An original tour for our Slovak-American Partnership Traditional Slovak Heritage Tour
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Traditional Slovak Heritage Tour
With our native Slovak guide, you’ll step back in time to medieval cities and castles, as well as to the cultures and traditions of early 20th century Slovakia when many of our Slovak ancestors left their country homes for new worlds. You’ll see what life was like in the Soviet era in contrast with today’s transition to a modern democracy.
We organize this tour for a small group of 16-20 to keep a relaxed pace and flexibility. An English-speaking travel director is at your disposal during the whole tour.
About Slovakia Heritage Tour:
Judy Northup-Bennett, the Slovakia Heritage Tour founder, is available in the United States to answer your questions and help you plan your travel.
Contact Judy at slovakiaheritagetours@gmail.com or 978-544-5144
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Slovakia Heritage Tour – JUNE 20-29, 2025
Slovakia Heritage Tour – SEPTEMBER 12-21, 2025
- Short Itinerary
Express Itinerary
Itinerary
DAY 1
BANSKA STIAVNICA & BANSKA BYSTRICA -RADVANSKY JARMOK
Our Slovakia Heritage adventure begins at the Radisson Blu Carlton Hotel (meeting) for our morning drive through the rolling Danube plains to the 14th century mining town of Banská Štiavnica, nestled in a richly-forested valley. We’ll walk through the lovely Old Town, visit the Old castle and have a tasty lunch. In the late afternoon, we’ll settle into the Hotel Kuria, in the quaint city of Banská Bystrica. In the evening, we’ll gather for our Welcome Dinner (included) which will feature a special fujara performance. A uniquely Slovak shepherd’s flute, the fujara has been named to the UNESCO cultural heritage list.
Meal(s): Welcome dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Kuria***
Overnight: Banska Bystrica
DAY 2
SPANIA DOLINA & BANSKA BYSTRICA
In the morning, we’ll step back in time in the ancient mining and lacemaking village of Špania Dolina, in the hills just outside of Banská Bystrica. We’ll walk the village and forested lanes(at your pace) and visit the mining and lacemaking museums. The afternoon will be yours to enjoy the 400-year old Harvest Market Festival (Radvanský Jarmok) which fills the Banská Bystrica’s beautiful center square with 3 booths to browse and performances to watch…both traditional and contemporary. You can also delve into World War II history from a Central European perspective at the Museum of the Slovak National Uprising, shop, or relax. In the late afternoon we’ll gather for a Wine & Cheese reception(included) to go over the tour itinerary, answer questions and practice every day expressions with an introductory Slovak lesson.
Meal(s): Breakfast, Wine and cheese reception
Accommodation: Hotel Kuria***
Overnight: Banska Bystrica
DAY 3
ORAVA REGION, ZUBEREC, HIGH TATRAS
In the morning, we’ll travel through the beautiful landscapes of the Mala Fatra Mountains, stopping to visit the dramatic Orava Castle. Orava folk music and dance will entertain us during lunch(included) at a typical Koliba, shepherd’s restaurant. In the afternoon, we’ll stroll through the 19th century Zuberec museum village to see what village life was like when many of our ancestors left Slovakia. Driving through the picturesque Liptovsky lake region. We’ll arrive at the classic Grand Hotel Smokovec in the heart of the Tatra Mountains to relax and watch the sun set on the mountains.
Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Grand Hotel Stary Smokovec****
Overnight: Stary Smokovec, High Tatras
DAY 4
HIGH TATRA MOUNTAINS
You can enjoy the beauty of the Tatry Mountains at your own pace. There are several options for a day of out-door, scenic adventure in this dramatic small alpine range or relaxing in the resort towns, including taking a gondola to the top of the range, traveling the light rail train through the resorts, shopping, visiting the excellent Tatra National Park Museum, and taking short or long hikes in the mountains. In the evening, we’ll stroll the shore of a glacial lake in Strbske Pleso and enjoy dinner at a typical mountain chalet restaurant. Optional personal family and village visits can be arranged.
Meal(s): Breakfast
Accommodation: Grand Hotel Stary Smokovec****
Overnight: Stary Smokovec, High Tatras
DAY 5
BARDEJOV – SARIS OUTDOOR MUSEUM – THERMAL SPA
We’ll travel from the High Tatry Mountains to Bardejov with a surprise stop along the way. After checking into the Hotel Pod Branou in the heart of the city and lunch, we’ll explore Bardejov from the classic 19th century spa and Šariš out door folk museum to it’s exquisite medieval center, visiting the Basilica of St. Egidius with it’s many carved altars, and the Icon Museum if you wish. You can relax in a cafe and take in the atmosphere of the central square before dinner. Optional personal family and village visits can be arranged.
