Slovakia is one of the most dynamic nations when it comes to tourism. According to Drobna, the country boasts of picturesque natural landscapes such as mountain and caves, medieval castles and ancient towns, spas and ski resorts as well as a host of other attractions throughout the country (The Heart of Europe). During the year 2006, an estimated 1.6 million people visited Slovakia with the most sought tourist’s destination in the country being the capital Bratislava and the High Tatras.
“The High Tatras is the highest part of the Carpathians and features a variety of exotic plants and animals” (Polisencky, 1947). This site also offers sporting opportunities such as mountain skiing, hiking, and mountaineering. Slovakia also contains a number of ancient castles most of which are in ruins such as the Bojnice Castle and the Spis Castles which are Europe’s largest fortified castles. Rivers on the other hand in Slovakia are basically used for water-based activities such as rafting and other water sports. One particular example of this is the Dunajec River which has become very popular among tourists.
There is also a long list of water parks under construction throughout the country such as the Tatralandia in Liptovský and the Aquathermal in Senec. “Another important region which is very important in terms of being a preferred tourist destination is the karst area which offers an extremely high number of caves among them being the Ochtinská Aragonite Cave which is one of the world’s aragonite caves:( Insight Guide: Czech & Slovak Republics). “Due to its location in the greater Europe region, Slovakia is an important historical center previously being part of the multicultural kingdom of Hungary.
Some of the best historical centers in Slovakia include Bratislava, Košice, Banská Štiavnica, Levo%u010Da, and Trnava. There are also a number of historic churches mainly found in the rural parts of the country. The country is home to the world’s highest wood-carved alter in St. James Church in Levoca. This analysis depicts a culturally rich country that any tourists are it domestic or foreign would automatically fall in love with.