
Tatra Winter Activity Week
Try everything from downhill skiing to dogsledding in Poland and Slovakia
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Reviews 9 Reviews5/5
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Vacation Style Holiday Type
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Skiing
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Winter
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Activity Level Moderate
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Group Size Small Group
A snow-laden landscape is always a wonderful sight in the mountains. For some it means heading to the slopes, for others it means strapping on the snowshoes or harnessing the dogs. There are so many different options it can be hard to choose. Luckily during this week that isn’t a problem: from our base high in the Tatra Mountains we enjoy a fantastic week trying a host of the most popular winter sports, including downhill skiing and snowshoeing. We will also visit Zakopane, across the border in Poland, to experience this unique high mountain atmosphere and have a go at dogsledding. Add to that a visit to nearby thermal pools and you have the perfect way to experience winter at its best.This trip is also perfect for families wishing to experience a wonderful week of winter activities and there are 4 dedicated family departures scheduled for 11th and 18th February 2018 and 10th February and 17th February in 2019.
* All breakfasts, 2 lunches and 1 dinner
* All accommodation
* Airport transfers (at designated times)
Tour leader throughout
- Flights
- Single Accommodation (available on request, inquire for supplement)
Highlights
- Great range of winter activities
- Fantastic value for money
- Traditional Slovak culture
- Visit the Bukowina Thermal Pools
- 7 nights accommodation at Hotel Villa Siesta
- 5 days of mixed activities
- Group normally 4 to 16, plus local leader. Min age 16 yrs (12 years for family departures)
- No previous experience necessary but reasonable fitness required
- Family departures available
- Day 1 Start Smokovec.
- Day 2 A full day introduction to snowshoeing.
- Day 3 Cross-country skiing instruction followed by a guided itinerary at Strbske Pleso.
- Day 4 A trip to Zakopane for dogsledding: tour of the town, afternoon visit to the thermal pools at Bukowina Tatranska.
- Day 5 Transfer to the downhill slopes for some skiing or snowboarding (instruction available, payable locally).
- Day 6 Free day to choose from the many activities and attractions, such as the Belianska Cave.
- Day 7 Cable car ride up to Hrebienok for winter walk, afternoon horse and sleigh tour of Zdiar village and picnic in the forest.
- Day 8 End Smokovec, Tatras Mountains.

Hotel Villa Siesta – 3 Star
A warm welcome awaits in the heart of the High Tatras at the 3-star Hotel Villa Siesta, just a short walk from the bars and restaurants of Smokovec. We use comfortable twin rooms with en suite facilities. The hotel has a restaurant serving a mixture of local and international cuisine, as well as a wellness centre with a number of optional spa treatments and sauna. Free Wi-Fi is available in all areas.
Single supplements are available upon request.
All breakfasts, 2 lunches and 1 dinner are included during the trip.
Due to the late arrival of the group flight on Day 1, a late cold buffet dinner will be offered by the hotel.
Hotel Villa Siesta has a hotel on site serving a set menu of local specialties and international cuisines. The group will also have the choice to eat evening meals in the local restaurants in Smokovec which we highly recommended.
Slovak cuisine is hearty and heavy on meat, potatoes, dumplings, soups, thick sauces and cheeses. Vegetables such as cabbage and wild mushrooms are also popular in dishes. Slovak cuisine is typical of a country with strong rural roots.
Vegetarians can be catered for, however, choices across Central Europe for vegetarians can be limited. Please advise us at time of booking if you have any special dietary requirements.
This trip is Level 3: Relatively full days, with 3 – 4 hours of physical activity per day. You should be reasonably confident in your fitness to ensure you get the most out of this trip, a light exercise routine pre departure will certainly help.
Family Departures : This trip has special departures reserved exclusively for parents travelling with children (min. age 12). These family departures will run with the same itinerary and inclusions of our standard adult departures. The level of difficulty and/or duration of the activities will be adapted to the ability level and age of the children booked. There are 4 dedicated family departures scheduled for 11th and 18th February 2018 and 10th February and 17th February in 2019.
Package Confirmed Dates | Trip Status Trip Status | Price (PP) Excluding Flights | Price (PP) Including Flights | |
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December 28, 2019
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Available |
$2,249.00 |
N/A |
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January 26, 2020
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Available |
$1,749.00 |
N/A |
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February 2, 2020
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Available |
$1,799.00 |
N/A |
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February 23, 2020
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Available |
$1,799.00 |
N/A |
Tatras with the family
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Just being all together, having dinner together, laughing together...What did you think of your group leader?
Peter was great - however the trip was somewhat hampered by the warmer weather which he managed beautifully. He was largely calm and collected when around him perhaps were not!Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Bring plenty of Euros, there's lots of stopping so bring a book, try the sauna in the hotel and have a great time.A great week of snow fun!
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
I really enjoyed snowboarding on the free day and sledge races down the ski slope.What did you think of your group leader?
The group leader was really relaxed and went out of his way to look after everyone in the group and cater for everyone's needs.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take a variety of clothes including full ski wear and warm waterproof gloves.Is there anything else you would like to add?
Food was excellent and fantastic value for money.Tatra winter activity
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
There were so many more than one! Here's my top two... The Husky sledging on the top of the mountain with sparkling snow, clear blue skies, sunshine and dogs having fun, Truly memorable for feeling of enjoyment and amazing confidence and calmness. Skiing a black run in clear skies then going through the fog on blue artificial snow runs to get back to base. Feeling that I could do anything and handle with ease any situation I came across.What did you think of your group leader?
Fabulous, flexible, beyond expectations and fascinating. Great stories, his depth of knowledge on so many different subjects is incredible. I learnt the benefits of waxing skiing and what to consider when applying the wax if I am ever involved in running an Olympic team! I loved learning from him.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take waterproof boots for the snowshoeing. Waterproof outer jacket and trousers plus lots of thermal layers. Exercise before going, even if it is only spring cleaning the house as per BBC exercise routine!Is there anything else you would like to add?
Big thanks to Peter and our driver for taking us to Krakow earlier, it was a much better use of our time and great to see some culture. Peter's commentary and knowing where to show us was awesome. Avery talented man.Slovakia - a hidden gem
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Experiencing a snow laden landscape and all it has to offer.What did you think of your group leader?
Brilliant - helpful, dedicated and keen to share real Slovak cultureDo you have any advice for potential travellers?
The key bits of kit you need are some warm / water resistant trousers, sun screen and ski goggles.Is there anything else you would like to add?
The hot chocolate is amazing. Make sure you experience Tatra teaA good mix of things to do in the snow!
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Completing the 5km route at the cross country skiing centre, enjoying the most amazing views in the warm sunshine, on our free day. I do not downhill ski at all which made the achievement even greater!!What did you think of your group leader?
Peter was very knowledgeable and always ready with a tale or two.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
If you drink tea in the morning, take bags with you! Take light clothes for the evening as it seems the Slovakian way is to super-heat indoor spaces whilst outside it is SO cold (on the train I was stripped off to a vest top and thermal leggings only!!!) Yak Trax would have been useful (the pavements were sheet ice in places). Use the restaurants in the village, so much better than the food in the hotel.Is there anything else you would like to add?
The trip is graded moderate but as a couple of fit travellers it felt quite a leisurely week.