Let’s go to Budapest!
Piero: how about thinking of our first trip? I'd like to talk about Budapest (click HERE to see all the images). How did the idea come and what was planned?
Angela: the idea of Budapest came because we wanted to close the summer holidays: a long weekend in September, 4 days, a European capital and a limited budget. Four days are enough to visit the city. From the bridges over the Danube to the parliament, from the splendid citadel of Buda, to the stately and elegant Pest, from Margaret Island to Heroes' Square, one of the symbols of the city: you won't get bored!
Piero: any practical suggestion?
Angela: regarding the accommodation we chose the apartment in "Lord Residence", in the parliament area and a few hundred meters from the station: excellent value for money! The center can be easily reached on foot or by metro. Taxis are also quite cheap. Don't miss out and book in time the “Chef Café Budapest”, unforgettable goulash and a friendly staff. The owner, a true fan of Ferenc Puscas, guided us to discover the Hungarian traditions but, above all, the different variants of Unicum, which is the famous Hungarian liqueur (you cannot refuse to buy a bottle of "Unicum Riserva"). Anyway, food is not a problem.
Piero: the nice thing is that you can live and walk around safely with the family, even with small children. Maybe don’t climb Gellert Hill, it is not suitable for children and high heels ... However, there is no danger. The city is elegant, clean and safe. It would be a mortal sin not getting lost while walking along the Danube where all the restaurants are, accompanied by the sound of gypsy violins or not to enjoy a boat trip admiring the city lights.
Angela: how to organize these four days? As usual, we must not miss the most interesting things. At the same time we do not want to get our travel mates tired ... Let's enjoy a video preview of what awaits us !!!
First day in Budapest!
Piero: let's start right away with the first day! Travelling by plane to Budapest usually takes the entire morning. The transfer from the airport to the city center is quite comfortable; shuttles are always available.
Angela: let's assume we arrive at the hotel at 1pm, settle the first things and freshen up; quick lunch, I'd say, and then what?
Piero: I’d like to stay in the area, a short walk along the Danube and above all a visit to St. Stephen's Basilica. You will immediately recognize it for its beautiful dome and the two bell towers; it is worth visiting it (there is the relic of the hand of King Stephen, the first king of Hungary) and also climbing the stairs which get you to the dome is quite an experience.
Angela: I have a curiosity! Walking on the streets of Pest you can meet not only people in flesh and blood; but also numerous life-size bronze statues: some refer to historical periods while others depict simple clippings of a carefree life.
Piero: fantastic! Don't miss the fat cop, it brings you luck if you touch his belly! Also very nice for the kids is the statue of the Little Princess who at first sight looks like Peter Pan ... Then you can meet famous people of the caliber of Ronald Reagan or the great Bud Spencer!
Angela: along with the fun ones, there are others, equally beautiful but reminiscent of the darkest periods of the last century. It is the case of the shoes along the Danube, to remember the Jews of Budapest, murdered and thrown into the Danube during the Nazi period.
Piero: let's not forget to collect the information for the visit to the Parliament; on fixed days and times, there are guided tours in every language: it is better checking the availability on time.
Angela: after the nice walk, we return to the base! The first evening Kalman awaits us at his "Chef Café Budapest" ... fantastic evening based on goulash, good local wine accompanied by the owner's fantastic stories! It is not in the center but can be easily reached calling a taxi, the price is quite fair.
Second day in Budapest!
Piero: second day! For those who want a nice jog early in the morning, Margaret Island is ideal! After a good breakfast we leave for Buda; we cross the Danube on the splendid Chain Bridge. We can now visit the Royal Palace and the Castle.
Angela: we have two options: walking (it will take you 15 mins) or taking advantage of the beautiful Budavári Sikló, the Budapest funicular, with its cabins perfectly restored.
Piero: let's start the visit of the Royal Palace and the Castle. It is worth waiting for the changing of the guard. A quick lunch and off to one of the most beautiful and evocative places!
Angela: That's right! Just behind the Matthias Church there is the Fishermen's Bastion, beautiful in its architecture. You can see the the Danube from above and an enchanting panorama of Pest. The Castle and the Parliament are one in front of the other, separated by the Danube, as if they ideally wanted to separate real power from the people’s power.
Piero: the tour is quite demanding and takes the whole day. Now we return to the base to have dinner.
Third day in Pest!
Angela: the third day begins with a relaxing walk through Pest: wonderful views of some of its buildings and, why not, we can also visit some of the typical shops.
Piero: then we go to the Citadel, located on the Gellert hill. We cross the Freedom Bridge, then stop to visit the Gellert baths (maybe the most beautiful in the city) and begin our strenuous climb: half an hour's walk along a steep hill. However, from the stairs there is a beautiful view. At the top, the Statue of Liberty awaits us with the monumental complex that commemorates the liberation from Nazism.
Angela: there the view is wonderful too! Now we can walk down the hill (less tiring ...) interrupted perhaps by a short stop in a playground for children. Goulash-based lunch and off we go ...
Piero: in the afternoon the Varosliget Park awaits us. It can be reached crossing the monumental Heroes’ Square: it is the largest park in the city with spas, zoo, some palaces, and interesting churches. The Vajdahunyad Castle, surrounded by the lake, is worth visiting too.
Angela: do not miss the Statue of the Anonymous which depicts an anonymous writer in a monk's dress and with a hood covering his face and with a pen placed in his right hand. The legend says that anyone who touches his pen can become a great writer!
Piero: a very busy and funny day to end with the unmissable boat ride on the Danube! The city is beautiful to visit during the day, but the view from the river at night makes it even more impressive.
Angela: the day is about to end and we are already thinking about the fourth and last day. The time available will be not be a lot because we will go to the airport in the afternoon.
To conclude, the Parliament!
Piero: the morning can be dedicated to a visit to the Parliament. The building is one of the symbols of Budapest. It is reminiscent of the London parliament and it is a fusion of different styles. It is one of the largest parliamentary structures in the world, with a magnificent library and museum inside.
Angela: the interior of the Budapest Parliament is rich in works of art, all the rooms are embellished with frescoes, tapestries, sculptures and paintings. Very interesting is the Dome Hall where you can find the crown of King Stephen, the scepter, the crucigerous globe and the sword. The National Assembly Hall, the Congress Hall and the Tapestry Hall are also beautiful.
Piero: now we can say that we have seen almost everything, considering the days availble. Too bad we couldn't visit the Zwack Unicum Museum… on the other hand we drank a lot! You go home tired but happy. Beautiful days and a beautiful city! Who knows what wives and children will think of it?