In Slovakia, May 1st is Labor Day—and this year, it gave us the perfect long weekend.

My school also took Friday off (for a teacher work day or something like that), and while I usually have Fridays off, it was a surprise to find the whole school was closed. That meant the weekend wasn’t just extended for me—but for everyone—and it couldn’t have come at a better time.

A Long-Anticipated Trip

My husband and I had been talking about taking a short getaway—just the two of us—for a while now, and this weekend finally made it possible.

We considered going over the May 8th holiday, but I’m so thankful we went earlier. The weather last week felt like summer—sunny, warm, and everything you’d hope for on a spring trip.

We headed to Banská Štiavnica, a quiet, historic town two hours north of Bratislava. That distance also means cooler temperatures, so catching a warm spell was a true gift. It reached 25°C (77°F), and even a jean jacket felt too warm—my kind of weather!

A Weekend to Reconnect

Our only goal was to spend time together and have deep, unrushed conversations—and we did just that.

After over a decade of marriage, these kinds of weekends don’t feel like a honeymoon, but they do feel precious. It was slow, sweet, and full of space to be ourselves again without distractions.

Even though I visit Banská Štiavnica every year, I still manage to discover something new each time. For such a small town, it holds a surprising amount of charm and beauty.

Where We Stayed

We stayed in a lovely apartment connected to a pasta restaurant—and it was full of character.

The rooms were spacious and warm, filled with art and cozy touches. One of my favorite parts was that the apartment opened into the restaurant’s courtyard, which made it feel like we were staying inside a tucked-away gem.

We had dinner there Thursday night and were happy with our choice. The food was delicious, and we loved how many great spots there were to eat in town. Breakfast was another highlight. And of course, I loved finding all the tucked-away bars and cafés.

Hiking, Wandering, and Finding Butterflies

On Friday, I suggested a hike—and I didn’t hold back. We climbed all the way to one of the highest points in town. It was stairs after stairs after stairs… but so worth it.

At the top, we were greeted by sunshine and butterflies—so many different kinds. It made the whole effort feel even more rewarding.

That evening, Luboš worked on his sermon for Sunday while I sorted through my photos from the day—my favorite way to wind down after time outside.

Slow Saturday and the Road Home

Saturday was slower—we shopped a little, wandered, and enjoyed the sun.

We went back to the same breakfast spot because it was that good, and later we split a sandwich for lunch. On the way home, we took a forest road on a whim and stumbled across an abandoned pond, once part of a mining system.

We laid a blanket down in a meadow and rested in the quiet before heading to pick up Augustin from his grandparents. It was the perfect way to end the trip.

“Some weekends don’t need anything extraordinary to be unforgettable—just quiet time, sunshine, and someone to share it with.”