Due to low water levels and a section of shallow, rocky river bed, we were provided a bus ride for our final section of "river cruise" to reach Budapest. Not really a problem; we spend the same amount of time in the city and stay in a five-star hotel instead. The cruise company has been very fair about it; they can't change the river water level. This is where the cruise ends; we booked an extra day here on our own.
Ready to eat and in large quantities; a great meal accompanied by a half liter of local beer.
Prominent cathedral in Buda. The large building on the right is a Hilton hotel; why allow a hotel right next to a church? The contract was signed when this was Russian-controlled, and churches were used as storage facilities.
The cathedral interior today. Some parts were hidden when Russia took over to prevent them from being destroyed.
The Hungarian statue of liberty. The statue is located in the old Citadel which was the site of a last battle when Soviet troops drove out the Nazis in WWII. Previously, a statue of a Russian soldier was also located here, but the Hungarian people removed it when they gained their freedom. Don't forget that Budapest also revolted against Communist rule in 1956.
The Hungarian parliament building is impressive; patterned after the British parliament.
Arriving in Budapest, the weather is much better; the scenery is better; and our hotel is top notch. Budapest has the first Christmas market in Europe.... only two blocks from our hotel. Christmas markets are a big deal in Europe and are so much fun due to the great food and interesting handcrafts on display. We had stuffed cabbage and mulled wine for dinner; very tasty, a favorite dish of Hungarians. I had goulash for lunch. I think that Budapest may have replaced Prague as the new "place to go" in Europe. We are now spending "florints" but prices are not much of a bargain (Poland was very reasonably priced). History here is all around us; buildings and monuments which can be 800 to 1000 years old or more.
The Danube River with Buda on the left bank and Pest on the right bank. The famous chain bridge is in the center. The photograph is taken from the Citadel.
The Budapest skyline looking east. In the distant background are ugly, concrete communist-built apartment buildings. We have seen similar buildings in the Baltic countries, east Germany, and in Poland... wherever communism ruled.
We have done most of the standard viewpoints of Budapest and are glad we came. Our son spent a summer here in an internship almost 20 years ago and seemed unimpressed, but the city has seen much progress since then. They have worked hard to get rid of the Soviet communist influence, although you can see it in the ugly concrete apartment houses in some suburbs and some abandoned factories.
Central Pest viewed from the "Budapest Eye"- a large Ferris wheel which rises above all the adjacent buildings.
The Christmas market at night; mobbed with people, and why not.... the food is great, prices are reasonable, the handcrafts are very well made; even the weather is cooperating.
Arriving in Budapest, the weather is much better; the scenery is better; and our hotel is top notch. Budapest has the first Christmas market in Europe.... only two blocks from our hotel. Christmas markets are a big deal in Europe and are so much fun due to the great food and interesting handcrafts on display. We had stuffed cabbage and mulled wine for dinner; very tasty, a favorite dish of Hungarians. I had goulash for lunch. I think that Budapest may have replaced Prague as the new "place to go" in Europe. We are now spending "florints" but prices are not much of a bargain (Poland was very reasonably priced). History here is all around us; buildings and monuments which can be 800 to 1000 years old or more.
We have done most of the standard viewpoints of Budapest and are glad we came. Our son spent a summer here in an internship almost 20 years ago and seemed unimpressed, but the city has seen much progress since then. They have worked hard to get rid of the Soviet communist influence, although you can see it in the ugly concrete apartment houses in some suburbs and some abandoned factories.
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