Slovakia

Introducing Slovakia!!! This 19 year-old country (able to drink everywhere in Europe except Iceland) is perhaps Central Europe's least known. Since her divorce from the Czech Republic in 1993, Slovakia is single and ready to mingle. She speaks sexy Slovak, she enjoys the great outdoors (20% of Slovakia is National Park), she is financially savvy (one of the EU's fastest growing economies) and she likes a smooth glass of wine before bedtime (as opposed to beer crazy neighbours, Slovakia has many fine vineyards).

On October 15th it was our 1st wedding anniversary. Rather than do some exciting site-seeing, we decided to spend the entire day in romantic Bratislava, in bed, eating chocolates.

We did go out for dinner in the evening and made sure to see the Danube for a 3rd time.

The historic city of Bratislava was delectable, despite the weather.

Bratislava may not have the rich history of most European cities, but it does win in the cool statues department.

We advanced upon nearby Devín Castle. Unfortunately, our heavy casualties of 2 umbrellas required a hasty retreat.

 On our way to the highlands, we passed through the enthralling mountain village of Vlkolínec.

The High Tatras are a mountain range on the border between Slovakia and Poland where we spent two days of wonderful weather scaling their peaks.

The mountains are home to bears, lynx, marten, wolf and foxes. After walking past her once, we sat for a while with this beautiful and gentle vixen.

Traditional Slovak food is tasty, hearty and always topped with bacon.

 At the peak of Predné Solisko.

The view across the basin below is stunning.

The serene lake, Štrbské Pleso.

The following morning a damp mist presented the perfect setting for exploring gloomy medieval ruins. So off we went in search of Spiš Castle.

The site (like at Devín Castle, mentioned above) was fortified by the Romans on the Danubian frontier of their vast empire. From the 11th century onward, as a borderland of the Hungarian kingdom, Slovakia was scattered with defensive castles.

From this vantage point they could see their enemy coming, providing their enemy was of the avian variety.

Also at Spiš Castle was an animal labelled by the informative sign as a spermophile. We are currently awaiting lab results to determine the appropriateness of this name.

Our final visit was to Slovak Paradise National Park. We were definitely there at the most utopian time of year, as the park was bathed in a heavenly glow.

We did one of our funnest hikes yet which involved climbing ladders and crossing rivers and all kinds of fun stuff like that!!