Featured writer: McAllister and Co

I’ve been to Slovakia for 5 days, and I really need to write about it to share my adventures. But where to start?

Do I start with the uncertainty about where I was going? Or my nervousness about understanding the country, its culture and history? Or my lack of knowledge of the infrastructure, from Wi-Fi to train lines? Or my unawareness of the geography, the scale and in fact, the actual location of the country?

I honestly didn’t know what to expect.

Whatever worries, doubts or misconceptions I had about Slovakia, the country was just about to blow them out of the water and surprise me each and every day.

I’ll start with Bratislava. I’ve often seen Bratislava on the airport departures board and wondered where it was and why anyone would go there. My chance to find out.

First impression? Sunshine and smiles. The latter from the nicest and politest taxi driver I have ever met. He welcomed me to Bratislava and told me that I had great weather for my visit this weekend. Lucky me.

I was in Bratislava for under 24 hours, but in that short time, I found a capital city with a heart, with a history and with a great big welcome.

I walked for what seemed like miles, enjoying the amazing sunshine (21 degrees in March!), the sights and the peace and tranquillity of the place. The old city, Bratislava castle, the fabulous statues dotted around the place, pavement cafes, great architecture, modern shopping centres, the Slovak National Theatre, trams, and of course, the river Danube. Not what I expected. But delighted with what I found.

And so well connected. Free Wi-Fi everywhere – from the airport to the smallest café.

Next stop, High Tatras. A four hour train ride from Bratislava.

Read more from this author at: http://mcallisterandco.wordpress.com/