Sightseeing in the Orava (Arwa) region

9.7.20

We are not in the mood for high performance. After yesterday's effort, we need to take it easy today. That's why we're taking a sightseeing trip by car, with a focus on culture. A view from our balcony into the morning sun strengthens our resolve.
First, we head to the open-air museum of an Arwa village, which is about 3 km from Zuberec. Here, typical wooden houses were collected. There are barns, crafts shops, and a church to visit. A mountain stream flows through the village. Everything looks very romantic. Ducks, sheep, meadows, and vegetable gardens make it all seem real.

Next, we want to visit the Arwa reservoir near the Polish border.

We drive along it in search of a restaurant for our lunch. In the process, we overlook a road sign and, even though there isn't really a proper town here, we are caught speeding by the police and have to pay 40 €. It's just not our day today! We are also put off our lunch.

We leave the reservoir and drive to Tvrdosin. Here, in the middle of a cemetery, there is another historic wooden church from the first half of the 15th century. Very pretty!

On our way, we finally find a restaurant where we can have a typical Slovak meal: a hearty bowl dish with dumplings, sauerkraut, sausage, and bacon pieces; spicy and nutritious.

The last stop is Podbiel in the Orava Valley. Along the noisy main road, there is a row of beautiful Arwa log houses that are inhabited.

Along the way, we pass through small villages where traditional wooden houses can still be found amidst newer ones.

Then we've had enough for today. We drive back to Zuberec, have a coffee with pastries in the village, and relax in our guesthouse.