The first time was in Bratislava, not by choice but by a series of incredible circumstances that accompanied my first trip to neighboring Prague trying to remember where we had heard. Like, I imagine, and the majority of readers of this article.
Just 324 kilometres from Prague, Bratislava has dual "unfortunate" not only is just 13 years state capital but also overshadowed by the popular tourist destination in Central Europe, the capital of the State several years struggled to secede . Thus, although in a broader context growing rapidly, tourist development is still in its infancy, if compared with other European capitals.
The popular publisher of travel guides Lonely Planet has adopted the phrase "off the beaten track" as one of the mood music and claims to destinations that have not yet been "discovered" by tourists is the most synarpastikoi - are worth visiting "travellers".
The capital of Slovakia is among those parts that are not in kataktoun immediately. At first glance seems neutral, common, and perhaps even boring. The hidden beauty revealed in the eyes of the careful observer, what have enough time to discover.
The first thing that draws attention is certainly the old city and castle that rises above it. Built in 10 th century AD, damaged by a fire in 1811 and renovated in 1953, the castle is certainly the most popular attraction in the city - the magnificent views that when the air is clean, reaches Vienna, which is just one hour, is the prime attraction visitors. The castle today mainly hosted cultural events.
A superb panoramic view of the city offers and coffee - a restaurant located above the new bridge over the Danube - also known as UFO Tower, because of its shape, which resembles a flying disk-at a height of 80 metres above the river. The steps needed to anevete to visit are 430 total - for less… persistent hardship in there and lift, in the face "leg" of this unique tower.
The plakostrotoi streets of the old city offered for endless walks, both during the day and night. Works of art you can find outside museums, which certainly is not little, in every corner. Indeed, each of them is a little surprising - such as Napoleontas which skyvei in a pagkaki to rest, paparatsi you fotografizei, hidden behind the corner of the road, or a worker who is emerging smiling from the gutter, in a break from work.
In the old city, also below the tower of St. Michael, who is also the oldest of the entrances of the city saved, is the "zero point" of the city, from which measured the distances with other capitals of the world. Looking on the south side of peritechnis compass that is designed in the territory, we discover that Athens is 1886 kilometers.
In the central square of the old town is a statue of Maximilian of the second, known as Sir Roland, who according to legend, once a year, at midnight, spinning around the axis - the phenomenon, however, may see only the virgin.
A visit is worth and the impressive National Theatre, within the limits of the old city, construction of which was completed in 1886 and now hosts opera and ballet performances. Finally, causing the impression Presidential Palace, with its amazing gardens that surround the kathedrikos of San Martin, dating from the 14 th century, and the monument Slavin, who stands at a height of 39.5 metres above the cemetery of Soviet soldiers 6845 army, killed during the liberation of Bratislava by the Germans during World War II.
Though prima facie it seems quiet, Bratislava has a rich nightlife. The best places are hidden near the old city and will need a little help from the locals to find. Most club is underground, while popular is the pub - certainly visit the Slovak Pub, the number 62 route Obchodna, traditional Slovak food, local beer and all the youth of the town (and try, through the noise created by the incredibly kefati atmosphere, to understand what is the song that sounds from loudspeakers).
For traditional tastes
The Slovak cuisine may not be famous, but, surprisingly, particularly if you have weakness in smoked meat and "heavy" foods in general. If you make a stand here because you have already visited Prague (like most visitors Slovakia) will not see significant differences with the Czech cuisine. The Slovak variant of Czech knedlicky (or dumplings, anglisti) called haluski and unreservedly recommended.
Some of the best places to get your first contact with the local cuisine restaurants are Traja musketieri (Sladkovicova 7) and Staroslovenska krcma (Michalska 14 - 16) in the old city - and, of course, the Slovak Pub mentioned.
If ultimately determine that the Slovakian kitchen is too heavy for your tastes, in Bratislava will find a wide range of international cuisine restaurants - from Czech and Hungarian by Chinese, Italian and Greek… (Delfin, Ruzova dolina 18).
One of the best hotels in the city is the five-star Radisson SAS Carlton, near the National Theatre (Hviezdoslavovo namestie 3, tel: +421 2 5939 0000), which among other things, has 8 suites, gym, sauna and conference centre . Prices for a double room start at 140 euros, while for the Suite from 369 euros.
Great choice is the deluxe Hotel Crowne Plaza, about 10 minutes walk from the historic center (Hodzovo namestie 2, tel: 421 2 5934 8111). The services include sauna, solarium, fitness center, hair salon, the international press, cafes and restaurants. Prices for a double room start at 130 euros, while for the Suite from 270 euros.
Finally, the four-star Hotel Danube is right next to the bank of the Danube (Rybne namestie 1, tel: +421 2 5934 0000) and offers, apart from a splendid view of the river, and a series of high-level services such as fitness center, hair salon, restaurants and bars, galleries and flower shop. Prices for a double room start at 209 euros, while for the Suite from 390 euros.
