 Velka Lesna Coat of Arms      
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N E W June 11 - June 19, 2008 Land Only Price: $1,699; Single Supplement $399 One night in Banska Bystrica, Central Slovakia June 11 - Arrive Vienna, AUSTRIA airport in the morning (having left the US on Tues., June 10). Hop aboard our happy tour bus. On the way Bratislava's old town, Nitra's Castle/Cathedral and gorgeous Banska Stiavnica UNESCO Treasure City built on mountains. On to historic Banska Bystrica, an ancient mining town with the most charming square in the country. Enjoy the old town square with splendid merchants’ and nobles’ houses rebuilt in Renaissance style. Time to visit the interactive Slovak history museum, shop for local treasures or enjoy the charming cafes; dinner in a wonderful inn with local delights. For Nights near Velka Lesna, Northern Slovakia June 12 - On to the majestic High Tatras; sightsee in charming Tatranska Lomnica under snow-capped peaks, option to take a chair lift for the fantastic view then lift, hike or ride scooters down the mountain. The town is a super place to shop for folk art and treasures and we will visit a village home of Slovakia's last living sheepskin coat maker and his four generation family and experience the hospitality of your ancestors; dinner in a shepherd's Koliba with soulful violin and cimbal music, flaming Tatra Tea and the best grilled chicken ever! June 13 - A peak experience to visit your ancestral "home", the beautiful village of Velka Lesna, formerly Richvald, tucked under the Spisska Magura Mts. The village was first mentioned in 1338 and its folk architecture is amazingly well preserved. We will arrange something special with the Mayor and local residents; visit the Gothic church with rare wall paintings and a historic 400 year old Lipa Tree! Walk where your ancestors walked for 600 years! Visit the older homes and talk with the local people. Expect we will find a lot of relatives - likely you will all be related! Then hop into Poland to feast on Polish delights under the dramatic Three Crowns rock formation. June 14 - Enjoy the Zamagurie Folk Festival in nearby Cerveny Klastor with events throughout the day - a number of craftspeople will demonstrate and sell their work; stroll thru a special exhibit on wood carvers; lots of folk dancing, folk song - photo opps galore; chance to sample local foods and super Slovak beer and wine; time to visit the Cerveny Klastor (Red Monastery) Museum and learn about life in the region and about the mad monk Cyprian who made wax wings and flew from the mountain tops; he also was a famed healer of rich and poor and his work is memorialized in the Cerveny Klastor Museum; dinner at a charming local inn. June 15 - Sunday service in the village of Velka Lesna in the ancient church, walking tour of the village and cemetery. Visit nearby Havka where some have roots; see the magnificent rock formations in Haligovce and enjoy the thrilling raft ride on the Dunajec River in Pieniny National Park, the river is the border between Slovakia and Poland. Our groups are lucky and we always see a black stork - only one pair is left in the park; on to Stara Lubovna for the super skansen (outdoor museum of homes showing how your ancestors lived and illustrating the customs and traditions) and a chance to visit the historic Lubovna Castle where the King of Poland lived; great views over the countryside; dinner in a folky restaurant feasting on halusky and pirohy! Three Nights in Bratislava, Slovakia's Capital. June 16 - Drive back across Slovakia through dramatic scenery to Bratislava stopping at charming Cicmany to see the unusually decorated homes and the sweet museum depicting village life and work; marvel at the Rajecka Lesna Bethlehem, a symphony of moving figures carved by one man to celebrate Slovakia; dinner at a family's cozy wine garden sampling Slovakia's finest wines and enjoying Slovak folk tunes and modern ones. June 17 - A day in romantic Vienna - Sightsee via bus around the Rings to see the major sites; then a leisurely walking tour of the Old Town to famed St. Stephen's Cathedral, don't miss Demel's, Vienna's renowned pastry shop; time to shop for souvenirs; soak up the Viennese charm; visit heurigen (wine bars) in old Grinzing. June 18 - Enjoy Bratislava's charming Old Town and Bratislava Castle with its dramatic views of three countries; on to grand Devin Castle, an ancient Celtic site at the confluence of the Morava and Danube Rivers; visit a ceramic artist's workshop for rare treasures; dinner in a super restaurant with a bird's eye view of all! June 19 - Trip ends after breakfast and transport to Vienna Airport. Do Videnia! celebrating our 20th year! QUESTIONS - contact TAC affiliate Helene: toll free 1-888/529-7150 or 585-342-9383; Helene Cincebeaux; 151 Colebrook Dr, Rochester NY 14617 e-mail Helene Cincebeaux or e-mail: Jozef Kaufmann Tour deposit is $500 per person. About Us Check our Add On option - two nights in golden Prague!  Just take a look at what our travelers say about our trips! |
