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Bratislava Sightseeingtour Capital of (3 hours)

One of the youngest capitals of Europe has a rich history too. It reaches back even beyond the time of the Celtic and Roman settlements in this area. It is a city upon the Danube, which The sightseeing tour begins at the Danube with a bus tour, at first along the Danube promenade and then we pass the St. Martin´s Cathedral, the former coronation church of kings and flows to the city through the narrow, geographically named Gate of Devin or also Porta Hungarica. Today is Bratislava a modern and living half a million city. It is the cultural and economic queens of Hungary. We continue along the medieval city walls and pass the – now Presidential Palace. We also pass the archbishops summer palace – now seat of center of the country and an important nodal point of the road, railroad and river transport. The former capital and coronation town of the Hungarian Monarchy has been earlier called in the government. The Palisade Street will lead us to the castle hill, with a marvelous panoramic view of the city and its surrounding, up to the Soviet war memorial Slavín. Afterwards it is German Pressburg or in Hungarian Pozsony. The numerous monuments and old buildings on the castle hill and in the Old Town were witnesses of many historical events. The Castle, the possible to have a closer look at the Castle and its courtyards and then we drive back to the city. St. Martin´s Cathedral, the Old Town Hall and the palaces are testifying about the important role the town played in the past centuries of the European history. During the comfortable walk in the pedestrian zone of the historical city centre, you discover the most beautiful part of the Old Town. The medieval streets will lead you also to the St. You should also discover Bratislava. The city is looking forward to your visit. Martin´s Cathedral. Along renaissance burgher-houses and baroque palaces and the oldest university in Bratislava – Academia Istropolitana and the Michael´s Gate we come to the Main Square, to the very center of the town Bratislava. Also the Old Town Hall, the Maximilian Fountain and the hospitable Art Nouveau cafés, just like the historical Mayer Pastries, are standing on this former marketplace. From the Main Square, the streets are leading to the Danube. This way will take us also to the Opera House which is standing on the beginning of a very nice boulevard. The beautiful Ganymede´s Fountain is standing right in front of the Opera House. Then we pass by the Concert Hall, called Reduta, and so we get back to our starting point at the Danube.

1/ Overall view to the Old Town 1/ Overall view to the Old Town 2/ Slovak National Theater 2/ Founding letter of the town 3/ Main Square 3 LET‘S DISCOVER THE BEAUTY ON THE DANUBE TOGETHER LET‘S DISCOVER THE BEAUTY ON THE DANUBE TOGETHER

Bratislava Sightseeing Bus Tour and Danubiana Oldtimer Ride and Walk (4 hours) (3 hours)

The sightseeing tour begins at the Danube with a bus tour, at first along the Danube promenade and then we pass the St. Martin´s Cathedral, the former coronation church of kings and The sightseeing tour begins at the Danube and then the Oldtimer passes the Concert Hall, the seat of the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra. It passes also the Slovak National Theater and reaches the queens of Hungary. We continue along the medieval city walls and pass the Grassalkovich Palace – now Presidential Palace. We also pass the archbishops summer palace – now seat Square of the Slovak National Uprising with the Old Market Hall and the Monastery of the Merciful Brothers. It continues by the Church of the Trinitarian Order to the Grassalkovich Palace – now of the government. The Palisade Street will lead us to the castle hill, with a marvelous panoramic view of the city and its surrounding, up to the Soviet war memorial Slavín. Afterwards Presidential Palace and then the Palisade Street up to the Castle. it is possible to have a closer look at the castle and its courtyards and then we drive back to the city. Through the Vienna Gate, the Oldtimer enters the Honor Courtyard of the Castle. After 20 to 25 minutes break, it is riding to the eastern castle terrace with a nice view of the Old Town and also of the From the city centre the bus continues right to Čuňovo, a suburb of Bratislava on the right bank of the Danube, where the Museum of Modern Art “Danubiana“ is standing on a peninsula St. Martin´s Cathedral, the former coronation church of the rulers of Hungary. Through the Leopold Gate we are leaving the Castle and we take the Castle Street and Old Town Street down. We pass in the middle of the Danube streams. This museum was founded in the year 2000 by the Slovak gallery owner Vincent Polakovič and the Dutch art collector and patron Gerard H. the western city walls on the way to the Old Town to the Slovak National Theater, the best starting point for the walk in the pedestrian zone of the historical city centre of Bratislava. Meulensteen. In the big halls the exhibitions of worldwide known, outstanding artists of Modern Art are always varying there. The entire complex is being completed by the Art Shop During the comfortable walk through the Old Town we pass the Hviezdoslav Square, the historical streets with numerous palaces and burgher-houses and the Michael’s Gate. We will also have with rich choice of catalogues, publications, post cards and souvenirs and also a comfortable Art Café with a terrace directly on the riverbank. There are further additional objects and a closer look on the St. Martin´s Cathedral. The Main Square surprises everybody with its picturesque and comfortable flair. Here we find the Old Town Hall, the Maximilian Fountain, further palaces sculptures of Modern Art in the newly founded park around the museum’s building. and coffee-houses, just like the historical Mayer Pastry Shop. From the Main Square the streets are leading along the Opera House with the Ganymede´s Fountain and the Concert Hall back again to the Danube.

