Exploring places where few choose to go for vacation is one of the biggest pleasures of my life. 2020 was an year when I could explore this hobby as it fullest. Just COVID-19 was about to severely hit Europe, I took advantage of me being relocated for work in Budapest, Hungary, and decided to leverage it by travelling all around the regions’ countries. Once discovering the Spartan Race series, I’ve also noticed how into this countries like Hungary, Slovakia and Czechia are. My craving for medal collecting brought me to a very remote location, especially for a month like January. This is how I ended up in Banska Bystrica. A charming town in Slovakia, north of Budapest, where I was living at the moment. A place from which you can admire the glimpse of the Tatra Mountains. Part of the Carpathians where, I did find out only recently, the only “sherpa” like population of Europe is in service. You can check the wonderful DW documentary here.
My first trip with FlixBus, from Budapest to Banska Bystrica
My story, though, is not about the Tatra Mountains – maybe will make a report after I’ll actually be there. I am telling about Banska Bystrica, so going back to the main subject, as it impressed me from the very beginning, when I exit the bus in the local bus station. Incredibly big, clean and quite… complicate to exit. In the end, I’ve did managed, but it was an interesting view for such a small town, especially considering what kind of bus stations are in towns of Banska Bystrica’s size in my home country, Romania. That, however, is another story. For now, I’ll stick to the journey I’m describing, in Slovakia. It was the first time I’ve used FlixBus. I remember departing from somewhere north of the capital city of Hungary and after 3-4 hours I’ve arrived in Banska Bystrica. I don’t remember, from six years ago many details from the trip, but I remember being accommodated in the town’s center, a thing I chose to have immediate access to the start line, and also registration area.
You might want to try Regal Burger
It was a good strategy, and very comfy. The Spartan Race was not great, for less than 6 kilometers, with obstacles, I was quite of a shame, and finished bottom. Very, very bottom. The sports event was held in the immediate vicinity of the location, but this held less importance, in the end. For me, the main course was exploring the small location. What I do remember 100% was eating a very good veggie burger, made with halloumi and beetroot at Regal Burger. I would really visit this place again, if I would ever reach Banska Bystrica. But I am sure many other places can bring same great culinary impressions. The thing is that this kind of locations are usually visited when you have a specific purpose, not in a traditional touristic way. And this is exactly what I am seeking, and if you are a similar enthusiast, you are on the right website.
The Romanian army freed the town
One big memory from this place stands from the exact town center. A black obelisk, from world war two, with a bilingual message, in Slovak and… Romanian: “Mulțumiri Armatei Românie – eliberatoarea orașului”. Translated, this means: “Thank you to Romanian Army – the liberator of the town”. To me, as a Romanian, that made a touching impression. Moving forward, the city’s center is not huge, as you can imagine. But it really is charming. As I would describe in other posts, it is something very similar to most small villages in central Europe. Starting with Slovakia, even Hungary, continuing with Czechia, some parts of Germany, and even my home country, Romania. It is not necessary the great views, but the atmosphere, the silence, the purity of the crisp winter air. Again, I was there in January.
Memories from Banska Bystrica!
Only two full days spend there, and you don’t really need more to explore the territory, the streets, and to glance towards the Tatra Mountains, while imagining, at some point in time, to be climbing and exploring those as well. It is a unique experience, for knowledge lovers, for people who want to meet local real life, in Europe. It is really part of the meaning of life to explore locations like this. While exactly writing this, I am enjoying a cup of coffee in my favorite recipient: my orange mug bought from, you guesses, Banksa Bystrica. It is something I cherish a lot to remember for eternity when I walked the beautiful streets of a quite random town, comparing to the multitude in the world, but with a special charm and a powerful grip in my mind.
