town of Tatranská Lomnica. From here, a path leads to Skalnate pleso, as well as a cable car up to Lomnicky peak. Right in Lomnica, you can have a good coffee in the Kredenček café and a good meal in the Olívia restaurant. And you can take the historic train from here to nearby Poprad.
Wooden Paradise
To enjoy a bit of traditional Slovak style in the Tatras, don't miss the traditional tavern for halušky with bryndza. For example, between the peaks of the Belianske Tatras and Spišská Magura is the Ždiaranka Guesthouse, which is one of the best in the area, while honouring the typical Tatra architecture with a fabulous smell of wood. In addition, it offers a super location for more epic hikes. The shorter ones lead to Slodičovský vrch or Monkova dolina. Other destinations that are worth the effort and a treat include Kopské sedlo, Velké Biele pleso or the Plesnivec Chalet, the Giant Waterfall, the Belianske lúky nature trail and the waterfalls of the Cold Stream.
If you haven't had enough of nature yet, you can stretch your way to the Slovak Paradise. The walks here won't be as challenging, but they're no less beautiful. See for yourself in the village of Stratenská pila, which is popular for its lake and as the start of several hiking trails. A really fun and sometimes adrenaline-pumping walk through the Hornád River Gornád is a must, and don't miss the Tomášovský vista, which will remind you one last time how untouched, vast, seemingly endless and beautiful Slovakia is. If you don't fall in love with it, you don't know what love is. But my bet is that you'll want to come back here regularly from now on.
Tip for the end
As you move between places, be sure to set your route in your sat nav away from the big roads. That way, it's easy to get a feel for the authenticity of the local landscape, where gypsy settlements that look more like Indian slums are not uncommon. You'll just as easily discover that alongside the beautiful Tatra Mountains and the growing, increasingly modern Bratislava, there's a huge number of places that are more akin to eastern Bratislava. Then, if you turn on the TV news every night in your hotel to find out what and how things are actually going on in this country, you will have a much better understanding of why people here vote the way they do. Because that's what travel is all about - learning not only about the beauty, but also the context. So if your trip to Slovakia should have only one reason, this is it.
