One of several European capitals situated on the River Danube, Bratislava has a wonderfully positioned Old Town dating to the eighteenth century when the region was under the control of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Almost fully pedestrianized, its Hlavne Namestie (Main Square) is an atmospheric – and arguably unmissable – place to grab a coffee or beer. Saint Martin’s Cathedral provides insight into the city’s history as the location of no less than 19 coronations, while Bratislava Castle is well worth exploring before heading out into the countryside around the city, which features everything from vineyards to the peaks of the Little Carpathian Mountain Range.