My husband and I have rented a car for a week in early June.
Our plan is to drive from Prague and wander to Podbiel, Slovakia, returning back to Prague. I know this sound ambitious, but this trip starts after 3+ weeks of travel. Beginning in Amsterdam (4 days on our own).
Then a 14 day river cruise ending in Budapest - (with another 4 days on our own). We will have had a good dose of tourist travel, so are looking for more of a countryside experience. Regional food, and good views.
I have enjoyed reading posts on both this board and the Slovakia board.
We plan to fly to Prague to pick up our car. When we return to Prague we will have another 4 days there before flying home, so it would be practical to take a day trip from there.
Posted by
Seattle
4637 posts
I don't see any question here. I am sure you did your thorough homework. Western High Tatras also called Rohace are very beautiful mountains much less touristy than High Tatras itself. Podbiel is a very little village with traditional village architecture. Where did you get an idea to go to Podbiel? On your way to Podbiel (just before Podbiel) there is one of the most impressive castles Oravsky hrad. If you want to have more time in Slovakia I would recommend to go by train from Prague to Ruzomberok and rent a car there. It's a long drive from Prague. If you want to do some sightseeing in the Czech Republic, too then go for a car.
Posted by
OP
California
4 posts
Thanks for the response llja!
Yes we want to explore the Czech countryside too! No plans on what villages to sleep in. Thought we'd look at the route first. We are very comfortable arriving in a town and saying "let's stay here." But are willing to make reservations if that is recommended or if a festival is happening.
Tentative route for the loop. My question is - is this too ambitious? The only town that is set in stone is Podbiel (where my aunt is from). I'm suggesting these towns more as route parameters. If this looks like a good template any suggestions for stops in between? PRG to Trebon to Mikulov to Bratislava (or should we consider that as a day trip when we are in Vienna?) to Banská Bystrica to Podbiel to Trencin to either Olomouc or Brno to Kutna Hora back to PRG.
We can also take day trips from Prague once we have returned the car.
Thanks!
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
17963 posts
suz:
In the Czech Republic check out
Cesky Krumlov
Karlštejn Castle
Zvikov Castel
In Slovakia check out
The Grand Kempinski High Tatras
Banská Bystrica
Banská Štiavnica
Or drop the car idea and travel straight to Budapest by train, rent an apartment and on day 3 pack a 3 day suite case (leave the rest in the apartment) get on a Wizzair flight for a $55 trip to the most exotic places imaginable. After a few days, fly back to Budapest.
Posted by
Seattle
4637 posts
suz, you got one week. Not much. I would suggest do Bratislava as a day trip from Vienna. Drive from Prague to Cesky Krumlov and stay overnight there (to enjoy this gem without crowds). On the way you can stop in Konopiste Castle, Tabor, Ceske Budejovice. Read the post visit southern bohemia under Czech Republic. Next day Trebon, Jindrichuv Hradec (pretty historical town with chateau and a lake), Telc, Trebic, Brno. Stay overnight there. Next day: Uherske Hradiste (on the way visit castle Buchlov), Trencin - see historical town and castle, Banovce nad Bebravou, Partizanske, Banska Stiavnica - former gold mining historical town. Overnight there. Next day: Banska Bystrica, Donovaly, Ruzomberok. Just before Ruzomberok visit Vlkolinec - village on UNESCO list with traditional wooden architecture. From Ruzomberok continue Dolny Kubin and Podbiel. Between D.K. and Podbiel visit Oravsky hrad (castle) in Oravsky Podzamok. While in Podbiel visit nearby Orava Lake, the largest lake in Slovakia. Also I would recommend to go to nearby mountain hut Zverovka and if weather cooperates do some high mountain hike. Driving back: Tvrdosin, Oravska Lesna, Cadca, Turzovka, Roznov pod Radhostem (stop there to see the skansen), Valasske Mezirici, Olomouc - overnight. Olomouc - Prague you can do by freeway to Brno and then to Prague. I would advise more scenic road: Olomouc - Svitavy - Litomysl (nice square, chateau, birthplace of famous composer Bedrich Smetana, Litomysl is on UNESCO list) - Hradec Kralove - Prague. Or instead of Jindrichuv Hradec - Telc - Trebic - Brno go JH - Slavonice - Znojmo - Mikulov. Overnight there or in nearby Pavlov, Valtice, Lednice. Next day: Hodonin, Straznice, Uherske Hradiste and then the same. Read about Konopiste, Cesky Krumlov, Trebon, Telc, Trebic, Slavonice, Mikulov, Pavlov, Lednice, Valtice, Roznov pod Radhostem, Olomouc in Rick Steves book Prague & the Czech Republic. You can search other towns on google or search for them under Search on the top of this page. Also read posts under Czech Republic and Slovakia. Some of them could be useful for your journey. I mention few of them: Under Slovakia: Is this country most underrated on This Travel Forum?
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/slovakia/best-destination-in-slovakia
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/czech/favorite-destination-in-the-czech-republic
Posted by
OP
California
4 posts
Wow Iija, this is great!
I so appreciate the time and thought you put into answering my question. Now comes the fun part of visualizing it on a map!
Thanks again,
Suz