The High Tatras - our most spectacular mountains - were bathing in the warm August sunshine when we sat in a cable car taking us to Skalnaté pleso, a mountain lake at the altitude of 1751 metres. Skalnaté pleso (or Rocky Lake) was the starting point for our walking trip that day. We expected it to be a walk - not … Continue reading A Taste of the High Tatras
Summer is an ideal time for getting together out in the open. Here in Slovakia, a small landlocked country in the middle of Europe, summer peaks in July and August with temperatures most likely to be between 26 - 30ºC. We've had extremely hot and dry summers in the last couple of years when the … Continue reading Summer festivals celebrate life and good food
It was a balmy Sunday evening at the end of April when I first arrived at Sedliacky dvor Camping & Guesthouse. I had found this little paradise in the heart of Slovakia by chance, or more accurately, it had found me. Monique and Dion, the Dutch couple behind this innovative project, contacted me after they'd bought A … Continue reading A day in paradise
You may have seen similar posts highlighting Slovak specialities on other websites, and surely some of them will suggest a slightly different choice, but there are Slovak dishes that will unfalteringly appear in all 'to try' lists. You're very likely to find these frequent flyers at the top of my selection, while there might be … Continue reading 10 delicacies to try in Slovakia
Although it wasn't my top Christmas present this year, the message that landed in my inbox a couple of days ago made my heart sing with joy. Here is what it said: 'The Gourmand World Cookbook Awards are delighted to announce that A Taste of Slovakia is the winner selected to represent Slovakia in the … Continue reading A Taste of Slovakia shortlisted for 2018 Gourmand World Cookbook Awards
My first experience of drinking mead (or medovina in Slovak) was years ago at a small Christmas party organized by the local music school staff. My children were taking piano lessons at the school and I was invited as a member of the teachers-parents board. It was a family-style event; the tables were laid with honey cookies … Continue reading Včelovina – Slovakia’s deluxe mead
The best place to see traditional Slovak cheeses being made is definitely Zázrivá Salash. There are quite a few salashes (or kolibas) around Slovakia, but none of those I have been to provided such a complex experience of our folk culture and cuisine as the salash between Zázrivá and Terchová - two villages well-known for their … Continue reading How traditional oštiepok cheese is made
This year's shepherd's season is drawing to a close with days getting shorter and nights palpably colder. Summer greens are still a prominent colour in our countryside, but they are slowly giving in to a rich array of autumnal hues. It's a wonderful time to be out and about, especially when the weather is as … Continue reading At Zázrivá Salash
Most tourists and visitors to our country will naturally head to Bratislava - the capital of Slovakia. Not only does the city have its own (albeit small) airport, but it's only an hour drive from a larger Vienna airport, which is a convenient gateway to other European cities and holiday destinations. There's a very good … Continue reading What’s cooking in Košice
You'll probably agree that the best way to learn about a country is to explore it through all your senses. Whether it's sightseeing, visiting festivals and listening to local folklore, learning traditional crafts or tasting regional specialities, you're bound to get something new and exciting. The manor house in Bytča and an adjacent wedding palace … Continue reading Bytča Palace – food for the mind, body and soul