1/ Slovak National Theater 1/ St. Martin´s Cathedral 2/ Primate´s Palace 2/ Grassalkovich Palace 3/ Oldtimer at the Castle 3/ Danubiana Gallery 4/ English Tapestry from the 17th century 5 LET‘S DISCOVER THE BEAUTY ON THE DANUBE TOGETHER LET‘S DISCOVER THE BEAUTY ON THE DANUBE TOGETHER

The Communist Architecture Prešporáčik-Oldtimer Ride in Bratislava in the Old Town (4 hours) (1 hour)

This trip to the communist architecture of Bratislava begins at the Danube. From the river bank we can see the bridges, for instance the Old Bridge that was after its destruction This trip begins at the Danube too. At the New Bridge the Oldtimer turns in to the Old Town. On the Rudnay Square and the Panská Street it passes the Csáky Palace and Keglevich rebuild by the Russians and the New Bridge with its unique suspension structure. We continue around the Old Town to the campus of the Slovak University of Technology. Its buildings Palace. It continues on the Ventúrska Street, where we pass the Academia Istropolitana and then the Chapter Street up to the St. Martin´s Cathedral. We continue along the Church of were built during the communism. We can spot from here also the upside down pyramid of the Slovak Radio Company. Our trip continues up to the Castle of Bratislava from where we the Poor Claire through some very narrow streets to the Michael’s Gate and then through the Franciscan Square with the oldest church of this town - the Franciscan Church to the Main can precisely observe the developments of Bratislava in the communist period. Then we drive to the Soviet War Memorial – Slavín. It is a beautiful example of the Socialist realism; Square with the Old Town Hall and the Maximilian Fountain - the oldest one in the town. From the Main Square returns the Oldtimer back to the starting point at the Danube. it has been the personal style of Stalin. Afterwards we drive downtown. We will drive around the town along the former outer fortification; we will pass the House of Unions, the During the one hour ride, the history of the town and additional information to the visited sites are being given with the help of CD audio systems. This kind of sightseeing is New Market Hall and the brewery of Bratislava; and so we reach the New Slovak National Theater. It was completed after more then twenty years of construction in 2007. We will predominantly suitable for guests with walking difficulties. During this trip it is not necessary to get off an on. The slow ride offers opportunity to take pictures or video sequences, take a look also inside of this modern ostentation. Then we will cross the Danube to Petržalka, to take a closer look to the pre-cast concrete panel housing. We stop with the bus and in nice weather is the retractable roof down. under the New Bridge and take a lift to the Observation restaurant, situated on the very top of this bridge and we will enjoy the view of the Old Town. The bus will take us then back to the starting point.

1/ War Memorial Slavín 1/ Church and Monastery of the Poor Clare’s 2/ Slovak Radio Company 2/ Oldtimer on the Main Square 3/ New Bridge 3/ Michael´s Street

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Observation vehicle Prešporáčik-Oldtimer XL Prešporáčik-Oldtimer® Unique from Bratislava

It is a special manufactured vehicle with the ancient-like design and a transparent removable roof. This vehicle has been designed in collaboration with the Bratislava Old Town It will take you up to the courtyard of the Castle. The bigger brother Prešporáčik-Oldtimer XL is driving with a pleasant speed of 25 kph. Almost all coaches have got the approved cabriolet district, and is being powered the environment friendly natural gas. Our Prešporáčik-Oldtimer® is the only vehicle driving directly in the historical center of the Old Town – in the form. In nice weather it is possible to open the transparent roof and close again very fast. And when the sun is shining too strong, there will be a „parasol“ opened over your head. pedestrian zone. During the ride you pass the numerous important sites and you learn many things about the past and present of Bratislava. All sightseeing tours are being accompanied by a professional licensed city guide. Prešporáčik-Oldtimer® has got a cabriolet form and it is driving with the speed of 5 kph. So you have a nice view and you can record your impressions on the camera. Capacity: Capacity: Prešporáčik-Oldtimer® XL: 2 vehicles 62 seats – it means two 31-seaters Prešporáčik-Oldtimer®: 3 vehicles 30 seats – it means two 12-seaters and one 6-seater Bratislava is looking forward to your visit! Bratislava is looking forward to your visit!

