When in Bratislava
Following the split from Czechoslovakia in 1993, Slovakia's capital Bratislava has struggled to live with the advances of its counterpart Prague. Bratislava, which has the magnificent Danube at its heart, remains relatively unmolested by tourism, meaning the visitor exploring the city and its turbulent history can do so easily. The Communist regime, which ran from the end of World War II to the Slovak National Uprising of 1989, has left huge architectural scars on the city, which can be split in to two parts ? the attractive, quaint town to the north of the river and the Soviet-backed, grey housing estates in the south.
There is much to be said for simply pottering around the old town for a few hours in a bid to pick up some local colour. The ancient buildings and streets make for a fascinating experience and there is plenty to keep you interested.
One of the city's oldest attractions is the Dom sv Martina, or St Martin's Cathedral, which has crowned numerous kings in its long history. Nearby is the Bratislava Castle, which was almost entirely rebuilt following World War II. Today, it affords wonderful views away to the mountains and includes the National Museum, which houses a number of different exhibitions, including the ice hockey hall of fame as well as art and historical galleries.
The Slovak National Gallery in the centre of town is also well worth checking out. It is home to the country's largest art collection and contains many historical pieces of interest too, especially the gothic and baroque items.
Just six miles west of town lies Devin Castle. This magnificent structure, which was once home to the ninth century warrior Prince Ratislav, has much to entertain the history buff and castle lover alike.
Visitors have a range of options to get them to the city. Those flying in from Europe can do so from over 20 airports, although international flights are less common ? often the best idea is to head to Prague and get one of many frequent connections. A further option for those who can't find a good flight is to land in Vienna, which is just 40 miles away from Bratislava. Regular buses make the trip from Vienna International to Bratislava's main bus station throughout the day.
Those arriving by train are well catered for. Direct trains make a regular three-hour journey from Budapest, as do services from Prague, four hours away, and Vienna, which make the trip in just one hour. A night train operates a regular, ten-hour service to Warsaw, while Moscow is just a day-and-a-half down the track.
During the spring and summer months, travellers can take a hydrofoil along the Danube to Vienna, or in the other direction, Budapest ? a great way to arrive.
The city's bus and tram systems are efficient and easy to use - buy a ticket from machines or newsstands stamp it once on board. Cycling is another good option, and bikes can be hired cheaply throughout the city.
The city is quite often wet, meaning an umbrella is advisable in all seasons. Summers are generally warm and damp, with temperatures on average around 26°C, while winters are cold and invariably snowy.
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Introduction
