TOP of Slovakia: Trenčín, Skalka, Piešťany - from Bratislava
In Slovakia, you can find 425 mansions and 180 castles, 123 thermal springs and 7014 caves, 4181 churches, except that, you can find here many monasteries, rivers, mines, beautiful mountains, desert, thousands of lakes and many other interesting places … in relatively small land, you can find many things that you will otherwise search in whole World. One of the most iconic castles in Slovakia is Trencin castle, that is builded on high rock over the city of Trencin. You can see here 80 metres deep "Well of Love" and breathtaking view on city around. It got its name "Well of Love" thanks to the rumor about Fatima and her beloved Omar. Rumor has it that Stefan Zapolsky imprisoned Fatima and, as a rich magnate, did not care about Omar's gold. In order to free Fatima, Omar promised to dig a well in the hard rock of Trencin Castle. For three years he dug with his fellows until the rock actually released water, but only a few diggers survived. Omar handed the first glass of water to Zapolsky with the words: "You have water Zapolsky, but you have no heart". As Omar was taking the freed Fatima on horseback out of the castle, her veil caught on an arrow bush. The oldest inn in Trencin still stands at this place, called "Fatima" (or in earlier times also "Veil"), which was mentioned as early as 1568. We will visit Skalka monastery. But entrance in is possible only in summer months. In winter between September and May we can see monastery only from outside. Skalka near Trenčín is the ruin of a monastery from the 12th century. It is the oldest pilgrimage site in Slovakia. It also includes a smaller cave complex, inside the monastery. The monastery is near the river Vah, with beautiful view on mountains around. According to rumors, the hermit St. Benedict, lived in the cave. Last stop is beautiful spa town Piestany, where we will make 2 hours evening walk. Piestany is a spa town in Slovakia, the seat of a district and many scientific institutions. It is an international center for the treatment of rheumatic diseases (National Institute of Rheumatic Diseases) and an important regional center of culture, education, sports and recreation. The city's economy is dependent on medical care, tourism, electrical engineering, engineering and food industry. The river Vah flows through it. It has a lowland, warm, sunny and dry climate. There are important archaeological sites in the vicinity. The first written mention comes from the Zobor charter from 1113. There is an option to extend this trip and to make around 1 hour walk around old Trnava town, or to visit another spa town Trenčianske Teplice with 30 min spa procedure in one of their thermal water pools.