Danube River Cruise

October - November 2015
A 20-day adventure by Pat Read more
  • 34footprints
  • 6countries
  • 20days
  • 147photos
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  • 5.8kmiles
  • 4.7kmiles
  • Day 16

    Budapest, Parliament Day 12

    November 1, 2015 in Hungary ⋅ 🌙 1 °C

    The Tauck tour is over and we're on our own until we leave on Tuesday. Georges is still not feeling well. It was nice to sleep in and have brunch. We went for an inside tour of the beautiful Parliament building... A group of 50-60 people with one guide without the Vox boxes that Tauck used (we heard our guides through earpieces). Hardly mattered because the guide had little to say. Bottom line: the interior is very beautiful, in similar Gothic design and guilt as many of the buildings we've visited.

    We went with Janet, a widow from Cincinnati whom I got to know during the tour. Afterwards we walked around the neighborhood and headed back to the hotel. Georges was beat and only wanted a hot bath and rest. Janet and I luxuriated in the hotel spa. We couldn't book a massage but enjoyed the aromatherapy steam room and sauna. Id actually spent a couple hours here on Saturday after our morning tour.

    The day ended at Reteshaz, a Hungarian cafe with outstanding foie gras, goulash soup, cucumber salad and the best duck (leg) I've ever had. Yesterday's guide, Liz, said that Hungarians drink a glass of wine everyday, don't believe in cholesterol and enjoy the small pleasures in life. After all, we re going to die anyway so enjoy the journey.
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  • Day 17

    Budapest, Finale Day 13

    November 2, 2015 in Hungary ⋅ ☀️ 11 °C

    Poor Georges is still sick. He wanted to sleep in. So I was free to go out with Janet. She's been talking about going to the baths which interested me before the trip and so we agreed we'd regret not going, since its a Budapest highlight. We chose the Geller Baths, supposedly renowned for the decades old tiled rooms and stained glass ceilings. Those didn't disappoint. We enjoyed the outdoor hot pool& sauna and moved indoors to the steam room and two hot tubs, each progressively hotter. We could use the large cold water pool without wearing bathing caps, which was fine by me.

    Janet was quite thrilled with it all and so I'm glad for her sake. I wasn't so impressed. I didn't like the crowds, although we always could sit. I did wonder about the sanitation, and hope I didn't pick up anything. And so now I won't leave Hungary, feeling I'd missed out.

    Afterwards we went to the nearby central market where I bought foie gras and truffles, which were unbelievably inexpensive. Returning to the hotel about I was surprised Georges was still in bed. He had thought he'd take a ride on the Ferris wheel in the park across from our hotel, something which makes me claustrophobic and avoid. And then he was going to visit the synagogue museum. But he just didn't have the energy.

    He rallied a bit for a walk to a kitchen store where I bought spatzel makers, like Georges mother used. And we had an early dinner in the hotel...one last treat of pur favorite dishes.. Pumpkin soup, goose liver with mushroom risotto and goulash soup. I have to find a recipe for that. Georges had it several times during this trip.

    Then Georges crashed (in bed) and I packed. Don't think for a minute that he wheedled our of packing. I'm worried that he's still fluish and I prefer to do the packing anyway. Its an engineering feat to get everything into the suitcases, and I really didn't buy much. Glad I resisted the leather bags at the marketplace. When something is too cheap I get suspicious...And Janet agreed. At my point in life I should buy because a really love it. I own too many things that "were good buys."
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  • Day 18

    Frankfurt, Enroute Home, Day 14

    November 3, 2015 in Germany ⋅ ⛅ 4 °C

    Slow morning until our car service to the airport at noon. Smooth flight to Frankfurt airport where we will stay overnight to take the Lufthansa direct flight to Tampa. Beats a very long journey with two stops other airlines. Two other couples from the Tauck tour are doing the same, although to other cities. Well have dinner with them later. Unless anything noteworthy happens, this will be my last entry. I'll be glad to be home for a while.Read more

  • Day 20

    Tampa, Home!!

    November 5, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    We left Frankfurt a half hour late but got home an hour early!! Such a pleasure on what was to be a 10.5 hour flight. Had no trouble sleeping, a wonderful 10 hours and enjoyed our cappuccinos this morning. But the fridge is empty. I wish a breakfast buffet would magically appear!Read more