Meal(s): Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Pod Branou****
Overnight: Bardejov
DAY 6
SARIS – SMALL VILLAGE VISIT – LEVOCA TOWN & KOSICE
In the morning, we’ll travel through the lovely stream valleys ringed by high pasture fields and farm land of the Šariš region to visit a small village. Later will cross the low scenic hills to the medieval, pilgrimage town of Levoča. After lunch we’ll visit the largest, exquisitely-carved altar in the world in Basilica of Saint James by 15th century master woodcarver Master Pavol; the museum of his work; and other important Levoča historic sites. In the evening, we’ll walk the beautiful central square of Košice before settling into the Hotel Double tree by Hilton, in the heart of the city.
Meal(s): Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel DoubleTree Hilton****
Overnight: Kosice
DAY 7
KOSICE
CULTURAL CAPITAL OF 2013
We’ll enjoy morning guided walking tours of Košice’s well-preserved historic center. Afternoon free to shop and explore the thriving downtown of Slovakia’s second largest city. Since many of our Slovak American ancestors came from Eastern Slovakia, this is a day we help travelers arrange for guides to visit their families or family villages. Optional evening special cultural program.
Meal(s): Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel DoubleTree Hilton****
Overnight: Kosice
DAY 8
SPISS REGION & RETURN TO BRATISLAVA
Leaving Košice, we’ll start the trip back to Bratislava through the rolling hills and valleys of the Spiš region with stops along the way. We’ll explore the ruins of the majestic Spiš Castle, one of the largest castle ruins in Europe. On the trip home, we’ll have lunch at a Salas, a traditional shepherd’s farm. We’ll arrive in Slovakia’s capital city on the Danube in time to enjoy the charm of the Old City by night and settle into the old world elegance of the Hotel Radisson Blu Carlton, in the center of the Old City.
Meal(s): Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Radisson****
Overnight: Bratislava
DAY 9
BRATISLAVA QUALITY SIGHTSEEING TOUR
Fall in love with Slovakia’s modest but elegant small capital with a morning guided walking tour, We’ll also travel by bus for panoramic views of the majestic Danube from medieval Devin Castle where we’ll learn about the Soviet-era Iron Curtain. Our last stop will be the Bratislava Castle scenic overview for views of the city and Bratislava’s long history. The afternoon will be free time to explore Bratislava’s narrow central streets and lovely plazas for shopping or people- watching, and stroll the Danube promenade to watch the ships and barges along this busy waterway. In the evening, a farewell dinner (included) in a lovely restaurant in the Old town.
Meal(s): Breakfast, Farewell dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Radisson****
Overnight: Bratislava
DAY 10
FAREWELL TO OUR TRAVEL FRIENDS !
At the close of the tour, some people will fly out of Vienna, and others will continue to travel on to Krakow, Poland, or Prague, the Czech Republic with a Slovakia Heritage Extension Tour.
Please see details on the Extension Tours:
www.slovakiaheritage.com/extension-tours/
or call Judith Northup-Bennett at 978-544-5144 to discuss your personal plans.
Meal(s): Breakfast
More about Slovakia
Travelicious Review
Our Slovakia Heritage Tour is very highly rated by our clients
More about this tour
Travel dates (guaranteed departures):
June 20-29, 2025
September 12-21, 2025
Price: USD 3250 per person sharing double/twin room
DOWNLOAD FAQs for Slovakia Heritage Tour 2025
How to send your payments to Best Slovakia Tours
We offer 4 easy ways to pay your deposit and final payment:
1. Bank Transfer. To do this you’ll need to go to a bank, preferably where you have ongoing banking relations. International law requires that international money transfers be made in person. The fixed rate (often $30-50 for one transfer) will vary depending on your relationship with the bank. You’ll need the following information to complete the money transfer:
Bank Details: Bank name: Tatra Banka, a.s.
Bank Address: Hodzovo namestie 3, 811 06 Bratislava, Slovakia
Bank Account Name: Best Slovakia Tours, s.r.o.
Bank Account Number (IBAN): SK18 1100 0000 0026 2286 2720
SWIFT / BIC: TATR SK BX
2. PayPal with a 5.5 % fee. To do this online payment you’ll need a PayPal account and Best Slovakia Tours will send you a link and you will pay via PayPal.
3. Stripe with a 3.5 % fee. To do this online payment you’ll need a Stripe account and Best Slovakia Tours will send you a link and you will pay via Stripe.
4. Wise transfer. To do this online payment, you'll need to have a Wise account. Wise platform offers the best exchange rates and lowest bank fees.
