Feb 4, 2017

Budapest, Hungary




2017 is sadly our last full year living in Europe so the pressure is on to see and do as much as possible. Since January is the off-season around here, it's typically a great month to score cheap flights and save money on reduced hotel rates. I didn't have my heart set on a specific destination for this month and my decision was going to be driven solely by price. Direct flights and a great rate on a five star hotel brought us to Budapest! What made the trip even better was the fact that we recruited our best friends living here to join us for the weekend. I'm not sure who had more fun, the kids or the adults, and here's the best part... we returned home as happy as we left, friendship still intact and talk of a future trip in the works. 



The capital city of Hungary once known as two distinct cities, Buda and Pest, united in 1873 to become what we now know today as Budapest. Connected by The Chain Bridge which spans the Danube River, is a marvel of engineering and its size alone is monumental. Two recognizable landmarks, Buda Castle and Parliament, sit across from each other, divided by the Danube river, and dazzle with lights upon nightfall. Given the physical separation of the city, how does one decide where to stay? Well, Buda and Pest are unique in their own right but for those interested in a bustling atmosphere, Pest would be my pick. Buda is the hillier side of the city and gives a quieter feel, with castle hill, monuments, residential areas and narrow winding streets. Pest is the flat and urban center of the city home to the parliament, synagogue, heroes square, St. Stephen's Cathedral, the opera, zoo, and the popular Szechenyi Spa, just to name a few.










The weekend forecast was divided by wintry mixes and sun, granting us the beauty of seeing the city in two different lights. There was something magical and alluring once nighttime rolled around; the city lit up, snow fell, and the reflections of the iconic buildings could be seen on the icy river. Our children chased each other, jumped through puddles, ate snow, tried new foods, and gleefully shouted as we arrived back to their "castle" in the evenings. They were in awe of this city as much as we were. The people of Budapest were friendly and welcoming, the landmarks were jaw dropping, our money went a long way here, and the food was some of the best we've had throughout Europe. When asked the popular question, "which city traveled to is your favorite?" Budapest will pop into our minds as a top contender amongst the many.





Travel Notes

Accommodations
Sofitel Budapest This hotel's location is prime if you want to be within walking distance to many sites. It sits near the Chain Bridge giving an easy path to the Buda side. The hotel staff were wonderful and greeted our children with teddy bears upon arrival. The hotel offers a spa, pool, and great breakfast buffet- although a bit pricey! Oh, and let's talk about how comfortable the beds were.  I can't remember the last time I stayed in a hotel and checked-out so well rested. My husband and I joked that we would love to own that mattress and linens, and sure enough, they can be purchased online through Luxury Collection Store.

Restaurants
Zeller Bistro A farm to table bistro with a cozy ambiance and delicious dishes. It's off the beaten path from more tourist sites and a reservation is a must. I wouldn't label this place a kid-friendly restaurant as it seemed more guests were there as couples. The staff were sweet with our children but I probably wouldn't recommend coming here with a big group of families and small children. 

Vak Varju This is named after a flatbread loaded with various toppings and is hands down, so tasty! Their menu is comprised of a large variety of Hungarian dishes. After sampling each other's appetizers and entrees, we didn't taste anything we didn't like. The thing we loved about this restaurant, other than the awesome food, was the kids play corner. Our kids had a blast playing in the gated area before and after their meals. As for us adults, we were stoked about the setup!

Iguana We were all craving Mexican food since we haven't found any great restaurants with this specialty in Germany. Iguana restaurant hit the spot! If you love margaritas, salty chips, and burritos, then make this a stop on your trip to Budapest.

Transportation
Airline: We found cheap tickets from Germany to Hungary via Eurowings 

Airport Shuttle to Hotel: Once at baggage claim, we purchased a transfer to our hotel with the company Minibud. Since we were a group of 7, we were given our own passenger van. Typically, if traveling with a smaller group, you would share a passenger van with other people staying either in your hotel or in neighboring accommodations. 

Tours: We opted to do the City Tour Hop-on Hop-off Bus for one of the days in the city because of the cold weather and precipitation. It was our first time using one of these tour services and it was a really great way to view the city, listen to an audio guide with historical information, all while having the flexibility to jump on or off at different sites. The kids loved riding the bus and here's a parent perk, a large BOB stroller fits on the bus without having to fold it up!

Itinerary- 4 days and 3 nights
  • Day 1
    • Depart Stuttgart in the am and arrive in Budapest early afternoon (flight time 1 hour and 10 minutes)
    • Transfer shuttle to hotel
    • Hotel check-in 
    • Walk to Central Market Hall 
    • Window browsing on Vaci Street
    • Lunch and drinks at a pub
    • Hotel for kid's nap time 
    • Dinner at Bistro 
  • Day 2
    • Breakfast at Hotel Buffet
    • Catch the Hop-on Hop-off tour bus
      • Heroes Square
      • Vajdahunyad Castle 
      • City Park
      • Jewish Quarter and the Great Synagogue
      • Duck into a cafe for coffee and hot chocolate
      • Ride the bus around the city listening to more history
      • Gellert Hill 
    • Spa treatment and pool time at the hotel / kid nap time
    • Dinner at local restaurant
  • Day 3 
    • Breakfast in hotel room (purchased bread, jam, and fruit from local store) 
    • Walk to Buda Castle
    • Fisherman's Bastion 
    • Matthias Church
    • Lunch on the go
    • Wine bar to purchase wine
    • Shoes on the Danube Memorial (click the link to read about this emotional memorial)
    • Hotel for kid's nap time
    • Dinner at a local restaurant 
    • Walk to the parliament for night pictures
  • Day 4 
    • Check-out and travel day

*We didn't get a chance to do the Thermal Baths or Margaret Island but they would be places to fit into your itinerary if time permits. 


































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