Bratislava, Slovakia

Today we arrived at one of the most beautiful and charming cities in Europe: Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. After our breakfast on the ship, we were ready to start the day in this small metropolis. Bratislava is one of the smallest European cities. It offers a thriving city life as well as an intimate atmosphere which is typical of quiet towns.

The city has a splendid location, sprawling on both banks of the Danube River, and it lies relatively close to two large European cities, Vienna and Budapest. A great jewel of this Slovakian metropolis is the Bratislava Castle, where some of us walked to see the old structure over eight centuries old. The castle is an amazing fortress with a marvelous garden beside it. It offers a spectacular view of the whole city, the Danube River, and the Novy Bridge, which is 432-metres long over the Danube.

Part of the group went along the tiny streets in a historical walk. The walk visited the Michalska Tower, St Martin’s Cathedral, the Old Town Hall, the Opera Theater and the main square. The historical centre of Bratislava is a tangle of picturesque lines and tiny streets confined to a small area. This special area is dotted with historical monuments and modern statues.

After a beautiful morning in Bratislava, we returned to the ship for lunch and then we were ready for sailing the entire afternoon. We headed towards Budapest through the magnificent banks and landscapes of the Danube.