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Bratislava Travel Reviews in World Newspapers

"The best thing? It's far cheaper than Vienna – you can get a private box at the Slovak National Opera for £50.

Bratislava's Old Town reeks of romance with its cobbled, pedestrianised streets and scattered statues," Laura Dixon writes in Two-nation vacations in The London Paper on February 26, 2008.

"Bratislava lies within easy reach of the Small Carpathian Mountains, a beautiful area of dreamy hills and lush valleys whose picturesque southern slopes are covered by forests and vineyards. Here and there statues of St. Urban, the patron saint of winemaking, dot the area.

Outstanding wines can be sampled at wineries and country inns and, now, in a national wine museum and cellar in the winemaking town of Pezinok," L.Pierce Carson writes in The Napa Valley Register article on December 8, 2007, reviewing a selection of fine Slovak wines.

"...don't get the idea that Bratislava is cheap. That's not the point. It's simply great value for money and has an atmosphere that makes you hand over your credit card with joy. So go now before the conversion to the euro in 2009 leads to the inevitable hike in prices," the Times' Caroline Hendrie urges readers in Chill with the Bratislava pack on May 5, 2007.

"Today's Bratislava has a population of less than 500,000, but it was once an important cog in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Situated at the foot of the Carpathian mountain range, its cosmopolitan feel and Gothic architecture is captured in the Old Town. Explore the sights of St Martin's cathedral before indulging in the satisfyingly heavy local cuisine and a bottle of Slovak riesling," Sarah Cooper writes in the January 22, 2007 Sunday Herald article If it's Tuesday it must be Zagreb.

"Prague is way expensive, but nearby Bratislava is much cheaper and offers more tourism bang for your buck," USA Today's Laura Bly on December 24, 2006 quoted EuroCheapo.com's Tom Meyers in Americans can still discover bargains in European travel.

"These days Bratislava has pulled its boots up and the old cobbled quarter now buzzes with life, though in no way has it yet been ruined. Even across the Danube in the old faceless socialist-era suburbs...there are tourist tours, some trendy bars and a few artistic outposts," Robin McKelvie writes in Town of the talk in the October 29, 2006 Sunday Herald.

"Sketched out in broad strokes with references to monuments like the turreted castle that looms over the Danube, Bratislava often comes off sounding like an Austro-Hungarian also-ran.

What the books don't evoke are the sensations that one is both stepping back in time and leaping into the future while strolling through the city's compact historic center.

... [A]mid this Old World backdrop there is the buzz of a city brimming with exuberance. With its combination of well-worn cobblestones by day and well-mixed cocktails after dark, Bratislava has become a popular weekend destination for a free-spirited crowd from across Europe and beyond," Andrew Ferren writes in the May 7, 2006 New York Times Travel Section article Discovering Time Travel in Slovakia's Capital.

"Long cast under the spell of totalitarianism, Bratislava, the charming capital of Slovakia, has rediscovered its Mittel Europa style and culture of late. The city is undergoing a huge restoration project, but the best sight is the most bizarre café in the world: a rotating UFO structure 250ft above the Danube suspended on stilts thrusting up from Novy Most bridge," David Nurden wrote in the April 24, 2006 Belfast Telegraph putting Bratislava atop the list of Top eight transformed cities.

"Much of old Bratislava was demolished to make way for the 1960s monument to Soviet-era gigantism. But, while communist architecture remains, Slovakia is changing rapidly. To the chagrin and disbelief of the neighbouring Viennese, who long looked down on Slovaks as country cousins, Bratislava is booming.

A tram once linked Vienna to central Bratislava, or Pressburg as it was known during the Austro-Hungarian empire. Now transport is again revitalising the city. Budget airlines make its airport a cheap alternative to Vienna and the once-dilapidated communist-era port is becoming a regional transport hub," Adam Lebor writes in the April 19, 2006 article on the River Danube with the headline War, death and myth in the flow of history in The Times.

"Forget the agenda. The last thing you need to enjoy a weekend in Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, is a rigid schedule. The key word here is pohoda. Translation: take it easy, relax and have a good time," Federico Chiara writes in the March 19, 2006 article Bratislava Weekend in The New York Times.

