Side trips

Day 10

For the final day an excursion to Strečno has been prepared for you. The village lies approximately 10 km from Žilina on the road to Martin. Near the village is a very attractive destination for tourists, Strečno castle, built in the 14th century. There is an exhibit by the Váh Region Museum at the castle and an unparalleled view of the Malá Fatra range and the Strečnianska Úžina (Strečno Narrows) from it. Opening hours: May and June - 9.00 AM - 5.00 PM; July, August and September: 9.00 AM - 6.00 PM. Museum of the Castle History Tel.: +421 041/5697 400

• Above the village of Strečno is the Zvonica peak, on which there is a memorial to French partisans who fell in the 1944 uprising. At the end of August of each year wreathes are laid here.

From Strečno you can continue on to see Terchová, returning to the times of Juraj Jánošík (the Slovak Robin Hood). If you want to shorten your journey by 25 km, a recommendation is to use the local ferry, which crosses the Váh River between Strečno and Terchová. The ferry operates in the summer months (April-September) from 7.00 AM to 9.00 PM and in the winter months (September-April) from 8.00 AM - 5.00 PM. Tel.: +421 041/ 569 74 30