It's been far from a relaxed summer this year. It started as usual with a slow-down at the beginning of July. Then, a couple of weeks later, life took an unexpected turn. I'd been busy working in a children's summer camp. It was hard but rewarding and I enjoyed the work. There were quite a … Continue reading Water is life
Known as Čachtická pani (Čachtice Lady) to Slovaks, Alžbeta Báthory was a powerful 16th-century Hungarian noblewoman (1560 - 1614) who owned a large swath of land in the Csejte region of Upper Hungary (now Čachtice in Slovakia). Though never tried for her crimes, Alžbeta Báthory (referred to as Elizabeth Báthory in English) is said to … Continue reading Notoriously linked to the infamous Blood Countess, the village of Čachtice is now building a more appetizing reputation
At nine o'clock in the morning the roads are surprisingly quiet. It's Good Friday - a public holiday, and most Slovaks have either moved to their holiday destinations, or are getting their homes ready for Easter. We should be officially welcoming spring at this time of year, but the weather has decided to play a … Continue reading A sweet delicacy from a hundred years ago brought to life in the historical town of Kremnica
It was a clear and surprisingly warm weekend in mid-November with perfectly blue skies. My family and I had booked self-catering accommodation in a small village under the High Tatras - Slovak most visited mountains. It doesn't happen very often that the Tatras unveil their majestic peaks for longer than a few minutes, because the … Continue reading There are gems under the High Tatras you may have not heard about
It's between September and November when the main cabbage harvest takes place in Slovakia. Although we grow spring and midsummer varieties that are harvested earlier in the year, autumn is the prime season for collecting firm storage cultivars and those that go in sauerkraut. It is also the best time to visit Slovakia if you … Continue reading The season of cabbage festivals has begun
Just six kilometres north of the historical town of Bardejov - one of the Slovak UNESCO sights - lies a spa resort of Bardejovské kúpele. Set amid rolling hills and lush woodlands, it is a place of exceptional beauty, peace and calm. No wonder that some historical documents list it as 'the spa of tranquility'. … Continue reading Life and delicious smells have returned to the spa town of Bardejov
On my last visit to the Tekov region in the south of Slovakia, I went to see my late grandparents' house. It is now the home of my widowed aunt, and my cousins live close by with their families, so it was a good opportunity to meet them all after a long time. It was … Continue reading What kitchens of our grandmas looked like
If you visit Slovakia in January or February, the chances are that you'll get to see one of our Fašiangy carnivals. They take place all around the country, but their form may vary from region to region, sometimes even from village to village. Despite the low, often sub-zero temperatures, most of these winter carnivals are … Continue reading Pork feasts are part of the Slovak Fašiangy season
The Slovak word for Christmas has no mention of Christ in its name, although for many Slovaks it is a religious festival celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. The Slovak Vianoce is similar to the Czech Vánoce, which is believed to have evolved from the German word Weihnachten, meaning 'holy night'. The face of our … Continue reading When you say Christmas in Slovakia
The smallest town in Slovakia has 1526 inhabitants, a medieval castle and a splendid chestnut festival that takes place on the first weekend in October. But how did Modrý Kameň become the Slovak capital of the chestnut? To find the answer, we have to go back to the 16th century, when Modrý Kameň (Blue Stone) Castle was … Continue reading Chestnut desserts from Modrý Kameň
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