Slovakia in one of the most rapidly growing and modern nations to come out from behind the Iron Curtain. It is small, but full of a wonderful variety of scenery, culture and spirit. Many villages feel like 19th century Europe, and are alive with history. The Folk Crafts are still family traditions, not commercial enterprises designed to take advantange of tourists. Each village has its unique specialty including fabrics, sculpture, music, foods, jewelry and literature.

Day 1 arrival to Vienna
Meeting our guide/interpreter at the airport. Transfer to Slovakia, stop for lunch in Bratislava the capital, free time depends on time of arrival. Late afternoon arrival to a small hotel/pension in Liptov Region between Hight an Low Tatra Mountains, dinner and overnight.

Day 2 familiarisaton day
After breakfast depart on a familiarisation tour, visiting Open-air-museum of Liptov Village in Pribylina where samples of folk craftworks can be seen. Then drive under the peaks of High Tatra along the Tatra mountain range to Štrbské Pleso, lunch in a Slovak style restaurant, free time, possible walk along the mountain lake and around the winter sport and ski resort FIS. Late afternoon return to the hotel, dinner and overnight.

Day 3 craftwork course
Selection of courses: intensive course (8 hours per day) or basic course (3-4 hours per day):
Lace-making by special technique with small sticks (recommended intensive course to master the craftwork)
Weaving (recommended intensive course to master the craftwork)
Embroidery (traditional Slovak patterns and techniques)
Making dolls in folk costumes
Making Wicker baskets (and other things from wickers and grated wood)
Wood-carving and decorating
Metal and leather decorations (e.g. beating belt clasps, making leather bookmarkers etc.)
Gingerbread decorations
Eastern-eggs decorations
Making decorations from natural materials (straw, wickers, grated wood, leather, metal…)

Aim of the courses is to master the selected craftwork at least at that stage that at the end of the course participants can bring home their own products as a souvenirs made themselves. In more difficult techniques / crafts, at the beginning they get partly processed piece of work and they are supposed to finish it. They can inspire by traditional Slovak patterns and design, but their own fantasy and creativity is supported.

Complementary afternoon or morning programme (optional choice):
Visiting Ice Cave or Cave of Freedom in Demänovská Valley
Bath in thermal springs in Bešeňová
Visiting mountain towns in High Tatras, travel by rack-railway on Hrebienok Hill with beautifull view on mountains and mountain towns, if interest possible trekking tour on the main mountain path Tatra Magistral” (cca 2 hours walk)
Visiting UNESCO town Levoča or Kežmarok with unique Gothic style architecture
Visiting medieval castle Orava (in summertime there use to be various shows of fencing,   falconry etc.)

Day 7 departure to Vienna
After breakfast departure to Vienna, according the flight departure some sights on the way, possible lunch OR visiting Folk Festival in Detva Folk Festival in Detva together with Folk Festival in Východná belongs to the most popular folk festivals of traditional folk music, songs, dances and crafts in Slovakia. Many foreign Slovak searching for their roots in Slovakia use to visit this festival and meet their relatives there. Performances of professional and amateur ensambles, groups of common village people representing their region, stands of various craftworks etc. An excellent opportunity to see and experience living tradition of folk art in Slovakia !

Day 8 departure to Vienna
After breakfast departure to Vienna, according the flight departure some sights on the way, possible lunc