We need to talk about Slovakia

Hey Freaking Nomads,

August is always a tricky month for us travelers. The “big” destinations are packed, prices skyrocket, and even finding a half-decent place to work from can feel like a competitive sport.

This year, I decided to skip the usual summer hotspots and try something different: Poprad, Slovakia.

If you’ve never heard of it, you’re not alone. It’s a small city at the foot of the High Tatras, those dramatic mountains you sometimes see in European hiking photos but can never quite place on a map.

It wasn’t the kind of place where digital nomads typically go. In fact, most days, I was the only person with a laptop in sight. Finding reliable internet has been a challenge, for sure, but luckily the only coworking in town Coworking Poprad saved me with remote workers rather than digital nomads.

But the trade-off? Morning walks where the air smelled of pine and rain. Evenings watching the sun set behind sharp peaks that looked like they’d been drawn with a ruler. And one absolutely unforgettable day climbing deep into the High Tatras, where the higher I went, the smaller my worries felt.

Being somewhere less popular in peak season reminded me of something we often forget as nomads: we don’t have to be where everyone else is to have a meaningful experience.

In fact, sometimes the magic happens in places that never make the “Top 10 Digital Nomad Cities” lists.

Sure, Poprad didn’t have Instagram-worthy spots (although it's much prettier than many other deemed so) or a massive nomad scene. But it gave me space to slow down, to connect with nature, and to actually hear my own thoughts without the noise of a hyper-social hub.

So if you’re feeling overwhelmed by crowds or drained by the “go-go-go” of popular nomad spots, maybe it’s time to do what I did: pick somewhere quieter, somewhere that makes you curious rather than Instagram.

Your August doesn’t have to be spent where everyone else is. It just has to be somewhere that gives you what you need right now.

See you on the road,

Irene Lidia

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🧑‍💻 The Nomad Resource of the Week

I’ve been hiking all over the High Tatras this month, and the shoes that have kept up with me every single time are the Salomon X Ultra Pioneer boots (for both men and women).

They’re fully waterproof (thankfully, because Slovak summer storms are no joke!), super lightweight, and actually extremely comfortable. I’ve literally worn them straight from a trail into town without wanting to throw them off.

Why they’ve earned a permanent spot in my bag:

🥾 Waterproof but not heavy

🪨 Great grip for rocky trails

💪 Supportive without being bulky

⏱️ No break-in time, just laced them up and went

If you’re planning to mix some hiking into your work-travel life, these are honestly the best I’ve tried in 5+ years.

Check out more travel-friendly tools in our full gear guide or browse all our recommended resources.

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We'll see you there, Freaking Nomads 👋

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