Click for some background music while you look and read, enjoy Hungarian Dance No. 5 (Johannes Brahms)
BUDA-pesht – is how they pronounce it – not BUDA-pest
Budapest – the capital of Hungary with a vibrant population approaching two million. It was also a co-capital of the Austria-Hungary Empire.
Although we hear about the Danube separating Buda and Pest, we forget that Óbuda was the third city joining in the union forming Budapest in 1873.
The Buda side of the river is hilly and Buda Castle (Royal Castle) sits atop a hill along with Matthias Church and Fishermen’s Bastion. These structures and a few statues and monuments amplify the skyline. Buda’s streets are narrow and the buildings echo with history.
The hills of Buda offers wonder views of the Danube and Pest.
The Pest side of the river is flat, newer, vibrant, and a grand display of architecture of Art Nouveau, Baroque, Classical, Neo-classical, Romantic, and Renaissance providing a grand visual treat. St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Parliament, Hero’s Square, Liberty Square, National Theater, Great Market Hall, parks, spas, shopping, entertainment, and more. Numerous pedestrian-only streets make Pest very walkable.
Hero’s Square celebrates 1000 years of conquest by the Magyars. Whereas the other countries on the tour were Slavic, Hungary is not – and it’s language is more similar to Finnish and Estonian instead of being close to any of its neighbors. Before this tour, I had no clue about this. Hero’s Square celebrates the seven Magyar tribes of Central Asia that came to the region. The square includes statues to labor, war, knowledge, and glory along with a few early national heroes.
A short walk beyond Hero’s Square, Varosliget (a 302 acre city park) also celebrates the 1896 millennium with galleries, museums, a thermal spa, and more in a beautiful park setting.
If you visit Budapest, make sure you take a night-time cruise on the Danube River because the city lights provide a great show.
Of the places we visited on the tour, Budapest was the biggest and the grandest. It’s a vibrant, beautiful city and worth at least at least 3 days – if not more. The excellent 6-minute video below showing Budapest is done by a group of travelling friends. Enjoy
Next Stop: Plitvice National Park (posted)
Next Post: Rovinj
Click here for past posts of this tour.
The contrasts are just amazing; the dark and the vibrant, the old and the new. And don’t even get me started on the patina! The night shots are simply magical.
Thank you for another wonderful tour. You’re a fabulous guide!
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Marc,
Budapest was the grandest of the stops on this trip. The river cruise at night is a must for all visitors.
Thanks for the kind words. The locations speak for themselves, so my approach is to provide just enough words. If you didn’t see my post on Plitvice (already up but linked at the end here), go … it’s a natural wonder!
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You are much too humble. And thank you, I will!
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And yes, I did read that one and commented. Those brilliant captures!
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Plitvice was our stop after Budapest, but it was perfect for Walktober. The next stop/post may make your heart melt.
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That’s a perfect tease right there! 🙂
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FYI: Last good chance for a Bengal win this Sunday in home closer – Raiders – but, I’m not confident.
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Yeah, especially since Gruden has the Raiders playing like third world beaters right now. Anything could happen! 😉
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After this, it is two road game – Clev, Pitt – more ugly.
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The Steelers is more winnable!
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Well, if they don’t show up for a home game.
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Pittsburgh is a mess and the Bengals DID play spoiler last year in the finale against Baltimore. Don’t stop believing!
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This team is so banged up, guys recently picked up on waivers are getting significant playing time.
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I remember all that talk about how Pittsburgh didn’t need Bell when they were winning. It ignored the dynamic he brought to the team, and how much better they might have been with Connor AND Bell.
The Bell saga cost both the team and the player.
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Yep … and now with Conner hurt – not a good omen. But hey they are counting on the Bengals.
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I think the Steelers are in trouble even if they do end up making the playoffs.
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Hopefully Mr. Howell doesn’t see this.
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I think he has come to grips with reality.
Okay, I hope he has come to grips with reality . . .
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Love the way you put it.
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Buahahaha!
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I won’t be surprised if JH pops in.
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I’ll just tell him my thoughts were taken out of context and that if I offended any Steelers fans, then I am sorry.
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Sounds like you have a plan.
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Beware – JH is in the building!
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Uh oh . . .
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He made a comment (hot mess) … then left … or is lurking.
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Cue the Jaws theme . . .
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So delightful. This place has been on my to-visit list since I did a report on the country in grade school. Thanks for the tour, complete with the great music.
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Patti,
Wow … so I’m glad to help you visit! Hooray – someone listened to the music to go along with the post. Now you have made me extra happy!
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Absolutely wonderful, Frank! Amazing how different each side is. Like two worlds.
Thank you so much for the tour – have to agree with Marc. You are a great tour guide!
Beautiful pictures… Makes me want to leave. Now.
