THE FOLLOWING ITINERARY IS FROM A PAST SOCIETY TRIP, AND IS PRESENTED FOR INTEREST ONLY, TO ILLUSTRATE THE TYPE OF FOREIGN TRIP THAT THE SOCIETY ORGANISES

Step back into the world of Murnau’s Nosferatu at Orava castle (Oravski Hrad); visit some of the many castles belonging to Elizabeth Bathory, the "Blood Countess"; enjoy free time in the Tatra mountains, the Slovak capital Bratislava, and many more of Slovakia’s most picturesque and historic locations, as well as spending a full day in the beautiful and historic Austrian capital Vienna.

Elizabeth Bathory

Monday 23rd May: Day 1

Departure from Heathrow to Vienna. Transfer by coach to Bratislava, staying three nights at the 4 star Park Inn Danube on a bed and breakfast basis. Free time to visit such attractions as the castle, St. Martin’s Cathedral, city museum, palaces, and national art gallery. Alternatively, you may wish just to relax or shop…..  Dinner in a local restaurant (included).

Tuesday 24th May: Day 2

Full day excursion to Vienna with guided walking tour in the morning. Optional afternoon tour of Schonbrunn Palace in the afternoon, or free time at leisure to explore the city.

Wednesday 25th May: Day 3

After breakfast we take a Danube river cruise to Devin.

Having visited the castle (once owned by Elizabeth Bathory), we drive along the Small Carpathian Wine Route for lunch with wine tasting (included). Afternoon excursion to Cerveny Kamen Castle.

Return to Bratislava for evening at leisure.

Devin Castle

Thursday 26th May: Day 4

Visit the ruins of Elizabeth Bathory’s castle at Cachtice, then drive to Trencin with free time for lunch. Continue to Skalka Monastery, the oldest pilgrim site in Slovakia, and visit the water castle of Bytca. Drive to Zilina for three nights stay at the 4 star Holiday Inn Zilina.

Friday 27th May: Day 5

After breakfast we visit the well preserved castle of Bojnice (home to the International Festival of Ghosts and Spirits), then continue to the famous Slovak village of Cicmany with its painted houses. Free time for lunch in Zilina. In the afternoon we visit the ruined castles of Strecno and the third largest castle in Slovakia, Lietava.

Saturday 28th May: Day 6

Drive along the Vah Valley to the magnificent castle of Orava, virtually untouched since it was used by F. W. Murnau in his film Nosferatu (1922). After an extensive visit we will continue to Dolny Kubin for a lunch break. On the return journey we will stop to view the remains of the castle of Starhrad.

Orava Castle

Sunday 29th May: Day 7

Leaving Zilina, we drive to the town of Kremnica with its 14th Century castle, ossuary and plague column. After our visit we will continue to the picturesque town of Banska Stiavnica, with free time for lunch. Continue our journey to Vienna airport for the return flight to London.