Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, is set along the Danube River by the border with Austria and Hungary. It’s surrounded by vineyards and the Little Carpathian mountains, crisscrossed with forested hiking and cycling trails. The pedestrian-only, 18th-century old town is known for its lively bars and cafes. Perched atop a hill, the reconstructed Bratislava Castle overlooks old town and the Danube.
Bratislava has a very attractive medieval inner city with narrow,cobbled winding streets, a hill-top castle next to the river Danube, and many historic churches and buildings to visit. The old town is centered on two squares, Hlavne Namestie (main square) and Hviezdoslav Namestie (Hviezdoslav square, named after a famous Slovak poet).
Today, Bratislava and its surroundings form the most prosperous region in Central and Eastern Europe, and it is the fifth most prosperous region in EU.
Sangeeta and me took a bus from the main bus station of Budapest –Neglipet .Make no mistake about it – the bus stations in Europe are like good airports in India .And the main difference is that you don’t find them swarming with people .The buses are what we may not be able to provide to our citizens in 100 years –spotlessly clean ,and serving coffee and snacks free .Obviously ,they have free wifi and monitor screens on the seat in front of you (like in airplanes). The TVs have several channels to see and surf –and one of them has a live camera of the drivers view giving details of the diatance travelled and distance to be travelled .You can see what the driver is seeing while driving .One gets to see the entire journey .Exotic .
We checked into our hotel and were quick to get into the main city square .Like with every place we visit –we had all the information with us ( even important translated Slovak words and phrases).As we were to find out ,we needn’t have worried .Most people speak and understand English and the city is very compact and very very beautiful .One does not need maps here .
The square is the most lively square I have visited .It has musicians ,dancers ,painters .One musical group makes way for another after a performance .,People sit on lovely wooden medieval benches and drink beer –for about 50 rupees you get excellent beer ( Mallya are you listening?)- and eat from a row of barbeques lined on either side of the square emanating smoke with lovely smell of barbeque stuff .The squre has huge trees and lovely flowers all around .There are numerous statues that are in the square .People sit in cafes with their dogs and have food –it is allowed .
We watched as the music got louder and the beer started to demand movement !! Sangeeta was off on her feet after watching for 15 mins or so –and I joined her after 5 minutes .We enjoyed our dance with the locals !!
We also watched the Slovaks perform a fabulous dance –and Sangeeta got herself clicked with them .
There is so much to write .Will pick up from here in my next write up ,along with a video of a dance .Sangeeta is not permitting to to post her dance video –but I will put up one the many videos I took of the local people there .
Bratislava has a very attractive medieval inner city with narrow,cobbled winding streets, a hill-top castle next to the river Danube, and many historic churches and buildings to visit. The old town is centered on two squares, Hlavne Namestie (main square) and Hviezdoslav Namestie (Hviezdoslav square, named after a famous Slovak poet).
Today, Bratislava and its surroundings form the most prosperous region in Central and Eastern Europe, and it is the fifth most prosperous region in EU.
Sangeeta and me took a bus from the main bus station of Budapest –Neglipet .Make no mistake about it – the bus stations in Europe are like good airports in India .And the main difference is that you don’t find them swarming with people .The buses are what we may not be able to provide to our citizens in 100 years –spotlessly clean ,and serving coffee and snacks free .Obviously ,they have free wifi and monitor screens on the seat in front of you (like in airplanes). The TVs have several channels to see and surf –and one of them has a live camera of the drivers view giving details of the diatance travelled and distance to be travelled .You can see what the driver is seeing while driving .One gets to see the entire journey .Exotic .
We checked into our hotel and were quick to get into the main city square .Like with every place we visit –we had all the information with us ( even important translated Slovak words and phrases).As we were to find out ,we needn’t have worried .Most people speak and understand English and the city is very compact and very very beautiful .One does not need maps here .
The square is the most lively square I have visited .It has musicians ,dancers ,painters .One musical group makes way for another after a performance .,People sit on lovely wooden medieval benches and drink beer –for about 50 rupees you get excellent beer ( Mallya are you listening?)- and eat from a row of barbeques lined on either side of the square emanating smoke with lovely smell of barbeque stuff .The squre has huge trees and lovely flowers all around .There are numerous statues that are in the square .People sit in cafes with their dogs and have food –it is allowed .
We watched as the music got louder and the beer started to demand movement !! Sangeeta was off on her feet after watching for 15 mins or so –and I joined her after 5 minutes .We enjoyed our dance with the locals !!
We also watched the Slovaks perform a fabulous dance –and Sangeeta got herself clicked with them .
There is so much to write .Will pick up from here in my next write up ,along with a video of a dance .Sangeeta is not permitting to to post her dance video –but I will put up one the many videos I took of the local people there .
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