A view across the Danube from Castle Hill by day
The same view of Budapest by night
When we came to Budapest years ago, after its freedom from Communism, we saw a beautiful city just awakening from years of neglect. I called it a “faded glory” then. Now, it is completely renewed and simply glorious! We liked the city so much then that we wanted to return; now, we “love” the city and would easily return again.
It is impossible to overstate how wonderful a city Budapest has become. Apt adjectives are fashionable, stately, upbeat, cultural and approachable. The food scene is both traditional and hip. A wonderful blend. Tree-lined streets are filled with interesting stores and outdoor restaurants. Pocket parks are surrounded by beautiful buildings and contain fountains and monuments and flower plantings. Every turn could produce a photograph. The Danube flows through the city and its bridges are unique and attractive. The promenade along the river is stately and easily walkable. Here and there a beautiful church stands between the belle époque buildings. The transportation system is vast and easily navigable. As you can see, Budapest spoke to my heart.
Budapest’s Central Market
Inside Budapest’s Central Market Hall
Inside Budapest’s Central Market Hall
We spent our last day walking Pest, having spent the day before in hilly Buda. We took our time, eating lunch at the famous Gebraud Bistro and Pastry. We sat outdoors under the trees surrounded by a beautiful park in the square and literally watched “the world go by.” We moseyed down Váci Utca, one of the main pedestrian thoroughfares of central Budapest, and ended up at the cavernous Central Market Hall with its orange, yellow and green tiled roof (featuring the same kind of tiles as the impressive Matthias Church). Located near the Liberty Bridge, the Central Market is a fun and interesting place, filled with hundreds of stalls on the bottom floor featuring food stuffs of all kinds, including the famous red paprika. Hungarian wares fill the second floor, and a full grocery store is in the basement. Hungarian food vendors are interspersed throughout. We could not pass by the poppyseed rolls without choosing one blended with cherries. A leisurely long walk back to our hotel on the Buda side brought us over the Chain Bridge. After a small shared meal of Hungarian goulash and cottage cheese curd dumplings (a dessert), we called it a day–our last day. Now it is to Rome and then home. With this, we close the blog for our European Adventures 2015. Thanks for following us on this blog. It has been a pleasure spending time with you. Joy in Jesus, WEG – Friday, October 1, 2015
Wayne on Castle Hill in Budapest
The quarter mile long Szechenyi Chain Bridge connects Buda and Pest spanning the Danube River. Large lion statues guard all four corners of the bridge.
kgraumann
wgraumann
gofarther.me 
Thanks for taking us along on your wonderful adventure! Will miss the daily updates on your travels! Safe journey home.
Vaya con Dios,
Joyce and John
Thanks so much. We are safely home and working to get our lives back in order–whatever that means :-). Although retired, I have really not been, so this time from now through the new year will be interesting, since we will be home and not helping out anywhere. While we were gone we had our home refreshed and slightly remodeled. We did this since we are deciding to sell our home and rightsize. It really looks good! However, since all the walls/ceilings were repainted (many retextured) and bathrooms resurfaced and new fixtures and much more, we came home to everything out of place and closets packed with pictures etc. We will be in the process of sorting out and getting rid of all our “too much” stuff that somehow we treasure but no longer will need. We have not found where we will move or build, so until then we will stay put in a home that feels somewhat brand new. We really enjoyed our adventure. Thanks for following. I hope this finds you feeling well.
Love to share adventures with you!
Thanks–we look forward to seeing what you John are up to in your travels. You motor home looks spectacular.
It has been wonderful following your adventures – I will miss all the descriptive vignettes!
Thank you so much. We enjoy doing this and it is good to know people appreciate our doing it. Blessings!
Well done!! I’ve enjoyed every step you took. Thanks for a well-written travelogue!!
We were happy to do the blog Nancy. Blessings!
A wonderful trip! I enjoyed every post and the photos were spectacular! Have a blessed trip home.
We are home safely and I also hear you are doing well. For all this we are grateful!
I have been traveling along with you and have enjoyed my trip! : ) Safe travels back to the USA and the great state of Texas!
Thanks Kathy. We had a wonderful adventure and are now home safely. I loved the picture of your family at OU!
I have two houses for you to look at….one even has an outdoor kiva oven for your much beloved pizza….give us a ring!