He's now retired, but I'm sure he knows an authoritative person to take his place. He specialized in CZ/SK genealogy. Worth a couple bucks for a phone call.
Duncan B. Gardiner, Ph.D., C.G., A.G.
(Certified Genealogist, Accredited Genealogist)
12961 Lake Avenue, Lakewood, Ohio 44107 USA
(216) 221-9460

The D1, a very nice (and empty) autobahn, goes north past Bratislava then curves east to Levoca, a nice town near Hranovnica. Alternatively you could go to Budapest, then to Eger, then north into Slovakia on a lightly traveled 2 lane road.

e-mail to: duncan@en.com

or

http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/tour-guide-in-slovakia.cfm

I looked at the map for Slovakia and it's hard to tell what kind of road goes out from Budapest towards Propad the fastest and safest way. Slovakia looks very mountainous and just wondering approximately how long a drive would take from Budapest through Eger?

Also, thanks for the suggestion for the genealogist. I would like to look at the birth records in the village of Hranovnica. I think my grandmother left her brother there and went to the U.S. with her cousin, aunt and uncle. Just an interesting thing to look into.

A word of caution: pay attention to speed limits both on the highways and in town, especially in towns, in Slovakia. We were stopped just entering a small town, supposedly speeding, and were pulled over and given a ticket and ordered to pay in cash on the spot. We were about 6th in a line or cars that had been pulled over and the ticket was pre-printed with the "offense" and the amount of the fine. It seemed to be a speed trap, but there's no recourse but to pay, in euro, whatever they demand. So watch the signs (everywhere!) and carry enough cash for possible tickets and for toll roads.

artsyoma, we did this drive a few months back in reverse. We were in Zakopane, Polnd and drove down to Levoca and the Spis castle and then onwards to Eger to spend a night. The region is hilly but we found it to be a very easy and beautiful drive through the countryside. We often passed through horse-carts and quaint villages which added to the fun. From Eger was a quick drive to Budapest the next day. If you are able to spend a night in Eger, I would recommend it. Else the drive might feel a little too long for one day.

Artsyoma-where are you from? if I'm familiar with your area, perhaps I could compare SK's hills to those you're familiar with.

I found most of the driving in SK fairly flat. When heading east on that D1 autoway, all of a sudden a few miles away the Tatra mountains pop up. I don't recall many/any real foothills on the autoway. In a way it was strange, driving on a flat road and seeing a spikey mountain 5-10 miles away.

As I recall, the trip from Budapest to Eger was about 1-1/2 hours. Maybe 3-1/2 hours from Eger to Levoca

Will you be able to communicate with a village official? Probably no one there will speak English.

Thanks, shoonye, for your description of the drive down to Budapest. It sounds very encouraging. Also, tomboy, thanks for your input also. I think we might have connections through friends that can get intouch with someone in Propad who can be our translator for the geneaological records; if not, then I have someone at centroconsult who might help. By the way, we live in the westcoast of the U.S., but I was concerned that the road from Propad to Budapest might be slow and winding with steep drop-offs. What is the number of the good road via Eger? We will be driving from Holland and back again. My husband is used to driving in Europe, since he is Dutch. Thanks for the info! Any other suggestions are welcomed.

The expressway from Levoca west to (forget name) and then south to Bratislava, and from there to Budapest, is at least as good as is it I-5 from LA to SF. But with 1% as much traffic. Not a steep dropoff in the entire stretch. The country from Levoca/Poprad to Budapest is not as hilly as the area from Santa Barbara to Monterey. More like eastern Montana on I-80, or Nebraska, or western Pennsylvania.

Now, driving downhill from St. Moritz, Switzerland, I will never attempt again. So, tell hubby, I know his fear!!! And he has no cause in Slovakia. He's got to get off the expressway to find any dropoffs.

