With a complex political past, it is striking that two of Slovakia’s public holidays are to celebrate the end of WWII fascism (8th May) and then Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day on 17th November, which marks the beginning of the end of communist rule in 1989. Freedom is, therefore, fundamental in Slovakia, and there are few better places to feel that than in its High Tatras Mountains. Gerlachovský štít is the country’s tallest peak (at 2,654m), and also the highest summit of this Carpathian Mountain range as a whole.

This Slovakia travel guide aims to help you indulge in this independence that is worthy of celebration, both culturally and naturally, here. Leading you up Tatras’ cross country skiing tracks, rafting down the Dunajec gorge in Pieniny National Park or hiking across the Slovak Paradise National Park. Stopping at medieval, wooden churches, castles and Carpathian communities en route. Where conviviality is everywhere. Because complexity is so last century.

You can whizz through Slovakia on a bike, following the Danube from Austria en route to Hungary, or you can also just stop. Because, if we could choose this country’s strapline, ‘SlowVakia’ would be it. And steep, of course, with those tantalising High Tatras Mountains beckoning hikers in summer and cross country skiers in winter. The medieval culture of its capital, churches, castles and country lifestyles is on tap all year round. Great value for families too, whether you are rafting down the Pieninský NP’s Dunajec gorge, husking sledding through the winter wilderness of Slovak Paradise NP or exploring its wild rivers in searing summer heat.