Beverlz Journeys

Certainly a highlight of any visit to Budapest is an evening cruise on the Danube. There are stunning views of the buildings all lit up. Choose a company that plays classical music and ends up with The Blue Danube!

 

Spas:  Budapest sits on natural hot springs.

 

Gellert Spa: Worth the experience, but...

Beautiful historic thermal baths. Three of us wanted a spa pedicure (60 min), but on a Monday morning they only had 1 technician on duty. We didn't have that much time. For such a large and popular bath, was very surprised at the number of technicians available. So we soaked in the hot baths. The steam room was so hot I couldn't breathe. My companions lasted a few minutes. Not as nice a bath as the one on Marguerite Island in the Danube. I recommend that one! The island is delightful. You can rides bikes around the island as well as get terrific spa treatments and soak in their different pools.

 

The Budapest Great Synagogue is the largest in Europe and surely one of the most beautiful with its Byzantine-Moorish style. It was built in the mid 1800s.  Beside thesynogogue is a Holocaust Memorial  garden.  A metal weeping willow tree was put there in 1989 above the mass graves in the honour and memory of Hungarian Jewish martyrs. On each leaf you can read a name.

 

Statue Park: When the Communists were kicked out of Budapest, their statues were removed too. Many weren't destroyed but are in an area just outside of Budapest. 

 

 

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Belvedere Hotel: 11/A Szilagyi Erzsebet Fasor, on Buda side of Danube.  Lovely new hotel in Buda, close to Metro and trolleys ("Moscow Square"), and across from a park. Nice area in lobby to use your wireless, and a computer is available for your use. The front desk is very helpful. Great view from rooftop wellness floor with pool and sauna. They also have 1 bedroom suites with little kitchens, pull out couch in living room, and a balcony overlooking a garden with a children's swing set with slide. Drawbacks: on busy road for street facing rooms; no safe in room; bathtub very high for short people or aged to climb in; no coffee/ tea makers in rooms. Breakfasts are very good, served in a lovely solarium. All in all, a very nice place to base your visit to Budapest. Saying that I have to add that the Pest side is really best side to stay on for easy walking around and enjoying the ambiance and cafes.

 

Szent Jupat Etteren Restaurant, 1024 Budapest, Dekan utca 3, Vegetarian dishes.  Excellent Hungarian dishes. Loved the grilled goat cheese. Good options for vegetarians. Reasonable prices, non smoking. Outdoor terrace sometimes open. Located right off 'Moscow Square" subway/metro and trolley.