Intro to Budapest

Sharing this info about Budapest from one of my travel agent research sites.  Stay tuned for upcoming info on Vienna and Prague.

HISTORY

The history of Budapest has been marked by waves of conquerors and immigrants. Celtic remains have been found near Gellert Hill, but one of the first substantial settlements was Roman. The Romans conquered the area in 11 BC and established a city called Aquincum in present-day Obuda. The Huns began threatening the area around AD 250 and, led by Attila, finally gained control over present-day Hungary in 437.

The empire collapsed with Attila's death less than 20 years later. Successive ethnic groups migrated to the area over the next several hundred years, with the Magyars (ethnic Hungarians) gaining dominance.

The Mongols destroyed both Buda and Pest in 1241, but Buda rebounded and became an intellectual and artistic center during the Renaissance. In 1541, the Ottoman Turks sacked the city and went on to rule until they were replaced in 1686 by the Austrian Hapsburgs. The Hungarians revolted against Austria in 1848-49, and a compromise was reached in 1867, creating the dual monarchy of Austria-Hungary.

In 1873, Buda, Pest and Obuda were united into one city, Budapest, which became the capital of Hungary. The city underwent expansion and mass development through the end of the 19th century. During that period, the large boulevards were laid out and many of Budapest's landmark buildings were erected.

But then World War II wreaked devastation: Nazi troops occupied Budapest in the latter part of the war, and heavy fighting between the Germans and the Soviet army resulted in much destruction.

Fortunately, the city center and the bridges over the Danube were rebuilt. The Soviets gained control after the war, and a 1956 uprising was squelched with great force. In 1989, Hungary's borders were finally reopened—a contributing factor in the eventual fall of the Berlin Wall.

Despite a steady turnover of political leadership since then, Budapest has played an integral role in keeping Hungary's economic growth strong. Hungary joined the European Union in May 2004.

DID YOU KNOW?

The Hungarian language is spoken exclusively in Hungary (except for the Hungarian diaspora, which consists of about 5 million people) and has survived even though Hungarians have lived in Europe for more than 1,100 years. It is related to Finnish.

The entire city of Budapest is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The building that houses Budapest's Parliament is the second-largest parliament building in Europe after Romania's.

Budapest's metro is the oldest in Continental Europe. The foldalatti is still in use.

The world's largest-known thermal cave system, comprising more than 170 caves, lies under Budapest. The Molnar Janos Cave in Buda, discovered only in 2008, even has an underground thermal lake.

GEOGRAPHY

Buda has hills. Castle Hill is home to some of the city's most visible landmarks, including Budavari Palota (Buda Castle). To the south of Castle Hill is Gellert Hill, which is topped by the Citadel and the Liberation Monument. Farther north is Obuda, the oldest part of the city. The city's Turkish baths are located in Buda near the river.

By comparison, Pest is flat. The grand Parliament building dominates the Pest embankment and skyline. South of Parliament is the area that is generally referred to as the city center. Deak ter is a square at the heart of the city—all three metro lines cross there. The boulevard Andrassy ut runs from Deak ter to Hosok tere (Heroes Square), which is at the edge of Varosliget, the main city park.  

WHY VISIT?

Budapest, Hungary, may be the capital of the landlocked country, but it's far from dry. In fact, Budapest's most seductive element is water. It springs from underground wells, filling Ottoman, baroque and art-nouveau pools.

It flows through the city in the broad and meandering Danube River, dividing Buda and Pest in yin-yang fashion. It even provides welcome relief after a bowl of hot paprika-spiced goulash.

Few visitors can resist the Budapest baths, but the city's allure goes beyond its spa status. As a large urban center, Budapest manages to strike a nice balance between nature and development. Hills, islands and parks coexist with hotels, theaters, cafes, monuments and other buildings in an eclectic array of architectural styles.

Maybe now it will go on more bucket lists!

ko

One of our stops: Fisherman's Bastion


Remember this scene from the opening of a Mission Impossible?

The View!



Just another day at the Library!

Buzz About Budapest: Conde Nast Traveller

I'm still amazed when someone tells me Budapest is not on their bucket list....but fully aware my own bucket list is very broad and always expanding.

Then I remember how I felt when DH first told me he wished to visit Iceland....Iceland? By the time I finished my research, I was panting to go to Reykjavik.  After our early morning airport arrival, taking the Air Bus to soak in the thermal waters of The Blue Lagoon, smearing on a facial mud mask, I fell positively in love with Iceland.  Strolling the quaint city streets and popping into antique shops, experiencing the friendliness of the island, well, I was hooked.  And that's how I feel about Budapest (likewise, I'm falling in love with Vienna and Prague too).

