Imagine this: Someone from a foreign country comes to visit you to your home country. What do you do? Do you just hang out in your house as you’d do with your other friends? Do you show them the touristic places so that they can show off back home or try to show them some local places that might not even be as interesting for them? It’s a tough question if the person comes from a completely different culture and you’re in this situation for the first time, but one thing is sure – you’ll see your country through „new eyes“. At least that was my case this Christmas.
One thing to remember – it’ll be probably different to what you expect. Some places might be a popular tourist site among home tourists because of the historical significance, but for someone who’s never heard of the noble families from the region, it might be thoroughly uninteresting. Or perhaps you have an emotional connection to a certain place. Well, be prepared that it might not make any impact on your guest. On the other hand, places that seem utterly mundane to you, might be very cool for them.
Here are some places in Slovakia that I visited as a “foreign” tourist.
1/ Trenčín Castle
Slovakia is well known for its castles, or so I’d say, and growing up with these majestic buildings around, I was always fascinated by the history behind them, imagining what was actually going on in there during the days of their glory. Also, in the history classes I could feel some kind of connection between me and the historical figures. However, even if the castles look nice from the outside, a guided tour might not be worth it for someone who’s never heard of Matúš Čák Trenčiansky, even if you try to provide a further explanation. So I suppose sometimes it’s better not to see everything and just stick to the views, which might be more valuable overall.
2/ Bojnice Castle
Okay, this is the one where you probably can’t go wrong (unless it’s summertime and the first Wednesday of the month when the entrance is free and there are people lining up for hundreds of meters before opening). The weather might be awful, it might not be season when the little stands are open and yet, the castle will still be somehow magical. I’m certainly biased as I’ve worked there, but even after years, I do love coming back. Moreover, this time it was my first time visiting it in winter – quite surprising how popular castles are in winter, since that’s not the time my family used to visit – and it was beautiful with all the Christmas decoration that was up. And with the rich exhibition of historical furniture, I consider it the most beautiful castle in Slovakia that everyone visiting the country should see – no matter how overrated it is. (And it did have the effect I wanted it to!)
3/ Banská Štiavnica
This is an interesting one, because yes, it is an official UNESCO site and there are many beautiful buildings there even after the huge fire from a year ago (or has it been a few years already? What even is time anyway…), but having been to many European towns and cities, it doesn’t really feel that special to me personally. Just another small town, innit? Though I do have to admit that the Calvary and the views from there on a clear day are stunning and a reminder for me to start working on my stamina, as I was struggling get to the top without breathing heavily as my soul was fighting to leave my body. Surprisingly, this little town in the central Slovakia with relaxed atmosphere, long mining history and a number of mineral/crystal shops seems to have been the highlight of the trip.
So what have I learned from this? That sometimes you need to pay attention to what’s around you, as there is charm in the small details. That some places as impressive as they might seem to you, other people could be missing the background details that make you feel the way you do. That it really is about people you travel with and you can make special memories from the middle of nowhere (which we do love on this blog anyway), out of season (between the holidays) and without doing the usual (going to Piešťany and ignoring the spa part completely). And, the main thing is that when in doubt, go to Bojnice. ♥
PS: This is a rather loosely edited piece, I’m trying to get back into it, so excuse me for not making too much sense~
A Piešťany s Oponice 🙆