After Vienna we headed to Budapest via train. To be honest this is another place where I with we had spent another day (or even 2). I really loved Buda and Pest but mostly Pest. Apparently Budapest is actually 2 cities that are divided by the Danube River. One thing that makes this place so cool is that for their 1000 year city celebration (in 1896) they redid the city. They built some amazing buildings and even built the first subway system in all of Europe (yep, in the 1800s)! We started off our time here with a long line to get tickets to view the parliament building. Unfortunately we ended up having to come back later for the actual tour and it rained on us.
While the boys were sleeping, Shelley and I did a bit of shopping on the main shopping street Vaci Uta which ends up at this great covered marketplace. The top level is classic stands with souvenirs but the bottom is a real market with food and especially paprika (which Hungary is famous for).
After the boy's (Brian included) nap we headed back to the parliament building for our tour. It rained a bit more but it was fine.
This is a model of the building. It really was a grand sight to behold which a camera does not capture.
The Hungarian Crown Jewels. They are guarded heavily. This crown was used to crown the Hapsburg rulers when they visited.
Brian and Shelley with the boys outside the building.
Up close.
Me and Shelley and the boys in the same spot.
My happy Bubba.
We headed over to the Opera building afterward which I wish pictures could do justice to but since they don't I decided to only post us outside the building. You should go to see for yourselves.
Letting out some energy on the steps.
Brian and his mom saw another concert and took a dinner cruise on the Danube which they enjoyed immensely.
Brian said he really liked the music they played for this concert.
Night view of Buda.
Night view of Pest
I couldn't decide if it was better in color or not so you get both. Deal with it.
The next day we started off with the thermal baths (see the bottom of the post for this section since I couldn't be bothered to put the pictures in the right order). After that we came back to nap.
The boys were tired.
We almost always take naps when we vacation and generally it doesn't seem to slow us down too much at all.
That afternoon we headed to Buda to check it out and this is the view across the river of Pest.
Self pic.
Walking in Buda. Notice the irritated Johnny.
We got to the very cool cathedral which was redone (in 1896) for the 1000 year celebration. This seemed to be a recurring theme throughout the whole visit. This place was also used to hide items from the Jewish Synagogue during the time in which the Jews were in hiding here. Interesting to note that other churches helped preserve the heritage of each other when needed. It makes me like Hungary all the more.
A view across the river from Buda to the Parliament building in Pest.
Not sure why but I love stained glass windows. They NEVER turn out in photos but here is one anyway.
Johnny playing in the church (reverently of course).
There is a boardwalk of sorts on a cliff overlooking Pest which we checked out after the church.
James. What. A. Handsome. Boy!
All of us!
Now we get back to the morning's activities. You can not go to Budapest without checking out some of their lovely thermal baths. I could have easily spent an entire day here. Which is why I wanted more time here.
These baths are on the outskirts of Pest (easily accessible by subway).
They have 3 huge pools at various temperatures (hotter in the winter than in the summer) with jets and bubbles and waterfalls and lazy rivers and such for relaxing. It was a perfect day to go. It was just a tad cool (low 70's) which made the warm water awesome.
The kids loved it!
They built this "palace" around these baths in (you guessed it) 1896.
There are also a bunch of smaller pools (some hot some cold) for hydro therapy and massages and other spa services available.
Proof that I was there.
James had so much fun and the old Hungarians didn't seem to mind the kids at all.
Johnny and James both love swimming and I try to take them weekly.
Isn't the water just lovely?
Me and my boys.
Beautiful day!
An elevated view.
After the baths, we saw a few sights (mostly monuments built in 1896) in the area. There was a huge park built here with lots of attractions that has been around since that time too.
Brian in Monument Square.
The last place that I wanted to see was the Jewish Synagogue but we made it too late. All I got to see what with "weeping willow" monument to Hungarian Holocaust victims. Each leaf had a name inscribed upon it. Apparently this synagogue is the largest one in Europe.
Overall, I think that Budapest was my favorite part of this trip. I loved everything about it. Shelley and I went out for dinner one night and we had some authentic Hungarian Goulash which was great and Brian and I went out the next night for some more authentic food. I found the people to be more than friendly and the whole place to be lovely to visit. Even the subways were an experience not to be forgotten. I would love to go back and see more (and relax more at the thermal baths). Someday!!!
The next day we flew back to Geneva and Shelley got ready to go home. She flew out the day after we got back. I think we may have over-traveled her but we hope she enjoyed it as much as we loved having her with us.