If you "tweet" you can follow my home design and travel twitter account at @TravelBling.  I'm always discovering bits of interesting tidings and connecting with helpful tweeters eager to share their passions and expertise.  I'll share some of these in this blog.

Today I'm sharing an article I found on Twitter from Conde Nast Traveller magazine: "The Buzz in Budapest." Enjoy...along with my photos from Iceland.

Click on this link:  Not your regular tourist stops: in depth with design in Budapest

Your travel guru,
ko

Airport in Iceland

The Blue Lagoon

Reykjavik

Movie Time!

Did you know many movies have been set and shot on location in the scenic cities of Hungary, Austria, and The Czech Republic?  Check out Netflix and Amazon, then get ready to enjoy now where you'll be in person - May 2015.


Yes, Mission Impossible (the 4th one) has an opening scene set in a Moscow prison, but this was really shot in a real former prison near Prague.  And then the street scene (spoiler alert) murder is set in Budapest.
Click this link for the movie soundtrack.  "Give Her My Budapest" soundtrack by Michael Giacchino

In the Bruce Willis flick, Budapest stands in for Moscow. Shooting began in 2012, and other scenes were on location in Hungary as well. Here's the action packed trailer.  A Good Day to Die Hard


Hercules - Budapest shooting To be released next week, check out Dwayne Johnson as Hercules, shot in Hungary. Here's what the star said: To prepare for the role, Johnson took on a grueling training routine, stating: "I trained and worked harder than ever for 8 months for this role. Lived alone and locked myself away (like a moody 260-lb. monk) in Budapest for 6 months while filming. Goal was to completely transform into this character. Disappear in the role. 


Mozart anyone?
Shot both in Vienna and Prague is the multi-award winning movie Amadeus. The 1985 film was nominated for eleven Academy Awards and won 8 Oscars.  I'm ready to watch it again....how about you?
Click here for Amadeus the movie trailer.
 

Still on my list to see is the 1950 classic The Third Man. The Third Man trailer set in post-war Vienna.
It made the sewers of Vienna famous, but you'll see many other landmarks in this movie as well.


And the James Bond movie shot in Prague is Casino Royale, with the Hotel Pupp in Karlovy Vary serving as the exterior of the fictional "Hotel Splendide" casino.


Last, but not least, I was inspired by the (okay..it's a chick-flick) movie Last Holiday with Queen Latifah and L.L. Cool Jay, also using Hotel Pupp (pronounced "poop) with its real name.  Here's a story with a fairy-tale setting and a fairy-tale ending.  Need I say more?  Watch the air view of Karlovy Vary in the trailer....enchanting!  Last Holiday trailer Movie released in 2006.



Wish we could have stayed here overnight, but Karlovy Vary is a spa city of renown (a/k/a Karlsbad) and I'll be so happy with the day trip!

Also in this city is the famous Moser Glassworks shop and Museum. Moser Glassworks.  But then again, souvenirs are another post....later!! Moser USA link

Day By Day Itinerary

DAY 1 - Monday, MAY 11 – DEPART USA  • Board your overnight fl ight (not included)

DAY 2 - Tuesday, MAY 12 – ARRIVE BUDAPEST • Airport transfer to hotel and enjoy time at leisure
Meals: Welcome Dinner

DAY 3 - Wed, MAY 13 – BUDAPEST SIGHTSEEING • City Tour – Visit Matthias Church, Visit Market, See Vaci Utca • Time at Leisure
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 4 - Thur, MAY 14 – BUDAPEST AT LEISURE • Enjoy your day at leisure in Budapest
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 5 - Fri, MAY 15 – Travel 3 hours between cities plus stops: BUDAPEST - SZENTENDRE - GYOR - VIENNA • Orientation tour/drive via Anquincum Roman Settlement
Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Dine-Around Dinner 
What's a "dine-around" dinner? You will be given a choice of 3-4 restaurants to select for your dining pleasure.  The restaurant will present the menu items included in your tour.

DAY 6 - Sat, MAY 16 – VIENNA SIGHTSEEING • Visit Schonbrunn Palace and enjoy a city tour of Vienna • Time at Leisure
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 7 - Sun, MAY 17 – VIENNA SIGHTSEEING • Boys Choir at Hofburg Chapel • AM Exercises – Spanish Riding School
Meals: Breakfast / Heurigen Dinner and Kahlenberg   
What's a Heurigen Dinner?  A Huerigen is a wine tavern situated near vineyards. The Kahlenberg is a hill 1500 ft above Vienna located in Vienna Woods, with spectacular views of the city.

