EASTERN EUROPE OCT 2013 BUDAPEST D1

 

18 to 21 Oct 2013

Budapest

The train journey from Bratislava to Budapest Main Station (Keleti) was about 2 hours and a half.

About 30 minute prior to arrival, there was an announcement that the train will not proceed to Keleti due to reason I could not comprehend. Instead, we were herded to another train to continue to another train stations in Budapest. Budapest has a few railways stations. Being a season traveler, I began to look at alternative route to Hotel Best Western which was suppose to be walking distance from Keleti Station. Moving to our hotel on mass transit was relatively easy other than some inconvenience of dragging our luggage through steps and cobblestone pedestrian walks.

Budapest is the capital of Hungary, once call “the Queen of the Danube”. It is a very beautiful city with very rich historical and cultural elements. Budapest is merger of two cities, Buda and Pest bisected by the beautiful River Danube. Budapest was once part of wealthy and powerful Austria-Hungary Empire. Today our walking was centered around the old city of Buda.

 Castle Hill,  Buda Castle, Fisherman's Bastion, Matthias Church

The central position is Buda Castle, also called the Royal Palace. Buda hilltops are crowned by trees and sit on west side of River Danube, providing a spectacular views of Pest and its beautiful riverfront.  Within the castle complex lays many historical monuments and churches.

We took a tram to Buda. We walked the surrounding areas of Buda Castle and viewed the Matthias Church and Citadella and many elegant bridges along Danube. Somehow the view of the awesome Hungarian Parliament Building is just imposing.

More strolling and the picturesque Budapest

We saw of procession, marching in traditional costumes and regalia around the Palace.

Around the Museum

At the foothills of Buda

Tram going up Castle Hill

Chain Bridge

In the late afternoon, we took a cruise on River Danube, viewing the majestic buildings and bridges from the river front. As most old European cities, the facade of buildings is most elegant from this angle as the river was the main form of transport before the rail.

Views from the river boat.

Walking around the Parliament House.