The Place Close To My Heart

THE PLACE CLOSE TO MY HEART


Have you ever been to Slovakia? This country is small, but very beautiful. It has a big potential to improve its tourism. Slovakia is not a large country, but it offers different places and attractions to enjoy and relax. This attests a fact that tourism participates on GDP more and more every year.
Probably the most identifiable Slovakia’s landmark, The High Tatras are an area with a natural beauty that makes it one of the most favourite recreation areas not only in Slovakia but in all of Europe. The High Tatras environment also provides a special variety of sports and recreation facilities during the whole year. In winter the high hills become centers of winter sports. People from all over the world come here to show their qualities in skiing, sledging, snowboarding or cross-countrying. You can choose from a lots of ski resorts including hotels and restaurants with good services. Spending summer here is very popular, too, because of hiking, enjoying fresh air and natural beauties, such as mountain lakes called Štrbské pleso, Skalnaté pleso or Zelené pleso.
Not far away from The High Tatras lies the town Poprad, in which the biggest recreational centre of Slovakia called AquaCity Poprad is situated. Uniqueness of this place is based on using natural energy sources which provide heat and energy for hotels, aqua park, restaurants, bars and fitness centres in this area. Using ecological energy saves money and environment. You can visit swimming pools, whirling pools, vital world or you can have a massage. It is an excellent choice for families or couples.
Slovakia is rich in dams. One from them is called Domaša. It is situated in the mountains surrounding The Low Beskids, northwards from the town Vranov nad Topľou (which is my hometown) , in Eastern Slovakia. Lots of people have recreational cottages here. This is a good place to relax and enjoy the summer.
If you are a culture lover, Slovakia has possibilities for you, too. For example The Spis Castle, which is one of the largest medieval castles in the Central Europe. In 1993 the Spis castle together with the surroundings (Spisske Podhradie, Spisska Kapitula, the church in Žehra) was enlisted into UNESCO World Heritage List. Another well-known castle is The Bratislava Castle situated in the capital of Slovakia. Its historical construction dominates the city. It has been a place of many historical events. Today the castle houses some collections of the Slovak National Museum, and the State Room of the Slovak National Council. Slovakia has also two big cathedrals – St. Elisabeth Cathedral in Košice and St. Martin Cathedral in Bratislava.
A modern type of tourism is Agro Tourism. It is when a native person or local of the area offers tours to their Agriculture Farm to let the people watch them growing, harvesting and processing locally grown food or any other products the people would not see in their home country. Slovakia is one of the countries which have big potential to improve this type of modern tourism, because high per cent of population lives in the countryside and a part of them have cows, hens, goats, pigs or own fields. People from large cities like this, because here they can find silence and rest.
I hope my tips help you choose at least one of these places. I can assure you that you won’t be disappointed.