Nice unknown places in Slovakia

I'm looking for some places to go in Slovakia this winter for about a month of low-key alone time. I want to x-country ski, hike, read some books etc. Will be in the central area starting out around Banska Stiavnica. Already been to Zilina.

If anyone can anyone recommend some smallish Slovak cities/towns with interesting history and most importantly cozy hostels, please let me know ... thx!

I watched an interesting documentary on the satellite teli last night about hostels in Slovakia - it was quite an eye opener. You can probably rent the documentary at the video store as well. I think it was called, appropriately, Hostel

Was expecting someone might throw that out. Funny how Tarentino made Krumlov look so scary.

Zvolen? Not very small though. Bardejov? Very nice, but maybe a bit too small. If you have a month, you can spend the first week just driving between the towns and choosing.

thx chucha, Bardejov looks very nice. I love medieval towns. I wonder if the spas are running in december

Small is good ... want to read some books ... Noticed Zvolen on wiki, it looks interesting too, and situated near Banská Štiavnica.

Know of any good hostels in these two cities? I'm researching hostels ...

I would watch the movie "Hostel" before going any unknown places in Slovakia

I know the Slovaks were in general a bit pissed about the movie, but it's cool that such a movie would scare some people off! F'rinstance my beloved slasher-movie aficionado auntie who would be hard pressed to discern Slovakia from Somalia on a map. If she ever makes it over, I will kidnap her and take her to krumlov, muahahaha.

Do you speak Slovak? Or some other Slavic language? I'm not sure towns like Bardejov would have a hostel, but you can definitely find a good B&B or a homestay. As I understand, you don't want any real ski resorts, right? There it would be a bit simpler for accommodation. I've asked my husband (a Slovak), and he says, just take a car, choose an approximate region, and drive around until you find a place you like. It won't take long

Enjoy your trip, Slovakia is a very nice country. I'm going there for New Year's.

I don't speak a Slavic language yet but seemed to do OK in Zilina. I'm looking for nice cities that are not so well known and not yet so crowded with tourists. Not so interested atm in ski resorts, but rather backcountry/xcountry/hiking as I've broken some important bones snowboarding in colorado & just want to chill out on the snow, What a concept, eh? I'm thinking of opening an artists retreat in the next year and doing some "research" in the region (as if one needs a reason to get out and travel ).

Thx for the advice and happy new year to you in Slovakia.