"Beautiful Bratislava!" a Slovakia Travel Page by randi413

We stayed in the 3-star Hotel Tatra, named for the nearby mountains, and really enjoyed ourselves. We had a spacious room, beautifully, though simply appointed, overlooking the Presidential Palace and the Bratislava Hrad (castle.) We paid about 80 dollars US a night, including a very sturdy breakfast, and had the use of a workout room. The staff was very friendly and most accommodating.

Few western tourists come to SLovakia. In the split from the Czech Republic, Slovakia got little in the way of assets. But the people are very friendly and if you look past the typical Communist blocks of buildings, the older part of the city is quite charming. Trains are cheap, restaurants have varied menus and food is good and very inexpensive. There is a pedestrian area of shops and restaurants that is very nice, and you can get Cuban cigars! Lots of old churches and even some roman architecture.

Had hoped to take a train out to the Spis castle ruins but with limited time, made it only to Trnava. This is the oldest city in Slovakia. A short, very cheap, train ride through some pretty scenery took us to Trnava. We spent a day wandering through the 13 old churches there, as well as a wonderful museum in a convent form the 1500's. Again, very friendly people, good food, cheap prices. Lots of ceramic pieces and leather goods.