"...[S]ince declaring its independence in 1993, Slovakia has been shaking off its past and reclaiming its historical and architectural heritage. The compact heart of Bratislava's old town on the banks of the Danube is now mostly a pedestrian precinct, full of beautifully restored buildings and some whimsical touches that blow away any remaining stereotypes of dour Eastern Europeans," writes Jill Worrall in the New Zealand's The Timaru Herald in the February 21, 2006 article Old and new in Slovakia.

"While it may not rival the fleshpots of Amsterdam, Munich or Prague in terms of nightlife, it is easier on the pocket.
Even in the popular Old Town you can find a beer for little more than £1, and all the eateries we tried during a long weekend hit the spot," Jack Mathieson writes in a January 7, 2006 article Brat's the Way to Hit the Highs in the Daily Record.

"In reality, Bratislava has made an abrupt U-turn in the past decade. Things have come a long way from the early 1990s, when guidebooks recommended that travelers driving from Prague to Budapest bypass Bratislava altogether...In Bratislava, the drab buildings -- many dating back to the 1700s and 1800s -- have been restored to the elegance of their earlier days, mirroring the grand architecture so common throughout the swaths of Central Europe that once were part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Ground floors are filled with shops and restaurants, and on sunny days the tables and merchandise spill out onto the street. Beneath the turrets and gables, the city takes on a Mediterranean air as locals and visitors crowd around umbrella-shaded tables, nursing a coffee or digging into a plate of risotto with prawns and zucchini," writes Susan Ladika in the October 23, 2005 San Francisco Chronicle article headlined Europe on the cheap: Bratislava comes to life - Slovakia's lively capital emerges from post-Communist dreariness.

"Hans Christian Andersen, the Danish storyteller, once called it "the most beautiful city in Europe."...You may wonder, then, why this capital of Slovakia is somewhat of a mystery travel destination. Perhaps because Slovakia only became a nation in 1993. Andersen would be delighted to know that Bratislava, which he praised as "a fairy tale itself," has retained its European charm without being overrun by tourists. Although communist-era housing adds a grim note, the city's lovingly restored old town welcomed us on our summer vacation with the flavors of a genuine Central European culture that rivals its grander Danube neighbors...Not being Budapest or Prague or Vienna, perhaps Bratislava is trying harder to coddle its tourists. More than a weekend add-on, the city is a jewel in its own right, a respite from over-commercialism and delicious to discover," writes Geri Radacsi in a raving Hartford Courant article Bratislava, a Hidden Gem on September 11, 2005.

"Slovakia's capital is full of spots overlooked by guidebooks that spell out this city's fascinating history and harbor its distinct charm," writes Eric Smillie, uncovering some of these spots in the Prague Post article Beautiful Bratislava on August 3, 2005.

"Although the city's odd mix of baroque and Stalinist-era buildings means that it lacks the architectural stature of Prague (200 miles north), it compensates with warm, fun-loving locals and a rich medley of places for eating, drinking and general revelry. Other attractions include the elegant Bratislava Castle, the world-renowned Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra and a concentration of baroque cathedrals," Washington Post staff write Gary Lee wrote on March 20, 2005 in his feature singing the praise for Piestany Spa named SLOVAKIA: Feel the Ooze: Thermal Spas, Mud and More.

"Bratislava is everything Prague isn't. While the Czech capital's city centre is a noisy, dynamic and dirty place, the Slovak capital is a quiet, clean, pleasant city...
The 1993 dissolution of Czechoslovakia left Bratislava somewhat in the shadow of its larger brother to the north. But in hindsight, that may not have been a bad thing, considering present-day Prague's souvenir shop scars of mass tourism.
The flourishing city on the Danube, long an insider tip, is finally emerging on the radar of tourists and investors alike," The Irish Times wrote in Bratislava a great place to buy - once you find it on April 7, 2005.

Richard Robinson at The Telegraph's Travel Section found that Bratislava's "is an admirable urban transport system...far better than any British city can boast. But you don't want to be sleeping next to it.
Another tip: if arriving at Bratislava airport, bring sandwiches and a flask to sustain you through the long wait at passport control.
There, I've done it. I have dispensed with all my gripes up front. The rest of my stay at this interesting new Easyjet destination was a treat, from the moment the hotel receptionist spread out a street-map before me," in his January 25, 2005 Weekend to remember feature.

