Adventure: Budapest

McKay:

I love Budapest. I delight in beautiful dirty cities and Budapest is that – ancient yet historical subway system (first on the continent and still used), attractive sites ringed with swindling crooks preying on tourists, high prices and no-fun bartering in the souvenir market (guess enough people pay the marked prices), and great street food. Great street food is the mark of a city ripe with adventure.

Also, our hotel had a lot to do with my adoration of Budapest. It was perfect!! It had high ceilings, huge windows, views of trees in the little square, perfect draperies, nice wood floor, a fantastic bathroom with tile and fixtures that Rob and I want to use in a future bath one day. If it had a kitchen, I would decide to live there forever. The café on the ground floor served a great included breakfast as well. Plus, the service was really high class - nice, yet still edgy. Even the spiral staircase up four flights was wonderful because it was hewn stone with gold walls and a gorgeous stained glass skylight. I loved everything about the Gerloczy Hotel in Budapest!!
Our first day in Budapest, we went to the air races (I believe Rob will describe that in detail). We arrived as the semi-final round was starting and rushed up our recently-checked-in hotel stairs with Rob calling “C’MON!” back down to my awe-filled and huffing self. Heavy packs lifted, we hurried the four blocks or so the Danube to take in the awesomeness that was the Red Bull Air Races. It was really awesome!... and fun to learn that Europe has rednecks too.

We thoroughly enjoyed the festivities that surrounded St. Stephens Day! The day ended with the very best fireworks ever. I mean WOW! One couldn’t even take it all in at once. They came from 4 different locations with ones even coming off the river in fountain-like designs. Truly amazing.

The second day in Budapest, we saw the Castle Hill area, taking in the most popular sights. In the afternoon, we went to the baths at the suggestion of Rick (he says you can’t leave Budapest without experiencing them). We had our doubts, but not anymore! They are amazing! There’s three outdoor pools with fountains, jets, current pool areas, lots of entertainment. Indoors, there are countless pools, warm pools, hot pools, cold pools, ones with jets, saunas, light saunas, aromatherapy saunas, steam rooms, current pools, lounging pools, and I’m sure more I can’t remember. One could absolutely spend all day here and get a number of different massages (which we didn’t have time for). Relaxed and refreshed, we went back to the hotel to change for our dinner at the “best restaurant in the world.”