Travel: 48 hours in Bratislava

Friday, 8pm Check in at Art Hotel William (Laurinská 17, www.art-hotel-william.sk, doubles from £70), which blends period features with modern comforts in the Old Town.

Saturday, 10am Get your bearings on the city's red tourist train, which leaves from the main square. The steam-powered wagon's route takes in all the Old Town's main sites, including St Martin's Cathedral.

12:30pm Revisit the city's communist past with lunch at the Kyjev Hotel (Rajska 2, www.hotelkyjev.com). Once a haunt of visiting Soviet officials, the food isn't as bleak as the dcor.

3pm Back in the Old Town, explore Bratislava's rich musical heritage with a visit to the Hummel Museum (Radnicna 1, www.muzeum.bratislava.sk), which celebrates the eponymous composer's life.

7.30pm Book a table at the UFO Taste Restaurant (www.u-f-o.sk). So named because of its extra-terrestrial shape, the restaurant is suspended high over the Danube River on Novy Most (New Bridge).

Sunday, 10am Although the medieval castle is closed for renovation until 2013, the walk up to this landmark is still well worth making the effort for (www.bratislava.info/castle). Alternatively, view the city on a trip along the Danube in one of the many pleasure boats.

2pm Head to the Slovak National Gallery (Riecna 1, www.sng.sk) which houses the nation's treasures, or visit the Old Town's luxury shops. Grab a light, cost-effective dinner from Bagel Story, on the main square.

8pm Book a night at the opera in the stunning Neo-Renaissance Slovak National Theatre (www.snd.sk) in Hviezdoslav Square. Tickets from 5.

THE FACTS

Return flights from Edinburgh to Bratislava start from 65, see www.ryanair com