Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Europe
Europe Topics specific to Western and Eastern Europe, from UK to the Russian border, and south-east to Turkey.
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 18 Feb 2009
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 37
Anyone been to Slovakia recently?

We're going, unfortunately not by bike, towards the end of April for a few days. Just wondered what prices were like at the moment for food/hostels etc. I know the currency changed over to the Euro in January, i have an out of date lonely planet guide from about 3-4 years ago.

Also can anyone reccommend any must see parts of the country, bearing in mind we are flying to Bratislava and have 4 days 5 nights in Slovakia!!
i wouldn't mind getting up into the mountains of the north but think it may take too long by public transport?? especially to the Tatra's.

Cheers
Iand
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 20 Feb 2009
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Faversham,England
Posts: 137
Slovakia

Hi
It is not as cheap as a few years back as the korona has been gearing itself up to the Euro for sometime,and we all know how much we get for our pound now
Saying that, away from Bratislava you can still eat and drink fairly reasonably.You can still find a bottle of Zlaty Bazant(Slovakian Lager) for 70p if you know where to look.Same or a bit more for good coffee and they are usually good too.They haven't realised yet they can rip people off by using less ingredients and fooling people into thinking they are getting a good deal by serving it in giant mugs.Ask for expresso mlielko which would be like your macchiato.If you ask for cava you will end up with a Turkish type coffee.Which isn't always a bad thing !
If you are going to stay in Bratislava for anytime,I quite like going up the lift to the top of the bridge that looks like it has a spaceship perched on top(Novy Most)This is a restaurant and quite an expensive one too.I have only ever had a coffee up there but its good to watch the long barges on the Danube and to get your bearings in Bratislava.
Banska Bystrica in central Slovakia(about 130 miles from Brat)has a architectural picturesque old town,better in summer as coffee shops extend outside and are good for people watching.This time of year it is the main town that serves the Donovaly ski area.
It depends what you want to do.Plenty of untouristy walking and cycling routes.Of course the High and Low Tatras will have the most infrastructure for tourism but there are some great back roads and scenery away from this which is best done on a Motorbike of course.
I was watching a Czech film with my partner the other week(who is Slovakian)and I had to google where it was filmed as the surroundings were beautiful.It was the Mala Fatra national park area,north of Martin.The Prague
studios use Slovakia quite often for scenes of hills and mountain backdrops.
You will of course see the reminents of a communist era in ugly and run down buildings from factorys to hotels.I am thinking you may see much of this if sticking close to the main public transport arteries.Talking of which i think it is the 61 bus you need from the airport to the main train station.
You can get ripped off by taxis like in any city so be warned.
If you want any specific info, email or PM me or if i think of anything I will get back to you.

Cheers
Simon
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 21 Feb 2009
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 37
nice one thanks for all that, we are only there for 5 nights 4 days, i had hoped to get to the mala fatra area as it is nearer to bratislava than the tatras on i dont want to lose too much time traveling on buses and trains. the lift to the top of the bridge sounds like a good idea will definitely try to fit that in!

thanks
Ian
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 14 Mar 2009
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 2,123
Hello Iand:

I toured Slovakia last summer, had a very pleasant time. It is a nice country.

Brataslava is pretty unremarkable (in the sense that all big cities like that are pretty unremarkable, there's nothing particularly bad about Brataslava), but the rest of the country is a delight. The further east you go, the less expensive things become. Lodging in smaller cities and towns is very reasonably priced. There is a wide range of quality available - from downright awful to great 3 star hotels that would make the Swiss jealous - so do shop around carefully.

I don't think you would have too much difficulty getting from Brataslava to the Tatras via public transportation - it's not that far away. But, having said that, I don't know what the state of public transportation in Slovakia is like.

Michael
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 14 Mar 2009
Gold Member
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: London
Posts: 12
Hi Iand,

True, prices have increased to be inline with other EU cities. Off the tourist track you will find some good prices and some quality filling servings of food :-)

Simon makes some good points about Banska Bystrica & Martin. Likewise, if you have time, the High Tatras - highest part of the Carpathian mountains, are a must see, if I remember correctly it takes close to 5 hours to get there by train (to Poprad and Stary Smokovec as the main tourist hub), so take a book for the trip and stay the night there at least, if time allows.

Public transport timetables can be found on Cestovné poriadky - Autobusy, Vlaky, MHD (eg, "Bratislava Hl.St vlak" to "Poprad, Tatry")

Alternatively, Vienna (Wien) is only a bus trip away from the main bus station, just get the ticket from the eurolines office inside the station before you get on the bus - takes about an hour (no border check thanks to the schengen:-) and has your typical big city attractions, museums, big shopping street, ppl watching etc, but generally quite nice for a coffee and walking around.

Enjoy your Spring holiday!
Derek
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Importing into Slovakia lgomgf Trip Paperwork 3 20 Apr 2007 22:05
Yugoslavia and Slovakia... liam_taborn Europe 8 11 Jul 2006 15:11
ISDE in Slovakia thecanoeguy Travellers Seeking Travellers 0 3 Sep 2005 05:42
Ukraine & Slovakia Visas Orson Europe 2 24 Mar 2005 01:33
Slovakia-Poland linza Travellers Seeking Travellers 1 11 Aug 2004 16:12

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 16:21.