This post contains my special moments at Christmas markets in Oradea, Romania.

The Oradea Fortress is a historic fortification located within the city, whose origins date back to the 11th century when it served as an episcopal residence and religious centre. Throughout the Middle Ages, the fortress played a strategic role in the border region between Central and Eastern Europe.

The Citadel of Oradea, which was built during the Mongol invasion, was first mentioned in 1241. The fortress would be destroyed and rebuilt several times over the following centuries. The 14th and 15th centuries were the most prosperous periods in the city’s history up to that point. Many monuments were erected, including statues of Saints Stephen, Emeric, and Ladislaus (before 1372) and the equestrian sculpture of St. King Ladislaus I (1390). The statue of St. Ladislaus was the first proto-Renaissance public square equestrian monument in Europe. Bishop Andreas Báthori (1329–1345) rebuilt the Cathedral in the Gothic style as well as the Hermes reliquary, now preserved at Győr, containing the skull of St. Ladislaus.

Oradea’s architecture reflects a blend of historical influences, shaped by its political and cultural transitions over time. The city features a combination of Communist-era apartment blocks, predominantly in its peripheral neighborhoods, and a significant stock of historical buildings from the period when it was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. In addition to many Baroque buildings, Oradea has a collection of Art Nouveau architecture.

Many buildings constructed in Oradea during the early 20th century reflect influences from Ödön Lechner and the Vienna Secession movement. Architectural works from this period include a range of building types: rental palaces such as Moskovits Palace I and II, Apollo Palace, Stern Palace, Adorján Houses I and II, and Darvasy Palace; private villas including La Roche, Vágó, and Okany Schwartz; hotels such as Pannonia, Emke, Rimonoczy, Weiszlovics, and Fekete Sas (also known as Vulturul Negru); as well as military buildings along Armatei Române Street.

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Time: December 2025

Location: Romania, European Union

This post contains very special moments during my autumn hiking in field of army cemeteries in east of region.

Join us on a journey of discovery through war sites, monuments and cemeteries from World War I. Accompanied by a historian from the Beskydy Military History Club, you will learn interesting stories of battles that took place in the Laborec Uplands – in the valley of the Výrava and Laborec rivers. You will learn about the events of World War I.

The Laborecká Highlands are a flysch mountain range in eastern Slovakia, which geomorphologically belongs to the Eastern Carpathians province, the Outer Eastern Carpathians subprovince, and the Low Beskydy region.

One of the biggest attractions of the mountain range is several dozen fascinating wooden sacral buildings built without the use of nails – wooden churches. Recently, they have been connected to form the tourist-attractive Wooden Road. Some of them have been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

During World War I, Medzilaborce had a key location as a town on the railway line, along which trains flowed in the direction of Galicia in today’s southeastern Poland and northwestern Ukraine. A sad memory of World War I is still five war cemeteries there. Most of the soldiers buried there fell or were wounded not in Medzilaborce, but on the front in Poland or in the territory of today’s Ukraine. One of the cemeteries, which Medzilaborce residents also call “Delo” and is on Cintorínska Street, would need reconstruction. It looks promising. The mayor of Medzilaborce Vladislav Višňovský and Martin Drobňák, chairman of the Beskydy Military History Club, are not opposed to cooperation in the restoration of the cemetery.

The war cemeteries from World War I in northeastern Slovakia have been mapped and are being gradually restored by members of the Beskydy Military History Club, together with volunteers. The explanation of why Medzilaborce has so many war cemeteries from World War I was given to us by the chairman of this club, Martin Drobňák. He stated that on May 31, 1874, the Michaľany – Humenné – Lupkov Tunnel – Galicia railway line was opened, which passed through Medzilaborce. After the outbreak of World War I, Medzilaborce found itself directly on the supply artery in the direction of Galicia, which was an official province of Austria and Austria-Hungary from 1722 to 1918. “All the war cemeteries from World War I in Medzilaborce are located in the immediate vicinity of the railway station.

This is because trains going to or from the front stopped here. “They brought the wounded in the wagons, who in many cases did not survive the transport,” he said. Dead soldiers were therefore quickly buried as close to the station building as possible. Drobňák said that this situation was captured in his memories of World War I by a soldier who came from Hungary. After the train stopped at the Medzilaborce railway station, he wanted to take a walk and see its surroundings. He entered a building that stood next to the station. Hundreds of bodies of dead soldiers were stored in rooms in it, which were later buried, mostly in mass graves, in hastily created cemeteries near the station.

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Time: November 2025

Location: Medzilaborce County

This post contains very special moments during my autumn hiking in the national park called Poloniny.

