Bratislava after Czech Rep.?
 

My husband and I are planning a trip to Eastern Europe to celebrate our 25th early in 2009, so this will most likely be the first of many questions I'll post. We plan on flying in to Prague, taking the train/bus to Cesky Krumlov and Telc, followed by at least Vienna and Salzburg. My question is: is Bratislava worth a 2-day side trip after the Czech Republic, or is it very similar to what we will have already seen? Thanks.

I've been to Bratislava and I suppose you might want to go just to say you've been there, but frankly there isn't a whole lot of difference from the other places you'll visit. I suggest you consider how much total time you have for your trip; unless you will have spare time, just stick to the other destinations. If you do really have a couple of extra days, go to Budapest instead of Bratislava.

Thanks, Wayne. We originally included Budapest, but I'm having trouble convincing myself that I want to see it. Convince me, if you would....

I second Budapest for the same reasons that Wayne says. I was very surprised at how beautiful Bupapest was, it was also so cheap to eat and drink there. The walk by the Danbue at night was really lovely, we were staying on the pest side and lots of thing on the buda side were all lite up. There are some lovely buildings to see it has a lot going for it and it is well worth a couple of days.

Skip Bratislava. A friend and I went there a few years ago and our highlight was some great food at an Irish Pub and I don't remember much else except for trying to figure out why we went there. We were upset with ourselves for the time that we had lost.

Thanks for the answers, everyone. No Bratislava.

I liked Bratislava, but I liked Budapest even better. It's beautiful and there is alot to do. We actually extended our stay there and lost a day in Vienna because we liked it so much.

Thanks, Amicita. Would you mind elaborating on what you did in Budapest? I'm trying to let others convince me to go there - I have heard many times it is beautiful, but I need details!

Budapest or Vienna will be a much better than Bratislava. In both the museums, spas and shops are far nicer

Sure. We were only there a few days, as this was in the middle of a rather whirlwind tour. The first night we had we walked down to the river by the Chain Bridge, and ate at a restaurant that was on a docked ship on the river. I forget what it was called. We spent the 2nd morning at the Christmas markets, which won't be there unless you're there around Christmas. In the afternoon we walked around Pest, saw St. Stephen's Cathedral, and some other intersting areas. I don't recall exactly. That evening we went to see a musical, which was kind of an accident. We wanted to go to the opera because the opera house was supposed to be very nice, but we accidently bought tickets to a show at a different theater. On the way back, we walked by the actual Opera house, realized our mistake, and bought tickets for the Opera the next night. The Opera tickets cost about $2, which is less than it costs to just tour the Opera house. The next day we walked around Castle Hill in Buda in the morning, and went to the National Gallery. Fisherman's Bastion was my favorite. It has these really crazy interesting looking buildings. There is also a nice view of the parliment building across the river from there. We had lunch at this communist themed pizza place, which was fun. In the afternoon we went to the Baths at Gellert hotel. Then in the evening we went to the Opera. It was in German, translated into Hungarian, and our $2 seats had an obstructed view, so we had no idea what was going on, but it was nice just to see the inside of the Opera house, which is beautiful. Then we left the next morning. There is also a holocaust museum there that is supposed be very interesting, but we didn't manage to fit that in.

I've been to Bratislava and Budapest and would like to return to Budapest as it is a very beautiful city with lots to do.I did not think Bratislava was very interesting at all.

For Budapest you might be interested in the last part of my trip report:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34659808

http://www.budapestinfo.hu/en/general_information
This may help there is also a guide on the foders under destinations

Thanks once again. Trip reports reveal so many details that you just can't pick up from guidebooks!