Do you, too, have a mental checklist of things you need to take care of or plan? This phenomenon has even affected our vacations: the pressure to see and do as much as possible sometimes, paradoxically, ends in disappointment and dissatisfaction. Sometimes, though, all it takes is a little: Slow down. Stop and take a breath. Experience the art of a slow summer with us in Tatranská Lomnica—thanks to which the most beautiful part of your vacation might just be the time when you allow yourself to completely unwind.

More and more people are having trouble truly slowing down and savoring the here and now. Their minds are constantly filled with deadlines, plans, and responsibilities—even while on vacation. We have to experience this, go there, definitely visit these places—because otherwise we won’t enjoy our vacation to the fullest… This modern-day problem has even been given a name: “vacation maximizing.”

The result, however, can be the exact opposite of the original intention: relaxation turns into a race to capture great shots, take part in dozens of activities, and sample all the local specialties. And at the end of the day, we’re left feeling frustrated by how much we still missed out on.

But what if the problem isn’t a lack of time? What if we need to stop measuring our vacations by how much we’ve managed to do and experience? Here’s a little tip: discover with us the art of a slow summer, which invites you to relax. Just like that. Without planning. No regrets. Maybe that’s the best thing you can do for your body and soul.

Three Tips for a Relaxing Summer and a Pleasant Wellness Getaway

Your weekend wellness getaway—whether for two or the whole family—can begin with a leisurely morning. By relaxing peacefully in the hotel’s fragrant bed. With breakfast that you can enjoy without rushing to the next activity. Feel like going for a swim? Go ahead. Or would you rather do yoga under the Tatra sky? Don’t hesitate. Your vacation day will unfold at whatever pace you set for it.

Here are a few tips for summer wellness activities that will allow you to listen to your body, help you recharge, and enjoy your summer stay with a pleasant, relaxing program.

Movement in the water that you can feel

Swimming doesn't have to be just about performance and pushing your limits. Denisa Pavelka is a swimming instructor who can teach you to look at this sport from a different perspective. All you have to do is try her special morning class.

Morning swimming under my guidance will be about reconnecting with yourself, mindful movement, and the joy of being in the water. “I believe that the morning has a unique power—to slow down the mind, awaken the body, and set the tone for the whole day, ” says the instructor. Each lesson is based on respect for each person’s individual pace, proper technique, mindful breathing, and fluid movement in the water.

And when Denisa Pavelka talks about breathing, it’s no coincidence. Unlike normal breathing, breathing in water is often different.“Most people hold their breath, breathe too shallowly, or stop breathing altogether the moment they step into the pool. Not to mention submerging their face in the water,” she explains. The body reacts to this with tension; the shoulders, neck, jaw, and hands stiffen. And according to the expert, this is precisely the unnecessary tension that robs a person of ease of movement, energy, and the joy of swimming. In such cases, swimming and the movement itself do more harm than good.

How to Enjoy Swimming

"Everyone comes to the water with a different story, different experiences, and a different pace. The only thing that matters is your own progress," says Denisa Pavelka.

Guests at Hotel Lomnica will have the opportunity to try out these morning lessons under her guidance as part of a special program called “The Art of Slow Summer” from August 21 to 23, 2026. These lessons are especially suitable for beginners and recreational swimmers who have always needed to have solid “ground beneath their feet” and for whom swimming has so far caused more stress than relaxation.

It’s about learning to be a little calmer, more mindful, and freer—both in the water and in life. If you take away just one thing from each swim—calm breathing and a relaxed body—every subsequent active movement in the pool will have a beneficial and stress-free effect on your body. And maybe after one well-led lesson, you’ll say to yourself, “I’m finally enjoying swimming, ” the instructor invites.

The Tatras, Wellness, and Yoga for a Peaceful Mind

"Ninety percent of my clients answer the question of how they’re doing with just one word—'fast,'" says Katarína Cintulová, a yoga instructor. And that’s exactly why she teaches her clients to slow down in a natural way. “When we focus on our breath and mindful movement, the mind has the space to detach from constantly thinking about responsibilities, planning, or problem-solving,” she adds.  

According to her, morning yoga is the best way to start the day. It doesn't have to be a 60-minute session—15 to 20 minutes is plenty—and it can completely change the course of our day.