National Park Poloniny: Pilgrimage site of Three Wells above the village of Runina, refreshing Runinský Waterfall, wooden church in Ruský Potok, traditional tartar pierogi for tasting, fairytale Nová Sedlica and grandfather Večerníček’s house, mini-gallery of wooden churches and the Dvere do Polonín area return to school days at the School Museum in Zboj.

Poloniny National Park is a national park in Slovakia on the border with Poland and Ukraine in Poloniny Bukovské vrchy. This area is bordered by Bieszczadzki Park Narodowy in Poland and Uzhany National Park in Ukraine. Poloniny National Park was declared on 1 October 1997 on an area of ​​298.05 km² with a protection zone of 109.73 km².

80 percent of the park consists of forests dominated by beech stands. Among them are primeval forests, the largest concentration of which is in the Poloniny National Park. A significant percentage of the park’s area is occupied by meadows on the main ridge of the Bukovské vrchy, called poloniny. Many species of organisms living in the park are endemic. There are more than 800 species of moss and 100 species of lichen in Poloniny. The vegetation is characterized by the presence of East Carpathian species. The poloniny are home to the sulfur-yellow elderberry, Dacian violet, Herbich’s red cherry, pink snakeweed, and in the forests to the Carpathian buttercup, purple hellebore, smooth pea and many other plants. The national park is home to 5,981 known species of invertebrates and 294 species of vertebrates. All species of amphibians live here, and the largest snake, the tree snake, also lives here. A small herd of European bison was brought here in 2004. In 2016, the bison herd numbered about 25 individuals, with individuals and herds from Poland also migrating to the territory of Slovakia.

The national park is open all year round. In winter it attracts cross-country skiers and in summer it attracts tourists. In addition to several mountain trails, there are also several wooden churches, mostly from the 18th century, which have become popular.

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Time: October 2025

Location: Poloniny Area

This post contains very special moments during my autumn hiking especially event called “Rusnácka Stežka”.

Beautiful tourist event Rusnačka stežka, which offers a unique experience in the heart of the land of the Ruthenians. This is a unique opportunity to spend a day actively, discovering the nature, history and culture of a region full of traditions and hospitality.

The route will take you through several picturesque villages, where you will have the opportunity to get to know authentic Ruthenian life, taste local dishes and visit important cultural and historical sites, including the birthplace of the parents of the famous pop-art artist Andy Warhol.

Various attractions await you at each location – from museums to traditional food tastings to craft presentations.

Andy Warhol: He was born Andrew Warhola in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. His parents were immigrants from the Austro-Hungarian Empire of Ruthenian ethnicity from the village of Miková (now Stropkov District, Slovakia). He had two older brothers, Paul and John. His artistic talent manifested itself early, and he studied industrial (commercial) art at the Carnegie Institute of Technology (now known as Carnegie Mellon University) in Pittsburgh. After graduating from school in 1949, he moved to New York City and began a successful career as a magazine illustrator and in advertising. He became known mainly for his whimsical ink paintings of shoes in a characteristic style.

The Factory, located at 221 East 47th Street in Manhattan, was Warhol’s studio from 1963 to 1967. It moved to 33 Union Square West in late 1967, when the East 47th buildings were demolished. The Factory was a popular hangout for art circles, amphetamine users, and Warhol’s superstars. It was here that he created his screen prints. The interior was covered in tin foil and silver paint, and silver “clouds” were formed in the form of large, pillow-shaped helium balloons.

Please, dont forget to make one click at following URL link which includes detailed photogallery as foollows:

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Time: October 2025

Location: Area of following villages: Repejov, Vladiča, Driečna, Miková, Čertižné and Habura, Medzilaborce County

This post contains my autumn hiking in Slanské vrchy especially area called Zámutovská kolejka.

Zámutov. A village in the northwestern tip of the East Slovak Uplands at the foot of the Slanské Hills west of Vranov nad Topľou. The first written mention dates back to 1402. The village has a Roman Catholic church (1912), an Evangelical church (1920) and a Greek Catholic temple (church; 1920). In the past, the forest railway leading from Vranov nad Topľou ended here.

Zámutov Railway. A former narrow-gauge forest railway between Vranov nad Topľou and Zámutov, which in the first half of the 20th century transported wood from the forests of the Zámutov region in the eastern part of the Slanské vrchy Mountains. It gave its name to the forestry educational trail. It was built in 1906-1907 and is 18.2 km long. Over time, it was used for various purposes and finally reached its end of life in 1957. A wagon similar to those used for transporting wood is on display at one of the information boards on the educational trail. The local forests, with their profitability from logging and extensive hunting grounds, have been the main reasons for the interest of the most powerful feudal families since ancient times.

