In this episode, Karolina Czako shares her experiences visiting Bratislava and explains why Slovakia’s capital deserves more than a single day. The city is culturally and historically very rich, yet too often treated as a brief stop instead of a place to slow down and explore. Sustainability is strongly present in everyday life: Bratislava is small, walkable, clean, has excellent public transportation, and its hydroelectric power plant reflects a real commitment to renewable energy while also creating a lake that locals and tourists can enjoy for recreation.
The episode also looks beyond the centre to surrounding sights that complete the Bratislava experience, such as the Castle of Devín at the confluence of the Danube and Morava rivers and the Danubiana Meulensteen Art Museum, a modern art gallery on a peninsula on the Danube. Slovakian honey and honey-based products are a lesser-known national specialty and make for healthy, authentic souvenirs to take home, from jars of local honey to mead and natural bee-based cosmetics.
As a female traveller, Karolina recommends Bratislava as a very safe and budget-friendly destination, where visitors can feel comfortable walking, using public transport and enjoying the calm, friendly atmosphere. Her verdict is clear: Bratislava can only be fully enjoyed if visitors invest the time to discover this safe, beautiful and often underestimated city and its surroundings, rather than rushing through it in a single day.
If you are planning a Central European trip or considering a day in Bratislava, listen to this episode to help you design a slower, more meaningful itinerary for Slovakia’s capital.
Join us for an in-depth interview with András Huszár, Founder and CEO of Green Policy Center. This episode explores the process of establishing a climate policy think-tank in Hungary, highlighting the challenges of remaining effective and impactful within the environmental policy sector. András recounts his personal journey and the motivation behind launching the Green Policy Center, sharing valuable perspectives for those interested in climate policy and a unique career in sustainability in Hungary. Listen in for first-hand experiences and insights from a leader in Hungarian environmental policy and climate action.
Find out more at:
https://www.greenpolicycenter.com/
In this episode of AK Compass, we dive deep into what it really means to travel sustainably in a world where tourism both enriches and endangers the places we love. Karolina Czakó, communications and sustainability expert, sits down with journalist Ágnes Gárdonyi to explore how travellers can reduce their environmental impact, support local communities and make more conscious choices—without giving up the joy of discovery.
We start with the foundations of sustainable tourism: choosing greener transport options, spending more time at one destination, and connecting with locals instead of rushing through tourist hotspots. Ágnes shares her own transformation—from quick weekend trips and frequent flying to slow, month-long stays that allow her to “live” in a place rather than simply visit it.
But conscious travel also comes with complex dilemmas. We talk about the effects of short-term rentals on housing markets, and why slow travel sometimes unintentionally contributes to local challenges. From Rome’s proposed Trevi Fountain visiting fee to Venice’s tourist charges, we look at how cities attempt to manage overtourism—and how effective (or ineffective) these measures really are.
The conversation also touches on the environmental side:
We also explore how climate change reshapes travel patterns, from the rise of “cool-cationing” to the danger of “last chance tourism,” where travellers flock to places threatened by rising seas or heatwaves. What responsibilities do tourists have when visiting vulnerable regions? Should we stay away entirely—or support them mindfully?
Beyond individual choices, we discuss what businesses and tourism companies should do to avoid greenwashing or social washing, and why transparency, expertise and honest communication matter more than ever. Ágnes reflects on how companies can use internal or external experts to build credibility instead of just marketing sustainability.
Finally, we address families, school systems and work cultures that influence how and when we travel. Is off-season travel realistic? What about long stays with children? And how can education and policy support more responsible travel habits?
This episode is full of practical tips, personal stories and real-world examples—from Italy to Thailand, Scotland to the Arctic—offering a comprehensive look at how each of us can become a more respectful, environmentally conscious traveller.
Thank you to our sponsor, Sweet Home Studio, whose mission is to bring important social topics to Hungarian audiences and support new podcasters with accessible services. Their Budapest studio makes conversations like this possible.
If you enjoy the AK Compass and want more honest discussions about sustainability, travel and global issues, please subscribe, rate and share the podcast.
Karolina Czako, Advisory Board Member of Mission 2050 Hungary Foundation for Sustainable Development, explains how this independent foundation is planning to mitigate the polycrisis – interconnected risks affecting sustainability, society, and the economy in Hungary. The episode highlights key projects on water security, energy independence, and holistic crisis management, showing how Mission 2050 promotes systems thinking, strategic planning, and citizen engagement for lasting resilience.
Find out more at: https://misszio2050.hu