Bratislava, Central Europe’s newest and smallest capital city (population around 452,000) is situated on the Danube River about 35 miles from Vienna.  It became the capital of Slovakia as a result of the split of Czechoslovakia in 1993, yet the city is steeped in over 2,000 years of history and culture.  It was the home of aristocracy, and the coronation site for Hungarian Kings, and one Queen, during its place of prominence in the Hungarian and Austrian Empires. 

A visit to the old center of Bratislava is like getting a rare glimpse of an undiscovered jewel, a relatively undisturbed reminder of medieval times with gothic and baroque influences.  What a contrast to the multitude of gray, crumbling communist era apartment structures built on the sprawling outlying areas of Bratislava, on the south side of the Danube.

Our day excursion is from Vienna, and includes transportation by hydrofoil along the Danube River, through one lock system, to the international boat terminal in Bratislava.  From there, a guided historic walking tour takes you through the squares and cobble stoned streets of old Bratislava, up to the Castle area for a brief visit of the grounds and the Castle itself (currently occupied by government offices and museums).  From Castle hill you have an extraordinary panoramic view of the city, on both sides of the Danube, and you can also see quite a distance into the nearby Austrian countryside.

The guided walking tour ends at a fabulous restaurant in old town, where the guide joins you for a five-course sit down lunch, all included in the tour (wine, beer and other alcoholic drinks extra). After lunch, you’re on your own for a bit of sightseeing and shopping, as you make your way back to the boat terminal for the late afternoon hydrofoil departure to Vienna.