Theme: European Christmas Holiday  Country: Hungary  Languages: Hungarian  Unit of Currency: Hungarian forint  Locations: Budapest  Year: 2011   Bucket list: Viewing the city at night

 

 

DO:  CHECK OUT ALL THE CHRISTMAS MARKETS

Budapest:

• Walking around the Christmas Markets during the day and ending it with a nighttime coach ride to view the city

 

 

 

• The second day opening of Hard Rock Cafe Budapest

 

Wet Season of Hungary:

1) It had to happen at least in one country, it rained the entire day! Definitely gave thermal baths a whole new meaning! On a positive note, due to the treacherous weather conditions I now have discovered a clever way to take photos in the rain – the Hop on and Hop off bus was just the ticket that I needed on such a dreary day!

2) The grand opening of Hard Rock Café in Budapest was a hit for many locals, including the friendly staff. Normally I would not go to a chain restaurant while in another country, but I am so glad that I went here! Great food, good local beer, awesome music videos, and amazing staff created a unique and fun atmosphere!

3) The Christmas Markets covered downtown Pest and sold an assortment of Christmas and delicious holiday gifts. Wreaths made out of oranges, cinnamon, figs, and pinecones were a popular choice for those who wanted the traditional smells of Christmas. One of the more unique shops was one that sold bottles and shots of Schnapps. I tried the Schnapps Strawberry – which was made of strawberries grown on a tree! Not your traditional home-grown strawberry on a vine! Quite strong, but refreshing for such a gloomy day!

4) The brightly colored umbrellas outlined the city’s most famous landmarks, including Castle Hill. Castle Hill was formed by combining two cities: Buda and Pest in 1873. Much of Pest is positioned on the left bank of Danube River, while Pest is on the right bank of the Danube River. This is where history and scenery vie for attention. The nighttime glow from both cities of the Citadel was unbelievable! The perfect portrait of a peaceful city resting underneath your feet and the smells from the chocolate stand down the street produced a great experience in Budapest. Though the day combined cold and rain, the nighttime was perhaps the best time to view the city. The illumination of the city’s most spectacular landmarks created a masterpiece!

Next stop: Zagreb, Croatia!