Budapest is mass tourism's best kept secret.Every girls dream is to visit the Eiffel tower with her beau but Budapest snakes it way right to the top. Be it the symphony at the St Stephan's Basilica or the wine tasting in one of the cozy local wine bars ( more about both later) redefines ones idea of the most romantic moments.
Spend the morning in one of Budapest natural underground caves, which were formed by thermal waters over millions of years. So one can actually touch and feel the earth that was there a million years ago.Stalactites, stalagmites , columns, ribbons and curtains in the caves makes boring geography lessons in school so cool. Filled with spectacular formations, with even more imaginative names rattled by the friendly guide, the caves provide a cool(the temperature was 10 C inside the cave) respite from the summer sun.
Rise with the sun and head to the Gellért Bath. Take a dip in one of the thermal baths or enjoy a unique spa experience. Its columned, Roman-style swimming pool looks familiar. Is it because of the historical romance by the pool described in the M&B or maybe it is just the most photographed spa of Hungary.
The Rock Hospital in the Buda Castle is like a cupcake to the history seeking soul. The history of the emergency hospital goes back to World War II. The caves and tunnels, connected and fortified were initially used as an air raid shelter. Then a 60 bedded hospital was built which housed more than 600 patients during the war.The doctors and nurses worked with the state of art medical and surgical facilities and sheer grit during the Budapest Siege of WW II and the Revolution to treat wounded civilians and soldiers. A modern Anesthesia delivery machine with complete Operation Theatre equipment in the winding caves with stories of the war heroism explained dramatically by the guide made my idea of working at a war front even more romantic..Someday me too ,.... Later in the 60's it was expanded to withstand potential chemical and nuclear attacks during the Cold War.Thankfully never once was it used as a nuclear bunker.
The Budapest Parliament building is a beauty etched in stone and decorated with turrets and arches . The nation's home is grand and befitting . Guided tours are done so professionally that the oohs and aahs that the magnificent parliament evokes from tourists seem the norm. What is amazing is that no building was left undamaged after the WW II but they rebuilt it all to its former glory within a year of ending war.
St Stephan basilica, built to match the parliament in height and glory shows the equality between God and the state.The mummified 1000 years old right hand of St. Stephan, the founder of Hungary, leaves one with goose bumps
Evenings should be exclusively reserved for tasting the wines in one of the local restaurants.
Hungarians are such sweet people.Am sure it is the lovely wines that flows in their veins. Volcanic soils, balmy summers ,the royal rot and what not. But the Tokaji wine got me at hello. Walks by the Danube hand in hand with the skies changing from yellow to purple and the castles and the bridges lighting up.......time just stood still ...lo behold ,,,,,this was my Eiffel moment.
Spend the morning in one of Budapest natural underground caves, which were formed by thermal waters over millions of years. So one can actually touch and feel the earth that was there a million years ago.Stalactites, stalagmites , columns, ribbons and curtains in the caves makes boring geography lessons in school so cool. Filled with spectacular formations, with even more imaginative names rattled by the friendly guide, the caves provide a cool(the temperature was 10 C inside the cave) respite from the summer sun.
Rise with the sun and head to the Gellért Bath. Take a dip in one of the thermal baths or enjoy a unique spa experience. Its columned, Roman-style swimming pool looks familiar. Is it because of the historical romance by the pool described in the M&B or maybe it is just the most photographed spa of Hungary.
The Rock Hospital in the Buda Castle is like a cupcake to the history seeking soul. The history of the emergency hospital goes back to World War II. The caves and tunnels, connected and fortified were initially used as an air raid shelter. Then a 60 bedded hospital was built which housed more than 600 patients during the war.The doctors and nurses worked with the state of art medical and surgical facilities and sheer grit during the Budapest Siege of WW II and the Revolution to treat wounded civilians and soldiers. A modern Anesthesia delivery machine with complete Operation Theatre equipment in the winding caves with stories of the war heroism explained dramatically by the guide made my idea of working at a war front even more romantic..Someday me too ,.... Later in the 60's it was expanded to withstand potential chemical and nuclear attacks during the Cold War.Thankfully never once was it used as a nuclear bunker.
The Budapest Parliament building is a beauty etched in stone and decorated with turrets and arches . The nation's home is grand and befitting . Guided tours are done so professionally that the oohs and aahs that the magnificent parliament evokes from tourists seem the norm. What is amazing is that no building was left undamaged after the WW II but they rebuilt it all to its former glory within a year of ending war.
St Stephan basilica, built to match the parliament in height and glory shows the equality between God and the state.The mummified 1000 years old right hand of St. Stephan, the founder of Hungary, leaves one with goose bumps
Evenings should be exclusively reserved for tasting the wines in one of the local restaurants.
Hungarians are such sweet people.Am sure it is the lovely wines that flows in their veins. Volcanic soils, balmy summers ,the royal rot and what not. But the Tokaji wine got me at hello. Walks by the Danube hand in hand with the skies changing from yellow to purple and the castles and the bridges lighting up.......time just stood still ...lo behold ,,,,,this was my Eiffel moment.
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| The Parliament House |
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| The Assembly |
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| Cigar holder with numbers for identification |
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| Shoes by the Danube |
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| St Stephan Basilica |
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| View from the Buda castle |
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| My Eiffel moment |
