22 Established 1961

Tuesday, February 18, 2020 Lifestyle Features

Orava Castle Forest Railway Orava Village Museum

he region of Orava lies in the north- property of royals and rich squires. The Enjoy a unique cruise on the Orava Dam hours dive in sulphurous-calcium-magne- Twestern part of , on the bor- Thurzos turned the castle into a today’s on comfortable boat that has a capacity of sium water with high iron content. From der with the . The border look. Their renovation of the building made 162 persons. Embarkation on Ship Orava is swimming pools as well as from all over the crossing in environs of the village Oravska the castle become one of very important in port No. 1 near Hotel Goral. During the swimming pool, it is a beautiful view of the Polhora is also the northernmost point of edifices of Renaissance period. In 1800 the voyage you will enjoy beautiful views of most beautiful peaks of the Western Tatras Slovakia. The axis of the region is the castle burnt down and was badly damaged. the Western Tatras and Babia Hora and - Rohace mountain ranges. Sports and Orava river. The last owner Jan Palffy had been rebuild- recognize Slanica Island of Art, where the relaxation pool offers a place for sports- Region possesses almost everything a ing the castle until he died. He focused on boat stops a makes a 25 minutes break. On tourist may wish. The mountain ranges collecting activity - he was buying the the boat there is a buffet with refreshments Mala Fatra, Chocske vrchy and above all objects presented in European auctions. He possibilities and toilets. Zapadne Tatry - Rohace are the paradise bequeathed a valuable collection based on Boat tour is ideal for school trips and as for hikers, cyclists and visitors. Lovers of natural surrounding with rich set of art and an enrichment of programs for corporate hiking like to climb the Rohace Mountain history objects. The last and most complex events, as well as trips for pensioners. It is and to the passes over the west Tatra ridge. renovation of the castle took place as late possible to pre-order meals, snack or folk Walks in environs of Oravice or ascents to as in 1953 -1968. music. The cruise lasts 1.5 hours including a the Babia hora or Velky Choc peaks are 25 minute break to Slanica Island of Art. also among the favorites. Orava Forest Railway Cruises take place from May until the end Oravsky Podzamok - area: Kubinska of October. Hola - region: Orava, Type of interest: National monuments AQUARELAX Dolny Kubin The unique technical monument of Dolny Kubin - area: Kubinska Hola - Orava Forest Railway is one of the very region: Orava Type of interest: few narrow-gauge switchback railways Aquaparks & Thermal swimming pools preserved to this day. Waterpark - AquaRelax Dolny Kubin is Its original purpose was to transport located in the center of Dolny Kubin in minded visitors who can swim here, while AQUARELAX Dolny Kubin timber from inaccessible mountainous ter- Orava region on the north of Slovakia. the second part of the pool with water rain, however, now it is one of the most Near the water park there are stadiums attractions is reserved for relaxing. popular tourist attractions of the Orava (football and winter), a playground with Artificial waves in thermal pool are great region. The sightseeing trains of Orava artificial grass, a ski resort Kubinska hola. water attraction in this thermal resort. Forest Railway depart from Tanecnik The dominant feature of the resort, Other water attractions of the relaxation Station, near the village of Oravska Lesna. Water World comes with water slides, part include the massage jets, massage The station is connected with the village whirlpools, massage showers and other benches and water mushroom. The length by a 6 km asphalt side-road. At the station, water attractions. On a glazed patio there of the swimming pool has a length of 25 free parking is provided. The train depot, is prepared plenty of sun deck chairs. The meters. train ticket office, souvenir shop, exhibition swimming pool area includes a large multi- You can find here also a children’s pool documenting the evolution of the railway, functional swimming pool, children’s pool with water mushroom and two children’s children playground or peacock are with a slide and relaxation pool with slides. Especially in bad weather you surely Orava dam Winter months in Orava are equally also located at the station. wheelchair access. For adrenaline there are appreciate the connection between several charming. Down-hill skiing in and After the ticket purchase, passengers 2 slides that are 40 and 71 meters or dou- outdoor pools with the inner ones. There its environs including Kubinska hola or take a seat on a motorized draisine pulled ble slide with a length of 12.7 meters. The are also bubble pools in the inner or cool- cross-country ski tracks through the by a motor locomotive. The train then waterpark Dolny Kubin features also ing pool. CafÈ, bistro, bar and plenty of sun Skorusinske vrchy and Oravska Magura starts a 15 - 20 minute ride to the peak sta- Children’s Paradise Fun Park with inflatable loungers are also part of the thermal park mountains provide an unforgettable expe- tion at the Beskyd Saddle, located 3 km attractions, playgrounds and slides. area. By entry you will get a chip bracelet, rience to skiers of Slovakia and from from the Tanecnik Station. Here, 935 which records how much consumption and abroad. Orava also has architectural mon- meters above the sea level, the train takes a Meander Thermal Park Oravice which serves to open the locker. You pay uments in every commune. The most valu- break and the passengers can enjoy the Oravice - area: Rohace, Thermal bath on departure. able of them is the Castle of Orava tower- magnificent view of Orava nature from a Oravice - region: Orava Type of interest: ing above the eponymous river. scenic tower. Goral Wooden Cottage host- Aquaparks & Thermal swimming pools Orava Village Museum Samples of old popular architecture can ing an exhibition dedicated to the Goral Meander Oravice Thermal Park is situ- Zuberec - area: Rohace, , Western be found in villages of Orava. They are also culture of Orava is also there to visit. Then, ated in the north of Slovakia in the Orava Tatras - region: Orava Type of interest: concentrates in the monument reserve of the train heads back to the valley. Duration region on the north-western outskirts of Open air museums and folk architecture popular architecture in Podbiel and Open- of the whole trip is 1 hour 10 minutes. the Western Tatras. It is located 6 km from Orava Village Museum in Zuberec Air Museum in Zuberec. The most impor- the center of the village Vitanova and 13 located in beautiful natural surroundings of tant samples of old sacral architecture are Sightseeing cruises on km from the Polish border. Rohace Mountains tries to illustrate a living wooden churches in Tvrdosin, Lestiny and Orava dam, Orava ship Water Park, where you can enjoy swim- of people in Orava region in the past. Istebne. The best place for recreation next Namestovo - area: Orava reservoir, ming pools with natural thermal water is Visitors can see more than 50 houses and to water is the dam Oravska priehrada. Orava Beskids, Slanicka Osada - region: open all year. Highly mineralized water ris- several other buildings of folk architecture. Orava, Type of interest: Sightseeing es from a depth of 1,611 meters. Houses are decorated and there are kept Orava Castle Cruises Vacationers can anytime of the year till late pets here and in the summer typical crops Oravsky Podzaamok - area: Kubinska are grown here, too. Hola - region: Orava, Type of interest: The museum is divided into five parts, Castles, chateaus, National monuments Meander Thermal Park Oravice which the form of settlements and villages Large and well-preserved castle is tow- are presented in. Towering above the ering on a steep limestone hill right by the whole village, the wooden Gothic church village at 112 meters over the level of the from the early 15th century is a real gem of river Orava, about 10 kilometers from the open-air museum. Orava Village Dolny Kubin. The castle is a national cul- Museum is open to visitors year round. ture heritage. During the tourist season (summer and Orava Castle, before the center of Orava winter) various interesting programs are area, was founded in the 13th century on held in its area. the place of older settlement. The oldest historical notes of it come back to the year before 1235 when it had been the king’s property. Orava Castle together with the surrounded Orava lands were alternately

