Slovakia is a small country.

Slovakia is a small country nestled between Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Ukraine, and other nations. It's an elongated and compact nation. Whenever people ask about my friend K's nationality, it takes a while to explain. Many still think Czechoslovakia is a single country, some confuse it with Slovenia, and others simply don't know it exists. 😂😭 The country has a population of just over five million, and its land area is roughly equivalent to a single province in China. Among its population is a significant Romani community of about one million. (Many locals in Europe are not fond of the Romani people, as they are perceived as being lazy, often unemployed, and prone to causing trouble, relying on government welfare, and engaging in theft and arson. They are mostly found in Eastern Europe, particularly in Romania.)😁😁😁 Having spent a lot of time between Slovakia and Austria, I find it hard to pinpoint the unique features of these two countries. However, for the sake of this note, I'll try to come up with a few. For a detailed history, you can refer to search engines. Despite its small size, Slovakia has all the essential elements. The best thing about this country is its strategic location. Economically, it is categorized as part of Eastern Europe, but geographically, it is at the very heart of the continent. 😀😀😀 Its capital, Bratislava, and Austria's capital, Vienna, are the two closest capitals in the world (you can verify this with the Guinness Book of World Records). The city centers are less than an hour's drive apart. People usually travel between them by car or by train and bus. (Think about it: in my country, an hour isn't even enough to get out of Beijing's Third Ring Road, but here, you can cross borders in that time.) Once, K took me to see sunflowers near the border. We were walking and accidentally crossed from Slovakia to Austria, separated only by a bridge and the Danube River. I find this quite interesting.🤓🤓🤓 Slovakia's famous attractions are quite spread out. If you plan to visit, the main activities will be centered around the Old Town area, which is easily accessible on foot. The Old Town has preserved some old buildings, giving it a vintage feel. The most famous landmark is the castle on the hill in the Old Town (Bratislava Castle, or "Bratislava Hrad" in Slovak). It's a red, square-shaped structure that stands out prominently. It also serves as a branch of the Slovak National Museum. The castle restaurant is highly recommended for a romantic and cozy evening, especially in the summer when you can enjoy the sunset after your visit. The prices are reasonable, with an average cost of around 30 euros per person. Other notable sites in the Old Town include St. Clare's Church, St. Michael's Gate, and the Baroque-style Presidential Palace. Just outside the Old Town, you can visit the dreamy Blue Church (Church of St. Elizabeth, whose interior is also blue) and the UFO-shaped restaurant on a bridge. The prices here are also quite affordable, with meals costing less than 20-30 euros. Due to its favorable location, Slovakia has historically been a contested territory among many empires. Europeans have always loved building castles for defense, and royalty often built castles to display their status and wealth. As a result, Slovakia is known as the "Land of Castles" and is one of the countries with the most castles in Eastern Europe and the world. (Although many castles have become ruins due to wars, they are still beloved by visitors.) Here are a few must-visit castles: Devin Castle (Devín Castle) Located near the city center, it is highly recommended for those with a car. It sits at the confluence of the Danube and Morava rivers and was an important military stronghold during the Roman Empire. The full ticket price is around 5 euros, though I visited a long time ago and prices may have changed. Spiš Castle The largest castle in Central and Eastern Europe, with no other castle coming close in size. It was originally built in the 12th century during the Hungarian Empire but was damaged by a medieval fire. It was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1993. The full ticket costs around 7 euros, with discounts available for students. Bojnice Castle Arguably the most beautiful castle in the country, with its blue roof and beige walls. It is said to have been built by a wealthy man as a gift to his beloved, but by the time it was completed after 20 years, she had already married someone else, and he died of a broken heart. (I ruined a tragic love story.) The castle, built in the 12th century, features a blend of Romanesque and French styles and is one of the best-preserved castles, with its roof and interior furnishings still intact. #Slovakia #SoloTravel #EuropeTravel #TravelGuide #RoadTrip