Slovakia: Bratislava

Editor's Pick Award

Our Editors awarded this travel blog entry for providing relevant information that may be useful and inspiring for other travelers.

Bratislava, Slovakia: hrad (castle)

View more photos 

Yeah yeah, I'm in Bratislava and I haven't been tortured or chopped into a hundred pieces, a la the recent movie HOSTEL. 

Bratislava is actually much nicer than I expected.  The old town is quite stunning, and the castle has great views of the city. 

Even better are the views of the modernist bridge (which has a restaurant on top) and the fantastic communist apartment blocks across the Danube River.  I absolutely love the character of those Soviet concrete slabs.

Construction is going on everywhere, apparently they are trying to make Bratislava into a Prague-type tourist city...let's just say there's a long way to go. 

There are tons of outdoor cafes and restaurants in the old town.  I had a gin and tonic at a swanky place last night - it cost around $4.00.  Just like Boston and Reykjavik! 

Bratislava, Slovakia: communist apartment blocks near the danube and the novi mostar (new bridge)

View more photos 

Everything is insanely cheap here, quite like Bulgaria and Romania.  My long cab ride from the airport to the center of town was about $10.00.  Most beers are around $1.00 - $2.00. 

There are some pretty cool people at the hostel (there are actually a few Americans here, including four girls who just happened to graduate from Boston College - bizarre). 

I've got an early train to Munich tomorrow where I'll finally get a taste of the World Cup madness. Anyway, be sure to check out ALL the pics I post (you have to click on the picture they show in the entry, as they only show one), and I'm also adding a bunch of pics to the Iceland entries, so check it!