Slovakia

Slovakia in Central Europe attracts travelers with its medieval cities and castles, as well as its spa towns surrounded by mountains. This predominantly Catholic nation is one of the best places to experience Europe’s Christmas markets, carnival events, and Christmas itself – locals and travelers alike often dress up in traditional costumes to drink, dance, and celebrate the night away.

Slovakia also attracts adventurous travelers with its vast natural landscape. The High Tatras form a natural border with Poland and are protected national park lands on both sides of that border. Here you can hike past glacier lakes and towering mountains in summertime, and enjoy winter sports during the colder months. Cascading waterfalls and deep caverns dot the Slovak Paradise National Park, while the Slovak Karst mountain range, with its many caves and abysses, is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.