DAY 8 - Mon, MAY 18 – Travel 5 hours between cities plus stops: VIENNA - CESKY KRUMLOV - PRAGUE • Orientation tour/drive
Meals: Breakfast / Dinner

DAY 9 - Tue, MAY 19 – PRAGUE SIGHTSEEING • City Tour – Visit Castle and Cathedral, see Old Town • Time at Leisure  Meals: Breakfast

DAY 10 - Wed, MAY 20 – PRAGUE EXCURSION • Day Trip: Excursion to Karlovy Vary approximately 1.5 hours to the mountains outside of Prague.
Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Farewell Dinner

DAY 11 - Thur, MAY 21 – PRAGUE - USA • Morning Transfers to the airport
Meals: Breakfast

Money, money, money!

As I review the currencies of the places we'll visit, here's a link to take you back in time with the O'Jays! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXE_n2q08Yw

Three Countries....Three Currencies

Hungary - The currency is the forint (Ft)

ONE U.S. dollar ($1) will give you 228 Ft exchange rate as of today, 8 July 2014.

Bank notes come in 500, 1000, 2000, and 5000 Ft.  (Also in 10,000 and 20,000 notes but these are harder to use even though the equivalent in dollars is only $43.84 and $87.69 respectively).

Citibank is the bank brand you'll recognize in Budapest, and most are open 9am-5pm.

Credit and debit cards are almost universally accepted, and if you are arriving to the airport on 12 May 2015, you won't need currency for transfers or tips as they are included.

As always, I recommend for Europe a credit card with a Chip, the European standard for secure transactions, and more and more U.S. cards now make them available.  You may have to ask your bank if they have one they can update your card with, then plan for a couple of weeks to get your new card and separately arriving pin.

I use the World Travel card from Bank of America and it worked like a charm on our last European trip.

Austria - The currency is the Euro since 2002.  

Today's exchange rate for ONE U.S. dollar ($1) is .74 euro.

Spending the equivalent of $10 U.S. dollars in Austria today would be 7.36 euros.

Credit cards are not as widely accepted in Austria, as you might wish, so having some euros for shops and restaurants would be a good idea.  I'll plan on getting my euros in the U.S. prior to travel.  Most restaurants post signs when they do not accept credit cards, but always ask before starting your tab.

We'll be in Vienna on a Sunday, a holy day in prominent Catholic Austria, which means most shops will be closed. Most bakeries will be open until Noon however.  This is the day I have planned for hearing the Vienna Boys Choir at 9:15am mass and seeing the Lipizzaner horses in practice session.

The Czech Republic - The currency is the crown (Kc) also known as Koruna (CZK).

Today's exchange rate for ONE U.S. dollar ($1) is 20.16 CZK.
Crown notes come in denominations of 100, 200, 500, 1000, 2000, and 5000.
The U.S. dollar equivalent is $4.96 for 100 CZK, and $24.80 for 500 CZK.
It is not recommended to purchase any Koruna in advance, and you can convert any Euros left over from Austria to Koruna at Prague's gorgeous banks.  They are typically open 8am-5pm.  
Many stores and restaurants discount for cash. You'll find Prague to be the cheapest in which to spend your money, with a half-liter of beer commonly priced at 40 CZK (that's less than two bucks!).  

Ah, yes, the joys of having a designated driver!

Never Too Early to Make Your Shopping List

Okay, maybe it is a bit early to be thinking about your shopping list for Christmas 2015 when you have no idea what you will be buying for 2014! But I can't resist sharing all these great items you might want to pick up in Budapest.  Get ready to make your taste buds salivate. And remember to save room in your luggage.

This info and more is found at the websites: www.gotoHungary.com and www.hungarianinfo.hu.

definition of Hungaricum: not-to-be-missed  "special items" .....proof you're in the know in Hungary! PAPRIKA When looking for Hungarian paprika, you may find at least three types of vegetable, as  well as the paprika spice. Those are the strings of paprika hanging in the markets, the  ground version put in small bags, and the vegetable itself, coloured yellow, red or green.  While all three of them have their proper place and function, people usually take home the  ground spice, the basic ingredient for many dishes popular in Hungary (such as the “pörkölt”  stew, potato paprikash, chicken paprikash, and “lecsó” vegetable stew).  GOOSE LIVER Hungary is the world's second-largest foie gras or "Libamáj" producer and the largest exporter.  Goose liver is part of traditional Hungarian cuisine and a must-try when visiting the country.  The goose liver of Orosháza is a number one gift gourmet tourist take-away.  Really good goose liver is maybe expensive, but surely an unforgettable experience. PALINKA The most popular varieties of this brandy, made by the distillation of fermented fruits,and with a strong alcohol  content of at least 37.5 percent, are apricot, plum, pear, apple or grape pomace palinkas. According to the EU  regulation, the word “palinka” can be only used by Hungary and four areas in Austria, and so if you choose it for  a gift or as a souvernir, it is guaranteed that you are receiving a Hungarian product.  TOKAJI One of the best-known Hungarian wines from the region of Tokaj-Hegyalja, a wine region in North Hungary with  a climate unique in the world. The making of Aszú wine is an extremely labour-intensive and risky business, as  one has to wait for the special moment for harvesting, when the berries are only partially covered by the noble rot  so that they become just perfectly raisined. If you want to make sure, go to the shops of Bortársaság (seven stores  all over the city, and one of the greatest varieties in the store of I., 59 Batthyány Street www.bortarsasag.hu). CAKES Somló-style sponge cake (Somlói Galuska) is a popular Hungarian dessert, made of sponge  cake, covered with fine chocolate sauce and whipped cream. Dobos cake (Dobostorta) is a  layered sponge cake filled with chocolate and nuts, glazed with caramel. Makówki (Mákos Guba)  is also a typical Hungarian dessert, made of sweet white bread covered with poppy seeds.