in Xin and Shuan Shuan are the main vulnerable species. Xattractions at the Chapultepec in As Ying Ying and Pe Pe arrived in Xin Xin, a female (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) born in captivity in Mexico City but what makes them Mexico before China changed its policy, Mexico, rests at the in Mexico City. — AFP photos truly unique, zoo officials say, is that Xin Xin and Shuan Shuan will stay in they’re the only giant pandas in the world Mexico. “With that, Mexico became the not owned by China. They were born in first country outside of China to have had captivity in Mexico and although they have a successful natural reproduction of pan- Chinese names, “they belong to Mexico,” das outside their natural habitat, in cap- Rafael Tinajero, a manager at the zoo, told tivity conditions,” said Tinajero. He said AFP. Many young pandas born abroad in eight more pandas were born in Mexico captivity are later repatriated to China, between 1980 and 1990 but only four of where the species originates. those survived. Giant pandas typically But Xin Xin and Shuan Shuan, with their live until about 20 in the wild and 30 in plump bodies and tender expressions, will captivity. They average around 100-115 be staying put. They are the last in the line kilograms (220-250 pounds) and adults of a panda couple-Ying Ying and Pe Pe- stand between 1.2 to 1.9 meters (4-6 feet) loaned to Mexico by the Chinese govern- tall. Males can weigh as much as 160 ment in 1975. Since 1980, China has oper- kilograms. — AFP ated a different policy in which it only lends pandas for a short time and in return for a payment towards wild panda conser- Shuan Shuan holds a stick Shuan Shuan born in captivity in Mexico, drinks water at the Chapultepec zoo. vation efforts. The panda is considered a at the Chapultepec zoo.