People are skating on the ice rink at the amphitheatre in Banská Bystrica. (source: TASR)
TRAVEL
Different ways of experiencing Bratislava
Are you visiting Bratislava or have you already ventured into its every nook and cranny? There are several ways to experience the Slovak capital in a completely different light. Don a virtual reality headset and jump off a skyscraper, visit otherwise inaccessible places of a Franciscan Church or try several city games. Learn more here.
Where to go skiing
The ski season is kicking off, bringing with it a unique type of business that peaks around the New Year. The new Largest in Business ranking of ski resorts shows which ones are the biggest in Slovakia, prices of ski passes, as well as what new developments they have in store for skies this season. If you're planning on going skiing soon, be sure to check out the list here.
Skiing in the Vrátna Dolina valley. (source: TASR)
Kingdom of ice
In winter, the Slovak Paradise National park turns into an amazing kingdom of ice when the conditions are suitable, offering a unique way for experiencing its beautiful sights, including frozen waterfalls, streams flowing under frozen surface, a lot of snow can all be had here. However, be sure to bring winter equipment, the hike can be dangerous. Now, after extensive reconstruction and replacement of climbing ladders, the Piecky Gorge is open again. It features a large waterfall next to one of the longest ladders in the park. Find out more here.
A frozen waterfall in the Piecky gorge. (source: TASR)
SPORT
Swimming and skating marathons
Do you feel like you have eaten a whole table over the Christmas and want to start exercising? On Friday at noon, a traditional swimming marathon starts in Banská Bystrica, central Slovakia and will end on Saturday at noon. Everyone who comes will be able to swim for 1,5 hours completely free. Find out more here.
Similarly, the city of Košice will hold an ice-skating marathon starting at 16:00 on Saturday and lasting until 16:00 on Sunday. The admission is also free and the organisers promise a surprise at the end. Find out more here.
People are skating on the ice rink at the amphitheatre in Banská Bystrica. (source: TASR)
Where to go ice-skating
Public ice-skating is in full swing once again, with towns operating ice rinks for everyone to enjoy this activity, usually on the weekends. Here is a list where you can go ice-skating: Bánovce nad Bebravou, Bratislava (here, here, here, here and here) Košice (here and here), Poprad, Trenčín, Levoča, Nitra, Banská Bystrica, Zvolen, Brezno, Prešov, Kežmarok, Humenné, Trebišov, Liptovský Mikuláš, Pezinok, Dunajská Streda, Sládkovičovo.
MISCELLANEOUS FUN
Exhibitions dedicated to Bethlehem
Nativity scenes are inextricably linked to the Christmas holidays, and in this regard past and current Slovak households are no exception. The Radoľa Manor in the village of the same name, right next to the town of Kysucké Nové Mesto, northern Slovakia, is holding a special exhibition dedicated to nativity scenes in the collection of the Kysuce Museum made of wood, corn husk, plaster, wax, paper and other materials. Find out more here.
Similarly, the Podjavorinské Múzeum museum in Nové Mesto nad Váhom, western Slovakia, is also holding an exhibition of this kind. Learn more here.
Illustrative image of a wooden nativity scene. (source: TASR)
New year celebrations
Year 2024 is about to end, and with that comes the nagging question. How do we celebrate. Whether you like street parties, indoor events or even something classy, this list has got you covered.
That's it for this week. Take care, and have a nice weekend!