The owners of the Zámutov area were successively the Drughetovs, Almássyovs, Forgáchovs, Keczerovs, Shirmayovs and the Coudenhove-Calergi family. In 1908, the estate had an area of ​​3,594 ha. The last owner was the German industrialist Emil von Scheibler, who bought the Zámutov estate in 1910. His property claims were liquidated by the land reform in 1924. An arched shotgun “shooting range” was built on the site of his manor house in 1962. Currently, there is a modern shooting range on the site, where shooting competitions are held. Part of the route of the railway above Jusková Voľa is followed by the Bučí laz recreational and educational circuit.

Múzeum u Cetky: A small but cozy private museum founded by Štefan and Anna Višňovský, long-time members of the FSk Zamutovčany, who have dedicated most of their lives to folklore and traditional folk culture. During the tour, you will travel back 100 years and take a look into the lives of our ancestors. The museum offers a rich collection of objects used in farm work, in processing hemp for textile production, in everyday life as well as on festive occasions; a rich collection of examples of traditional clothing with the opportunity to try on folk clothing. During the tour, you will also learn about folk architecture, the history of the village of Zámutov, traditional family life, emigration, war – all interspersed with real life stories.

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Time: October 2025

Location: Zámutov, Vranov nad Topľou County

This post contains very special moments during my visiting area called “Tokaj Winery”.

The Tokaj wine region is a geographically closed area of ​​viticulture and winemaking in the Bodrog River basin, bordered to the north in Slovakia by the Zemplín Mountains, the Lookout Mountain (469 m) and to the south in Hungary by the confluence of the Tisa and Bodrog rivers. It is a historical and territorial part of the large Tokaj region, the largest part of which lies in Hungary (approx. 5,000 ha). In Slovakia, 907 ha are delimited by law (highlighted in burgundy on the map). It is the smallest wine-growing area in Slovakia.

This area is unique in terms of its natural conditions, the geological substrate is volcanic tuffs, the climate is determined by a long and dry autumn, which is ensured by the barrier of the Zemplín Mountains preventing rain clouds from penetrating to the southwest.

It is also unique in terms of varietal composition (Furmint, Lipovina, Yellow Muscat and Zeta varieties and winemaking technology (slow oxidation in wooden barrels). However, in Slovakia, not only the area itself is delimited, but also individual vineyard plots, which are located exclusively on the slopes, where lower yields per hectare are achieved, but there are higher requirements for achieving quality. It is therefore impossible to move vineyards to other than delimited locations (unlike Hungary, where only the area is delimited). In this way, the very demanding criteria set in France for wines labeled “Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée” are essentially met.

The Tokaj wine-growing region in Slovakia is currently firmly established at an area of ​​907 ha in the cadastral territories of the municipalities of Bara, Čerhov, Černochov, Malá Tŕňa, Slovenské Nové Mesto, Veľká Tŕňa and Viničky. Tokaj wine-growing areas can only be used as vineyards.

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Time: October 2025

Location: Tokaj Area, Malá Tŕňa

This post contains very special moments during my visiting “Oravská Priehrada” which is natural reservation and I have experienced amazing boat cruise as well.

Orava or Orava Dam is a water reservoir, part of the waterworks of the same name (which also includes the Tvrdošín equalization reservoir), built at the confluence of the Bielá and Čierna Orava rivers. It is located in northern Slovakia, in the region of the same name. The Orava Dam is the largest dam in Slovakia by both water volume and area.

The first works on the project began on July 24, 1941 and the dam was put into operation in 1954. After filling, the villages of Slanica, Osada, Hámre, Ľavkovo, Ústie, the lower part of the village of Bobrov and 2/3 of Námestovo remained under water. This is why there is no historical city center in Námestovo. A small hill remained above the water after the flooded village of Slanica, which created Slanický ostrov, also called Ostrov umenia (Island of Arts) and Vtáčí ostrov (Bird Island), which are connected by a narrow passage when the water level is low.

The Orava Basin, in which the villages of Slanica, Ľavkovo, Ústie, Osada and Oravské Hámre were located, was already significantly deforested during the Wallachian colonization in the 16th century, and during heavy rains, the strong flow of water in the Orava River threatened human dwellings and fields. In an attempt to use this unbridled element, several projects were developed for the construction of a dam. The first one was created during the Hungarian period in 1870, when a study and project for a reinforced concrete dam in Orava was developed. Another dam project was developed during the First World War. During the First Republic, it was included in the water management plan for the Váh River. After the end of the Second World War, the first extensive geological survey was also carried out in the area. Experts recommended building an earth dam, which, however, was rejected by the Ministry of Public Works in Prague due to lack of experience. The earth dam was therefore replaced again by another project for a concrete dam.

