Slovakia self-guided walking short break
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01273 823 700 Calling from outside the UK? rosy@responsibletravel.comDeparture information
Responsible tourism
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Slovak Paradise National Park is one of the youngest national parks in the country, having gained its protected status in 1988. Its mission is to protect the most valuable gorges and valleys. By providing income through tourism, this trip contributes to the preservation of valuable forests, which in turn create a home for rare wildlife. The park is also a member of the Natura 2000 network, a European Union initiative which is dedicated to conserving some of the area’s most precious environments and threatened species. At the beginning of the holiday, we hand-out a self-guided walking pack, which includes information on how to trek and act responsibly within the National Park. The pack also has specifics on the rules of the park, and requests that wildlife is not disturbed and plants are not damaged. Our maps clearly detail marked trails, so walking is only done on routes that are allowed, thus maintaining the park’s natural environment. One of the optional activities is a trip to the thermal pools of AquaCity, Poprad - the first organisation in Central Europe certified by Green Globe. This certificate guarantees that AquaCity keeps the highest environmental standards, and supports the local community and economy. Using geothermal water and solar energy to heat and power the resort, AquaCity is virtually self-powered, saving around 27 tonnes of carbon emissions from entering the atmosphere each day. The centre is successfully reducing energy costs and the savings are returned to customers in the form of affordable ecological luxury.
To reduce plastic we suggest our guests to bring their own reusable bottles.
The Impacts of this Trip
Our company ethos is to organise tours for small groups and individuals so people can experience adventure responsibly. As a local, family-run business, we have built-up fantastic relationships with communities throughout Slovakia, and can provide the opportunity to connect with, and experience, local customs, culture and way-of-life first-hand.
During this self-guided tour, we will only use local services. As a base for your walks in Slovak Paradise National Park, we will stay in locally-owned accommodation, which puts money back into the community and supports small Slovakian businesses. Lunches are also provided by the accommodation, providing further economic benefit. We also recommend eating in local restaurants for your dinner, so you can sample delicious local cuisine – we will make recommendations in your self-guided booklet so you know the best ones to choose.
We will use a local transport company to provide transfers to and from your walks. You will stay in the UNESCO-listed medieval town of Levoca, which contributes to its preservation and provides local people with an income through tourism.
Slovak Paradise National Park is one of the youngest national parks in the country, having gained its protected status in 1988. Its mission is to protect the most valuable gorges and valleys. By providing income through tourism, this trip contributes to the preservation of valuable forests, which in turn create a home for rare wildlife. The park is also a member of the Natura 2000 network, a European Union initiative which is dedicated to conserving some of the area’s most precious environments and threatened species. At the beginning of the holiday, we hand-out a self-guided walking pack, which includes information on how to trek and act responsibly within the National Park. The pack also has specifics on the rules of the park, and requests that wildlife is not disturbed and plants are not damaged. Our maps clearly detail marked trails, so walking is only done on routes that are allowed, thus maintaining the park’s natural environment. One of the optional activities is a trip to the thermal pools of AquaCity, Poprad - the first organisation in Central Europe certified by Green Globe. This certificate guarantees that AquaCity keeps the highest environmental standards, and supports the local community and economy. Using geothermal water and solar energy to heat and power the resort, AquaCity is virtually self-powered, saving around 27 tonnes of carbon emissions from entering the atmosphere each day. The centre is successfully reducing energy costs and the savings are returned to customers in the form of affordable ecological luxury.
To reduce plastic we suggest our guests to bring their own reusable bottles.
The Impacts of this Trip
Our company ethos is to organise tours for small groups and individuals so people can experience adventure responsibly. As a local, family-run business, we have built-up fantastic relationships with communities throughout Slovakia, and can provide the opportunity to connect with, and experience, local customs, culture and way-of-life first-hand.
During this self-guided tour, we will only use local services. As a base for your walks in Slovak Paradise National Park, we will stay in locally-owned accommodation, which puts money back into the community and supports small Slovakian businesses. Lunches are also provided by the accommodation, providing further economic benefit. We also recommend eating in local restaurants for your dinner, so you can sample delicious local cuisine – we will make recommendations in your self-guided booklet so you know the best ones to choose.
We will use a local transport company to provide transfers to and from your walks. You will stay in the UNESCO-listed medieval town of Levoca, which contributes to its preservation and provides local people with an income through tourism.
2 Reviews of Slovakia self-guided walking short break
Reviewed on 30 Oct 2019 by Cynthia Travia
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The ladders that went up and up forever. I’m not usually scared of heights but I was holding on to those ladders tightly.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
This is amazing trip if you are looking for a different kind of hike. Many plankways, ladders, bridges, water and gorgeous mountain views too. Not your typical walk in the woods. The packed lunches for a Hotel U were great and plentiful. All the food/meals at hotel were delicious. The ride to start and from the end were only about 20min from hotel. We were able to text our driver both days for early pick up since we are fast hikers. We went late October so not too crowded and weather was great. If you go during busy time, it will probably be crowded. We still had to wait at many places where path is too narrow to pass. You have to wait for others in opposite direction to get off plankways and ladders before you can get on.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
We loved this trip. The hotel was great, the medieval town with city walls was beautiful, and the hikes were different and challenging. My Garmin said about 11km first day and 13km second day. A perfect weekend getaway.
Reviewed on 24 Jul 2019 by Charlotte Schwartzentruber
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Since I was unable to join my friend on the hike the best day was when I rented an ebike MTB and cycled along the trail close to the road at the base of the
Tatras from one village to the next.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
The mini van is a great service to use for transport to and from Krakow - Tatranska Lomnica.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Local bus used to reach the beginning of the hike, train used at the end to return to the hotel in Tatranska Lomnica.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
I was very pleased with the accommodations that were made for me when I unexpectedly could not do the hiking with the group.
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