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Bratislava 2017

10th December

Slovakian coat of arms 

Part 1 - The Danube, Castles & Potato based food

Bratislava flag Bratislava coat of arms 


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Having secured tickets on the hydrofoil down the Danube to Bratislava, we were up early(ish) to make sure we were on it.

Morning view from the hotel room into Rudolfsplatz...

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St Rupert's Church tucked away - built in the 8th century, it's central Vienna's oldest...

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Wonderful rooftop glass structures...
  
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Vienna seemed to have quite a lot of industry close to the centre (admittedly this shot was taken with full zoom); this splendidly ornate chimney belongs to the waste incinerator plant...

 
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While Vienna had very little litter, it did have a fair amount of graffiti, especially near the Danube Canal (also a great spot for joggers)...
 
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Pre-trip searching didn't reveal any Danube trip options available, but while we were waiting for the previous day's tram trip we'd asked on spec at the hydrofoil office and were really pleased to secure 2 one-way tickets for a trip to Bratislava, though we'd have to get the train back as there were no return seats available.

Miche pleased to be on the water...
 
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Passing a cruise boat on the Danube...
 
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Another cruise boat (there weren't that many), in the background one of the many fishing huts that lined the Danube Canal and Danube - usually with large square nets on poles to be lowered into the water...
 
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Austrian flag and the ship's wake - you couldn't tell from inside the cabin, but we were going at quite a speed and it was hard to stand up on the top deck...
 
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Still in Austria, but close to the border with Slovakia - Hainburg an der Donau...

 
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Now in Slovakia - the impressive, ranging and ancient Devin Castle...


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Devin Castle (Hrad Devín) at closer quarters...

 
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First views of Bratislava castle...

 
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Miche & our boat...


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Looking up to Bratislava Castle...


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First steps into the city...

 
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Sounds like a fun place for a night out...

 
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Looking towards Michael's Tower and Gate...


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Statue of St Michael near St Michael's Gate...


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Trinitarian Church of Bratislava...


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All that culture gives quite an appetite; here and elsewhere were a selection of potato based crepes available, including the tantalising sounding 'cheep cheese'...


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No need to go hungry for want of a sausage either...


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Time for some super-thick hot chocolates at Cafe Zeppelin...


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We went for the traditional Slovakian cakes, I can't remember their names, but one certainly had apple in it - both were very pleasant...

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Christmas markets in front of the Old Town Hall in Hlavné námestie...
 

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Who wouldn't be intrigued by Zemiakovy Svet Potato's World...

 
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An impressive spiralised potato on a stick...

 
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Day 1 - Travel & Salm Bräu
Day 2 - City Wander & Christmas Market
Day 3 - Bratislava & Cafe Central
Days 4 & 5 - Snowglobes, Cafe Sacher & Vienna by night