I had a short visit here due to my flying back to Berlin to fly to Moscow. Could have used more time, but glad I got to peek. We actually did a lot with the Hop On Hop Off, an entire ride through the City which was nice to get the feel and the boat ride.
Went on a river cruise today on the Danube River (just sounds so normal huh, the Danube)....well anyway. The trip narrator said that Budapest has been named the second most beautiful city and it made me wonder which city was first. (you can look it up...a surprise and actually there were a few listed depending on which list you look at). There are no words I can use to describe the grandeur and stateliness of the city. We started our first day with a Hop on Hop off and toured around the city center area.
We had to take the underground Metro from the Opera house, which is close to our place. The Opera house is undergoing a full restoration so no pictures to share. Always a challenge, but manageable as we got our tickets and the lady indicated that to get to our destination we had to be on the other side going the opposite direction. But all went fine and we were successful.
Arrival at the bus check in was the Heroes Square (Hősök tere) that was mind boggling. There are statutes of the Seven chieftains of the Magyars (or Hungarians) leaders of the seven tribes of the Hungarians at the time of their arrival in the Carpathian Basin in AD 895. That is AD 895!!!!!!
Along the route, we saw and also stopped at St. Stephen's Basilica. It is named in honour of Stephen, the first King of Hungary (c 975-1038). This place is colossal and in such pristine shape.
So we enjoyed our day and drug our bodies home for some rest. We will do it again tomorrow using a different line to drive and see new things. I vote yes, yes, yes and agree that this is truly a very top city. I never feel I can judge since I haven't seen them all, but I'd return to Budapest in a heartbeat and spend much more time trying to discover more secrets.
We found the Metro!!!!
What a time we had together. Much laughter.
The Széchenyi Chain Bridge is a suspension bridge that spans the Danube between Buda
and Pest, the western and eastern sides of the city. It was the first permanent bridge
across the Danube in Hungary, opened in 1849.
Budapest Parliament Building
It was supposed to rain, predicted. I took my umbrella and big coat
and it was a very warm and sunny day. Best to be prepared though.
Hungarian National Gallery
Exhibit of Frida Kahlo and citizens were
upset as they said it promoted communism.
Interesting. Frida was a communist.
Liberty statute, erected in 1947 in remembrance of the Soviet
liberation of Hungary from Nazi forces
The city’s newest sight, the whale "Bálna" opened in November 2013
I must get this posted..........hope it is OK. The main point I suppose is to not miss this fantasic city full of beautiful architecture and history.
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