Budapest

I have visited Budapest (Hungary) twice now and I would still like to return at least a couple of more times... I would certainly say that out of all the cities that I've spent time in, Budapest is probably my favorite. Certainly probably.

Chain Bridge

   The only thing that I wasn't prepared for in Budapest is that things were quite a bit more expensive than I was expecting, but one can certainly get by with a smaller amount of funds with some effort. One of my favorite things about the city is that although there is a tram system, there are so many things to see that setting out on foot is just the best plan.

Budapest

   Once upon a time, there were two cities that lay separated by the Danube River. Buda was the royal city up on the hill and where the Buda Castle can be found, while the bustling boulevards of Pest lied on the East bank of the river. Then in 1849, the first permanent bridge across the Danube opened (Széchenyi Chain Bridge) and we now have Budapest.
  

Chain Bridge

   When the Chain Bridge was built (1839-49) it had the second longest span of any other suspension bridge in the world. The bridge was then blown up (along with all bridges in Budapest) by German troops as they retreated at the end of World War II in January 1945. With only the pillars intact and the lions that were placed at the bridge in 1852, the rest of the bridge had to be rebuilt. On November 20th, 1949 the bridge re-opened, exactly one-hundred years after the first opening.

Gelarto Rosa

   At this point, I have to confess.. My main love for Budapest is because of Gelarto Rosa (next to St. Stephen's Basilica). With flavors such as White Chocolate Lavender, Salted Caramel Panna Cotta, Cinnamon, Cayenne Dark Chocolate, Pistachio... All crafted to creamy perfection and scooped into a cone to resemble a rose with petals arranged to your flavor selection (up to four) it's unbeatable (except for one shop in Milan, Italy). Sometimes there is a long line and sometimes you can walk right up to the counter, either which way, I recommend three stop-ins a day..

Gelato Roses

   And now, the most important advice I could ever give... To increase your odds of stumbling across the most incredible gelato, there are two things to look for. Number 1 - look for the gelato to be in stainless steel bins, not plastic. Number 2 - if banana is an offering and it is yellow, walk away - it's artificial, the gelato offerings are not homemade - look for banana gelato to be a creamy color, no yellow! And my unofficial rules... Number 3 - if there's a line, it's probably worth a try. Number 4 - if they offer Smurf gelato, please see rule Number 2.

Great Market Hall

   Now that we've had dessert... The best eats in town are at the Great Market Hall. Located on the Danube right at the Pest side of Liberty Bridge, the market is huge, crazy crowded and the eats are pretty cheap!

   On the first floor of the market, one will find stand upon stand of fruits, vegetables, strudel and other bakery, sausages, peppers, garlic, paprika paste and spices - the basement holds fish, pickles and a supermarket. Where you really want to go... Upstairs... Crowded, very crowded but here you will find a spot to enjoy a beer, find goulash, stuffed cabbage, langos - if it's Hungarian fare, you'll find it here. And it will be delicious (more delicious than any restaraunt). After you've eaten and drank to content, there are plenty of souvenir shops located up here as well...

Great Market Hall

   Plan accordingly - the market opens at 6 in the morning but closes early evening on weekdays, 15:00 on Saturdays and is closed on Sunday. I would label it as a Budapest must...

Street view towards St. Stephen's Basilica.

   Aside from eating, there is also the Parliament Building, Dohany Street Synagogue, Hero's Square... A hike to Buda Castle, Fisherman's Bastion and the Liberty Statue... Going up to the dome of St. Stephen's Basilica provides a marvelous view of the city, as does hiking up Gellert Hill (home of the Liberty Statue). In between courses of Gelarto Rosa, there is just an astounding amount of things to see.