While first time hiking in the Little Fatra Mountains several years ago, my daughter and I popped into the castle of Strečno which perches on a limestone rock at the outlet of the Váh gorge, near the Slovak city of Žilina.

We spent an hour inside the walls of the castle and were pleased although the tour was guided, which is not what we actually prefer. A visit to the castle can be enhanced with a ride across the River Váh on an old ferry and a pint of great Slovak lager (or a glass of wine, often served hot).