Headed for Slovakia

Laura and I travel to Smolenice, Slovakia today to join our American and Slovak families in celebration of Laura's parents 50th wedding anniversary.

There are 15 or so American and 30 or so Slovak relatives who will gather for weekend long events. The American clan will stay at the house that Laura's parents own and may be seen at www.penzion-agnes.sk/en/ The house has been in the family for some 300 years and was totally renovated (imperceptibly from the outside) in 2008. Six bedrooms, 4 baths and lots of room to roam around both in and out side.

Thirty minutes from Bratislava, two hours drive from Vienna, this central location will serve as a place to relax, connect to family and see some of Eastern Europe.

My favorite thing to do is to stay for a few days at a near-by spa in Piestany. An old world facility situated on a small island in the middle of a river that flows by on either side. The river and Island supply the spa with thermal waters, heated healing mud and various minerals used to restore health. Massage, baths, you know the drill. Best of all it is very civilized and Eastern European which means the bar is always open, the afternoon teas feature Viennese pastries so you get to set the body back to normal after purifying it all day long. Makes no sense, right? Try it, it makes absolute sense. As Mark Twain said, "how do you know you have had enough if you have never had too much".

While the Slovak culinary experience is some what forgettable, that all changes when Laura and I arrive and hit the local butcher, veggie and bread markets all within walking distance of the house. Ah, the village life! More from Slovakia including some recipes.