"For the first time in the 13 years I've been visiting Bratislava, there is a year-round presence of tourists, noticeable even in the bleak days of early January. The spruced-up Old Town is teeming with good restaurants and live music venues where a few years ago there were none. Locals are palpably proud of their city, whereas a few years ago they were embarrassed," writes Matt Welch in the Reason Online's January 2005 feature Fly the Frugal Skies.

"Bratislava has been called a smaller, more contemplative version of nearby Vienna. The Slovakian capital has charming Hapsburg-era architecture and an array of palaces and museums, including one with medieval torture chambers," the Conde Nast Traveler wrote in its September 2004 issue in the article Stop Press: Cheap and Easy covering 11 cities newly accessible thanks to low-fare carriers.

"Despite being a centre of the arts, with lively clubs and restaurants, a warm climate and a low cost of living by western standards, Bratislava is not yet an established stop on the tourist trail, so now is the time to discover it," Frank Patridge writes in the Travel section of The Independent in 48 Hours in Bratislava on May 15, 2004.

"Maybe it's the shortage of direct flights or defining landmarks, but Bratislava has so far escaped the intense scrutiny that has seen prices in places like Riga, Tallinn and Dubrovnik spiral towards western levels.

Budget isn't a problem in the Slovak capital, with double hotel rooms available for as little as €30, restaurants where it is impossible to spend more than a tenner and traditional wine taverns that will keep the local - and very cheeky - Ryzling coming for just 20 cent a glass," Claire Treanor writes in Bratislava's Time to Shine in the Irish The Post newspaper on May 2, 2004.

"Serious wilderness scouts have taken advantage of Slovakia's low profile, and bankers have capitalized on Bratislava's low taxes and cheap prices to gradually turn the capital city into a dynamic little hub. Cheap alcohol and cigarettes have also made Bratislava a perennial favourite among Austrian youth.
Bratislava is not nearly as beautiful as Prague, but it is well on its way to becoming the Luxembourg of Central Europe," writes John Weich in the Globe and Mail article on May 1, 2004 with the headline So Long Paris, Hello Bratislava.

"Let me say outright, we found the Slovak capital a delight, with the people being among the most friendly we have experienced on our trip. There was a genuine delight to have us in the hotel, in the restaurants in the city; I would describe Bratislava as a forgotten jewel to be visited as soon as a low-cost airline comes to an airport near you!" CNN's Richard Quest wrote in Day 3: Bratislava to Prague; three hours by road from the Our European Quest series.

"The low-key capital of Bratislava is perfect for travelers who want to step back a decade or two into Old Europe. The locals are warm, the pub life lively and the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra is a treat," write Washington Post's Gary Lee and Andrea Sachs in They're In! on April 23, 2004.

"Bratislava is the least known of the trio of capital cities situated on the mid-reaches of the Danube - and it's all the better for it. While Vienna and Budapest have long wooed tourists, one of Europe's newest capitals has retained its quiet, unassuming air, the unsung poorer cousin of the Austro-Hungarian empire," writes Robert Nurden in the April 10, 2004 Times Online article named Bratislava for the weekend.

"This 'New Europe' capital on the banks of the Danube is rapidly emerging as a crossroads of Central and Eastern Europe...Bratislava has a number of things going for it: Its old city is charming in its own right. It's close to a major international airport, Vienna, about 45 minutes away, and soon will be psychologically closer still, when Slovakia becomes an EU member on May 1, and the passport checks at the border disappear," writes Tod Lindberg in Washington Times story published on March 22, 2004 with the title An emerging wider Europe.

"Vacationing in Vienna? Venture to tiny Bratislava, an hour's drive or train ride away. The Slovak capital has come a long way from its shabby communist-era days," writes William Kole in a March 16 Associated Press story published on the CNN website with the title Touring the New Europe: EU's historic expansion puts ex-communist capitals on travelers' radar.

"All the ingredients for Slovakia's capital to become the latest party destination are in place," Robert Nurden predicts in the February 29, 2004 Independent, adding a quote from an English teacher living in Bratislava, which 'echoed his thoughts': "Bratislava is not like Budapest, or Vienna, or Prague...It's manageable, fun, polite and small." Read more about the city's attractions in the article Bratislava? Quick! Get there before the Brat Pack.

