Exploring Europe: Bratislava, Slovakia

Bratislava was just a stop over. A city that broke up the journey between Austria and Hungary. Yet it ended up being my favourite city of the trip and I feel head over heels. I'd expected endless gangs of English lads on a stag do, a grimy place I'd come to associate with drunken louts and quite frankly, nothing special. But it was beautiful, charming and absolutely stunning. A place I urge everyone to visit immediately for a weekend break.

With a population of only 450,000, it felt almost like we had the city to ourselves. To be honest, you could probably see all the sights within 3 hours but the beauty in the place are the winding lanes where you can get lost. It's such a fantastic place to sit back, order a drink and simply watch the world go by. The Old Town is gorgeous. A bustling hub of wine bars, shabby chic interior shops and cute little cafes. It felt authentic and a world away from home. Which is exactly what I look for when I leave the green and pleasant land behind.

Steeped in history, the city offers a sobering reminder of the communist era. From the soviet style buildings in the new town to the Russian war memorial high up on a hill. It's so hard to imagine Slovakia only became its own country in 1993 after it spilt from Czechoslovakia. It feels like the city has always been so thriving and so full of life. I honestly can't rave about the city enough.

It's already on my list to return and I'm hoping that it will be very soon. The Christmas markets in the old town sound like the perfect time to visit. Look out for a food and city guide coming soon plus the most fantastic hotel!