New Year Celebrations. Slovak Splendours. The Heart Of Kosice And The High Tatras.

Meet the group at the airport and board our flight to Slovakia.
Upon our arrival in Kosice we will transfer to the hotel the Horse Inn Pension where we will be staying for 4 nights. Breakfast is included each morning.

Perfectly situated for exploring the city, the Pension Horse Inn in Košice has comfortable rooms with private bathrooms, work desks, and TVs. Each room includes a refrigerator, shower, and wardrobe and there is free Wifi throughout.
There is daily housekeeping, a bar, and a coffee shop.
Throughout the tour we will be staying in twin rooms but there is an option to have a room to yourself for the trip. If you wish to have a room to yourself for the 4 nights the supplement will be £90 The supplement will be payable at the same time as the balance please note that these rooms have single beds.

The Travel Buddies trips work on the basis that as long as you are having a good time then that is what matters, if you don’t feel like coming on one of the excursions or joining the rest of the group for dinner one evening then that is absolutely fine. This is an adventure for everyone and there is nothing worse than having to go somewhere/do something that you don’t really fancy!

Feel free to do as much or as little research as you like, some members will know what they would like to visit as soon as they book the trip, Others will just turn up at the airport and have not researched at all. Either is absolutely fine. We all have different ideas as to what constitutes a great time away!

Let’s go for a wander, or get settled in, whichever we prefer.

Today we need to wrap up warm for a fully guided day trip into the High Tatra Mountains where winter is the most magical time of year.
We will take a short ride on a mountain train to visit the ice church and enjoy a cable car ride up to a treetop walk in Zdiar
We start our day after breakfast at the hotel and board our minibus to the town of Starý Smokovec where we will take a short funicular ride to Hrebienok.

Every winter, a team of international artists and sculptors use around 225 tonnes of ice (comprising roughly 1,800 individual ice blocks) to build a colossal ice shrine or cathedral.

The design changes annually, paying homage to architectural marvels and historical figures. Past editions have been inspired by structures like the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome, Westminster Abbey, and the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre.

To keep the artwork from melting, the cathedral is housed inside a massive, climate-controlled dome where temperatures are kept permanently between -3°C and -10°C

Next we take a magical wintry walk through the treetops… We will take a cable car up to the top enjoying the wintry views. Our treetop walk route is more than 1,234 metres long and has breathtaking views of the Belianske Tatras, the Pieniny Mountains and the picturesque Zamagurie region.

The region is also renowned for its thermal spas and Aquacity is the best…. This is where we can relax in natural hot springs and rejuvenate after our wonderful day of snowy activities.

Aside from the numerous outdoor and indoor pools the complex features a 2-storey wellness and spa centre.

The Fire & Water Wellness & Spa offers a wide range of unique wellness services. There are various saunas and inhalation rooms, a ceremonial sauna with sauna shows, relaxation rooms, an ice cave, a relaxation pool,and a whirlpool.

Return hotel transfers and entrance fees are all included. Our Aquacity ticket is for a 3 hour experience
There will be a lunch stop at a traditional restaurant during the day. (not included)

This morning we will explore the rich heritage of Slovakia’s second-largest city on a guided walking tour. We start our journey at St. Elizabeth’s Cathedral, the largest Gothic cathedral in Slovakia, and wander through iconic landmarks like the Urban Tower and the Singing Fountain. Stroll along Main Street, lined with charming cafés and cultural treasures, while our guide shares stories of the city’s dramatic history. Don’t miss the enchanting Jakab Palace and the remnants of medieval fortifications, discovering hidden courtyards and local hotspots along the way.
Our walking tour will last around 2 hours after which we have time to explore independently and can enjoy the christmas market.

The central hub of the market features a massive 15 metre Christmas tree, festive wooden stalls, and a large panoramic carousel next to the magnificent Gothic Cathedral

Rozprávkovo (Fairytale Land) features stunning light installations depicting traditional Slovak folk stories. It is free to enter and glows daily from 16:00 to 21:00.

Immaculata Statue Stage: This landmark serves as the primary backdrop for live performers, featuring traditional Slovak choirs, folk groups, and pop artists throughout December

Košice is highly regarded for its local culinary scene. Some of the absolute traditional “must try’s” are …

Lokše: Thin potato pancakes brushed with duck fat and stuffed with sweet poppy seeds or savory bryndza (sheep milk cheese).
Kapustnica: A rich, hearty Christmas cabbage soup slow-cooked with sausages and dried mushrooms.
Langoš: Deep-fried flatbread rubbed with garlic and topped with sour cream and grated cheese.
Warm up with medovina (hot honey mead), local spiced mulled wine, or hot chocolate.

This evening lets wrap up warm and venture out for the last night of 2026! We start with a 3 course set meal at a traditional restaurant and then head to the heart of the old town to join in the celebrations, a grand evening of music and dance culminating in a fireworks display as the clock strikes midnight.

Today we have a free day to do as we please. 

Take a snowy walk in the city where independent cafés, hotel restaurants, and select bars in the old town open up in the afternoon. Seek out cozy local spots along Hlavná Ulica or side alleys for a warm cup of coffee or a hearty bowl of traditional garlic soup (cesnačka) 

But whatever you do….. Don’t eat any poultry…. Slovak tradition dictates that eating birds on New Year’s Day causes your luck to “fly away”, and we definitely do not want that!

Dinner locally

This morning after checking out we will enjoy a guided tour to the Tokaj region, known for its centuries old wine tradition for a guided world class wine tasting experience.

Wine tastings and transfers are included.

After the tour we will be dropped off at the airport to catch our flight back to the UK.