Day 1 — Bratislava

Arrival in Bratislava. The Slovak capital is one of the youngest in Europe, though few know that when it was called Pressburg it was one of the most important cities of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It is said that a true Pressburgian speaks Hungarian, Slovak, German and Mishmash — the curious local dialect that blends all three. Its position on the banks of the Danube and at the crossroads of ancient trade routes soon made it a meeting point of cultures: Celts, Romans and Slavs all left their mark here. The reign of Maria Theresa is considered the period of greatest splendour: she was crowned Queen of Hungary in the Cathedral of St Martin, as were ten other Hungarian kings when Pressburg was the capital of Hungary. Dinner and accommodation.

Day 2 — Bratislava › Piešťany › Trenčín › Žilina › Ružomberok › Vlkolínec › Vyšné Ružbachy (Full board)

Breakfast and panoramic tour of the Slovak capital. Departure with the guide towards the mountainous part of the country on a spectacular journey through the mountains, with impressive natural scenery. Accommodation and dinner at a spa hotel.

Day 3 — Vyšné Ružbachy › Tatras › Levoča › Vyšné Ružbachy (Full board)

Breakfast and departure to Levoča, one of the most beautiful historic towns in Slovakia. Visit including the Church of St James (home to the tallest altarpiece in Slovakia, dedicated to St Paul), the Town Hall and the Museum. Lunch and return. Dinner at the hotel. Optional thermal spa treatment.

Day 4 — Vyšné Ružbachy › Prešov › Košice (Full board)

Breakfast and departure to Prešov, continuing on to Košice. Dinner at the hotel. Optional thermal spa treatment.

Day 5 — Košice (Full board)

Breakfast. Panoramic tour of Košice featuring the Cathedral of St Elisabeth and its museum, which preserves numerous original paintings on its walls. Morning visit to Spišský Castle (UNESCO World Heritage Site), one of the largest in Central Europe, whose construction began in the 11th century; spectacular views can be enjoyed from its towers. Lunch at the Kamelot restaurant. Dinner and accommodation in Košice.

Day 6 — Košice › Dobšiná › Slovak Paradise › Banská Štiavnica (Full board · 120 km)

Breakfast and departure to Dobšiná, home to the largest ice caves in Slovakia (475 m open to visitors, UNESCO World Heritage Site). Next, the Slovak Paradise, the country's main National Park (198 km²), renowned for the boat trip through the underground lake of the Domica cave (UNESCO World Heritage Site) and its 11 species of bats. Lunch at the Betliar restaurant (Low Tatras National Park). Dinner and accommodation in Banská Štiavnica, Grand Matej Hotel 4★.

Day 7 — Low Tatras › Banská Bystrica › Banská Štiavnica › Antol › Nitra (Full board)

Breakfast and departure to Nitra. Brief stop in Banská Bystrica and visit to Banská Štiavnica, a historic mining centre declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit to the Coburg House in Antol. Dinner and accommodation in Nitra.

Day 8 — Nitra › Bratislava Airport (B&B)

Breakfast. At the indicated time, departure to Bratislava Airport for the return flight.