On the Slanica Island of Art, which is the remains of the flooded village of Slanica, there is the Slanica Roman Catholic Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, built in the 18th century, and a lapidary. Currently, the church houses a permanent exhibition of Orava folk art, sculpture and painting, and occasionally organizes festive concerts.

The dam with its banks and islands is one of the most important locations for the occurrence of waterfowl in Slovakia, it lies on the migration route of waterfowl and waterfowl in a cross-border position near the border with Poland.

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Time: September 2025

Location: Oravská Priehrada, Orava River

This post contains very special moments during my visiting castle called Orava.

Orava Castle is an exhibition of the Orava Museum. It is one of the most beautiful castles in Slovakia and is located in the village of Oravský Podzámok. It is a prominent landmark of the Orava region, and is among the most important monuments of castle architecture in Slovakia.

The Orava Castle Cliff (part of the Orava Highlands), on which the Orava Castle rises above the Orava River and the village of Oravský Podzámok, has long been a fortified hillfort, protected from the north by a rocky massif and from the south by a semicircular earthen rampart. The highest part of the castle is 112 meters above the Orava River.

The castle hill was inhabited in prehistoric times.

In the mid-13th century, a brick castle was probably built here on the site of a wooden castle, which was first mentioned in writing in 1267, when King Belo IV. took it over from Mika Balaš in exchange for Žilina, Varín and Sučany and became royal property. In 1298, the castle belonged to the territory of Matúš Čák Trenčianský, after him it came into the hands of Magistrate Donč, in the 14th century of the monarch Charles Robert, later of other important nobles, for example the Count of the Chamber Leopold, Stibor of Stiborice and others. In the 15th century, the castle became the property of the monarch Matthias Corvinus, who carried out several measures for the security of the castle and the territory of Orava itself. In 1534, the castle was also acquired with the rank of county governor by Ján of Dubovec. After his death, the castle was managed by Václav Sedlnický, and from 1556 by František I. Turzo, who acquired it by purchasing it for 18,338 guldens for a long-term lease until the royal court reimbursed him for the costs incurred. Later, the castle was owned by his son Juraj VII. Turzo, who in 1606 acquired it as permanent and hereditary property by sword and distaff. Juraj Turzo had one son, Imrich, and 7 daughters.

In 1800, a fire broke out in the castle, probably because a spark jumped from the chimney, ignited the roof and from there the fire spread to the entire castle. Partial rescue work was carried out by František Ziči and in the years 1906–1912 the central part was restored by Jozef Pálfi. Repair and reconstruction work was also carried out on the castle at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. During World War II, German troops used the castle as an artillery observation post. After Soviet artillery fired a salvo of Katyusha rocket launchers at the building, the Germans decided not to risk damaging the monument and withdrew from the castle grounds. However, the extensive renovation of the entire castle was only undertaken between 1953 and 1968 (project by K. Chudomelka and K. Chudomelková, Stavoprojekt Bratislava, 1955), after which it became the dignified seat of the Orava Museum.

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Time: September 2025

Location: Oravský Hrad 1, 027 41 Oravský Podzámok

This post contains very special summer moments during my summer vacation with my sister and niece in area of Alanya, Turkey especially in Hotel called Hotel Q Aventura Park. Weather, people, culture, drinks and meals, ocean and sea were perfect during this season.

Alanya is a beach resort city, a municipality and district of Antalya Province, Turkey. It is on the southern coast of Turkey, in the country’s Mediterranean Region, 133 kilometres (83 mi) east of the city of Antalya. Its area is 1,577 km2, and its population is 364,180 (2022). The city proper has 189,222 inhabitants (2022).

Located on the Gulf of Antalya on the Anatolian coastal plain of Pamphylia, the town is situated between the Taurus Mountains to the north and the Mediterranean Sea, and is part of the Turkish Riviera, occupying roughly 70 kilometres (43 mi) of coastline. From west to east, the Alanya district is bordered by the Manavgat district along the coast, the mountainous Gündoğmuş inland, Hadim and Taşkent in the Province of Konya, Sarıveliler in the Province of Karaman, and the coastal Gazipaşa district. Manavgat is home to the ancient cities of Side and Selge. East of the city, the Dim River flows from the mountains in Konya on a south-west route into the Mediterranean.

