Let's begin our journey with places where history and nature form an unusual combination. The first of these is the Monastery Museum in Červený Kláštor (Red Monastery), picturesquely located on the banks of the Dunajec River. This 14th-century Carthusian complex hides a fascinating history that dates back to 1319, when magister Cocos of Brezovica founded the first monastery. The name 'Red Monastery' comes from the distinctive color of the tiles with which the buildings were covered. Particularly interesting is the figure of Brother Cyprian - a legendary monk-shepherd who, according to local legends, could fly on a self-made winged apparatus. In the museum you can admire priceless manuscripts, including the famous 'Brother Cyprian's Herbarium' containing descriptions of more than 300 species of medicinal plants from the Pieniny and Tatra regions.

Just a dozen kilometers away, in the Tatra Basin, is Bielańska Cave - a true underground natural wonder. Discovered in 1881 by gold prospectors, the cave delights with its wealth of stalactite forms. The 1,370-meter-long tourist route features spectacular stalactites, stalagmites and unique cave lakes. The temperature inside remains constant at about 5-6°C, which creates a specific microclimate, also used for medicinal purposes for respiratory diseases. The cave is home to several species of bats, which can sometimes be observed during a visit. An interesting fact is that in 1934, the first underground classical music concert in Central Europe was held in one of the cave's chambers.

Rounding out the region's historical gems is the monumental Stara Lubovna Castle, towering over the town of the same name. This 13th-century fortress played a key role in the history of Poland and Hungary, being for a time the repository of the Polish crown jewels during the Swedish Deluge of 1655-1661. The castle also witnessed the meeting of the Polish King John III Sobieski with Emperor Leopold I in 1683, when Sobieski was heading to the relief of Vienna. Today, after extensive restoration, visitors can tour the castle chambers with authentic furniture and furnishings, climb the observation tower and learn the secrets of medieval torture in the executioner's chamber. At the foot of the castle is an open-air museum with traditional buildings of the Spiš region, including a unique wooden church from Matysova dating back to 1833. Local legend has it that on moonless nights the ghost of the White Lady - the unhappily in love daughter of one of the owners, who threw herself from the castle tower - appears on the castle walls.

The Polish-Slovak border region is a paradise for lovers of mountain hiking and spectacular views. One of the lesser-known but worth discovering places is Mala Babia Gora (1,517 meters above sea level), located in the Beskid Zywiecki range. Unlike its more famous sister, Babia Gora (1,725 meters above sea level), known as the 'Queen of the Beskids,' Mala Babia Gora remains in the shadows, but offers equally magnificent views with far fewer tourists. The peak has a fascinating geological history - it is part of a flissile mountain range that was formed some 25-30 million years ago during Alpine uplift movements. The red trail leading to the summit leads through picturesque beech forests, which shimmer in all shades of gold and red in autumn. The summit offers a panorama that includes not only the Polish Beskids, but also the Slovak Tatras and the distant ranges of Mala and Veľká Fatra.

Local shepherds have passed down from generation to generation the legend of sleeping knights hidden inside the mountain, who are supposed to wake up when the homeland is in the greatest danger. According to another story, the name 'Babia Gora' comes from the witches (babas) who were supposed to meet here during Sabbaths. While hiking, look out for unique subalpine vegetation, including rare species such as the strong toadstool and the sawbell.

Let's now move on to one of the most spectacular yet little-known sites in Slovakia - Obrovska Brana in the Súľovské skaly nature reserve. This monumental rock gate, resembling a giant triumphal arch carved by nature, is the result of millions of years of erosion of specific limestone rocks called conglomerates. This formation is about 13 meters high and is one of the most photogenic places in the entire Sulovske Rocks range. The geological history of the site dates back 60 million years, when marine sediments were uplifted and subjected to water, wind and changing temperatures.

The hike to Obrovska Brana takes you through a picturesque gorge, where you can admire dozens of other fanciful rock formations resembling characters from fairy tales - towers, needles and rock mushrooms. A local legend tells of a giant who fell in love with the daughter of a local ruler. When the ruler did not agree to their union, the giant in anger struck a rock with his fist, creating a gate through which he and his beloved escaped. For rock climbers, the surrounding crags are a paradise with more than 600 climbing routes of varying difficulty. It is worth knowing that the best time to visit is early spring or late autumn, when the colors of nature further enhance the beauty of the rock formations, and there are fewer tourists on the trails.

Water is an integral part of the landscape of the Polish-Slovak borderland, creating places of extraordinary charm. One such treasure is Vodopád v doline Červené Piesky, located in a picturesque valley in the Liptov region. This cascading waterfall, although not one of the largest (it is about 15 meters high), impresses with its natural beauty and surroundings untouched by mass tourism. The red coloration of the rocks, which gives the valley its name ('Red Sands'), is the result of the high content of iron oxides in the local geological formations. The waterfall is particularly spectacular in the spring, during the snowmelt, when the mass of water flowing down from the mountains creates an impressive spectacle of nature.

The valley also hides traces of ancient settlement - remnants of 19th-century iron ore mines, which for decades formed the basis of the region's economy. According to local legends, robbers hid in the caves surrounding the valley, among them the famous Juraj Jánošík - the Slovak equivalent of Robin Hood, who in the 18th century took from the rich and gave to the poor. Legend has it that some of his treasures still lie somewhere near the waterfall. For nature lovers, the valley is a true paradise - you can find rare plant species such as stemless thistle and dotted gentian, and observe shy mountain chamois.

At the end of our journey, we move to one of the most beautiful corners of the High Tatras - the White Water Valley (Bielovodská dolina). This vast valley, which is the longest in the entire Tatra Mountains (about 10 km), impresses with the diversity of its landscape - from gentle meadows to rugged high mountain surroundings. The history of the place is as fascinating as its nature. In the 19th century, the valley was a center of mining and metallurgy - copper and iron ores were mined here, as evidenced by the remains of old mine shafts. Later, until World War II, traditional shepherd farms operated here, with hundreds of sheep grazing on the pastures.

The White Water Valley is a true treasure trove of biodiversity - almost all Tatra animal species can be found here, including brown bears, marmots and golden eagles. The flora also impresses with its richness - from rare alpine species to endemic plants found only in the Tatras. Particularly noteworthy are the Glade below Wysoka and the Great White Pond - one of the most beautiful Tatra lakes, located at an altitude of 1,615 meters above sea level. According to highland legends, the pond is home to a waterman who, on moonless nights, comes out on the shore and sings longing songs. The valley is also associated with the history of mountaineering - it is from here that routes lead to some of the most difficult Tatra peaks, including Ganek and Wysoka.

When comparing all seven hidden gems of the Polish-Slovak borderland, it is worth noting their diversity and accessibility. The Monastery Museum and Stara Lubovna Castle are the most easily accessible and suitable for families with children, offering a combination of historical education and recreation. The Belianskaya Cave requires a bit more fitness due to stairs and level differences, but is also suitable for a wide range of visitors. On the other hand, Mala Babia Gora, Obrovska Brana, the waterfall in the Červené Piesky Valley and the White Water Valley are suggestions for more active tourists, who appreciate contact with wild nature and are ready to hike for several hours. In terms of cost, the natural attractions are the cheapest - admission to the White Water Valley or the trail leading to the waterfall in the Červené Piesky Valley involves only a national park entrance fee (average price). The Monastery Museum, Belianskaya Cave and Stara Lubovna Castle require the purchase of entrance tickets, but they are still in the average price category. It is worth remembering that all these places have their own unique character and are best visited at different times of the year to experience their changing face.