I use viamichelin.com for tour mapping. Try this:

http://www.viamichelin.com/web/Itineraires?strStartLocid=31NDNhN2ExMGNORGt1TURVM01UST1jTWpBdU16QTBOamM9&strDestLocid=31NDFkY2sxMGNORGN1TkRrNE5ERT1jTVRrdU1EUXdOelk9&intItineraryType=1&caravaneHidden=false&vh=CAR&strVehicle=0&itineraryCarType=0&itineraryFuelType=0&isFavoriseAutoroute=false&isAvoidPeage=false&isAvoidVignette=false&isAvoidLNR=false&isAvoidFrontiers=true&dtmDeparture=18%2F01%2F2011&distance=km&devise=1.0|EUR&indemnite=&carbCost=1.3&autoConso=6.8&villeConso=6&routeConso=5.6

To Tomboy: Thanks again for the help. I used the Michelin website and it is great. I like that there are different options to any route and you can print it out! As far as moutain driving is concerned---it's me who sometimes gets anxious on steep winding switchbacks!

I will post another question on a different subject soon. Thanks, artsyoma

Artsyoma:

have driven numerous times, through most of Poland and Czechoslvakia (pre-1993 and Slovakia 1993 onward). Once you're into the Tatras, it becomes mountain driving driving...like driving toward Big Bear and Arrowhead in SoCal. Poprad and vicinity..as suggested above, fairly flat.
Ran into a severe snowstorm in mid-March 1990...treacherous, no plows, no salt, etc.

If your family is Jewish, I strongly suggest contacting the JGS (Jewish Genealogical Society for information regarding Hranovnica and your grandma's family name. I have spoken to more than a dozen JGS meetings around Canada and USA, and I was one of their keynote speakers at their 2003 International Conference in Washington, DC. Their research sources are impeccable and astoundingly detailed. If not, hope you can get in touch with Tomboy's excellent suggestion.

Here's some Wiki stuff on Hranovnica:

http://spis.eu.sk/hranovnica/en/fotogaleria/2.html

http://www.nizketatry.com/mapy/raj/raj.html

http://www.slovenskyraj.sk/mapy/hranovnica/hranovnica.html

I have numerous scanned pix of my travels thru CR and Slovakia and I'd be happy to share if you're interested.

Stu Tower (I live n L.A.... rozstu1@aol.com)

Artsyoma:

Her are some scanned pix taken at Vaclav Havel's historic press conference the day before he was to host the President of Slovakia for the first time, in March '93...the countries split three months prior....yes, we "crashed" the conference!

http://picasaweb.google.com/stuarttower/Havel93#5225526721958793794

artsy...I saw your new thread...it is not a different subject per se...it still deals with Levoca, Poprad and vicinity and your planned trip there...keeping it on this one thread will be much more effective for you.

Tower: Thanks for the suggestions. I will take a look at your photos. I'm pretty sure my grandmother was a Catholic, but I think I have "Jewish hair" ha ha. Who knows! Anyway, yes we do live in So-Cal area, but I just didn't want to go for hours and hours on a scarry mountain road in the middle of Slovakia. I'm new at this forum, but I like getting the feedback from people in the know. Thanks again!

arts; Listen to 'tower'. Actually, he could tell you where to stop and get 'doughnuts and coffee'. That's how well he knows the area.

Dick...fact is, it's dark week-old pumpernickel bread, lard, homemade sugary jam and potent black coffee in Slovakia.

Artsy: I've been around this planet for nearly 82 years, and i have never heard the expression "Jewish hair"...can you illuminate please? Thanks.

stu

Dear Tower: My mother was Navajo Indian and all my siblings got smooth straight dark hair---I have very wavy medium brown hair like my dad. I was always asked why I didn't get straight hair like my mom. My hair is very similar to Albert Einstein and I just call it my Jewish Hair. I suspect that when I visit Hranovnica, most people will have the wavy/curly hair in the village. By the way, I hope it wasn't offensive. I should be more careful on Forums! Sorry. :0}

I should be more careful on Forums

good idea...actually it's a good idea wherever you go or whatever you do.

