Spreading within the basin of Turcianska kotlina, the Turiec region is on both sides bordered by the mountain range of the Low and Large Fatra (Mala a Velka Fatra); scenery and conditions ideal for hikers, bikers, paragliders and mountaineers. The attractivity of the main mountain of Velka Fatra, highly popular among hikers where, with any luck a bobcat or a bear can be spotted, is to be balanced against the breathtaking scenery of Mala Fatra´s deep valleys and waterfalls, with the outstanding Sutov waterfall in particular.
The valley of Valcianska dolina is one of the several valleys set in the Turiec region. Unsurprisingly, Valcianska dolina valley has a wealth of hiking and cycle paths to offer and is a great place for all kind of wintersports. Its appealling ambiance and a couple of local ranches, thermal spa and a salt cave to relax or a Museum of the Slovak traditional village to mention a few of its appetizers, make it a holiday destination for all kinds of visitors ranging from regular tourists, team building staff, active relax-seeking visitors or sports enthusiasts. The perfect place to hike and go cycling in summer and a popular skiing and snowbording resort in winter.
A handful of selected Turiec highlights:
Turcianske Teplice is a well-known health resort with a modern aqua park, numerous sanatoriums and spa hotels.
Martin, a nearby Slovak town, approximately 30km away from Turcianske Teplice, runs the apealing Museum of the Slovak traditional village.
Sklabina, the former capital of Turiec region, can be found only 9 km east of Martin. The town is famous for the ruins of the Sklabinsky Hrad castle, one of the most strategic northern-border outposts in the Hungarian kingdom back in the Middle Ages.
Generally speaking, Turiec is the perfect region for agrotourism and rural vacation. The mountainous landscape with local clean air and occasional thick forests make it a wish-for holiday to recharge one´s batteries and get a breath of fresh air in every sense of the word. Get horse-back riding. Get yourself a fishing rod. Get a life.
Ideal for weekend tourism. In addition, there are great skiing opportunities in the saddle of Pezinska Baba.
Winter sports enthusiasts can opt for a winter resort equipped with ski lifts and cultivated downhills. There is equally a wealth of cross-country ski paths and the whole area is more than welcoming with winter tourist of all kinds.
During summer, it turns into a hiking paradise with most of the paths equally suitable for mountain biking.
Only 25 km from Slovakia´s capital, Cunovo (Dunacsun in Hungarian, Sandorf in German) is a remote suburb of Bratislava and as the most southward-located city part borders immediately on the Slovakian–Hungarian–Austrian crossroad, in the vinicity of the Danube cycle path and Gabcikovo water dam. It originally counted majority of Croatian minority in the past which is presently reflected in the local use of Croatian language and adherance to Croatian traditions.
Apart from an attractive recreational cycling destination easy to reach from Bratislava, Cunovo is noted for its whitewater rafting availability.
Note: Vinicity of one of Europe´s most recent modern art museums – Danubiana.
The Devin Castle ruin, national cultural monument, ranks among Slovakia´s most significant archaeological sites. The strategic geographical position predestined the castle to be built up high over the confluence of the Danube and the Morava rivers as far back as in the 5th century BC.
The oldest section of the present-day castle dates back to the 13th century; it achieved its building peak in the 15th-16th century to be eventually destroyed by Napoleon's soldiery in 1809.
The City Museum currently makes use of the reconstructed basement of the Renaissance palace for exhibition purposes and has been conducting a systematic archaeological research at the site since 1965.
One of Bratislava - surroundings most favourite hiking and cycling destinations, Zahorie is especially popular with fishermen hunting in the local ponds and the strategically positioned Morava river with a handful of foot and cycle bridges, crossing the Austrian-Slovakian border wich is a popular tourist track between the two countries.
To be found in Zahorie:
Stupava - First settlement by the Celts dates back to the Bronze Age and was later replaced by the Roman one. Thanks to its strategic position, during the times of the Roman Empire Stupava became a minor stronghold to control a great part of the Zahorie region and Bratislava gate. It is currently an archaeological site abundant on findings documenting both military and civil inhabitants from the Roman era. The town´s rich history, past wealth and significance as flourishing under the Hungarian Kingdom and Austrian-Hungarian Empire is vastly reflected in its architecture, implying elements and burgher houses mainly from Classicism and Baroque, showcasing a splendid chateau, several churches and a Jewish synagogue.
Situated in Small Carpathians, the castle of Cerveny Kamen is considered Central Europe´s unique. With a labyrinth of underground spaces and defence system, vast collections of historical furniture and arms and a gallery, the former seat of the Palfi family will take you way back in time.
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