Bratislava With its wealth of cultural attractions and gourmet restaurants, and given its good flight connections and hotel facilities, the Slovak capital is the perfect city to host a meeting or incentive event. Overshadowed for decades by nearby Prague and Vienna, Bratislava has truly come alive in recent years. Its jewel-like Old Town is a charming and beautifully restored complex of narrow cobbled streets, spacious squares and pastel-colored Baroque palaces. Located at the point where the Carpathians meet the Danube and dominated by a looming hilltop castle, Bratislava has a long and tumultuous history. For centuries it was the capital of Hungary, and many of the Old Town’s most splendid palaces were the residences of Hungarian noble families. Between 1563 and 1830, eleven Hungarian kings and eight royal consorts were crowned in the Old Town’s St. Martin’s Cathedral. The city boasted a typically cosmopolitan Central European mix of cultures, too. German, Hungarian and Slovak were all spoken by local resi- Main <strong>selling</strong> <strong>points</strong> 1. Bratislava's history In more than 2,000 years of history, Bratislava came under Celtic, Roman, Germanic and Slavic rule, and for more than two centuries it was Hungary’s royal capital and coronation site. All these influences – and more – have left their mark on the modern Slovak capital. Communist rule also changed the face of the city, and today Baroque architecture rubs elbows with the sometimes jarring relics of the post-World War II Communist era. 2. Gastronomy The local gastronomic tradition is a cosmopolitan blend of Slovak, Hungarian, Moravian and Viennese cuisines, and Slovak wines can be excellent. The Old Town boasts a growing number of top-quality restaurants serving international and local cuisine. In the summer, cafés, bars and restaurants spill out into the streets and squares. 3. It’s a compact and friendly city Bratislava’s Old Town is extraordinarily “user friendly”. Its Central European charm, lively but laid-back atmosphere, compact size and dozens of outdoor cafés and restaurants make it an ideal destination for weekend getaways. 4. City of incentive tourism Bratislava can be easily accessed via two international airports, frequent IC train connections, and the motorway. Numerous top-class hotels, gourmet restaurants and other quality suppliers guarantee the success of an incentive event organized here. Bratislava sample itinerary Day 1 Arrival at Bratislava/Vienna International Airport and transfer to the hotel by private coach. Welcome dinner at the hotel and evening program. Day 2 In the morning explore Bratislava's historic Old Town during a fascinating Royal Bratislava walking tour. The route includes the Gothic St. Martin’s Cathedral and the Primate’s Palace, the neo-Classical residence of the Archbishop of Esztergom. Relax in the quaint Main Square, with its craft mar- dents – and the city went by three names: Bratislava in Slovak, Pressburg in German, and Pozsony in Hungarian. There was also a substantial Jewish population. Musical traditions were strong here, and many Old Town palaces bear plaques noting where Mozart, Liszt, Haydn, Bartók, Rubinstein and other famed composers and artists lived or performed. The nineteenth century composer Johann Nepomuk Hummel was born here, and a memorial museum now occupies his childhood home. Fine classical musical traditions still live on, and Bratislava today has an excellent opera and philharmonic hall – but there are plenty of rock, jazz ket and enticing cafés. In the afternoon, have fun rafting in the artificial channel at Čuňovo and unwind at the Danubiana, a scenic site with an exhibition of modern art. Later, enjoy an evening extravaganza with a Danube cruise, including dinner and live musical entertainment. Day 3 After breakfast leave the hotel for an excursion along the Small Carpathian Wine Trail, which includes a visit to the famous Modra pottery factory and the Renaissance Červený Kameň Castle, and folk concerts throughout the year as well. The city boasts a score of museums and galleries that range from the Slovak National Gallery, with its excellent collection of Gothic art from remote Carpathian churches, to many specialized collections focusing on such varied topics as historical weapons, feudal justice, winemaking, antique clocks and Jewish history and culture. Bratislava has undergone a dramatic transformation into a lively cosmopolitan city in recent years. No longer an insignificant stopover that many people passed by on their way from Prague to Budapest, the Slovak capital today is a place to ex- one of the most highly fortified castles in the Carpathians. <strong>Enjoy</strong> lunch at a typical regional restaurant and sample some of the best vintages from Small Carpathian wine cellars. Return to Bratislava and enjoy leisure time to relax. The Gala dinner that night will be the social highlight of the stay in Bratislava. Day 4 In the morning transfer to Bratislava/ Vienna International Airport for a homebound flight. perience and enjoy! Numerous new gourmet restaurants serving Slovak and international specialties have appeared, some of them located in painstakingly restored Baroque palaces and medieval houses. The hotels have seen real progress, too; older hotels have been fully refurbished and now compete with newly opened accommodation venues. There is also much to do in the area outside of Bratislava. You can choose from numerous activities, some of which we present on the following pages. 6 <strong>Enjoy</strong> <strong>Slovakia</strong> <strong>DMC</strong> <strong>DMC</strong> <strong>Enjoy</strong> <strong>Slovakia</strong> 7