The trail to Chleb, as seen from the peak. On this you may meet St Nicholas during this weekend. (source: TASR)
TRAVEL
Christmas Market in the High Tatras
For the first time, a Christmas Market is taking place in the Hrebienok resort in the High Tatras. Small presents, festive delicacies such as cabbage soup, roast chestnuts, mulled wine; all of this and much more can be had in the heart of a snow-covered mountain range. You can enjoy the festive atmosphere every weekend ahead of Christmas and then between December 26 and January 6.
Also, more Christmas markets are being held, this time in Ružomberok, Banská Štiavnica, Rožňava, and Trenčín.
The Hrebienok resort in the heart of the High Tatras. (source: TASR)
Meet St Nicholas in the mountains
If you happen to be hiking in the Malá Fatra mountain range this Saturday and Sunday, do not miss the opportunity to meet Saint Nicholas hiking from the Chata pod Chlebom mountain hut to the Chleb peak itself. He will be accompanied by angels, demons and other companions. Whoever meets him is guaranteed a little surprise. The hut and peak are already covered in snow!
MISCELLANEOUS FUN
Holidays of the past
On Sunday, the Museum of the Slovak village in Martin will showcase how our ancestors celebrated the time before the Christmas and various traditions they held, including making wafers, baking and decorating gingerbread, making Christmas decoration from straw and corn husk and more. The programme will take place between 10:00 and 16:00, find out more here.
St Nicholas in the Museum of the Slovak Village in Martin. (source: TASR)
Take a ride on a festive-themed tram, train
On Friday, Bratislava's Christmas tram is once again going to take to streets. The historic K2G articulated car (#7085) will follow a circular route through the city centre via the following stops: Jesenského - Námestie SNP - Kapucínska - Nábrežie - Jesenského. The tram rides, lasting for 30 minutes at a time, are scheduled between 16:00 and 20:00 during working days and between 12:00 and 20:00 during weekends.
On the occasion of December 6, St Nicholas' day, several towns are holding special rides on dedicated trains around this date. One will follow a circular route in Nitra; another one will depart from Košice in the direction of Prešov and back and will feature a historic steam engine as well as St Nicholas himself; and finally, one more will go from Bratislava to Trenčín and back, with St Nicholas and a special historic restaurant car.
The Christmas tram in Bratislava. (source: TASR)
Renaissance fairs
Just like last week, Bratislava Castle will host another renaissance fair, showing how people in the Middle Ages lived, worked and ate. Food and drinks will be prepared according to historical recipes, and the work of writers, falconers and minters showcased. In addition, you will be able to try a mediaeval carousel and buy products from craftsmen. Admission s free.
But this will not be the only event of this kind, as picturesque Smolenice Castle near Trnava will play host to a similar festival this Saturday and Sunday. Expect wafers and wine prepared according to historic recipes, bow making, leather working, medieval cooking, and more with masters of various crafts. Find out more here.
Model Railway
From Friday to Sunday, a meeting of model railway enthusiasts is taking place at the premises of the Secondary Industrial School of Transport in Trnava. A huge model rail system built from several modules will be on display and available for the general public to see. Find out more here.
Where to go ice-skating
Public ice-skating is in full swing once again, with more and more towns opening rinks for everyone to enjoy this activity, usually on the weekends. Here is a where you go ice-skating: Bánovce nad Bebravou, Bratislava (here, here, here and here) Košice (here and here), Poprad, Trenčín, Levoča, Nitra, Banská Bystrica, Prešov, Kežmarok, Humenné, Liptovský Mikuláš, Pezinok, Dunajská Streda.
Towns are opening their ice rinks for pulic. (source: Unsplash)
MORE AND UPCOMING EVENTS
December 5-7: St. Nicholas fair in Martin
December 5-7: St. Nicholas fair in Liptovský Mikuláš
December 6: St. Nicholas procession in Pezinok
December 6-7: The MAME Christmas design market in Košice
December 7: Christmas kapustnica cooking competition in Ružomberok
December 13-14: Christmas Market in Rimavská Sobota
December 13-15: Christmas Market in Pezinok
December 13-23: Christmas Market in Prievidza
BEFORE YOU GO
WHAT TO DO FOR FREE: Don't miss the International Festival of Advent and Night Music taking place from December 5 to 8, featuring 12 choirs and orchestras from Italy, Estonia, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia.
WHAT TO READ: Students beat climate anxiety by looking for solutions, says award-winning teacher from Svit who teaches chemistry.
WHAT TO LEARN: Mikuláš or the Devil: Were you obedient? In Slovakia, Mikuláš isn't just a jolly old fellow.
WHAT TO TRY: The Slovak Spectator's Mark Taylor has been reviewing restaurants already for a year, but a basic Slovak pub-restaurant that serves pirohy and halušky had not been on the menu. Until now.
WHAT TO BE HAPPY ABOUT: One skiing star to another: Mikaela Shiffrin learns Slovak, courtesy of Petra Vlhová.
That's it for this week. Take care, and have a nice weekend!
