By Eva Ferguson

Slovakia, or the Slovak Republic, is a country near and dear to my heart. Half-Slovak myself, I spend my summers at my grandparent’s house in a small town called Nemšová. My memories are reminiscent of crisp mountain air, rich culture, and homemade comfort foods. Allow me to take you on a quick tour of some of my favorite parts of the fairytale country nestled in the heart of Europe – Slovakia.

Castles

Castles are symbols of antiquity and emblems of times long past. Boasting the most castles per capita in the world, Slovakia truly is a land of real-life fairytales. Tales of knights in shining armor and princesses are always just a car-drive away. Many of the castles host ground tours and reenactments year-round that will leave you feeling like you just stepped into a period movie. I recommend renting a cheap Škoda, driving from one end of the country to the other (it takes only 6 hours!) and seeing how many castle ruins you can spot.

Košice

This city in the eastern region of Slovakia is not to be missed. It was named the 2013 European Capital of Culture alongside Marseille in France. Besides its aesthetic beauty, Košice is home to the easternmost Gothic cathedral in Europe, largest gold treasure in Europe, and more. Exhibitions and festivals of traditional folklore dances are held around the country, in which regional music ensembles gather to perform their unique music styles. I cannot recommend enough going to one of these festivals. Slovak traditional music/folkloric dance has a heart pumping, energetic quality juxtaposed with somber meditative tunes, making for an eclectic style, distinct from other eastern European countries.

Čičmany

My favorite place to visit in Slovakia, and something not to be missed. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was the first town to be globally declared a Reserve of Folk Architecture. In the 13th century, military groups forced village inhabitants out, forcing them to seek sanctuary in geographically distanced, remote locations. While in isolation, life became simpler, and women became skilled at embroidery. Eventually, they applied their skills to the exterior of their homes. Distinct white ornamentation covers the cottages, starkly contrasted against the black wood. A quiet, idyllic village, Čičmany is a must-see for art enthusiasts. Many of the houses are still lived in, whereas others were preserved and are now museums, recreating what life was like when the settlement was first created.

Tatry

Slovakia is truly the best of both worlds - only about three hours away from the capital, Bratislava, is the Tatra Mountain range. It boasts both eccentric and majestic mountain peaks (the most notorious being Krivan) and magical, moss-covered forests. Slovakia’s nature is unparalleled. Its fairytale pathways, mythical streams and crystal-clear lakes will rejuvenate and heal any soul that passes through.

Slovakia is an endearing, charming country with incredibly rick, often overlooked, historical and natural wonders. Too often, it is left hidden in the shadows of its neighbor, the Czech Republic, with tourists often flocking to Prague and skipping Slovakia altogether. I am not here to play favorites. However, I believe Slovakia has a unique ambience that is left unparalleled by any other European country. If you are ever driving through Europe, or have a change for a quick stopover, you will not regret stopping in Slovakia.

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