Orava Castle - Only 25 minutes from Chalupa Ria

One of the most well known castles in Slovakia is the castle of Oravska Podzamok. A tour of Orava castle with an English-speaking guide is well worth the extra admission fee and includes a demonstration of medieval hawkers and a sword fight between knights over their fair lady.

To visit the Orava Castle website click here

Bojnice Castle - Only 90 minutes from Chalupa Ria

As well as being one of the best known historical monuments in Slovakia, Bojnice Castle is also one of the most beautiful. The fairy-tale castle houses art and historical expositions all year round, as well as regular special programmes, including the International Ghost and Spirit festival.

To visit the Bojnice Castle website click here

Budatin Castle - Only 30 minutes from Chalupa Ria

Budatin Castle is situated in the outskirts of Zilina and belongs to the water castles, which in the past were protected by streams and moats. The Tinker Art exhibition, which is a permanent feature at the castle, is the largest of its kind anywhere in the world.

To visit the Budatin Castle website click here

Orava Museum - Only 15 minutes from Chalupa Ria

Those of you that are interested in looking at what life was like a century ago should certainly visit this excellent little museum in Dolny Kubin, showcasing the life of the world-renowned Slovak writer and poet, P.O. Hviezdoslav.

To visit the Orava Museum website click here

Orava Gallery - Only 15 minutes from Chalupa Ria

Formerly the County House, the Baroque-style building that dominates the town square is today the home of the Orava art gallery, which is one of the most visited galleries in Slovakia. The exhibitions on display include folk, modern and classic art, painted by people from Orava.

To visit the Orava Gallery website click here

Vychylovka Skanzen and Steam Train - Only 50 minutes from Chalupa Ria

Vychylovka includes a skanzen of an old village, as well as a steam railway, which in the past was used to transport wood throughout the Orava region. The steam train takes you to the Skanzen in the middle of the woods, which includes a church, an old inn and a water mill.

To visit the Vychylovka Skanzen website click here

Zuberec Skanzen - Only 60 minutes from Chalupa Ria

The Museum of Orava Village is situated in Brestova, near to Zuberec. The open-air museum or skanzen is one of the most beautiful museums of rural architecture in Europe. Zuberec is also ideally placed in the Western Tatras for those who enjoy walking and hiking.

To visit the Zuberec Skanzen website click here

UNESCO village of Vlkolinec - Only 35 minutes from Chalupa Ria

It is almost as if the village of Vlkolinec has been stuck in time for the last two hundred years. Such is the unspoilt beauty of this little village just outside of Ruzomberok, that in 1993 it was included in the List of World Cultural and Nature Heritage of UNESCO..

To visit the UNESCO village of Vlkolinec website click here