Bratislava Travel Guide
9/11/2007 at 9:30 AM
Tags: SkyEurope, Airlines, LCCs, Low Cost Carriers (all tags)
Central European LCC SkyEurope might've had humble beginnings in Bratislava, and tricked a few people by inventing an airport called "Vienna Bratislava" (which actually meant taking an hour-long bus ride across a border checkpoint after arriving in ordinary old Bratislava). But in recent years they just keep expanding and the deals are still as cheap as ever.
With dozens of flight routes that now center around Bratislava, Prague, Budapest and Krakow, there are more being added every time we turn our head. This October, new flights will include runs to the London Luton airport from Bratislava, Prague and Poprad in the Tatra Mountains, and a connection to Kosice in eastern Slovakia too.
Since they're now showing "all inclusive" prices on their website, it's much easier to be impressed with the bargains: Even at short notice there are heaps of flights on many routes for just €29 (less than $40) including taxes and charges. And last time we flew SkyEurope, the flight attendants wore denim: We like that.
Related Stories:
· Site Scramble: SkyEurope [Jaunted]
· SkyEurope [Official Site]
[Photo: pterjan]
by amandak
3/07/2007 at 2:58 PM
Tags: Public Transportation, Public Transportation Love-Hate (all tags)
Today marks the beginning of a bit of a public transportation festival for Jaunted. All throughout this week and next, our contributors will be focusing on their favorite and least favorite transportation systems around the world, with some valuable tips and memorable anecdotes to come. Join us in celebrating the ultimate travel tool: a cheap way to get around. Share your own stories with us in the comments or by emailing tips [at] jaunted [dot] com.Slovak capital Bratislava has, it must be said, a pretty good public transportation system. Left over from socialist times when few could bribe the right person for a car, an extensive bus, trolleybus and tram network criss-crosses the city and you really can get nearly everywhere you need to, and for a very fair price. That price, of course, cannot be paid on the tram, but at a ticket machine that is sometimes nearby and sometimes functioning (but usually only takes coins, which you'll never have enough of). You can also buy tickets in blocks from the people who work at small kiosks if you have good sign language skills.
Riding a tram in Bratislava can be a bit of a cultural experience. When I lived there in 2004, it was common to watch a tram pull into the station with a driver wearing no shirt (don't get excited guys, they were always men; and gals: they were nothing special), eating a sandwich with one hand and sending a text message with the other. Obviously trams can steer themselves. Rumor has it that (somewhat sadly, really) they have to wear uniforms now, that is, actual shirts, not just a uniform bare chest.
More after the jump.
MORE...
by amandak
5/31/2006 at 9:45 AM
Tags: food, alcohol, Bratislava (all tags)
It's not only
alcohol that Eastern Europeans are good at drinking. With an unseasonably cool end of May bringing near freezing temperatures to many parts of central Europe, curling up inside a café with a hot chocolate is something we recommend this week.
In Slovakia's tourism-explodes-here-next capital,
Bratislava, you just need to locate St. Michael's Gate at the top of the Old Town, then head down a few shops to number six Michalska Street: chocaholic's heaven, Čokoláda, is here. While they claim to make drinks, the glass full of melted chocolate your 70-odd koruna buys you requires a spoon, for sure.
A full page listing more than 30 types of hot chocolate takes time to work through, even if the staff supply you with the English version. Imagine pretty much any possible ingredient (think whisky, tomato juice, ice cream) and you'll find it on the list, though our favorite is the Sudánska with orange pieces, coconut and honey; almost healthy, right? So if you're in Slovakia this week and didn't bring your winter clothes, pig out on a hot chocolate instead. If that doesn't warm the cockles of your heart, many of the 30 types come with a shot of alcohol. It is Eastern Europe, after all.
[Image via Thomas Hawk/Flickr]
by amandak
5/24/2006 at 9:00 AM
Tags: Travel Hell, Tours (all tags)
A Hungarian teacher learnt an important lesson this week: don't teach your students anything, or you could be arrested. He'd taken his history class to nearby Slovak capital
Bratislava and was showing them through
St Martin Cathedral when police arrested both him and his pupils. The teacher had been giving an unlicensed guided tour, the police alleged: and his students earned arrest by listening.
We've personally tried many a time without success to negotiate St Martin's erratic opening hours, and commend this teacher for even getting inside. What's more, we've heard more than a couple of stories where the police in this area fail to follow even the vague form of the law. It's unclear if there are other circumstances which led to the arrests: perhaps the teacher misinformed his charges on the dimensions of the gold pillow topping the cathedral tower or incorrectly attributed the chapel of St Anna to Anna Kournikova. If you're tripping through Bratislava, we still heartily recommend checking out St Marty's. Just be careful not to sound too knowledgeable when chatting to your traveling partner.
How did the school excursion end? The Hungarian embassy got in on the action secured the group's unharmed release. That'll learn 'em.
[Image via Jamie.Silva/Flickr]
Related stories:
Embassy requests clarification [mti]
Boating to Bratislava [Jaunted]
by amandak
5/09/2006 at 10:05 AM
Tags: boats, Danube (all tags)
While regions of Europe at the flooded Danube's delta are still plenty stressed about receding floodwaters and the dreaded clean-up, those closer to the river's source are planning ahead for the summer season.
Trips along the mighty river through Austria and into Hungary have long been a favorite for in-the-know travelers in Eastern Europe. This summer, the world's (allegedly) two nearest capital cities are teaming up to provide the
Twin City Liner for nifty day tripping between Austrian capital of Vienna and the Slovak capital, Bratislava.
Starting June 1, there'll be three trips a day in each direction, with fares ranging from 15 to 25 Euro. While it's unclear whether the mode of transport is a high-speed catamaran to a giant motorboat, the Twin City Liner journey takes an hour and a half from Bratislava, or fifteen minutes quicker travelling with the flow from Austria. It's a touch slower than the train, but docks closer to the city centers, and gives you double the pretty scenery.
The ferry company makes a big deal out of having found just the right technology to navigate this part of the Danube, which can have a dangerously low water level in the summer months. Just don't eat too much of that heavy Central European cuisine before hopping aboard; you might be the passenger who gets the boat scraping the bottom.
by amandak
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