Half-Day Excursions

Royal Bratislava

Bratislava is the ancient coronation town of the historic Hungarian Kingdom, where between 1563 and 1830 eleven kings and eight royal wives were crowned. The Royal Bratislava walking tour, designed to place the city's history in its European context, follows the traditional route of the coronation procession, visiting Gothic St. Martin's Cathedral and other Habsburg heritage sites. The highlight will be the neo-Classical Primate’s Palace, where in 1805 the Pressburg Peace treaty between France and Austria was signed – the Palace is famous for its collection of English tapestries.

 

Communist Bratislava

The Communist regime collapsed in 1989, but it left a distinctive and lingering stamp on the face of the city. The tour will be an eye-opening and educational lesson for those who did not experience life under this political system. Visits to the Soviet military cemetery and memorial on Slavin Hill and to Petrzalka, one of the largest Communist housing estates in Europe, will provide an unforgettable encounter with East-Central European Communist heritage.

Jewish Bratislava

Ancient Pressburg was for centuries one of the most prominent centers of Jewish learning in Europe. Join us for a tour that literally descends into the miraculously preserved underground Chatam Sofer memorial mausoleum and learn about this fascinating chapter of Bratislava history. A visit to the Museum of Jewish Culture will open other windows into this richly textured world.

A Vintage Tram Ride

The history of tram transportation in Bratislava dates back to 1895. Embark on the vintage tram near the Carlton Hotel, at the spot from which the tram commuted all the way to Vienna until World War II, and explore the city from a painstakingly restored historic vehicle of the Bratislava Transportation Company. The tour can be combined with an Old Town walking tour.

Devin Castle and Danube River Cruise

A comfortable passenger ship will bring you to Devin Castle, 12 kilometers upstream from Bratislava on the Danube River, on the border with Austria. This romantic ruin, long associated with ancient Slavic traditions, is an important archaeological site with excavations from Roman and medieval times. A source of inspiration for 19th-century Slovak patriotic leaders, the castle today is a popular day-trip destination affording spectacular views of the Danube landscape.

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The Small Carpathian Wine Trail

The excursion wends through meditative vineyards and charming wine-growing towns spread out along the southeastern slopes of the Small Carpathians. Visit a pottery factory and learn about the centuries-old production of the famous Modra ceramics. The highlight will be a visit to Cerveny Kamen [Red Stone] Castle, a massive Renaissance fortress and until 1945 the residence of the mighty Palffy Counts. The trip will conclude with a delicious lunch, including typical local specialties and a wine tasting, in the cozy atmosphere of a local restaurant.

Full-Day Excursions

Trencin Castle and Piestany Spa

In 179 AD, a Roman auxiliary legion tracking a Germanic tribe was caught by winter storms and had to encamp far in the unknown territory north of the Danube River. This remarkable event was recorded in a Latin inscription on the cliff below what eventually became one of the most strategic castles in the region and a residence of the powerful medieval oligarch Matus Cak. Lunch can be served at the fin-de-siecle Tatra Hotel. Enjoy the afternoon in the world-famous Piestany Spa, known for its charming Art Nouveau spa houses on its Spa Island. Night tours of Trencin Castle with a banquet included are also possible.

Chateau Topolcianky and Nitra

Chateau Topolcianky is an elegant neo-Classical mansion that was used during the 20th century as a summer residence of Czechoslovakia's presidents. Famed for its rich and varied collections, large garden compound, horse breeding, and excellent vineyard, it is a real treat for visitors. Spend the afternoon in nearby Nitra, an ancient seat of powerful bishops that has a sprawling open-air-museum of folk architecture with a narrow gauge vintage railway that operates on the museum compound.

Bojnice Castle

Count Janos Palffy was an enthusiastic art lover and traveler in the 19th century. After a visit to the chateaux in the Loire Valley in France, he decided to have his residence remodeled to resemble a fairytale Gothic fortress. The turreted castle accommodates his vast art collections, which include the famous Bojnice altar by a Florentine master. An excursion to this legendary and romantic castle will fire your imagination and prove a highlight of your visit to Slovakia. Concluding this day with gala dinner or a nighttime tour is also possible.