HIGH TATRAS – SLOVENIA Last Updated: April 16, 2022
Our trip to Tatras Mountains was a surprise for me. But my husband knew about it. He is better at Geography than me. This was an extension of our visit to Budapest.
In 1683, an anonymous author published a book of adventures and excursions in the Tatras. It became very popular in Europe and contributed to the growth of tourism in the Tatras.
We were in Budapest and from there we had planned to go to Tatras by train. We boarded a train in the evening hours. In the compartment we had a person who was also going to Tatras and was knowledgeable about this area. We became good friends and travelled together during the whole trip .
Wait at Koshise station was long, so he suggested that we should change currency here. This was very helpful. After that we boarded a train going to Tatras . And under his guidance, we got off at a station Vyoske Tatry.
In Slovakia, the most important tourist base is the city – Vyoske Tatry.
We first went to the tourist office near the station to get information along with him. But he decided that he has an address of a hotel recommended by a friend. He and my husband walked to the hotel. There was no question of going anywhere else.So we took all the baggage and settled down. The name of the hotel is Dr. Szontagh villa, it belonged to a doctor and one of the most famous place to stay.
The landscape is alpine and they occupy nearly 800 square kilometers and they are almost 60 km long. It is the highest range of the Central Carpathians. The mountains rise steeply from a high plateau and extend for approximately 40 miles (64 km) along the Slovakian-Polish frontier, varying in width from 9 to 15 miles (14 to 24 km).
We got a very nice 2-room suite for our stay. The hotel was full of excited tourists and in the morning everyone was discussing about different destinations to go. Our friend who spoke the language was our guide. He would talk with other tourists and get information.
Next day we visited a lake and walked all around it.
Most probably it was Strbske Pleso: This is a beautiful glacial lake surrounded by mountains. On the first day we went to a lake with a villa standing next to it. Walked all-around the lake and when we reached the building a big thermometer hanging there showed that temperature was around 6 degrees.
The next day we went to Zakopane by train and walked around this famous tourist city. The Polish town of Zakopane is located nearby and is a popular destination for those exploring the region. It’s known for its wooden architecture, vibrant atmosphere, and access to the Polish side of the Tatras.
My husband bought a nice woolen jacket.Enjoyed the lunch .
There are two interesting things about this trip. Our friend and guide whom we met on the train told us his story. He was a Jew and had stayed in Nazi camps. He lifted his sleeve and showed us a number tattooed on his left lower arm. Just when he and his other friend were trying to escape Hitler was poisoned and they were now free. When we asked him what brought him back to this area he said he was looking for his friends. After this trip he was going back to Koshise, meet the Priest there and look for his old friends. What a sad story.