Where else can you stand beside the cathedral where kings and queens were once crowned, then hear how, just a few miles from Austria, people risked everything to cross the Iron Curtain? On this relaxed 2-hour walk, your licensed local guide brings Bratislava to life through more than 67 stories you won’t find in a guidebook, from colorful legends to personal stories from his own family.

The tour begins in the courtyard of Bratislava Castle, with the Danube and three countries spread out below you. Here, you’ll be greeted with a traditional welcome that Slovaks save for their most honored guests. From the castle, you’ll head down into the cobblestone lanes of the Old Town, following the route once walked by newly crowned monarchs and passing through the last surviving gate of the medieval city walls.

Along the way, you’ll stand on the square where thousands gathered in 1989 to bring down the Communist regime, discover a darker corner of the city’s past at a former execution site, and see some of Bratislava’s most iconic landmarks, from the Old Town Hall to the famous UFO Bridge.

This isn’t a lecture, it’s a conversation. Ask your guide anything you’d like, from what locals earn and how they really feel about politics to where to find the best dinner tonight. With a group of max 8, there’s always time for your questions.

To finish, you’ll visit a historic winery loved by locals to taste Slovak wines and discover a winemaking tradition most visitors know surprisingly little about. Over a glass, sit back, chat with your guide and enjoy the city from a local’s point of view. After the tour, you’ll also receive your guide’s personal list of favorite places to eat and drink, so you can keep exploring on your own.