Every year, at the end of September and the beginning of October, the Bratislava Music Festival takes place in the capital city. It is Slovakia’s most important musical event. This year marks the 59th edition of the festival. Lasting over two weeks, the program includes 20 to 30 concerts.
Bratislava Musical Festival Program by E-TRAVEL.SK
E-TRAVEL.SK, the leading incoming DMC and tour operator for Slovakia and Bratislava, was proud to organize a special musical program for a group of seniors from Dublin, Ireland. The clients enjoyed a full cultural, gastronomic, and musical experience in Bratislava. They stayed in the city from July 2nd to July 5th, 2024. Explore their cultural program with us, and imagine how your group could experience the same next year!
Day 1 - Arrival in Bratislava
The clients arrived at Vienna Airport, located about 45 km from Bratislava’s city center. A comfortable bus, with English-speaking assistance, was waiting for them at the airport. After a smooth 50-minute drive, they arrived at their 5-star hotel, the Sheraton. Interestingly, they checked in just after the Manchester City squad, who had stayed there following their Champions League match against the local football team, SK Slovan Bratislava. After checking in and taking a short rest, the guide met the clients in the hotel lobby, where they enjoyed a welcome drink accompanied by a brief welcome speech. Following the welcome drink, the clients were transferred to Matyšák Wine Restaurant, where a specialized welcome gala dinner awaited them. The dinner was accompanied by a wine tasting in the restaurant’s stylish wine cellar, one of the largest in Slovakia, featuring an extensive selection of fine wines from the renowned Slovak producer, Matyšák Wines. The clients savoured deer goulash with traditional Slovak dumplings, perfectly paired with exquisite wine.
Day 2 - Bratislava Grand City Tour + Opera Spectacle as part of Bratislava Musical Festival Program
The second day in Bratislava was dedicated to discovering this “Beauty on Danube” during the extensive Bratislava Grand City Tour. This tour includes a 2-hour walking tour through the beautiful city center of Bratislava, which is a completely pedestrian zone. During the walking portion, the clients took a short break at SPUSTA CAFE, where they savoured handmade cakes along with delicious coffee. The second part of the tour was a panoramic city tour by bus, with the highlight being the Art Nouveau Blue Church of Bratislava. The tour ended at hotel with lunch. The Bratislava Musical festival program started at night by opera spectacle Madame Butterfly at Slovak National Theatre which is located just a few steps from the hotel.
Day 3 - Devin Castle & Devinsky Ribezliak Wine Tasting
Although the weather was not in our favor with rain, the clients enjoyed visiting one of the oldest parts of Slovakia, the historic Devin Castle. Devin Castle is one of Slovakia’s oldest buildings, built in the 9th century during the Great Moravian Empire. According to legend, the patrons of Slovakia, St. Cyril and Methodius—who are also co-patrons of Europe—are said to have worked and lived here. Despite the inclement weather, the clients appreciated the castle and the stunning views of the mighty confluence of the Danube River and the Morava River.
Devin is now part of Bratislava and lies at the confluence of these two rivers, on the border of three countries: Slovakia, Czechia, and Austria. After exploring Devin Castle, the clients enjoyed a tasting of Devínsky Ríbezľák wine. This unique currant wine is a cherished botanical treasure of Slovakia, made from a specific species of currant bush native to the Devin area. This bush thrives in the region’s distinct microclimate along the Danube River.
For lunch, the clients returned to the hotel for some free time at leisure. In the evening, they attended a program at the Bratislava Musical Festival, featuring a spectacular performance by the Youth Symphony Orchestra of Barcelona at the beautiful Slovak National Philharmonic Orchestra building, also known as Reduta. Prior to the performance, the clients enjoyed a light two-course supper at Café Štefánka, a historical café from the 19th century located near the Presidential Palace of Bratislava, named after the Belgian process of “Stephany.”
Day 4 - Vienna Visit
On this day, the clients took advantage of the proximity between Bratislava and Vienna. These two imperial cities are among the closest capital cities in the world, with just 60 km separating them. The journey from the Slovak capital to the Austrian capital took only one hour by bus. Accompanying the clients from Bratislava was an English-speaking assistant.
Upon arrival in Vienna, the clients were welcomed by a local Austrian English-speaking guide for a Grand City Tour, which combined a panoramic bus tour with a walking tour of the city. They enjoyed a lunch break in a traditional Viennese wine cellar, 12 Apostol Keller, where they savoured the most iconic Viennese dish: Veal Wiener Schnitzel.
After lunch, they continued to the summer residence of the Habsburg family, Schönbrunn Palace, renowned for its stunning gardens. In the late afternoon, the group returned to Bratislava for dinner at the hotel.
Day 5 - Slovak National Gallery & Close Concert of Bratislava Musical Festival
After breakfast at the hotel, the clients met with their driver and English-speaking assistant for a drive to a hidden gem in Bratislava: the beautifully renovated Slovak National Gallery. They opted to visit the “Modernism in Slovakia” exhibition, which lasted one hour and was guided by an English-speaking representative from the gallery.
Following their visit, the clients walked to the café at Hotel Devin. Built in the functionalist style during the early years of Czechoslovakia, Hotel Devin has long been a famous spot for Czechoslovakian and later Slovak bohemians. This functionalist style is characteristic of the first Czechoslovakia, and Hotel Devin is one of the most significant buildings representing this architectural style.
Return to the hotel and in afternoon supper in traditional Old Bratislava Restaurant Cafe Zylinder serving the old Bratislava cuisine. After 3 course supper the clients walked to Reduta building where they visited the Closing Concert of Bratislava Musical Festival. Late night transfer back to hotel.
Day 6 - Transfer to Vienna Airport
On the sixth day, after breakfast, the driver and English-speaking assistant met the clients for their transfer to Vienna Airport. There, the assistant bid them farewell before they flew back to Dublin.
E-TRAVEL.SK organized all ground services for our Irish partner in Bratislava, including transportation, catering, ticketing, and accommodation. If you’re interested in any cultural programs in Slovakia or Bratislava for groups or individuals, please contact us!
