A Tranquil Capital on the Border

I thought it was just a small border town, but it’s actually the capital of Slovakia. It’s not a popular tourist destination, so it’s very quiet. Coming here from Rome feels like going from a noisy party back to the tranquility of home.I thought it was just a small border town, but it’s actually the capital of Slovakia. It’s not a popular tourist destination, so it’s very quiet. Coming here from Rome feels like going from a noisy party back to the tranquility of home.❤️❤️❤️ This place was originally just a stopover for me. But with flights from Rome costing only 580 yuan and including 20 kilograms of luggage, while flying to Budapest would cost 1,200 yuan, there really wasn't any reason not to come. A long time ago, this place was Czechoslovakia. It split later into the Czech Republic and Slovakia.😊😊😊 At 8 p.m., you can see young people hanging out and chatting at McDonald’s. There are few people on the streets, and I never felt unsafe even when pulling my suitcase around. I first heard of this place in the movie *Titanic* when Jack and Rose were playing in the lower deck and Rose mentioned Czechoslovakia. Tourists haven't left their mark here. Unlike Rome, where tourists dominate the entire city, this is a place where people live. It’s neither remote and backward nor modern and bustling. But it has everything you need—restaurants, trams, supermarkets, shopping malls, and even hookah lounges. It must be a very historic city, but it doesn’t feel particularly historic. I heard that a horror movie was filmed here, which scared many people away.😍😍😍 The downtown area is very small. You can easily walk around and see the famous Čumil statue. The streets are nearly empty in the morning. There aren’t many beautiful women around, so poor Čumil can only stare blankly at the pizza place across the street. Stepping into McDonald’s, I was greeted by the familiar taste. Even the Pork McMuffin and coffee tasted just like back home.😊😊😊 The morning sunlight was lovely. Several riverboats were docked by the river, converted into hotels and restaurants. The river, the Danube, shimmered under the sunlight. It’s wide, with lush trees lining both sides. It’s not as breathtakingly beautiful as I had imagined, but it’s no longer just in my imagination—it’s right here in front of me. It’s great to wake up early and even better to enjoy a half-day of peace and quiet. Next, it’s time to head to the next destination. #EuropeanTravel #Slovakia #Bratislava #BratislavaTravel