Bratislava is a sometimes overlooked capital city which is surprising given its location – right bang in the middle of Central Europe. It is the capital of Slovakia, which gives it a certain vibrancy.

Bratislava oozes history and yet is a very young, cool city to visit with loads of bars, restaurants and places to see. Seated right on the River Danube and just 40km from Vienna, Bratislava is easily accessible. In the last couple of years a number of cheap flight operators (easyJet, Sky Europe, Ryanair) have introduced direct flights to Bratislava Airport.

There is a really warm feel to the city, especially in the old town with its cobbled streets and ancient buildings. The sweeping view of the city as you walk up Castle Hill gives you a great perspective, providing an insight into the dramatic changes this place has undergone. It’s a little known fact that the city was the coronation capital of the Hungarian Kingdom for hundreds of years during the period that the Ottomans occupied Budapest.

If history is your thing then there is the Mirror Hall in the Primates Palace which witnessed Napoleon signing the Peace of Pressburg or pop into St Martin’s Dome, in which 11 kings and eight queens were crowned. And if you like to shop - well there is Bohemian crystal in abundance in the stores off the Main Square and loads of shops offering traditional Slovakian craft all around the old town. For real shopaholics - hop onto a tram and head down to the massive shopping centres scattered around town.