Artsyoma, Stu is "the man" when it comes to this area, I assure you, he can probably negotiate the roads without a map. Since he actually is Jewish, I'm sure he accepts your apology, but as you negotiate your way through Fodors Talk Fora (as well as venues in Eastern Europe), I'd recommend a tad more diplomacy upfront will surely garner you positive travel experiences further down the road.

Best wishes,
BC

Hey BC; Did you say stu is 'Stan the Man'. No way. He is a has been, 82 [almost] year old baseball player. But he does know the area. Artsyoma; Stay with us, as we are just having a bit of fun. Knowing stu, he has accepted you apology and I'm not sure if that was needed. Let's get back on track. Tomboy, stu and others have helped you, so keep asking questions. Richard

Richard, no, I didn't say that Stu Tower is "Stan the Man". He's a good guy and a veteran traveler who knows eastern european roads the way I know the route to my ATM. However, I'd like to see all posters, old and new, to give him (and any other posters here) due deference and respect, and know that references to religions in an off-handed way might not be appreciated by the people who are best able to help you. I'm not saying don't joke a bit or take a light-hearted tone, but it might be useful to know just who you're joking with, and how they might take it.

Stan the Man is someone who's considerably older than Stu Tower. He may have as many stories as Stu, but I bet he doesn't tell them the way our Stu does!

BC

Thanks guys. I knew right after I wrote the "hair thing" and pressed "submit" it was a mistake. Like I said, I'm a newbie with forums. I do FB, but that's with people who understand my silliness, etc. I can see where Stu is coming from; since, I have been tagged a halfbreed my whole life. Everyone has something going on. I personally deal with the term "retarded" since I take care of my disabled 27 year old daughter; so No body Better Say That! J/k. I am currently putting out feelers to meet up with a Slovakian native in the area of Propad. My husband and I are pretty adventerous even without the language abilities.

artsyoma: I took a copy of my family tree when I met 2nd cousins in Slovakia. It made up a little bit for the non-communication (grand-daughter spoke pigeon-English, grand-parents[my generation] spoke no English).

In looking up something to help you, I came across a website written by a European cyclist describing a ride thru Eastern Slokakia, wherein he described Hranovnica as being "full of gipsies". No offense meant to any gypsies out there (on my part).

Tomboy: Thanks for the suggestions. I will bring some photos;but, unfortunately, I only have one of my Slovakian grandmother which is the photo on her naturization document. I will bring some of my dads photos because I think he looks like her more than his dad. My grandparents and 20 year old aunt were killed in an auto accident and the people nearby looted everything from their car, including all photos. I also learned that there are still quite a few people in the village with her maiden name of Barborka. The researcher told me that it is quite common in that area. It would be interesting to see that website you mentioned. I would send you my e-mail address---but I am little nervous about that at this point as a new person. Also, I have the address to the Archives in Levoca where the birth records are stored (also from the nice researcher) and I will write them. They have an e-mail address and I'm sure someone can read English. Keep the info coming! Thanks!

http://www.gyorgyigabor.hu/Szlovak_turaajanlo_eng.html

Tomboy: Thanks for the website. The scenery is very beautiful and it looks like a lot of villages along the routes. I printed out info that you have given. I may even give the genealogist a call. My favorite tool that you recommended was the Michelin map site! I have a website for the town of Hranovnica which is: www.hranovnica.sk which is helpful. Thanks for not giving up on me.

Hey bookchick; A clarification. When tower said 'I have never heard the expression Jewish Hair, can you illuminate Please? Thanks'. Stu e-mailed me and asked if that comment was appropiate. He was concerned. I said absolutely was appropiate. About a has been, I thought he would post back and call me a has been BB player. We had been doing a little playfull kidding and that will stop. Not fair to the poster. Sorry 'arts', I appology for the imposition on your post. Richard

Artsy..the reason there have not been many different responders to your question is simple. Very few members have visited Slovakia. Tomboy's responses I'm sure are very helpful..but don't expect too many more. I'll add a suggestion for you. While in or near Poprad doing your genealogical exercises, you might take a short, easy drive north into the start of the Tatras.

