Mountains and Lowlands
Slovakia is cradled in the Carpathians,the mountain range which arose at the same time as the Alps and forms the European mountain frame.Mountains are a part of Slovak history,culture and everyday life. Long before the pride of industrial age sprang up, a man lived here in harmony with nature and his neighbours.It was reflected in the national symbol, which later became the state emblem:three mountains as a mountain chain and the Christian double cross as a symbol of faith,love and understanding.The Slovak mountains give a chance to forget the overindustrialized and overpopulated world.They embrace unbelievably long valleys through which one can walk for hours and listen to the sounds of nature.You will find ideal terrains for hiking or mountaineering here,you can test your abilities in floating down the mountain rivers or skiing down the mountain slopes in winter.At the foot of Slovak mountains there are vast lowlands offering the opportunity of romantic floating down the huge Danube or lazy rivers and camping on banks of the lakes.A bustard,the only European remainder of this steppe bird related to ostrich,is among rare species of animals and plants living in the country.

Water and Caves
One cannot simply say that Slovakia lacks sea.The sea begins and ends on top of the mountains,in the clouds,which come out of steam from the seas. The seas were given their waters from rivers and the rivers grew out of mountain springs.Thus Slovakia has two seas,the North Sea and the Black Sea,both of them emanating from the springs of our mountain slopes.Slovakia is rich in rivers and stretches of water,which provide opportunities for all kinds of recreation and water sports.Slovakia has also enough ground water.People in karstic areas have taken care of mineral springs for ages so that every passser-by can have a drink.Many mineral springs have been seized and curing spas have been built there.In some of them the ground water cures by healing mud,in others by its temperature or by minerals brought out of the earth depths.There are also other waters and other secrets hidden in these depths.There are only three aragonite caves in the world and one of them is in Slovakia.You will also find several dropstone caves in which beautiful decorations can be admired and also diseases of modern age such as asthma and allergies are cured. Mysterious ice caves,where decorations increase every summer,will surprise you with a new face each winter.

Walking through the Centuries
The historians are still trying to find out when the ancient nations laid the foundation stones of huge castles.However,we know for sure that the castle hill in Bratislava,which is now the capital of Slovakia,was the place of permanent settlement as soon as four thousand years ago. On the territorry of almost two hundred Slovak villages and towns there are medieval fortresses and castles protecting trade roads in ancient times.History has left remarkable traces in Slovakia and,therefore, you can find all architectural styles here.Remains of the Roman fortification from Caesarean times were preserved near Bratislava.In many early gothic churches we can still find evident signs of Roman architecture which gradually developed into a newer architectural style.Saint Elizabeth 's Dome built in got- hic style in Kosice is a real jewel of European value. The architecture of German colonists has been preserved in towns of Pohorie,Spis,or in Vysoke Tatry.The late baroque style found its reflection in Grasalkovie Palace in Bratislava,seat of the president of the Slovak Republic.And the folk architecture protected by a huge mountain range developed and grew more and more beautiful.A picture of all these times will be preserved for human kind for five sights,each having its origin in different epoch,were put on the list of the world cultural heritage by UNESCO.

Seven Days a Week
If you long for a quiet loneliness in the middle of forests,come to Slovakia!If you want to experience romantics of floating down rivers,come to Slovakia!Do you like skiing?Or flying off the top of a mountain on a hang glider or parachute ?Or having a rest in a comfortable hotel with your own swimming pool?Or do you long for an intimate night at the camp fire?Or do you want to furrow water level on a sailing-ship?The answer remains the same:come to Slovakia. This is the advantage of a small country where you do not have to travel hundreds of miles to reach your destination.However,there are many places in Slovakia where you experience different adventures each day a week.There are different places to be visited within seven days without wasting your time on travelling.We have already mentioned the neverending valleys and untouched places.Let us say now how everybody can have a good time and get pleasure from things he or she likes,like chasing a bear in foggy forests or party in dinner jackets beginning in the theatre and ending at the roulette.You can take traditional opportunities -hunting animals that do not live in every country.In Slovakia you can play golf, rent saddle horses for rides with or without a guide. With a mountain guide you can climb up the mountains inaccessible for a common hiker.Just come.

Folk Culture
Since long ago a man lived in harmony with nature. He built houses in forests from spruce logs and decorated them with shingles.He let the sun burn the bricks from clay loam and straw and made roof of cane. Among various kinds of trees that grew in mixed forests in the country,the man appreciated lime, spruce and maple most of all.He built his houses of spruce,made dippers,small dishes and statues of lime and violins came out of lime,spruce and mainly maple wood.Their strings could lure out the most melancholic tones but also exhilarate dancers.Folk architecture, fine arts and music were developing in an incredible harmony.The harmony between vital and cultural needs was emanating for centuries and ages.If you want to get closer to this harmony,come to see out-door museums of folk architecture spread over the whole country.Several folk festivals taking place in Slovakia every year keep to verbal,musical and other artistic tradition.