„The heart of Europe“ – that is the title for Slovakia, one of the smallest states at this continent. Slovakia is the country, where I live, so let me introduce it to you as it is the country very interesting and worth visiting.
The backround of this, already independent, state is pretty rich and compelling, as the Slovak republic had been in pastness the part of a few monarchies and empires. After membership in Great Moravian empire, it had become the part of Austro-Hungarian monarchy, which lasted till the end of the First World War.

Then, in 1919, Slovakia had become for the first time, an independent state and this had been broken in 1946, when Czech and Slovak republics joined and had created one state Czechoslovakia. In 1948, the communist regim had been appaled and this subjugation had lasted for fourty years.
Eventually, in November 1989, the Velvet Revolution had broken communism and Czech and Slovak Republic reached for their freedom and democracy and had formed the federated republic. The 1st January 1993 had been the date when these two countries had separated and each of them has become independent state.
Slovakia, then, has begun to develop individually not only in politic and economic side but also in tourism. This country has got, thanks to its long and rich history, not only an immense amount of historical places and monuments to show but it is also great stock of beauties of our nature. Moreover, beautiful caves, mineral natural springs, folk arcitecture, all of these can Slovakia offer to its visitors.

Let me, first, guide you through the places created by God, grand beauties of mountains, shining water of rivers and lakes and grass with morning dew in the valleys.
For those, who like mountaneering, skiing, fresh air, tours and want to spend their holiday or just a weekend actively, Slovakia is full of natural beauty suitable for both relaxing and active rest.
The best-known in Slovakia probably are The High Tatras. These highest mountains in the country, which create a border between Slovakia and Poland in the north, abound with beauties on every step. With the highest peak, Gerlachovsky stit, with its height of 2 654,4 m, boasting high above all the beauty, this mountains hide beautiful woods, another lower peaks, touristic centres, and all of these is worth of visitor´s eye. Except The National Park of High Tatras, in which, by the way, it is still possible to see a bear, a lynx, wild cats, otters, mountain eagles, chamois, a marmot and other animals and about 1500 species of various plants, our attention shouldn´t miss other places too.

If you get to The High Tatras, don´t pass over the opportuninty to ascend so many beautiful, powerful higer or lower peaks like Lomnický štít, Kriváň, Rysy, Hrebienok, Solisko and many, many others. You can reach their summits either on foot or by cable railways. Among the breathtaking places we can also put numerous valleys with more than 90 lakes in them. The most famous are probably lake Štrbské Pleso, situated in the height of 1355 m and the largest and deepest one – Veľké Hincovo Pleso, 53 metres deep. The best-known touristic centres with hotels, shops, skiing centres, restaurants and cultural places are these ones: Podbanské-a good place for starting many tours to surrounding mountains, Tatranská Polianka, where spa buildings are and respiratory conditions are treated, Tatranská Lomnica-the largest settlement full of accomodation from camping to luxurious hotels, ski slopes, casinos, fitness centres, horseracing track and other activities for tourists. Veľká and Malá Studená dolina, with Studenovodské waterfalls, is one of the most beautiful mountain hikes.

But Slovakia is not only The High Tatras. All of these, what you get there, you can see and get also in The Low Tatras, situated exactly under the High Tatras. The highest peak is Dumbier with 2 043 meters. Places like Jánska Dolina with termal swimming pools, Chopok, the second highest peak, National Park of Low Tatras, Kráľova Hoľa or Demänovská valley are the most visited localities here and in the middle of this valley you can visit beautiful Demänovska cave.
Slovakia, as the tiny teritory with perhaps the highest concentration of beauty, offers also next:
The Slovak Eden-beauty hidden in caves, roaring waterfalls, vast plains, maple trees and the richness of fauna, flora and beatiful sceneries provides an atractivity for tourists.
But what about places smaller, but not smaller in beauty?
Donovaly, for example, is famous ski centre and The World Championship in a competition of teams of dogs is held every year there. Rivers Danube, Morava, Váh, Hron, are good for walks along them, water reservoirs Hrušov, Orava, Liptovská Mara, Zempínska Šírava are the best places where to spend your holiday in summer and these great recreation centres are full of atractions both for adults and children too.