The village of Stary(Old)Smokovec, for example, boasts a century-old establishment that is certainly worth looking at...even for lunch or stay a night or two. We stayed there a number of years ago, and it indeed, is a look at the grandeur of the region well over a century ago (early 1900's). There are many walking/hiking paths in and around the resort village and the hotel. The views of the High Tatras are dramatic.

http://accommodation.travelslovakia.sk/accommodation-in-hotel-grand-stary-smokovec.php?accommodation=grand_stary_smokovec

stu tower

Thanks Stu for the website. This will give me great tools to work with. We love the outdoors, especially mountainous areas, so this will be something we would visit. We will travel with my mother-in-law from Holland and also our disabled daughter, but we always seem to be able to navigate through Europe. Looking forward to visiting some of the World Heritage sites and ancient villages. Thanks!

I don't know if you're interested in them, but in a semicircle maybe 10 miles east of Bardejoy there are about 20-30 historic wooden churches. Centuries old. The tourist info office in Bardejoy has a map available showing how to get to them. Not far from Poprad.

@tomboy: Yes. It sounds wonderful. I also have been busy using the website: genforum.genealogy.com There are so many helpful people on there! They said I don't have to travel to Levoca to do research of family records; I can get it from the family history centers of the mormon church--anyone can use it. One person even got names of Barborkas in Hranovnica and the nearby area. Along the way, I am learning some slovakian vocabular too: krsteni, sobeseni and zomeli.

We will take our time seeing the area of Propad and the Tatras. Thanks for the suggestions. Gloria

@Stu: Hi Stu. I have a question about an old village name from the early 1900s. Do you happen to know what the current name is for the village/town called Kronalitza? My grandmother listed Kronalitza, Szepes, Hungary as her birth place on her naturalization papers dated 1941;but, she listed Szepesveghely (Hranovnica, Slovakia) as her birthplace/or maybe just her last address on her ships manifest. Since we are going out to Slovakia soon, just wanted to get things figured out. Thanks, Gloria

ttt

gloria...the nearest I could tell from my 1896 maps of the Poprad region, about 5 kms NW of what is today Hranovnica. the town with a Hungarian name which is now Spissky Stiavnik was centered among two clusters of very small villages...one of which could have been Kronalitza prior to 1918. That's the best I can do for you. Best to just go and ask a lot of questions...would be great to get to know someone who has done historical research in the area. I have no one to recommend, however. You will have a wonderful
trip.
stu

should have said ""one of which could have been Kronalitza after 1918."

@Stu: Thanks for your help. In the meantime, someone on the Slovakian Genforum probably figured out the puzzle about Kronalitza. They think it was most likely a miscomunication/misspelling of the name Hranovnica which to the ears of the person who helped my grandmother fill out her naturalization papers probably sounded like "Kronalitza". We are all getting very excited about our adventure to Slovakia and will visit Krakow also and hopefully visit Auschwitz before we travel down into Poprad as our base. From Slovakia, we will travel to Budapest, stay two days, and then off to Linz, Austria, to visit my husband's cousins. Thanks for your help! Gloria

Gloria..tha does sound likely.

Gloria..tha does sound likely.

@Everyone interested in Slovakia: It's getting close to my first visit to Slovakia. I am trying to learn some simple words in Slovak so I can be polite. Also, I found my family! It is a big family--mostly in the Poprad/Hranovnica area. I will get to meet them on the 19th of May. They are actually pretty closely related. They are descendants of my grandmother's older brother Matej who died in WWI. They even have some old photos of my father's family sent from the U.S. I have been communicating online and getting photos of them too. I never expected to have so much information and they will also have someone act as a translator during our stay and show us the sights. Can't get better than that!

Hi folks: My trip to Slovakia was absolutely spectacular! The scenery was beautiful, well preserved and ancient. My relatives were the best! We had an interpreter and also a guide which the family provided. The family even had a welcoming banquet arranged for us. I would definitely return. I felt completely safe and our B&B was wonderful. Thanks for all your input. Gloria

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