Meeting the city
AFTERNOON
See the archaeological exhibition, which takes place in the former Clarists' convent from the 13th century. Západoslovenské múzeum v Trnave, Múzejné námestie 3.
Open: Tue-Fri 8:00-18:00, Sat-Sun 11:00-17:00. Tel: 033/5512-911.
Climb to Zárub, the highest hill of the Small Carpathian mountains and look at the ruins of Ostrý Kameň castle. Drive from Trnava to the northwest and go through Buková village to the Buková dam. Walk and follow the yellow-marked trail to the cabin Brezinky. Here the red-marked trail leads to the castle.
EVENING
Spend the evening in the nice surroundings of the tavern and taste the wine on offer there. Vináreň u Jozefa, Hlavná 18, Trnava.
Open: Tue-Thu 10:00-24:00, Fri-Sat 10:00-02:00. Tel: 033/5511-294.
WEEKEND Považský Inovec
A part of Považský Inovec mountains, with the highest Inovec hill, (1,042 m) lies in the northeast of the Trnava region. It is a great place for tourism and photographers will especially enjoy this area. A good start for trips is the town of Piešťany, world famous for its long spa tradition.
FRIDAY evening - Kostolec in Ducov
Begin your weekend at a significant archaeological location and see the ruins of a castle built in the second half of the 9th century. Go to the center of the village Ducov (7 km north from Piešťany), then keep walking to Kostolec.
Accommodation: Hotel Eden, Winterova 60, Piešťany. Tel: 033/7624-691.
SATURADAY - Piešťany, Tematín
Visit the largest Piešťany spa and get to know the history and ethnography of the region. Take a look at an original village house of a western Slovak farmer. Balneologické museum (Spa-Hall), Beethovenova 5, Piešťany.
Open: Tue-Sun 9:00-17:00. Tel: 033/7722-875.
Climb to the ruins of Tematín castle. Go to air centre Bezovec (near Nová Lehota), then follow the blue-marked trail to the castle (1.5 hours).
In the evening play squash. Squash club Piešťany, Hlboká ulica 6596, Piešťany.
Open: daily 9:00-22:00. Tel: 0907/735-229. Rent a court (Sk200-300/hour), racket (Sk50), and a ball (Sk10). Accommodation: Same as on Friday.
SUNDAY - Piešťanské kúpele, Panská Javorina hill
In the morning have a walk through Kolonádový most (Colonnade bridge) to Kúpeľný ostrov (Spa Island) and go through Kúpeľný park (Spa Park). Enjoy a thermal bath and massage. Spa house Napoleon II., Kúpeľný ostrov, Piešťany.
Open: Tue-Sat 13:00-18:30, Sun 7:00-12:30. Bath Sk110 and massage Sk230.
Take a trip to the hill Panská Javorina (943 m) and see the view of surrounding ridges. Drive to Podhradie and follow by walk the yellow or green-marked trail (2.5 hours).
WEEK TRIP - Get to know Záhorie
Záhorie area is situated in the westernmost part of the Trnava and Bratislava regions on the border of the Czech Republic. A net of frontier castles was built here in the 13th century. Hutterites, a sect of Moravian Anabaptists, settled in this area in the 16th and 17th century and brought a characteristic ceramic style with them.
SUNDAY - Devín-Vysoká pri Morave
Bike along the river Morava. Start under the Devín castle (Devín side of Bratislava) and bike on the marked trail to Vysoká pri Morave (25 km). Bicycle rentals: Požičovňa bicyklov, Beniakova 14, Bratislava - Dlhé Diely.
Open: Mon, Wed, Fri 16:00-19:00, Sat 8:00-12:00. Tel: 02/6531-3992 (Sk160/hour, Sk140/2days, Sk2,000 returnable deposit).
Accommodation: Hotel Danube, Rybné námestie 1, Bratislava. Tel: 02/5934-0000.
MONDAY - Malacky
Visit the town of Malacky and go by the replica stairs (built in 1653) of Christ's cavalry march. Kaplnka Svätých schodov (Chapel of the holy stairs), Kostol Nepoškvrneného počatia Panný Márie, Malacky. Kláštorné námestie. Announce participation in advance at the pastoral office. Tel: 034/7722-189.
Accommodation: Hotel Atrium, Zámocká 1, Malacky. Tel: 034/7723-161.
TUESDAY - Šaštín-Stráže
Continue to the famous holy place and enter the basilica. Listen to the sounds of the biggest organ in Slovakia. Bazilika Sedembolestnej Panny Márie, Šaštín-Stráže.
Open: daily.
Accommodation: Hotel Senica, Hviezdoslavova 1417/621, Senica. Tel: 034/6517-236.
WEDNESDAY - Sobotište
See the remains of the Hutterite culture at the Museum of Samuel Jurkovič. Kaštieľ Sobotište, Sobotište.
Open: Mon, Wed, Thu 8:00-16:00, Tue, Fri 10:00-18:00. Tel: 034/6282-102.
Follow the trail beginning opposite the castle and look at Hutterite monuments.
Accommodation: Same as on Tuesday.
THURSDAY - Holíč
Learn the history of faience (ceramic made of dirt with a white glaze) in a Holíč workshop. Múzeum keramiky, Bernolákova 24, Holíč.
Open: Mon-Fri 8:00-16:00. Tel: 034/6682-255.
Notice the collection of megalithic stones from the neolithic era.
Find the only windmill in Slovakia. Go from Námestie mieru (Peace square) around the gothic church and by walking on the concrete road, exit the town. Continue walking on the road and get to the top of the hill. Turn right into the forest and the cart path will lead you to the mill.
Accommodation: Hotel Tatran, Námestie Slobody 98, Skalica. Tel: 034/6644-491.
FRIDAY - Skalica
Enjoy richly embroidered folk costumes. Záhorské múzeum Skalica, Námestie slobody 13, Skalica.
Open: Mon-Fri 8:00-16:00. Tel: 034/6644-230.
Do not overlook the Romanesque rotunda of St. George with restored fragments of wall paintings. Entry will be assured by a guide from Záhorské múzeum, Skalica.
Open: Mon-Fri 8:00-16:00. Tel: 034/6644-230.
Accommodation: Same as on Thursday.
SATURDAY - Branč castle
Take a trip to the Branč castle. Walk from the town of Myjava following the blue trail. The marking starts on M. R. Štefánik square and leads through the settlement. After a three and a half hour hike, visit the ruins of the castle.
Compiled by Michaela Melounová
