Enjoy Tatras

Is cryotherapy crazy or on trend? You decide, but either way freezing oneself in the name of health seems to work. Ramy James Salameh stepped into temperatures of -125°C and felt better for it, even though a pair of shorts and clogs was his only protection. Slovakia’s Tatras and Liptov region always finds quirky ways to increase your feeling of wellness, without breaking the bank to do so.  “You look nervous?” stated the doctor’s assistant at AquaCity, as I stood beside the cryotherapy chamber waiting to enter; my answer was unequivocally “yes!”. The resort is one of Slovakia’s premier health and wellbeing complexes based in Poprad, a city nestled beneath the High Tatras Mountains.  I was just about to walk into two chambers, the first at an eye-watering temperature of -60...

In this series of Q&A interviews three Slovakian sports stars discuss their region’s top sport and travel attractions. Here's what pro-trials bike rider Jan Kocis and professional swimmers Miroslav Cmel and Tamara Potocka had to say... Jan Kocis (Image: Martin Krystynek) Jan Kocis (pro-trials bike rider) As a champion trial rider and cyclist from this region what are your favourite routes, which you would recommend for cycling tourists visiting the Tatras & Liptov region?   “As a peak ‘trials bike rider’, I do not usually use the classic cycle paths, but I mostly go to the more challenging ‘terrain’ so as to cycle on unmodified routes. But I like training at the Kvetnica cyclo-trails, single trails at Lechnica (Pieniny National Park), or – traditionally I go ...

In your opinion, what are the top sports/adventure activities in the High Tatras and Liptov region? In the Tatras/Liptov mountain region, the best things happen outdoors in all weathers and year round. There are 50 peaks more than 2000m in the region, it means a diverse, far-reaching landscape of breathtaking views and fresh air. The majority of visitors come mainly for some hiking – it’s an integral part of the right “Tatras holiday” – making it the top sport activity, in all forms, even for the most laid back person. Mountains and winter sports inherently belong together, the Tatras region is no exception. We have different ski resorts, small and large, each with its own specific character. They offer excellent conditions for beginners to professionals. I suggest trying the steepest ...

When Lonely Planet voted the High Tatras as the No.1 European destination to visit in 2019, it was definitely something to shout about.  This is most definitely a stamp of approval and badge of honour, but also the encouragement you need to put Slovakia’s mountainous region on your bucket list and get active in pristine nature. Lonely Planet described the region as a “mythical” and “rugged” landscape, with the real possibility of spotting rare species eradicated from most other parts of Europe, before going on to say… “Away from the wildlife watching, there’s plenty to keep travellers busy. With hikes to the summit of Slovakia’s highest peak, 2655m-high Gerlach (also known as Gerlachovský Štít), boating on the glacial lake of Štrbské Pleso, and traditional hospital...

There are simply too many great viewpoints in the Tatras and Liptov region - but we pick out eight of the best to inspire visitors and aspiring photographers. You are guaranteed picture-perfect scenery across the whole region, so, whether you are a professional snapper, accomplished amateur or simply collecting memories for Instagram, you have come to the right part of Europe.  There are even dedicated photographic tours if you want to take visual art to another level.  Did you know? Jasna Ski Resort was voted within the top 10 most Instagram-tagged resorts in Europe, amongst some of the best resorts on the continent Hut - Chata pri Zelenom Plese High Tatras Hiking trail in the High Tatras Lomnicky Peak Marina Liptov Liptovska Mara Dam Svaty Kriz T...

Hiking and biking in Slovakia’s Tatras and Liptov region really is for everyone - not just those with the fitness of a Tatra Chamois, although you might encounter one on route.  Colour-coded trails, and plenty of cable cars, weave, wind and climb their way past some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in the “smallest alpine mountains in Europe”, giving everyone the chance to have their breath taken away by the scenery.  Whether on foot or in the saddle, keep in mind red is for ridges, blue for long distance trails, green is for trails leading to other trails and yellow connects trails of different colours.   Go and explore this hiking and biking paradise of forests, valleys, waterfalls and alpine lakes set beneath more than 2,500 peaks. 1. Scale the hiki...

The High and Low Tatras and neighbouring parks are certainly places where visitors can tick off a few adrenaline-fueled and culturally quirky bucket-list items. Primarily, Slovakia’s national parks help to protect, sustain and improve the unique ecosystems of the country’s pristine nature, but also feature some unexpectedly exciting activities. Bike Park Jasna (Image: Enjoy Tatras DMC) 1. Adrenaline for all: Bike Park Bachledka (Low Tatras) Consisting of five downhill biking tracks of varying difficulty, from the family inclusive “Pumptrack” through to the “Root Sphere” trail with steeper descents, navigating tree routes across the meadow and forest terrain. The fastest and most challenging tracks are “DH American Dream” and “DH Roller Coaster Trail” with more demanding sect...

There is something other worldly about entering a cave network - and many of these speleological experiences can be found in Slovakia, Central Europe’s largest karst territory.  Each cave has its own signature story, with options to merely admire as part of a group tour, or as a “speleo-trekker”, besides caving specialists wearing helmets and head lamps.  Here’s some recommendations on where to start your subterranean adventure…  Belianska Cave in the High Tatras (Image: Enjoy Tatras DMC) 1. Belianska Jaskyna Cave (High Tatras)  Located in Tatranska Kotlina, Belianska Jaskyna is the only cave open to the public in the High Tatras. It displays many types of natural cave decorations, including flowstone waterfalls and pagoda stalagmites, within several cav...

A winter holiday is a great way to relax and unwind during the colder months and the Tatra and Liptov Mountains provide a top alternative to other established European resorts.  Various compact ski resorts provide value for money without compromising on quality and the winter season brings plenty of fun challenges to the slopes. These are the mountains where Petra Vlhova, the current world champion in giant slalom, honed her skills.  The region shares several major ski areas and while the names may not be instantly recognisable, new guests are wowed by the trails, views and hospitality.  1. Tatranska Lomnica (High Tatras)  With 20km of ski slopes, Tatranska Lomnica is home to the longest ski run in Slovakia stretching out an impressive 5.5km in length....

From geothermal to glacial, water continues to sustain the landscape of one of Europe’s most majestic regions.  A key source of nourishment, allowing humans and nature to heal, develop and flourish, the thermal and mineral springs are part of Slovakia’s greatest legacies, thanks to its vast water resources.  The Tatras and Liptov region has both man-made and natural amenities to “soak-up and soak-in”, providing guests the chance to find their own balance between active mountain adventures and to relax in thermal spas or frolic in some truly unique waterparks.  Facilities in Poprad, Liptovsky, Mikulas, Oravice and Vyhne make the region and country a popular spa destination.  Here are just a few options to reduce the heart rate and let body and soul be r...

Any sports nutritionist will tell you that putting the right ingredients in will get the best results out. A healthy and active region requires some hearty cuisine, so why not up the calorie count when you know you can walk, hike, cycle or ski it off later? Slovak cuisine includes plenty of delicious dishes and drinks that will have you pushing your limits in nature. Here are two you cannot miss trying...  Bryndzove Halusky by Gregory Finster (Wikipedia) Bryndzove Halusky: A Slovak favourite dish Slovakia has not just put ingredients into a bowl to create their own unique tastes, but have mixed in the influences from its central and eastern European neighbours. So let us introduce you to “Bryndzove Halusky” (potato dumplings), which is considered the national dish of...