"Bratislava, the pleasingly inexpensive capital of Slovakia, is the perfect place for a night at the opera," Charlotte Eager concludes after a weekend in Bratislava in the January 26, 2004 Telegraph, in her article Weekend to Remember.

"Bratislava, the Prague-like capital of Slovakia, and Ljubljana, the hard-to-spell but lovely capital of Slovenia, deserve to be the vogue cities of 2004," Robert Cottrell writes in the World in 2004 section of The Economist titled Central Europe comes home.

"Getting to the Slovak capital, Bratislava, from Vienna, just an hour away by road, should be a piece of cake. ... Bratislava offers the opportunity to enjoy a mini-version of Prague – without the tourist hordes that plague the latter city," writes Graham Simmons on October 19, 2003 in a News Interactive article with the title Bratislava brilliance.

"For all its relative anonymity, however, Bratislava is a lively, up-and-coming place, with an attractive old town set along the north bank of the River Danube and a vibrant student population...a pleasant, relaxing destination, with some of the attractions but none of the sightseeing hordes of Prague," Sam Thorne writes in the August 29, 2003 edition of The St. Petersburg Times with the headline The brighter side of new-look Bratislava.

"Small but perfectly formed, Slovakia's capital offers a manageable weekend's worth of central Europe in microcosm, from its gorgeously baroque old town to its grim Communist-era housing estates and snazzy, post-communist offices and shopping malls," writes Neville Walker in the August 2, 2003 Travel Section of The Guardian at Brat Pack.

"...the city is an attractive short-break alternative to its more glamorous neighbours, Vienna, Budapest and Prague. With thinner crowds and lower prices, Bratislava has plenty to offer," says the July 17, 2003 travel review in The Independent at 48 hours in Bratislava.

"To my left was a bloke in hot pants and boots, arms in the air. To my right: a raven-haired siren shimmered across the dance floor. It could have been Shoreditch, but it was a wooden shack behind Ikea on the outskirts of Bratislava. It was proof that the tiny capital of Slovakia - Blava, as locals affectionately call it - is Europe's up-and-coming party town. Revellers descend from as far as Prague and Budapest," Chris Mugan of the London Evening Standard wrote on May 19, 2003 in Slovakia's Baroque and roll.

"Bratislava has made a tremendous comeback, turning into a favorite destination with the old town freshly renovated in pastel colors and cafes and restaurants teeming with life," the Associated Press writes in a March 12, 2003 feature, Another world awaits in Slovakia's charming capital.

"...(Bratislava) is often overlooked. But it is well worth a visit. For a start, it boasts a rich Habsburg heritage and a compact old town with baroque palaces and Gothic treasures. It has a leisurely pace, welcoming cafes and good local wines. It's cheap. And it's almost certainly somewhere your neighbours won't have visited," says the Daily Telegraph in its October 10, 2002 Bratislava: Weekending feature.

"Since the break-up of Czechoslovakia in 1993, Slovak Bratislava has played resolute second fiddle to Czech Prague. Not for much longer. Bratislava's old city is like a toy town of superb baroque and neoclassical architecture, its cobbled lanes leading out to squares lined with cafes and restaurants.
Bratislavan women, it must be said, are among the most beautiful in Europe, and seem to compete vigorously with each other in an ongoing tight-trousers competition," Paul Mansfield of the London Evening Standard wrote on June 19, 2002 in Going slowly down the Danube.

"For me, the jewel of the city was the main square...It's an intimate quarter lined with baroque, rococo and Gothic structures, some of which have been transformed into cafes, restaurants or wine bars. I could easily have lingered here for a week, sipping coffee and taking in the view," writes Gary Lee in the Washington Post feature of June 16, 2002, at Slovak Republic, A Castle for Every Mountain.

Finally, a recent piece in German: "Die Hauptstadt der Slowakei liegt zwischen ihren großen Schwestern Wien und Budapest direkt an der Donau...Aber auch Bratislava allein ist eine Reise wert," said Karl Waldhecker in a June 10, 2003 programme broadcast on WDR, available at Bratislava – die Hauptstadt der Slowakei.

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