ONE-DAY TRIP - Meeting the city
AFTERNOON
Check out an exhibit of machines which display the ingenuity of the human brain. Slovenské technické múzeum Košice (Slovak Technology Museum), Hlavná 88.
Open: Tue-Fri 8:00-17:00, Sat 9:00-14:00, Sun 12:00-17:00. Tel: 055/6224-035.
Take a rest in the Čermeľ recreation area (in the northern part of Košice), or do a 5.5 km trip by excursion train to Čermeľská dolina (Čermeľ Valley). The train goes only on weekends, and tickets are available from the conductor.
EVENING
Be courageous and try your driving skills while taking a ride on a go-kart. Motokárový okruh Tivolli (Tivolli Motor Circuit), Alejová ulica.
Open: Mon-Fri 12:00-22:00, Sat-Sun 10:00-22:00. Tel: 0903/707-475. One 7-minute ride costs Sk110 ($2.50). Longer rides possible as well.
WEEKEND TRIP - Slovenský kras
Spend a weekend in the south-east part of Slovakia, in the Slovenský kras (Slovak Karst) area. This limestone mountain range, located near the town of Rožňava, is the largest karst (subterranean limestone) range in central Europe. It consists of limestone and dolomite plateaus and canyons, as well as a world-beating network of caves.
FRIDAY evening - Lúčka
Enjoy the sunset amid the ruins of a medieval church on a hill above the village of Lúčka (15km south-east of Rožňava).
Accommodation: Hotel Čierny orol, Námestie baníkov 17, Rožňava. Tel: 058/7328-186.
SATURDAY - Krásna Hôrka, Ochtinská aragonitová jaskyňa
Take a morning drive from Rožňava to Krásnohorské Podhradie and see one of the most beautiful monuments in Slovakia, built in 1904. Mauzóleum Andrássyovcov, Krásnohorské Podhradie.
Open: Tue-Sun 8:00-17:30. Tel: 058/7322-034.
Continue to the castle of Krásna Hôrka, which rises above the countryside. The most interesting parts of the structure are its kitchen and baroque chapel. Krásna Hôrka Castle. Open: Tue-Sun 8:00-16:30. Tel: 058/7324-769.
Go for a walk through one of the country's most beautiful caves. Ochtinská aragonitová jaskyňa, Ochtiná. Open: Tue-Sun 9:00-16:00, entrance every hour. Tel: 058/4881-050.
Accommodation: Same as on Friday.
SUNDAY - Zádielska dolina
Hike through a gorgeous canyon and enjoy the limestone cliffs of Zádielská dolina (Zádielská Valley). Drive to the railway station in Turňa nad Bodvou, then continue on foot along the blue-marked trail. The path will take you to Zádielská plateau. Continue walking to the bottom of Zádielská Valley, still following the blue-marked trail. Here a red-marked trail leads over Zádielská gap to the end of the 12 km trip at the Dvorníky-Zádiel railway station. Return to Turňa nad Bodvou by train. Departures from Dvorníky-Zádiel: 14:56, 16:05, 18:37, 20:05.
WEEK TRIP - Through the beauties of Košice region
Košice region is located in the eastern part of Slovakia. Its capital, Košice, is the second largest city in Slovakia. Tourist attractions in the area include the Slovenský raj (Slovak Paradise) and Slovenský kras (Slovak Karst) national parks, a few water reservoirs and some historical towns.
SUNDAY - Betliar Castle
Visit one of Slovakia's most beautiful castles and get to know how aristocracy in the 18th and 19th centuries lived. Betliar Castle, Kaštieľska 6, Betliar.
Open: Tue-Sun 8:00-16:30. Tel: 058/7983-118.
Accommodation: Hotel Čierny orol, Námestie baníkov 17, Rožňava. Tel: 058/7328-186.
MONDAY - Volovec summit
Take a more difficult one-day trip to Volovské vrchy (Volovec hills) and enjoy perfect views of surrounding landmarks. Start in the village of Čučma (3 km from Rožňava) following the green-marked trail (cca. 4 hours) to the Volovec summit (1,284 meters).
Accommodation: Same as on Sunday.
TUESDAY - Rožňava
Take in the beauties of the Slovak Karst area. Banícke múzeum (Museum of Mining), Šafárikova ulica 43, Rožňava.
Open: Tue-Fri 8:00-16:00. Tel: 058/7343-710.
Climb the Strážna veža (Watchtower) and see the historical centre of Rožňava.
Accommodation: Same as on Sunday.
WEDNESDAY - Dobšinská ice cave
Discover one of the most significant ice caves in the world, situated near Dobšiná in Slovak Paradise. Enjoy its stunning ice figures. Dobšinská ľadová jaskyňa (Dobšinská ice cave).
Open: Tue-Sun 9:00-16:00 (entrance every hour). Tel: 058/7981-159.
Accommodation: Same as on Sunday.
THURSDAY - Gelnica
Drive to Gelnica, one of the oldest Slovak mining cities, where gold and silver used to be extracted. Walk through Banícke námestie (Mining Square) and enter the old town hall building (now home of the local Museum of Mining). Banícke múzeum Gelnica, Banícke námestie 1, Gelnica.
Open: Mon-Fri 8:00-16:00. Tel: 053/4821-468.
Accommodation: Hotel Runa, Banícke námestie 6, Gelnica. Tel: 053/4821-935.
FRIDAY - Spišský hrad, Spišská Kapitula
Visit Spišský hrad (Spiš Castle), one of the largest ruins in Europe, rising near Spišské Podhradie. Park under the castle and walk up to the castle gate. Spišský hrad. Open: Tue-Sun 9:00-18:00. Tel: 053/4541-336.
Drive to Spišské Podhradie and take a walk in the Spišská Kapitula monastery site. Enter the cathedral of St. Martin, built from 1245-1275, and see the fresco paintings and gothic altars.
Open: daily 10:00-17:00 (entrance every hour).
Accommodation: Hotel Metropol, Štefánikovo námestie 2, Spišská Nová Ves. Tel: 053/4422-241.
SATURDAY- Markušovce
End your trip in Markušovce by attending an exhibition of keyboard instruments at the Dardanely Letohrádok (summer house) situated in the French garden of Markušovce castle.
Open: Tue-Sun 8:00-17:00. Tel: 053/4498-421.
Compiled by Michaela Melounová
