The late autumn edition of the fam trip, was probably the most beautiful one. The colors of Bratislava turned from green to gold, and the grand Danube had a different reflection of the through which it flows.
DAY ONE
A group of 9 buyers from Europe (Germany, UK, France) and Russia started the autumn edition of the Bratislava fam trip on a very special place right under the Bratislava castle. On the terrace of the Grand Hotel River Park luxury collection overlooking three countries the group had a welcome drink under the pleasant, warm autumn sun. The hotel is situated on the banks of the Danube only a brief walk from the Old city center.
A nice walk down the Old city centre, through a 500 years of history that formed todays boutique, compact and intimate Slovak capital with a deep imperial heritage followed to the next stop – the Nelbalka gallery – also known as the Slovak Gugenheim. The goal of the Nedbalka Gallery is to introduce to the wider public the amazing works of Slovak fine art from the late nineteenth to the early twentieth century. Although the gallery focuses mostly on paintings, the collection also includes sculpture and print works too. The Nedbalka Gallery offers exclusive premises for rent in the city centre, including a unique backdrop for various events from receptions, lectures, seminars, conferences, concerts and press conferences all the way to photo and commercial shootings. The visit of the gallery ended with a lovely cup of hand-crafted coffee at the galleries caffe lounge.
The first day was closed at a place for foodies in the centre of Bratislava, where tradition and nobleness got a divine contemporary twist is opened and fully running. The group met the Bratislava CVB team and their partners over a relaxed dinner at the The Globo restaurant & wine bar, housed in the corner of Franciscan square (Františkánske Namesti). The ground floor is the neatly designed restaurant with fine, noble atmosphere, and the underground floor is the wine bar. Looking at Globo’s interior design, menu or the wine list makes it clear that the restaurant is not aiming for the average.
DAY TWO
The early morning of the second day started with an authentic excursion to the past. Thanks to the Authentic Slovakia, Tours beyond ordinary, the group explored a vast concrete housing estate, the Soviet monument Slavín, post-industrial developments, the Iron Curtain border zone and loads of communist-era architecture. This off-the-beaten-track tour brought alive the story of Bratislava in the turbulent 20th century.
A lunch at one of Bratislava’s most prominent features was next. The UFO tower offering mesmeric and unforgettable views of the city, where from a 95-metre height you can take in the entire city stretching out directly below you. Besides the Restaurant that offers an exquisite showcase of the Slovak contemporary gastronomy, the UFO tower is also a venue where you can host an unforgettable event, and for the adrenaline seekers – the Skywalk is an incentive idea that will take your breath away…literally.
Since Bratislava and the surrounding regions have a very strong viniculture, the group experienced the depth of Slovak viniculture in a different, and very unique light….well actually in the dark at the Small Carpathian Museum in Pezinok.
Next stop was at The Stone that protects the vineyards where moden architecture is in line with rural charm and great wines of the Elesko Wine park, where the group visited Zoya museum. The museum was opened in 2009 and is the younger sister of Zoya Gallery located in Bratislava, and is a part of a newly built winery – Elesko Wine Park, whose architecture was awarded the award – Building of the year 2010. The museum program is focused on the Slovak art after the second half of the 20th century, and also World art from abroad. And the most famous is the permanent exhibition of collection of Andy Warhol works.
And the day was closed with 800 years of wine, passion and legends – at the Chateau Pezinok, located just a half hour drive from Bratiislava city centre, in Pezinok, you can find a “Legend in sight” – the Palace Art Hotel. The beautifully preserved and renovated chateau was transformed to a boutique hotel, event venue and the home of Zámocké vinárstvo. The castle has 16 event premises – different in sizes and suitable for every type of event for 8 to 600 guests, all boasting the Middle Ages atmosphere.
DAY THREE
Before the airport transfers, the group gathered again at the Grand Hotel River Park luxury collection for a business breakfast and a morning feedback session for sharing the thoughts after the try-before-you-buy experience.
Full of memorable experiences the group ended the three day programme of Bratislava autumn fam trip 2019. Bratislava has proven itself once more as a city with numerous exciting and un forgetful venues and activities. The Extremely close and Exceptionaly smart city proved that it is a destination worth to be discovered by even the most demanding international event organizers.
By: Ajda Borak