"Morning yoga helps wake up the body, get your energy flowing, loosen up muscles that have stiffened during sleep, and at the same time set your mind in a calmer state before the whirlwind of daily responsibilities really kicks in," recommends Katarína Cintulová.“Many people tell me that after morning yoga, they feel full of energy throughout the day, can concentrate better, handle stressful situations more effectively, and have a positive outlook. Personally, I love practicing yoga in the morning, when the world around me is still asleep and I can be alone with myself.”

A Relaxation Trick: The Child's Pose

For people who are always busy, the instructor especially recommends yin yoga, which she says can literally be a cure for them. However, even simple breathing exercises can help on stressful days.

Sit or lie down in a comfortable position, close your eyes, and for five minutes, focus only on your breath—on how the air flows in as you inhale and out as you exhale. Try inhaling for four counts and exhaling slowly for six to eight counts. A longer exhalation helps calm the nervous system, release tension, and create a sense of peace. It’s a simple exercise that you can do anytime, anywhere during the day, advises Katarína Cintulová.

Among yoga poses for relaxation, he particularly recommends the Child's Pose; simply holding this pose for three to five minutes will yield results.

As part of the "The Art of Slow Summer" program at Hotel Lomnica, there will also be morning yoga under the Tatra sky with Katarína Cintulová on August 22 and 23, 2026. However, you can join her classes every Sunday until the end of August at 9:00 a.m.

The warmth that comes with summer

At first glance, you might not associate summer with going to the sauna. But the opposite is true.

The main benefits of taking a sauna in the summer are that it helps people cope better with the summer heat. It also improves blood circulation, strengthens the immune system, reduces stress, and promotes skin health, according to sauna master Marek Homza.

As he points out, staying hydrated is very important. You should also avoid using the sauna after prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, avoid alcohol, and cool down after using the sauna.

An experienced expert will share these and many other tips during The Art of Slow Summer program. These will be special sauna treatments that differ from a typical sauna visit in that they involve more than just passively heating the body. It is a guided experience in which the sauna master oversees the entire session and creates a unique atmosphere.

How to Use a Sauna Properly

It offers a more intense experience of heat, deeper relaxation, and a combination of the effects of the sauna with aromatherapy, music, and professional guidance. Each ceremony is unique and offers more than just a traditional sauna session—it becomes an experience for both body and mind, explains Marek Homza.

To get the most out of your sauna experience, it’s not just physical preparation that matters, but also your mental state. Marek Homza recommends arriving well-rested and hydrated, and avoiding heavy meals or alcohol for 1–2 hours before entering. Don’t forget to take a shower and dry off before entering, as dry skin heats up more effectively.

During the ceremony, listen to your body. If you’re too hot or don’t feel well, it’s perfectly fine to leave early, advises the sauna master.

Important Cooling and Heating Systems

And be careful—don't underestimate the importance of cooling either.

Many people don’t realize that cooling down is just as important a part of the sauna experience as the time spent in the sauna itself. During the cooling-down phase, the body’s natural adaptive mechanisms are activated, and it is precisely this alternation between heat and cold that is one of the main reasons why using the sauna has a positive effect on the immune system, Marek Homza adds.

He also reminds guests of a simple rule: we should devote about as much time to resting afterward as we do to being in the sauna. If we spend 10 minutes in the sauna, we should allow ourselves at least 10 minutes of relaxation. During this phase, the body calms down, the heart rate returns to normal, and the body has time to fully reap all the benefits of the sauna.

Rest is often the most underrated part of the sauna experience, yet it is crucial for the regeneration of both body and mind. Tepidariums—special heated relaxation rooms—are ideal for unwinding after a sauna session. At Hotel Lomnica, you can enjoy a pleasant Tatra-style or salt tepidarium.

Discover the art of a slow summer with us and recharge with fresh Tatra energy during your stay at Hotel Lomnica. During a special weekend from August 21–23, 2026, you can join a morning swim with Denisa Pavelka, yoga on the terrace with Katarína Cintulová, and an evening guided sauna session with Marek Homza. Come visit us to experience a peaceful summer with views of the Tatra peaks.