Farma pod Vlciu

When you’re just chasing simple pleasures like strolling in the forest and reconnecting with nature, you can do exactly that directly from your pitch. You can also go hiking in the hills around Vígl’ašská Huta-Kalinka (20 minutes’ drive), or up the adrenaline levels with a go on the challenging via ferrata climbing course above the Hron river (40 minutes). To slow the pace somewhat, there’s an outdoor swimming complex in Hriňová (half an hour) with gorgeous woodland views and a playground. If you fancy a day of urban exploring, Banská Bystrica (55 minutes) has a handsome baroque-era centre; its central square is lined with cafés and overlooked by a pastel-hued (and leaning) clock tower. Close by is a medieval castle with city views from its ramparts and the Museum of the Slovak National Uprising, telling the story of 20th-century Slovak history in a Brutalist-style building. Banská Bystrica is also the gateway to hiking and mountain biking in the Low Tatras National Park, as well as skiing at resorts like Šachtičky (both around an hour).