9 LET‘S DISCOVER THE BEAUTY ON THE DANUBE TOGETHER LET‘S DISCOVER THE BEAUTY ON THE DANUBE TOGETHER

Oldtimer Ride Sightseeing Walk to the Castle (2 hours) (1,5 hours)

The sightseeing tour begins at the Danube and then the Oldtimer passes the Concert Hall, the seat of the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra. It passes also the Slovak National Theater and The sightseeing walk begins on the Danube promenade. On the way to the Slovak National Theater on the Hviezdoslav Square we cross the Ľudovít Štúr Square – the former coronation it reaches the Square of the Slovak National Uprising with the Old Market Hall and the Monastery of the Merciful Brothers. It continues by the Church of the Trinitarian Order to the square. Along the promenade we come to the St. Martin´s Cathedral, the former coronation church of kings and queens of Hungary. The historical streets are leading through the Old Town Grassalkovich Palace – now Presidential Palace and then the Palisade Street up to the Castle. along numerous palaces from the 18th century and the oldest university of Bratislava - Academia Istropolitana and the Michael’s Gate from the 13th century. We get then to the Main Through the Vienna Gate, the Oldtimer enters the Honor Courtyard of the Castle. After 20 to 25 minutes break, it is riding to the eastern castle terrace with a nice view of the Old Town and Square, which offers many attractive sites: the Old Town Hall, the Maximilian Fountain and hospitable Art Nouveau cafés, just like the historical Mayer Pastries. From the Main Square the also of the St. Martin´s Cathedral, the former coronation church of the rulers of Hungary, then we are leaving the Castle through the Leopold Gate and we take the Castle Street and Old streets are leading along the Opera House with the Ganymede´s Fountain and the Concert Hall back again to the Danube. Town Street down. We pass the western city walls on the way to the Old Town to the Slovak National Theater, the best starting point for the walk in the pedestrian zone of the historical city centre of Bratislava.

1/ 2/ Panorama view to the capital 1/ Concert Hall in Bratislava 3/ St. Martin´s Cathedral 2/ Old Town Hall 4/ Michael´s Street 3/ Main Square 5/ Sanctuary in the St. Martin´s Cathedral 4/ St. Martin´s Cathedral 11 LET‘S DISCOVER THE BEAUTY ON THE DANUBE TOGETHER LET‘S DISCOVER THE BEAUTY ON THE DANUBE TOGETHER

Sightseeing Komárno and Bratislava Walk and a Concert (6 hours) (3 hours)

The sightseeing walk begins on the Danube promenade. At first we will reach the St. Martin´s Cathedral, the former coronation church of Hungarian kings and queens. On the Rudnay Square at Komárno is a small district city at the Danube with 38.000 inhabitants and a rich history which reaches back to the time of Celtic and Roman settlements. It was the former county the cathedral is the bust of Franz List, who started his great career at the age of 9 years here in Pressburg. 1884 in the cathedral he conducted his Coronation Mass, composed for the coronation administration seat and the fourth biggest city in the Hungarian Kingdom. This is the hometown of the famous operetta composer Franz Lehár. Komárno is now a border town and it is of the emperor Francis Joseph and empress Elisabeth. The historical streets in the pedestrian zone are leading through the town passing by further interesting sites, palaces like: Keglevich lying directly on the half way between Bratislava and Budapest, 100km away from both capitals. Palace, where Ludwig van Beethoven gave a concert in 1796, and the Academia Istropolitana. Then, we come to the Pálffy Palace where, in those times six years old, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Sightseeing of Komárno (1hour) impressed the aristocracy of Bratislava with his extraordinary gift. The Michael’s Gate, the Franciscan Church and the Old Town Hall are testifying the rich history of the town reaching back to the From the harbor, at the Elisabeth Bridge, it is just a short ride with the bus to the pedestrian zone of Komárno. We get off the bus at the park with the Franz Lehár memorial, where medieval period. Not far from the Primatial Palace, a house is standing where the great musician and composer Johann Nepomuk Hummel was born. He was like Mozart a wonder-child and was his house of birth once stood. Taking the Palatine Street we pass the Benedictine Monastery and the Danube Museum, also the St. Andreas church and the Trinity column to the also his student in Vienna for two years. On the Main Square with the Maximilian Fountain, palaces and Art Nouveau cafés you will also find the historical Mayer Pastry Shop. General Klapka Square with the Town Hall and the palace of the family Zichy. Then we continue with the Jókai Street and through the St. Ladislaus Gate, the Street of the Singing The trip continues in the Old Town in one of the palaces with a private concert of your choice: folk or entertainment music (movie and musical music) or classical music. After the concert we See will lead us to the Europe Place. walk to the Danube. At first we pass the Opera House where the Hungarian Opera composer, Franz Erkel, conducted his opera Bánk Bán during the opening ceremony and two years after, Johann The idea of the Europe Place is closely connected with the millennium event. The architects wanted to build a small part of the city where the houses would represent individual nations Strauss Jr. conducted here his famous operetta The Bat. In front of the theater you can see the Ganymede´s Fountain. Passing by the Concert Hall, the present seat of the Slovak Philharmonic in Europe as a symbol of return of Slovakia into Europe. From Europa Place we pass the Officers Pavilion, where we get back on the bus. We drive then to Bratislava with an half an hour Orchestra, we get back to the “Nice Blue Danube”. refreshment break on the way. Bratislava sightseeing