Because of its natural strategic position on a small peninsula into the Mediterranean Sea below the Taurus Mountains, Alanya has been a local stronghold for many Mediterranean-based empires, including the Ptolemaic, Seleucid, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman Empires. Alanya’s greatest political importance came in the Middle Ages, with the Seljuk Sultanate of Rûm under the rule of Alaeddin Kayqubad I, from whom the city derives its name. His building campaign resulted in many of the city’s landmarks, such as the Kızıl Kule (Red Tower), Tersane (Shipyard), and Alanya Castle.

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Time: End od August – Septemeber 2025

Location: Okurcalar, Alanya, Turkey

This post contains very special moments during my 37. birthday´s celebrations with close family members, their presents, birthday´s cake, and at disco night club in Kamenec, Zemplínska Šírava.

A birthday is the anniversary of the birth of a person or figuratively of an institution. Birthdays of people are celebrated in numerous cultures, often with birthday gifts, birthday cards, a birthday party, or a rite of passage.

In certain parts of the world, an individual’s birthday is celebrated by a party featuring a specially made cake. Presents are bestowed on the individual by the guests appropriate to their age. Other birthday activities may include entertainment and a special toast or speech by the birthday celebrant. The last stanza of Patty Hill’s and Mildred Hill’s famous song, “Good Morning to You” (unofficially titled “Happy Birthday to You”) is typically sung by the guests at some point in the proceedings. In some countries, a piñata takes the place of a cake.

Please, dont hesitate to make one click at following URL link, which includes detailed photogallery of my happy 37. birthday celebrations:

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Time: August 2025

Location: Hažín nad Cirochou, Humenné County, Motel Kamenec – Zemplínska Šírava, Michalovce County

This post contains very special moments during my visiting ZOO Bojnice.

National Zoological Garden Bojnice is the oldest and most visited zoological garden in Slovakia. It was opened to the public on April 1, 1955. Its current area is 41 ha, of which more than half is the exhibition area. The zoo is located in the recreational area of ​​the spa town of Bojnice. National Zoo Bojnice is the only state zoological garden in Slovakia, its founder is the Ministry of the Environment of the Slovak Republic. As part of its activities, it exhibits live exhibits, breeds endangered species of animals, educates and influences the public in the field of the environment and biodiversity protection, manages the National Detention Center for confiscated and seized animals, professional staff actively cooperate with CITES authorities, the State Nature Conservation of the Slovak Republic, universities and many other professional organizations in the field of nature and environmental protection, ensures permanent care for handicapped animals as part of the operation of a rehabilitation station for injured rare animals from nature and, last but not least, provides visitors with relaxation and rest.

Bojnice National Zoo is a full member of important international organizations: WAZA (World Association of Zoos and Aquariums), EAZA (European Association of Zoos and Aquariums), UCSZOO (Union of Czech and Slovak Zoos), WAPCA (West African Primate Conservation Association), EEKMA (European Elephant Caregivers and Managers Association), IZE (International Association of Zoo Educators) and Species360 (International Zoo Animal Database).

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Time: August 2025

Location: Zámok a okolie 939/6, 972 01 Bojnice

This post contains special moments during my visiting Bojnice Castle this summer.

Bojnice Castle is a romantic castle with a partially preserved original Gothic and Renaissance castle foundation, it is the most beautiful castle in Slovakia. It is located in the Trenčín Region and lies on the western edge of the town of Bojnice. The castle is visible from most of Upper Nitra. It is built on a travertine rock and consists of an inner and outer castle with three courtyards. In 1970 it was declared a National Cultural Monument.

Archival records of the castle, or rather the hillfort located on this site, date back to the beginning of the 12th century. The first written mention of the castle is found in a document of the Zobor Abbey from 1113.

The original hillfort was wooden. It was not until the 13th century, when the castle belonged to the Poznan family (some sources state the name of the family as Hont-Poznanovci), that it was rebuilt into a stone castle. The first owners, whose names have been preserved in historical sources, were the sons of the nobleman Casimir from the Poznan family. At the end of the 13th century, the castle was acquired by Matúš Čák Trenčiansky, who was its owner until 1321.

Bojnice Castle currently has a romantic character, which can also be seen on the facade of the residential tower, which is very structured. Also, the openings in the walls, portals, walls, attics and various wrought iron details are typical of romantic architecture.

Currently, the castle is part of the Slovak National Museum. In 1970, it was declared a National Cultural Monument and is open to the public. In the 1950s, a cave was discovered under the castle.

Please, dont hesitate to make one click at following URL link which contains very special detailed photogallery for your deep interest as follows:

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Time: August 2025

Location: Zámok a okolie 1, 972 01 Bojnice