Budapest: Our journey begins at the Sofitel Hotel

Ah, to be sitting at the "Paris" Bar terrace of the Budapest Sofitel Hotel watching the river traffic of the Danube River! 

Yes this is where we'll spend our first 3 nights in Budapest.  Here's a short welcoming description from Sofitel's website:
Discover this famed Budapest hotel near the River Danube, Hungarian Parliament and Budapest's best tourist attractions. Step in and gaze up to a replica airplane which seems to float above you...Soaring eight floors high, the atrium of this luxury Budapest hotel is alive with parquet flooring, wood paneling and colorful furniture; a Swarovski crystal "fountain" evokes the flamboyant style of 19th-century Hungary.A magnificent modern tribute by French designer Jean-Phillippe Nuel to the building's rich Hungarian history.

And how do you like this view?



Guest Room


Bathroom


Find them in the bar?


Lobby library
 

Read what Priceline says about the Budapest Sofitel:

Set in the heart of Budapest, on the bank of the Danube, the Sofitel Budapest Chain Bridge offers breathtaking views of the Chain Bridge and the Royal Castle.

This luxury hotel is within easy walking distance of the Vaci street, major theatres and attractions, close to the main business and shopping area. Means of public transport are easily accessible.

The majority of the rooms overlook the Danube and all of them feature high-quality beds, an LCD TV with video and music on demand, high-speed and WiFi Internet and 24-hour room service.The Sofitel Budapest Chain Bridge features an indoor pool, the Paris-Budapest Café, a fitness centre, the Las Vegas Casino and a ballroom.

1000 Places To See Before You Die - Hungary

I don’t usually ear-mark books as it seems disrespectful to the paper.  But one in my library is very dog-earred and it is 1000 Places to See Before you Die by Patricia Schultz.  You know it as that thick paper-back with lots of places to set your sights on or at least your dreams.  It’s my go-to reference book to be sure I’m not missing something when I’m in the area.  I love looking at the 2 inch thick edges and seeing all the tiny turned over edges.  Wow, what a lifetime with a DH (“dear husband” in blog lingo) who loves to travel as much as me, with a sprinkling of thanks to the Coast Guard and of course the benefit of military airlift command flights (MAC flights as we called them) when exact dates are not crucial to your plans.

So this posting is dedicated to those places which appear for Hungary, Austria, and the Czech Republic.  My edition is old, era 2003, and no doubt I’ll be adding sights from newer editions later in the year.  So take a minute with a cup of tea, a glass of wine, or your pint of beer to read along in anticipation of these great European delights we’ll be visiting.

Today’s posting is: Hungary

Castle Hill > 

Buda is located on the LEFT Bank of the Danube River where you’ll find the hilly older section of the city and the Buda Castle also known as the Royal Palace. Here’s where we’ll be taking our photos from the iconic Fisherman’s Bastion high above the river.

Danube River and the Danube Bend > 

You probably know the city of Budapest is divided by the Danube River into the Buda side and the Pest side (pronounced Pesht…you can start sounding continental now as you tell your friends about your Spring 2015 plans).  We’ll have 3 nights here, and en route to Vienna (a short deluxe coach ride of 2.5 hours) we will stop at: 

Danube Bend in the picturesque town of Szentendre.  

Here we’ll find a dozen Orthodox churches, museums, cafes, and handicrafts.

Whether you are arriving from the U.S. into Budapest’s Ferihegy airport, or by rail via direct rail link from one of the several daily arrivals from Paris, Munich, or Venice at Keleti Station, a good first day jet-lag fighting remedy would be to visit one of the many ancient baths.  

Most notably is Hotel Gellert > 

and its Art Nouveau architecture and 18 pubic baths.  Here’s where you’ll see the locals playing chess on floating boards.  Temperatures are posted for each of the bathing areas, and you can certainly follow these with a massage.  Beneath Budapest alone, there are more than 80 natural hot springs.