1/ Castle of Bratislava 2/ Mirbach Palace in Bratislava 1/ House at the Good Shepherd 3/ Main Square in Bratislava 2/ Mirror Hall in the Primate’s Palace 4/ Town Hall in Komarno 3/ St. Martin´s Cathedral 5/ Europe Place 4/ Old Town Hall 6/ Europe Place 13 LET‘S DISCOVER THE BEAUTY ON THE DANUBE TOGETHER LET‘S DISCOVER THE BEAUTY ON THE DANUBE TOGETHER

Small Carpathians Imperial (5 hours) Festival Palace – Schloss Hof (4 hours)

These mountains are mostly under nature protection; they start in Bratislava and continue to the North-East and are 100 km long. The beautiful nature scenery begins by the castle ruin of From the center of Bratislava the bus takes you on the castle road of Moravia field, to Schloss Hof in Austria. It is Austria’s biggest castle in the countryside. It was built 1726 for the Devin, exactly of the confluence at the river Danube and the river Morava. The rivers are creating the state border with Austria. In the past the Small Carpathians created the northwestern legendary army leader and General, Prince Eugene of Savoy. It was rebuilt for Maria Theresa to a large castle complex. The Habsburgs have lost their interest in this country palace after border to the Hungarian Kingdom with numerous castles. her time. Today, the imperial apartments and the festival hall or the chapel are being presented as they were originally made by the best artists of their time. The tour in the castle Along the Small Carpathians, there are also many vineyards with a long wine-grower tradition going back to the time of the Roman and Celtic settlements. The cities like Sv. Jur (St. takes approximately one hour and than you have still enough free time for the individual visit of the beautiful garden complex with fountains and sculptures, the palm tree house with George), Pezinok or Modra provided their good Small Carpathian wines to the royal court already in the medieval times. Also the hand crafts, like ceramic making, have a long tradition a fascinating collection of Mediterranean flora. On the Meierhof – Farm you can experience the baroque country life, dozens of fruit and vegetable sorts and the old garden architecture beneath the Small Carpathians. The majolica ceramic is being produced here since 16th century – the present folk majolica of Modra. These products like vases, plates, jugs, cups with tradition. You may visit an alcohol distillery or a marmalade kitchen, where the fruits are being processed according to the old recipes. You should not miss also the stables with numerous a unique floral and wine décor are known and desired today. rare animals like Lipizzaner horses, camels or white donkeys. At the end we drive back to Bratislava. The Small Carpathian tour begins in Bratislava. We drive direction Devín, then over the Small Carpathians through the towns Pezinok and Modra to Častá. Over the village, there is a former royal castle Červený Kameň (Red Stone). Here we visit the fancy collection of historical furniture. On the way back you have the chance to taste the wines from the region in a wine cellar, where you learn also the history of wine-growing closer. Afterwards we visit a small private ceramic manufactory with a practical demonstration of pottery. At the end follows the way back to Bratislava.

1/ Devin Castle at the confluence of Danube and the Morava River 2/ Red Stone Castle, “sala terrena” in the castle palace 1/ Baroque Garden 3/ Wooden barrels in the castle wine cellar of Pezinok 2/ Hof Palace 4/ Red Stone Castle 3/ Restaurant in Meierhof 5/ Vineyard town Saint George 4/ Meierhof (baroque farming estate) 15 Design: www.avstudio.sk Photo: Alexander Vojček

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