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Dale,
Thanks – and oh yes – Buda and Pest are very different. I don’t think I would have believed the difference before going. Nonetheless, Budapest is grand – so put it on your list!
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Will do!
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I had a Budapest connection for many years Frank and one of my daughters spent some time there a while back. I feel like I know it well, even though I have never been. Not that I didn’t want to – but things were a bit dickey in that part of the world when I was living closer Thank you for sharing some of its vibrancy and beauty! I really enjoyed this post.
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Pauline,
The fact I’ve renewed thoughts of a Budapest connection made me smile. It’s a shame you didn’t visit – but also understandable why you didn’t.
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Being a foreign language enthusiast, I liked learning that due to the conquest 1000 years ago by the Magyars, Hungary’s language is more similar to Finnish and Estonian than to the Slavic tongues of its neighboring countries.
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Tim,
Yep – the Hungarians seems like a island! Glad you enjoyed this brief tour.
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Beautiful photos, Frank. It is obvious the city is worth the visit. I also enjoyed the football commentary between you and Marc. Go Steelers.
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John,
Oh yes – Budapest is definitely a worth a visit … probably multiple. I imagine the next time I may arrive on a river cruise. Oh well, time will tell. Meanwhile, the Bengals cause me to hang my head in shame.
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Steelers are a hot mess as well.
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Oh my … your ears were burning!
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They were.
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Someone heard you were in the house, therefore ran for the hills.
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Ha haha. I have that effect.
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Thank you for sharing your tour–wonderful photos, Frank.
When I turned on the Brahms, my cat–the one who reacts to music–was instantly alert. Not sure if he enjoyed it though. 🙂
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Merril,
Oh my … that’s funny. If I was to guess, I would think this piece had too much energy for your cat.
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He’s so funny. He reacts to music, but the other cat doesn’t. The funniest time was when we were watching Meryl Streep as Florence Foster Jenkins. He was sleeping upstairs and came racing down the stairs looking very alarmed. Actually, I think our other cat was a bit alarmed as well by that singing. 🙂
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Thanks for sharing. So funny. Florence would startle anyone! OK … an experiment. Let me know how he reacts. Here’s another Hungarian Rhapsody – but this one is by Liszt — the one in the post was Brahms. Curious if the feline critic reacts differently. Here’s Liszt. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdH1hSWGFGU
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He was kind of half-dozing, and his ears perked up a bit, then they twitched some at the louder, higher, faster parts. The biggest reaction though was when I asked if he liked it–so more reaction to my voice. 🙂
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This is priceless!
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Beautiful photos, Frank. My son visited Budapest a few years ago and he’s been many places in the world, but he spoke with such enthusiasm for everything he saw, and because he traveled in December and the weather was so foreboding, he really surprised me. We later sat through hundreds of photos! LOL! The beautiful architecture is definitely special. What a wonderful trip you had!
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Debra,
The architecture in the cities we visited was outstanding. Toss in the old sections of the cities, total bliss for me. Glad you got to experience Budapest through your son!
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Hungarian Dance #5 was perfect to read and view this post by. I know the music well, but just learned the name of it.
Great shots, and background history, Frank. Thank you, so much! Budapest is gorgeous.
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Resa,
Woo hoo … another who listened to the music for the post. Sure is wonderful!
Budapest is wonderful, grand, and full of energy! Thanks for coming along.
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My pleasure! The music worked, perfectly. 🍷 clink
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Lovely music and photos, Frank. Thanks for the wonderful guided tour. 😃
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The perfect music to accompany such amazing photos! I’ll gladly stowaway in your suitcases anytime. And what fascinating background info on the cities that combine to make this one remarkable place with quite the history.
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Monika,
Thanks for using the background music and noting that it works well with the post!
On this trip, do you really think you could fit into a carry-on? (We limited to that and a back pack). Meanwhile, we enjoy travel and I enjoy sharing tidbits here. Budapest was a bit overwhelming – so much!
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I sure give it the college try and I’ll start fasting now. 🙂
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That’s the spirit!
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Night cruise on the Danube looks magnificent.
Found the history of the joining of these cities fascinating.
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Drew,
As with all of Europe, the history is fascinating. The contrast of the two sides of the river was quite obvious. Meanwhile, a night time cruise on the Danube is a must! Simply so beautiful.
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Thanks for sharing it. On my to do.list
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I wasn’t in Budapest long, but this post brings back memories of being there Frank, thank you.
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Andrea,
Thanks for sharing and glad I jogged your memory. Because you weren’t there long, seems like a reason to return. 🙂 Why the short stay?
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We were inter-railing around Europe for a month and we went to lots of places but only spent a day or so in most of them – a great experience though exhausting 🙂
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Wow … that would be exhausting. Time to return and enjoy this gem!
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