Budapest, Hungary
About This Stop
Our journey brought us to the magnificent Hungarian capital of Budapest, often called the 'Pearl of the Danube.' Spread across both banks of the Danube River, this city dazzled us with its stunning architecture, rich history, and unique blend of Buda's hills and Pest's grand boulevards. From majestic buildings to serene parks, Budapest offered a perfect mix of cultural exploration and relaxed wandering.
Our scenic arrival featured a memorable 2.5-hour train journey from Bratislava with views of castles, churches, and countryside, plus arrival at our centrally located apartment in a building with contrasting elements: newly renovated interiors but hallways that looked straight out of a 'WWII mission impossible movie.'
Buda Castle Hill exploration included crossing the iconic Chain Bridge spanning the Danube River, taking a charming golf cart bus up Castle Hill, visiting the spectacular Fisherman's Bastion with its fairy-tale towers and turrets, exploring the beautiful Matthias Church with its colorful roof tiles, admiring panoramic views of the Parliament building and Pest from the elevated Buda side, and wandering around Buda Castle and its impressive fountain.
Pest side highlights featured running and walking through the expansive City Park (Budapest's equivalent to NYC's Central Park), visiting the monumental Heroes' Square with its impressive statues, touring the magnificent Hungarian State Opera House, admiring the stunning St. Stephen's Basilica, discovering an unexpected statue of George Washington with an eagle, and finding a hidden church with a plain exterior but spectacular interior (so impressive that Pope Francis visited in 2023).
Evening entertainment included a nighttime river cruise on the Danube to see Budapest illuminated, spectacular views of the Parliament building and other landmarks lit up at night, and an adventure with a Bolt taxi and incorrect address that added some unexpected excitement.
Culinary experiences featured sampling incredible local pastries from various patisseries, Aubrey trying raclette cheese poured over onions with chorizo salami, and enjoying meals at charming cafés throughout the city.
Family activities included morning runs to City Park, Kennedy and Aubrey discovering a bike training ground, leisurely walks through the old town, shopping in local patisseries for sweet treats, and a balanced mix of planned sightseeing and relaxed wandering. Budapest captivated us with its grandeur and charm, with the city's distinctive split personality—hilly Buda on the west bank and flat Pest on the east—offering diverse experiences and landscapes that provided unforgettable memories and a deeper appreciation for this historic Central European gem!
Our scenic arrival featured a memorable 2.5-hour train journey from Bratislava with views of castles, churches, and countryside, plus arrival at our centrally located apartment in a building with contrasting elements: newly renovated interiors but hallways that looked straight out of a 'WWII mission impossible movie.'
Buda Castle Hill exploration included crossing the iconic Chain Bridge spanning the Danube River, taking a charming golf cart bus up Castle Hill, visiting the spectacular Fisherman's Bastion with its fairy-tale towers and turrets, exploring the beautiful Matthias Church with its colorful roof tiles, admiring panoramic views of the Parliament building and Pest from the elevated Buda side, and wandering around Buda Castle and its impressive fountain.
Pest side highlights featured running and walking through the expansive City Park (Budapest's equivalent to NYC's Central Park), visiting the monumental Heroes' Square with its impressive statues, touring the magnificent Hungarian State Opera House, admiring the stunning St. Stephen's Basilica, discovering an unexpected statue of George Washington with an eagle, and finding a hidden church with a plain exterior but spectacular interior (so impressive that Pope Francis visited in 2023).
Evening entertainment included a nighttime river cruise on the Danube to see Budapest illuminated, spectacular views of the Parliament building and other landmarks lit up at night, and an adventure with a Bolt taxi and incorrect address that added some unexpected excitement.
Culinary experiences featured sampling incredible local pastries from various patisseries, Aubrey trying raclette cheese poured over onions with chorizo salami, and enjoying meals at charming cafés throughout the city.
Family activities included morning runs to City Park, Kennedy and Aubrey discovering a bike training ground, leisurely walks through the old town, shopping in local patisseries for sweet treats, and a balanced mix of planned sightseeing and relaxed wandering. Budapest captivated us with its grandeur and charm, with the city's distinctive split personality—hilly Buda on the west bank and flat Pest on the east—offering diverse experiences and landscapes that provided unforgettable memories and a deeper appreciation for this historic Central European gem!
Location
Photo Gallery
