Bratislava Nov 29 – 30

An inauspicious start as we had to disembark from the Ryanair plane.
Just before take off, the pilot spotted a warning light.
Returned to starting point and boarded another , identical plane.
Eventually arrived an hour and twenty minutes late.

Booked in to the Mercure Hotel, then a quick taxi ride to the Old Town,
where “El Diabolo” was still serving food,TG.
Great beer and a live singer who made us laugh by murdering a series of classic hits, ranging from the rather inappropriate “In the Summertime”, to “No Woman, No Cry”, encouraged by a group of local girls, who happily danced away. Great vibe , as we say these days.
Bed by 1.30 pm, in a beautiful room.

Sunday, 30 th November

Excellent, unhurried breakfast, then bus 93, to St Michael’s Gate, the only remaining, original gate to the Old Town.

It was 3* in a light drizzle! for most of the day?Unsurprisingly, we were wrapped up in preparation and this did not detract from the enjoyment of walking about this beautiful old quarter.

The Christmas Market was in full swing in the Main Squares; unlike Birmingham’s “Biggest” market, this very traditional market is more locally authentic, with a bewildering choice of regional produce, artefacts, food and drink.
Hannah and I enjoyed a a Cherry Punch.
This was Hannah’s reaction:-

When telling people we were going to Bratislava, sometimes a look of puzzlement would cloud their brows.
Perhaps this T – Shirt encapsulates their reaction.

Festivities continued by the Market, next to the ice rink, on stage,Bratislava’s answer to “Girls Aloud”.

Cultural visit to the Primate’s palace.
The Palace was designed for the Cardinal Joseph Bátthány, Archbishop of Esztergom and Primate of Hungary in 1781, this palace is one of the architectural jewels of Slovakia.

Its pale pink and white exterior is topped with various marble statues and a large cast iron cardinal’s hat. The hat is a symbol of the Archbishop, for whom the palace was built, and of the various cardinals who lived here throughout the years.

It was here on 26th December 1805 in the Hall of Mirrors that Napoleon signed the Pressburg Peace Treaty after being defeated at the Battle of Austerlitz

Today, the palace houses part of the Municipal Museum, and has an excellent collection of 17th century English Tapestries, which were found hidden in the palace.

Fortified by soup and beer in “The Dubliner”, for lunch, some more meandering led to the banks of the Danube.
Rather grey and forbidding, but still a river with so much history.

Back in the historic quarter, twilight descending, eyes upward:-

It was time to return to the Hotel, feet up in readiness for an evening in the highly recommended ,Prasna Basta Restaurant; table booked.