Are you Hungary?

August 2024
  • Bill Sherman
  • CJ Sherman
Leaving Maribor and exploring other areas of Central Europe. Let’s go see Hungary with some locals, primarily Budapest. Read more
  • Bill Sherman
  • CJ Sherman

List of countries

  • Hungary Hungary
Categories
Couple, Culture, Sightseeing
  • 296miles traveled
Means of transport
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  • 8footprints
  • 6days
  • 74photos
  • 26likes
  • Hungarian border
    Ballon, largest lake in Central EuropeProof of lifeDaisy the poseurBalaton is a long, skinny lakeNekkid statues, no sign or plaques to let us know who they areNice marina across from the family park and restaurantsCappuccino and pastries for the road. Caramel cheesecake and chocolate chip ricotta slices

    Fonyód - on the way from Slovenia to Hun

    August 2, 2024 in Hungary ⋅ ☁️ 75 °F

    On the way to Budapest, our hosts recommended a stop to see Balaton, the largest lake in Central Europe. It’s a long, skinny lake a light dusty blue in color. Our route took us on the south side past many small towns. The north side seems to be hillier. We stopped at a family (and dog) friendly place with many restaurants, games and parks for all. A quick walk around, refuel with coffee and pastries and we’re off!Read more

  • We joined a football club!
    Ferencvarous eagle statueManhole cover shot in front of stadiumParliament buildingProof of life in front of Danube river (do you hear a waltz?)Lion on the Chain bridge. Similar to Bridge of Lions in St AugustineSaint Stephen's basilicaChurch towers against the evening skyFreedom square. The fountain opens up to let you in, then traps you!

    Budapest

    August 2, 2024 in Hungary ⋅ ☁️ 79 °F

    After Balaton we got to our friends house by 4. GPS got us to the street, but the house number doesn’t work so Balasz had to meet us on the street to show us the way in. Once in place, we unpacked then got right back into a car to head down to Groupama stadium to join the local football club. You have to register with the team in order to buy tickets for the home side. Otherwise you have to sit in the end zone with the opponents.
    Once we received our official membership cards we went for a walk around town. With the sun going down, the temperature dropped into the low 70s for a wonderful walking temp. Did a quick tour on the Buda side seeing some sites Saint Stephen’s, freedom park, statues of Ronald Reagan and George Bush, and then back to the house.
    Charcuterie for dinner then we all dropped off for the night.
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  • Hűvösvölgy Children's Railway
    Queen Elizabeth "Cici" towerView of Budapest from top of Cici towerHigh winds kept us cool and nearly blew off our hatsThe family home on the edge of the forestVarious crosses and religious monuments all over townEagle mascot for the clubRepping the team! Cheering the boys to victory

    Ferencvárosi Torna Club

    August 3, 2024 in Hungary ⋅ 🌬 72 °F

    Started the day with a bus to the forest and a walk to the Elizabeth Lookout, a historic lookout tower on János Hill above Budapest. It was windy on the walk, then we climbed the tower stairs and nearly got blown off the top!
    The forest is a huge public space with trails all through it used for both exercise and travel around the smaller towns surrounding the forest. They also show up on various map programs with amazing accuracy.
    After our 4 hours and 5 miles, we took showers, naps then headed down to the stadium for the opening match of the local football club Ferencvárosi Torna Club aka Fradi or FTC. We got official membership cards and t-shirts to support the boys rallying them to a 1-0 win.
    Great day and more to come.
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  • Gül Baba's tomb
    Chain bridgeBudapest with Orsi and BalázsMatthias church Buda castleBuda castle districtBudapest CastleChurch of Our Lady of Buda CastleMatthias Fountain in Buda CastleChain Bridge the Danube River

    Buda Castle

    August 5, 2024 in Hungary ⋅ ☁️ 81 °F

    Bill started early with a 2 mile out and back, and up the 700 vertical climb to the Károly-Kilátó observation tower. Little did he know the additional walking plans Balasz and CJ had.
    We went downtown again, had a quick tour of the Ottoman/Turkish tomb of Gül Baba. Gül Baba's tomb (türbe) in Budapest, Hungary, is the northernmost Islamic pilgrimage site in the world
    From the tomb we drove and parked for our walk. We walked around downtown, crossed the chain bridge then went up multiple stairs to the Buda Castle. This castle is an entire small town with churches, shops, hotels, and apartments in addition to the royal palace and government buildings.
    Buda Castle sits on the southern tip of Castle Hill, surrounded by the touristic area known as Várnegyed (Castle Quarter), which is famous for its Medieval, Baroque, and Neoclassical houses, churches, public buildings, and monuments.
    After touring the castle hill we stopped for iced coffee with vanilla ice cream, then gnoshed on Császármorzsa – Kaiserschmarrn, a Hungarian/Austrian dish of fried dough covered in carmelized sugar topped with vanilla cream plus cherry or apple preserves. Talk about yummy! Sorry, but when they came out we dove right in a failed to get pictures. Maybe we should go back and demonstrate some restraint.
    Coming down from the castle, we chose a longer route over the Margaret bridge. About halfway across the wind and rain kicked in so we walked faster then took sanctuary in the Belvarosi (inner city) church. They were getting ready for mass, so we got evicted but the rain had stopped and we walked back through the town.
    Balasz took us through several repurposed building, an old shopping district that’s been converted to a luxury hotel, an abbey discovered while a new hotel is being built so now there’s a museum and ancient wine cellar in the hotel. Fantastic little finds.
    Back to the house for more charcuterie followed by home made apple strudel. Great end to 22k steps!
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  • Margit -Sziget (Margaret Island)

    August 6, 2024 in Hungary ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F

    Margaret Island is in the middle of the Danube river between Buda and Pest. It started as a religious area for priests and nuns, also serving as a retreat for the royal family. Today it houses swimming pools for races, waterpolo and other water sports. There is a large track (athletics) area, soccer field, and a cross country running trail a little over 5km, a large playground, sand volleyball and many open areas. .

    In addition to the play areas, there are ruins dating back to the 13th century for the friary, convent, and chapels. A short walk away is a luxury hotel which housed professional athletes in town for world or European championships.

    The large city park (not on the island) has the square of heroes as the main gate. Inside is a small animal park, a church, the Hall of Music and an interesting curved museum of Ethnology which provides great views of the city and surrounding hills.
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  • Chef Bendi spaghetti bolognese beforeChef Bendi spaghetti bolognese AFTER

    Chef Bendi’s creations

    August 6, 2024 in Hungary ⋅ ☀️ 79 °F

    We knew Chef Bendi before he became the world renowned culinary genius. He presented glimpses of his innate talents using vegetables from his parent’s garden and combining them in new and unique ways. Then he took crusty bread and topped it with the freshest pico and pesto sauces to make very satisfying tapas-style nibbles.
    His samples made a beautiful ending to our long walks through the beauty of Budapest.
    Bon appetit!
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