Trace family names through parish registers, village visits and conversations with locals on this private seven-day genealogy tour based in Košice. Practical, private, and built around archival searches, it pairs cultural discovery with gentle travel through the Carpathian foothills.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
You arrive in Košice and the city’s stone streets feel like a map of futures and pasts. The tour begins with a drive through fold after fold of the Carpathian foothills, small rivers daring you to slow down and old farmsteads that still wear the marks of a different century.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
7 days
Fitness Level
Suitable for most travelers able to handle several hours of walking on uneven village streets and multiple travel days.
Wildlife
History
Large waves of Slovak emigration to the Americas occurred in the late 19th and early 20th centuries; many parish registers from that era survive in local churches and municipal archives.
Conservation
Tourism can strain small villages—support local businesses, ask before photographing private property, and leave archival materials as you found them.
Reserve your spot on the Slovakia Ancestry Private Tour for 2 people minimum today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Bring original documents
Carry birth, marriage or emigration records (or clear copies) — they speed archive searches and lead to more accurate results.
Respect religious sites
Dress modestly and ask before photographing inside churches; many records are accessed through parish offices.
Plan airport logistics
Book arrival to Košice or Poprad and confirm pickup times—rural village access can require extra driving time.
Allow flexible time for research
Record searches and conversations often take longer than expected; leave buffer days if you need deep archival work.
Original documents and copies
Essential for archival searches and quickly locating records tied to surnames and villages.
Comfortable walking shoes
Sturdy soles are useful on cobbled lanes, churchyards and farm tracks.
Layered clothing and rain shell
Protects against variable mountain weather and sudden showers across seasons.
Portable charger and local SIM or eSIM
Keeps phone, photos and translation apps working during long drives or remote village stops.