A Beautiful Surprise in Muránska Planina
Unexpectedly, my husband and I were asked if we were free this weekend. Outside of needing to visit the garden cottage, we were. So we were gifted a two-night stay in Muránska Planina National Park. We were invited on Thursday, and by Friday at 2 PM, we had packed our things and set off on this unexpected adventure.
Interestingly, we were just in this area three weeks ago with my husband’s family, in a village called Telgárt. It’s only ten minutes from where we’re staying now, but the landscape feels completely different. This place carries a quieter, more peaceful kind of beauty.
We arrived on Friday and, after a lovely complimentary dinner, took a walk to explore the area. We discovered a beautiful castle, now repurposed as a rehabilitation center. The grounds were stunning, and my husband and son stumbled upon a large chessboard and played for an hour. That was perfectly fine with me—it gave me time to walk around with my camera and soak in the surroundings.
Today, we went on a hike. We left at 10 in the morning and returned at 4 in the afternoon. Hiking with my family has become something I truly love. We’ve had more chances to do it recently, and it fills my heart with thankfulness and joy.
The destination for today’s hike was an abandoned castle built in the 1600s. I believe the original structure was even older, but a fire in the 1700s destroyed much of it and it was never rebuilt. The trail was 5 km each way, and I’m so thankful that hiking is no longer a struggle for me. It feels like such a gift to be able to move freely again and to enjoy something that used to be difficult.
We have one more night here before heading home tomorrow. This trip has been a wonderful and unexpected blessing. There’s something special about surprises that are spontaneous and unplanned.
Right now, my husband and son are enjoying the hotel pools and wellness center. I don’t get to join them this time, but I’m genuinely happy they can enjoy it. This has been a weekend to remember.
“The best adventures are often the ones we didn’t plan for. Sometimes the most meaningful beauty is found in the quiet places where God surprises us.”
This has been a weekend to remember—quiet, spontaneous, and full of beauty I didn’t know I needed. Sometimes it’s the unplanned moments that become the most meaningful, reminding me to hold plans loosely and keep my heart open to surprise.
Have you ever had a trip or a moment that came unexpectedly, yet ended up being exactly what your heart needed? I’d love to hear about it.
