Slovakia Custom Tour Packages

Slovak winters are cold, while the summers are fairly warm. Due to its location in one of the lowest parts of the country, Bratislava is in one of the country’s warmest and driest spots. Naturally, the more mountainous parts of Slovakia are cooler, and generally wetter as well. We recommend visiting Slovakia, especially Bratislava, from early April to mid-June, or from early September to late October, keeping in mind that May and September are peak season for tourism.

Slovakia is very safe, even by Western European standards, although the advice about keeping an eye out for pickpockets in crowded areas still applies. If hiking in the High Tatras, keep in mind that the weather can change suddenly, and even clear skies can give way to sudden, severe weather. Slovakian roads, especially in mountainous area, can be narrow and poorly lit.

Slovak cuisine trends towards the simple and hearty, with an emphasis on cheese, potatoes, flour, smoked meat, and herbs. We recommend trying the Bryndzove Halusky, potato dumplings covered with fermented sheep’s cheese. This dish usually has fried bacon on top, although, as with most traditional dishes, has countless regional variations. Sheep’s cheese has a prime place in the local food culture, especially in a Salas, a small restaurant that sells local food, and is commonly found in the north.

Slovakia is one of a handful of countries where Coca-Cola has been beaten out by another soft drink: Kofola, a similar drink that sold by the bottle, but also available on tap. Vinea, a soda made from grapes (red and white) is also popular, especially among those who don’t like carbonation. Slovakia has many areas known for their mineral water, although the tap water is of high quality everywhere. Alcohol is cheap and served in large quantities—even a shot there is larger than you might be used to! Czech beer is omnipresent, but Slovakia produces many similar, quality beers, as well as some excellent wines. Many of the best wines come from the Tokaj region on the Hungarian border. Homemade wines and spirits are easy to find. Borovicka, a type of gin, is popular, as are Demanovka (an herbal liqueur) and various brandies, especially Slivovica (made from plums), and Hruskovica (made from pears).

If traveling between cities and larger towns, the faster long-distance trains can be a good option. If trying to get off the beaten track and into the mountains, buses may sometimes be an option, but we recommend private transfers, which not only pick you up at your hotel at the time of your choosing, but can include stops along the way. As with the Czech Republic, Slovakia has a zero tolerance policy for drunk driving, with steep fees for drivers with any detectable blood alcohol level.