Slovakia Escorted Tours

Escorted Tours to Slovakia

Encompassing rolling hills, rushing rivers and High Tatra Mountains, Slovakia’s striking landscapes are punctuated with woodland parks, picturesque churches and imposing castles, as is the atmospheric capital, straddling the Danube and the centuries.

Why choose a tour in Slovakia?

Meeting Hungary on its southern boundary and Austria on its western, Slovakia spreads from the banks of the Danube to the Tatra Mountains, in a scenic patchwork of tarns and caves, green fields and jagged granite peaks, where hiking trails turn into winter pistes, meadows become snowboard parks, and a high-altitude glacial lake is frozen for half the year.

Trekking in the Little Carpathian Mountains could take you to fabulous flora in the Devinska Kobyla National Nature Reserve; to Sandberg, an ocean 16 million years ago but now an expanse of sand, where fossils of marine fauna were found; or to the ruins of Devin Castle, topping a high crag to tower over the confluence of the Danube and Morava rivers.

The country’s largest city, Bratislava teams its capital status with a country town tempo and a compact footprint. Providing its own counterpoint, streets of contemporary buildings contrast with the Staré Mesto (old town), a little labyrinth where countless cafés are crammed cheek-by-jowl with churches and pastel-painted palaces; and the massive castle and iconic cathedral prove it can do splendour too.

Hemming both banks of the Danube, its landmark buildings tell the tale of its history, from the 14th-century Old Town Hall to the last city gate surviving from the Middle Ages, and to Baroque, Gothic, and Art Nouveau architecture circling a Renaissance fountain in the main square.

Majestic in summer, the square is magical in its winter persona, when the Christmas Market fills the space with a feast for all the senses. An impressively tall fir tree is draped with lights and baubles, and colourful stalls sell crafts, garlands and novelties; all wrapped in a soundtrack of festive folk songs and the scents of sweet pancakes and honey wine.

Jules Verne’s Danube cruises in Slovakia are teamed with the capitals, countryside and Christmas markets of neighbouring Austria and Hungary.

When to go on Slovakia holidays

In general, Slovakia’s climate is cold and snowy in winter, when temperatures drop below freezing; warm and mostly dry in summer, with average daytime temperatures around 27°; and cool to cold in spring and autumn, between 10 and 16°.

Jules Verne’s cruises sail between May and September for summer sightseeing and hiking, and in the weeks of Advent for snow scenes and festive markets.

Who are Slovakia tours suited to?

Hikers and trekkers can enjoy the great outdoors in the Carpathian hills; while cultural sites, old-world traditions and atmospheric street scenes will entertain those with an interest in art and history; and for lovers of all things Christmasy, Bratislava is hard to beat.

Jules Verne’s journeys offer a personal experience, in sociably small groups of like-minded people.

Why book Slovakia tours with Jules Verne?

With 45 years’ experience and a passion for creating extraordinary adventures, Jules Verne takes you to iconic landmarks and lesser-known sites, with expert tour guides who share their local knowledge, and show you hidden gems. Our journeys in Slovakia join Austria and Hungary to sail the Danube aboard the respected river cruisers of CroisiEurope, with entertainment and gala dinners aboard.

Our guided tours to Slovakia are ABTA and ATOL protected, so you can book with complete confidence.