[PAST] Transdanube Swim – Bratislava, Slovakia (September 1-4, 2023)

10 April, 2023 | Blog, Tours

Every year our UN Master Lubos Fellner, owner of the biggest Slovak outgoing travel agency BUBO, organises a popular Trans-Danube swim event. This year is the 10th anniversary. So we simply can’t miss such an important date.

We will be VIPs and meet the mayor of Bratislava. The trip includes learning about Bratislava’s Iron Curtain past and visiting Devin castle and former missile base. We will have a dinner with Ukrainian refugees who are hosted in Lubos hotel free of charge, and a BBQ at the tri-border with Hungary and Austria.

This trip also features a visit to two different World Heritage Sites across the border in Austria and a choice of one more in Slovakia or an M@P region in Hungary.

Itinerary (September 1-4)

 

September 1st

Arrival to Vienna, transfer to Bratislava.

Meeting of all participants, transportation to Hainburg an der Donau (Austria).
Short info stroll of Hainburg (Limes Romanus town).
Canoe trip from Hainburg to Bratislava (total length: 4 hrs).

Alternative: Walking tour of Bratislava Old Town with local guide and local products tasting (total length: 2 hrs)

All participants will meet around 6.00 PM. Check in at Ukrainian refugees house.

Welcome dinner at the local restaurant Flagship with bryndzove halusky cooking class. We will invite the Ukrainian families to join us for this event.

 

September 2nd

Breakfast.

Bratislava Identity Bike Tour. Approx 11 kms (6 miles), 3 hrs

Guided bike tour in Bratislava is an insightful cycling journey with our local guide to understand the essentials of history and TODAY genius loci of the Slovak capital. Bike tour takes you to the best cycling locations near the Bratislava city centre. After introduction in the Old Town, we cross the Danube river by iconic SNP bridge and enjoy splendid views to the main Bratislava city landmarks. We enjoy the chill of the oldest city park and head to the authentic communist-era housing estates of Petržalka.

The last part of the route leads us to the post-industrial modern riverside projects and the picturesque Blue Church. This intense bike tour shows you a full picture of Bratislava with its contrasts between medieval Old Town, Cold War history and the most recent developments. Bonfire and BBQ lunch on spot where borders of three states meet – Slovakia, Hungary and Austria. We will cross the borders without passports even without spotting it, but in past, this used to be the infamous Iron Curtain border between East and West.

OR alternative without bicycles:

Bratislava Identity tour by vintage Skoda cars, 2 hrs. (only for participants not taking bicycles). Same route, same finish.

Experience this unique tour in Bratislava in a modern or a legendary Czechoslovak Škoda cars through the most intriguing spots of the communist era with our local guide. We are ready to uncover the identity of Bratislava without censorship for you. Drivers will be provided.

 

Bonfire Lunch and BBQ with Slovak goodies at the Slovak / Hungarian / Austrian border tripoint.

Afternoon trip to Devin castle with local guide, meeting with the eyewitness of the Velvet Revolution, visit of the missile launch base. Wine tasting in Devin with dinner at the local restaurant Usrncika.

Photo by: Vladislav Matveev

 

September 3rd

Breakfast.

Morning at leisure or walk to Zelezna Studnicka meadows – Bratislava’s Central Park (2 hrs).

Lunch at the local restaurant Kolkovna, meeting with Bratislava mayor.
The Kolkovna restaurants concept comes from the Czech Republic where the brand is long-established for its excellent traditional Czech cuisine, contemporary pub gastronomy, and outstanding Pilsner Urquell beer. The stylish and cosy interior also celebrates this symbiosis between classic old and shiny new – with fittings, fixtures, and photos from the early twentieth century. The spacious summer terrace is the perfect place to enjoy food and drink while admiring beautiful views of the Danube and floodplain forest.

TransDanube Swim (3 hrs) with VIP service – one English speaking support “swimmer” followed by dinner at UFO Restaurant Bratislava with the best view of Bratislava, Danube, Austrian mountains and the largest largest socialist housing estate in the former Czechoslovakia, which is flanked by the majestic Danube.

At night leisure in town (duration unlimited).

 

September 4th

Breakfast and checkout from the hotel.

 

Alternative A – Day trip to Banska Stiavnica, 7:30 am departure.

This tour will give you a chance to know a town hidden in Stiavnicke hills. A magical atmosphere is present in this UNESCO gem practically in every corner. Walking through narrow historical streets. Peaceful and definitely addicted. We tell you about the rich mining history of this town. Visit of Old castle, New castle, St. Catherine church, the Holy Trinity square and much more.

Maria Theresa established here the first mining & forest academy in the world. Time for a tasty lunch (not included). Have a real gastronomic experience in Microbrewery Erb – great Slovak food with combination of top quality Slovak beer from natural ingredients. Beers: ERB lager, special dark or the exclusive limited edition. What will be your favourite?

Some free time to buy souvenirs or just strolling around. It’s time for a great coffee & home-made cakes, let’s go to the Cafe 4 Sochy to enjoy it, well to fall in love with this place. Highlight will be the visit in the mine – starts in the calibration (common) room in the middle of the surface area, where we watch a short movie. After the movie everybody gets a cloak, a helmet and a lamp and mines with a guide.Return to Bratislava by 4.00 pm. Local guide included.

Photo by: Daniel Steininger

 

Alternative B – Day trip to Neusiedler See (Austria)

It is the westernmost steppe lake in Europe and the largest lake in Austria. You will visit Rust (smallest city in Austria), the only Austrian wine region where red wine prevails and Hungarian city of Sopron sometimes referred to as Hungary’s “most loyal city” (Sopron’s status as part of Hungary was decided by a local plebiscite held in 1921, with 65% voting for Hungary instead for Austria). The city is in the county: Győr-Moson-Sopron, the region of Western Transdanubia.

Photo by: Mirco Siegenthaler

Airport Transfer to Vienna. 

Final Details

 

Cost – 750 EUR per person

Participants: 12-20 persons

Accommodation: Falkensteiner Hotel Bratislava 4* with breakfast (in twin rooms).

 

Included:

  • Transfer from / to the airport
  • Canoe trip with transfer
  • Meals package: Flagship dinner with cooking class, all breakfast, bonfire BBQ lunch, U Srncika Devin dinner, Lunch at Kolkovna restaurant, Dinner and farewell drink at the UFO restaurant
  • All meals with one drink per person
  • All mentioned tours
  • Licensed professional local guide

 

Not included:

  • tips for local guides (approx. 10 EUR per person)
  • services not mentioned, eg extra drinks etc.
  • entrance fees (approx. 20 EUR per person total)
  • travel insurance

 

How to Join?

The group is full. Sorry.

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