PAYMENT INFORMATION
Deposit: $500 Bank wire transfer to our company’s account
Online payment via PayPal (we’ll send you a PayPal link to execute the payment). PayPal fee is 5.5% or Stripe with 3.5% fee or Wise transfer
Balance: $2,750 due to 60 days prior to departure via bank wire
Online via PayPal with 5.5% fee or Stripe with 3.5% fee or Wise transfer
Balance to be paid latest until April 20, 2025 for June's tour and latest until July 12, 2025 for September's tour
Single supplement: $650 single traveler in a single room, will be added and paid with the balance payment
CANCELLATION POLICY
25% of the total tour price – if the contract is cancelled more than 35 days before the tour begins
30% of the total tour price – if the contract is cancelled btw 34 - 31 days before the tour begins
50% of the total tour price – if the contract is cancelled btw 30-21 days before the tour begins
80% of the total tour price – if the contract is cancelled btw 20-16 days before the tour begins
100% of the total tour price if the contract is cancelled less than 15 days before the tour begins
Contact peter@bestslovakiatours.com or jane@bestslovakiatours.com for more information
User Reviews & Comments
Slovakia Heritage Tour / September 2024
I cannot say enough positive things about Best Slovakia Tours and the beautiful country of Slovakia. My mom and I did the Heritage Tour in the fall and we had an absolutely wonderful experience. Our guide (and owner) Peter was so knowledgable, friendly and fun. He made sure that everyone in our tour group felt included and was engaged. He tailored activities based on the wants of the group and we coudn't have asked for a better guide. We saw so many areas, monuments, citites, landmarks and interesting places that without a local guide, we would not have known to/been able to experience. Janka (Jane) was so responsive in the planning process and answered any and all questions that we had. Our driver, Roman, was so professional and skilled in navigating the winding back roads in the Tatra Mountains. Overall, I would absolutely recommend Best Slovakia Tours for any of your tour needs, I would love to book another trip with them to another of the avialable locations! Sara
02/20/2025
Slovakia Heritage Tour / September 2023
My husband and I traveled with eight other adults for a ten day tour which spanned the entire country of Slovakia. This was not only our first visit to this beautiful county, but also our first to Europe. We were somewhat uncertain as to what to expect, but upon arriving for our tour, we found we were in great hands! Peter and his wife Jane had planned every aspect of our tour perfectly! We traveled in a beautiful 20 seat Mercedes bus. Our driver, Roman, was outstanding and did a fabulous job in getting our group safely from one town to the next. Sites visited included Bratislava, Banska Stiavnica, Spania Dolina, and Bandka Bastrika, all centuries’ old mining towns, and the breathtaking Tatry Mountains where we rode a gondola to the mountain top. We saw the Orava Castle, the rural areas of the Saris Region and medieval town of Bardejov, as well as the gorgeous town of Levoca. Churches and more churches everywhere!! We then ventured on to Kosice where we had the opportunity to spend the day with my Slovak cousins and tour the magnificent St. Elizabeth Cathedral. On our journey back to Bratislava, we stopped and toured the 11th-12th century Spis Castle. While in Bratislava, we enjoyed a walking tour of Slovakia’s capital and all its many magnificent landmarks! Peter was a true professional throughout the entire tour, helping us with every aspect of our travels from carrying our luggage to and from the various hotels, arranging transportation when needed, and providing a wealth of information of his beautiful country! We would suggest for anyone who is considering this tour to have a great pair of walking shoes because there is A LOT of walking involved, much of which is uphill! However, the views which await you at the top of those hills is something you won’t want to miss! The hotels in which we stayed were top-notch, and all of the meals which were provided for our group were truly outstanding! This tour was not only educational, but also intimate and just all-around lovely. It’s great for those who have never visited Slovakia before as you get to see so much of the country! Thank you to Peter and Jane for providing this wonderful tour for Mike and me. We made so many life-long memories!! Warmest regards, Mike and Angela / USA
09/26/2023
Slovakia Heritage Tour 2019
Joined tour in September, 2019. Best decision ever! Found them randomly in Slovak magazine. Small group that ended with great memories and lasting friendships. Every stop, every accommodation was better than expected! Peter provided excellent history, outstanding information and helped to track any relatives within the country. Hope to be back again. Look for Best Slovakia Tours on facebook, walk along tours with Peter to enjoy lots of cities snd sites in Slovakia. Thanks for the best experience and sharing our Slovakian heritage. Patty / USA
10/12/2019
Slovakia Heritage Tour 2013
“Hi Peter, Linda and I want to think you for the expertise and energy you applied to our tour. We had a great time. I’ve put a few of the pictures that I took, which you might be able to use to promote tours, on dropbox.com and will send you an invitation to share the folder. That means you can download any of the images for your use. Just please leave the watermark on for credit. Included in this group are two pictures of an Unidentified Flying Object in the High Tatras. Pretty cool, my first UFO pix. I also have a favor to ask: Can you tell us what “Iskru Pivu Dávajú Ludia” means? It’s on the bottom of the beer mugs we were given by Josef. Thanks again for all your efforts, especially helping me get my camera case back” Andy & Linda M. / USA
09/27/2013
Slovakia Heritage Tour 2011
Thanks again for everything you did for us on our “holiday” vacation. We had a wonderful time. Dolores P. / USA Thank you for doing a marvellous job. We really enjoyed everything. Fondly, Ben & Janny O., Rudy & Marsha P. / USA
10/03/2011