1 Experience a capital city with vibrancy and colour
An hour by train from Vienna and a three-hour romantic cruise on the Danube from Budapest. Sprawling on the border of three countries, Bratislava will win you over with its coziness, plenty of greenery and eclectic architectural contrasts. Look closely at the distinctive silhouette of Bratislava Castle. From there, the brass crowns on the pavement will lead you through the narrow streets of the Old Town to the Gothic Cathedral of St Martin, where 18 Hungarian kings and queens have been crowned. On the main square, enjoy the skills of street performers and the bustle of the cafés. Looking for the perfect photo opportunity? Take a selfie with the quirky Čumil ("Watcher") looking out from under a manhole, or pose in front of the Gaudi-esque Blue Church. You should also visit the SNP suspension bridge, which has a restaurant and a lookout tower in the shape of a UFO. The best time to get to know "Beauty on the Danube" is during the Bratislava Cultural Summer, the city's largest multi-genre festival, which fills the streets with concerts, guided tours and a variety of community events. Don't forget, that you are in Slovakia's largest wine-growing region. Choose one of the dozens of historic cellars and cosy wineries scattered on the slopes of the Little Carpathians and taste noble varieties of delicious local wines. They were once served at the imperial court in Vienna and on board the famous Titanic. Cheers! (Photo: www.visitbratislava.com)