Our dilemma, whether to risk and continue in business as usual or to accept the state of emergency, was solved by the decision of the Slovak government. And the decision was right, of course. 

Yes, social media in travel business is about scenic images and emotional slogans. But we think that in this special situation it is also a duty of the tour providers to use their social channels to say that people should behave responsibly and cancel/reschedule their travel plans.

Despite all the sport and cultural events in Slovakia were forbidden, some commercial cinemas continued to screen movies. Many ski resorts and water parks remained opened. Families, with kids who were unable to attend the school due to the restrictions, enjoyed skiing and splashing in crowds until the Slovak government enforced closure of these facilities.

Some of the OTAs (Online Travel Agencies), bigger players, sent newsletters to the smaller tour providers with recommendations how to keep business running. Some of the advice were to reduce cut-off time to catch the last minute bookings, focus on travellers from neighbouring countries, etc. All this during the pandemic of unprecedented reach in the globalised world. 

Travel industry is in trouble now. How long its recovery will last, depends on the communication and policy of the travel business as well. Now it is time to slow down and to give up immediate profit.

Written from home-and-orchard-office by: Brano Chrenka, March 13th 2020 

Bratislava city centre is formed by the historic Old Town, broader area with several interesting communist-era objects and new business district in former brownfields. Bratislava Old Town is picturesque, compact and pedestrian-friendly. It has the most attractions for you to see and visit. The most iconic objects are the Bratislava Castle, St. Martin’s Cathedral, Old Town Hall, Michael’s Gate and Slovak National Theatre.

Other historic buildings of Bratislava are its palaces: Primate’s Palace, Grassalkovich Palace (now a seat of the Slovak President) and Episcopal Summer Palace (now a seat of the Slovak Government). Visit also the art nouveau Blue Church and lively Old Market Hall. From former Jewish heritage, there is the Synagogue at Heydukova street, Holocaust Memorial on the spot of the former Neologic Synagogue and Chatam Sofer Mauseloeum.

If you feel like having too much of the main city landmarks and wish to see more hidden off the beaten path locations, we will be happy to take you to our Post-Communist Bratislava Tour ?

Naturally, they are not exact “twins”. Vienna is Bratislava’s bigger, more famous and historically more important sister. Nevertheless, significant influence on all levels can be perceived by each visitor. Numerous buildings and statues in Bratislava were built by the Viennese. If choosing one sculptor for all, let’s mention Viktor Tilgner, Austrian artist, whose connection between the both cities cannot be forgotten. He was born in Bratislava, and died in Vienna. Most of his works he did for Vienna, often you pass beside them without noticing. But he never forgot his birth place and gave to our city probably the most beautiful fountain just outside of the opera house (the old building of the Slovak National Theatre) – Ganymede’s fountain.

Last but not least we cannot forget gastro! What comes to your mind if Vienna is discussed? Wiener Schnitzel, right? And this used to be and partially still ranks among the most popular dishes in Bratislava. 

The Devín Castle is reachable by bicycle on flat terrain, but the route from the city centre follows a designated cycle path only partially. Some 5 kilometres follow the road with car traffic. However, from Devín there is a very pleasant cycling path along the Morava river and former Iron Curtain border zone to Devínska Nová Ves and further to the north.

If avoiding McDonalds and searching for local stuff, you should first put the question in a more specific way – do I search for a Slovak food or specifically Bratislavian? Generally, traditional Slovakian dishes are considered those, which used to be typical rather in the more rural, especially Northern regions of the country, but today are available and popular in Bratislava too!

First of all, just after you finish your garlic soup in the loaf of bread, you should not miss the one on the very top of the list – “bryndzové halušky”, in fact untranslatable to English, but let’s call it dumplings (or better gnocchi?) with sheep cheese and bacon or scabs.